Chapter 2

chapter2

After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area.

Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table, looking like she was running out of patience. She was dressed in professional attire that reflected a sharp, modern style. While she didn’t exude the same effortless elegance as Mackenzie, she was undeniably striking and carried herself with an air of practiced confidence.

Emmanuel took a breath and approached with a polite smile, intending to start over.

“Sorry I’m late! My name’s Emmanuel Lowe. I’m twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist with an annual salary of eighty thousand—”

“Stop!” the woman interrupted coldly. “What is the meaning of this? With such a modest background, do you seriously think you’re a prime candidate for marriage? And you have the nerve to be late! What right do you have to keep me waiting? This has been an utter waste of my time. Hmph!”

Before Emmanuel could respond, the woman, flushed with anger, grabbed a glass of water and splashed it directly onto his face.

Emmanuel was caught completely off guard. Water dripped from his chin, soaking his collar. Despite the humiliation, he kept his temper in check. He knew he had been late due to his own mistake in navigation, and he chose to remain professional.

“You’re twenty-eight and only earning that much? No wonder you’re struggling,” the woman continued, her voice dripping with contempt. “You lack punctuality and clearly don’t take your future seriously. I’m shocked you even showed up. Stop being delusional.”

She grabbed her bag, slapped a wad of cash onto the table to cover the bill, and stormed off without even offering her name.

Emmanuel’s gaze darkened. He wasn't looking for a fairytale, but being treated with such blatant disrespect stung. However, realizing there was nothing more to be done, he dried himself off and left the café, feeling a weight of frustration in his chest.

As he stepped outside, he witnessed a suspicious scene: a man with long hair deliberately collided with a slow-moving BMW and began screaming in pain, clutching his leg.

A staged accident, Emmanuel realized immediately. Is there no end to the trouble today?

“Ah! Someone’s been hit!” “My leg! You’ve broken my leg!” the man wailed.

Four other men quickly emerged from the sidelines to join the commotion, acting as aggressive witnesses. A young lady, looking panicked, stepped out of the BMW. She was dressed in a stylish maroon dress, her appearance polished and sophisticated.

“What happened? I was barely moving,” she said anxiously.

The men surrounded her, their tone becoming increasingly predatory. “Cut the crap! Pay up now or else!”

While they demanded money, their behavior shifted from seeking compensation to outright intimidation. They began making inappropriate comments about her appearance, crowding into her personal space. One of the men reached out to grab her arm, trying to prevent her from retreating to her car.

The woman staggered back in fear, nearly tripping until she bumped into Emmanuel, who had been watching from a few feet away.

Instead of staying out of it, Emmanuel stepped firmly in front of her, shielding her from the group. He glared at the long-haired man on the ground.

“You said your leg is broken and you want money, right?”

There was a coldness in Emmanuel’s eyes—a remnant of his years in the military—that made the thugs hesitate.

Inside the café, Mackenzie watched the scene through the window. She was surprised. Most people would have walked away, but this man was standing his ground against five aggressors.

Suddenly, Emmanuel moved. He delivered a swift, controlled kick to the man’s supposedly shattered leg.

“Argh!” the man yelped, instinctively jumping up and hopping on the very leg he claimed was broken.

The onlookers realized the ruse and began jeering at the scammers. The thugs, realizing they had lost their leverage and were facing someone who wouldn't be intimidated, quickly backed off.

“We’ll remember you, brat! Watch your back!” the long-haired man shouted before he and his crew scattered into the night.

The woman from the BMW turned to Emmanuel with a warm, relieved smile. “Thank you so much. That was incredibly brave of you. Can I buy you a drink to show my appreciation?”

Emmanuel, however, remained indifferent to her charm. “No, thank you. I have things to attend to. Please be careful.”

He walked away without a second glance. The woman stood there, stunned that her gratitude—and her looks—had been so easily brushed off.

Back inside, Terence Quillen burst into laughter. “Haha! I told you, Mackenzie! The man has character. Even when faced with a beautiful woman like Lexi making an advance, he didn't falter. He’s a man of integrity.”

Mackenzie watched Emmanuel’s retreating figure. Her impression of him was shifting. “Don't get ahead of yourself, Grandpa. Most men are just better at hiding their motives. I doubt he’ll pass my next test.”

Meanwhile, Emmanuel returned home to find his sister, Roselynn, waiting. When she heard about the failed date, she was exasperated. “The eighteenth time? You’re fit, capable, and a doctor! How is this still happening?”

Their mother, Alessandra, was even more distressed. She grabbed Emmanuel’s arm, ready to drag him back out.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

“I’m worried sick!” Alessandra cried. “The neighbor’s son is already on his second child, and my son can’t even get a phone number? That woman didn't even give you a chance! I paid for that session. We’re going to her house right now to demand a proper introduction!”

“What?” Emmanuel groaned. He couldn't believe his mother was becoming this desperate. The thought of showing up at that rude woman's house was the last thing he wanted to do.