Once seated, the atmosphere felt notably awkward for Bonnie, Tobias, and John. Tobias hesitated, regretting his decision to join the group; he hadn't anticipated a student meal and felt uncomfortable. Bonnie intended to sit beside Yvette, but Jeremiah's warning look stopped her. She awkwardly wiped her chair before sitting across from Yvette, casting longing glances her way. Lacking the courage to confront Jeremiah, she remained distant.

The waiter arrived, handing the menu to Jeremiah, who passed it to Yvette. She politely asked Tobias, "Mr. Sunderland, what would you like to eat?" He replied that she could order whatever she pleased. Yvette nearly ordered everything on the menu; Jeremiah and Andrew were accustomed to this, recalling their last visit where Yvette had consumed a similar amount.

Anticipating hunger, Bonnie exclaimed, "Yve, we can't eat this much!" Yvette, handing the menu back, nonchalantly replied, "I ordered all this for myself. You can order whatever you want." John nearly choked on his water, shocked by the sheer volume of food Yvette intended to eat alone.

Tobias asked, "Ms. Zeller, are you sure you can eat all these dishes?" Yvette, after a moment's contemplation, nodded confidently, "Sure I can; the food isn't that much." Tobias, glancing at the lengthy menu, could only manage an awkward laugh. "Well, having a big appetite is a good thing." Bonnie agreed, adding, "Yve, you really have quite the appetite." Andrew nodded in assent.

Bonnie felt a pang of envy; Yvette's hearty appetite was admirable, contrasting with Bonnie's own limited intake due to chronic enteritis.

An embarrassing silence fell over the private room. Yvette lounged lazily, her coat discarded, her eyes misty. Jeremiah's occasional glances at her exposed collarbone made him feel awkward. He cleared his throat, startling the others; his intimidating presence made Tobias feel like a schoolboy. Andrew, understanding the others' apprehension—even Betrico's big shots were cautious around Jeremiah—decided to lighten the mood.

"Hey, Jeremiah, why did the Sunrise Group suddenly take action?" Andrew asked, surprised by the connection. Bonnie, John, and Tobias immediately pricked up their ears, curious about the Sullivan family's collapse.

Jeremiah, a hint of warmth in his eyes, glanced at Yvette before replying in a low, affectionate tone, "It wasn't me. My subordinates were intercepted."

Andrew challenged, "How could it not be you? The Sunrise Group is in Betrico; how could they know so quickly and act so ruthlessly?" The others looked puzzled, their eyes turning to Yvette. She calmly sipped her coffee, "Why are you looking at me?"

Bonnie cautiously asked, "Yve, do you have any connection with the Sunrise Group?" Yvette calmly shook her head. "Nope."

Andrew doubted Yvette's connection; Sunrise Group was the country's largest tech company, while Yvette was a student. He suspected Jeremiah was concealing his involvement. Jeremiah's silent support of Yvette surprised him.

"What connection could Yvette have with the Sunrise Group? I've met their general manager, who's old enough to be Yvette's father," Andrew said, dismissing the others' suspicions. Tobias and John, realizing Andrew's familiarity with the general manager, felt they had overreacted.

Bonnie, however, countered, "How do you know? What if Yve is actually the chairwoman? She's just low-profile, unlike you."

Jeremiah glanced thoughtfully at Yvette, who ignored him, engrossed in a foreign-language online game. This game was, unbeknownst to them, a new Sunrise Group beta release.

Andrew's retort was interrupted by the waiter. Once the food arrived, Jeremiah placed all the spicy dishes near Yvette. Only she noticed. She liked spicy food.

Jeremiah ate little, passing Yvette additional dishes she favored. The others focused on their meals. Tobias found his appetite diminished by the young couple's interaction. John felt a pang of bitterness but reconciled himself to his role as a friend.

Yvette's voracious appetite once again astounded them as she finished her meal. A knock came; the waiter announced, "Mr. Chavez, Mr. Langford from the opposite private dining room wishes to see you."