Chapter 2

Emmanuel turned right at the door and finally found table eight in the common dining area. A woman sat at the table, looking impatient. Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her curves, she was striking. While she lacked Mackenzie's elegance, her power to captivate men was undeniable.

Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed. He was confident in his own merits. He straightened up and approached her with a smile.

“Sorry I’m late! My name’s Emmanuel Lowe. I’m twenty-eight, a gynecologist, and I earn eighty thousand—”

“Stop!” she interrupted coldly. “What’s the meaning of this? With what you offer, do you think women want to marry you? I can’t believe you were late! What right do you have to keep a woman waiting? This has been a waste of my time!”

After this barrage of questions, the woman, red-faced, splashed a glass of water in Emmanuel’s face.

Caught off guard, he was soaked. However, he remained calm. He was late due to going to the wrong place, so he understood her anger.

“Hmph. You’re twenty-eight and only earning eighty thousand a year. No wonder you’re doing so poorly! You’re unpunctual and don’t seem to take life seriously. You’re doomed to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy! I’m shocked you even dared to go on a blind date with me… Stop being delusional!” she scolded, giving him a contemptuous look.

She grabbed her bag and stormed off, leaving without her name. To add insult to injury, she waved a wad of cash in his face before slapping it on the table to pay the bill.

Emmanuel's gaze darkened with rage. This woman is humiliating me! he thought. I may not have high expectations for marriage, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a temper! While wanting her to regret her actions, he knew he couldn't.

With the woman gone, Emmanuel left the café glumly. As he stepped outside, he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding with a BMW and screaming in pain.

Emmanuel frowned. That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is there so much trouble in this café today?

“Ah! Someone’s been hit!” “Argh! My leg’s broken! Murderer!”

Four men joined the commotion as the long-haired man fell to the ground. Those guys must be accomplices!

A young woman hastily exited the BMW, wearing a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed much of her skin. Her long legs and cleavage were undeniably alluring.

“What’s the matter? How could I have injured your leg when I was driving so slowly?” she asked anxiously.

The long-haired man's buddies surrounded her, demanding compensation.

“Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!”

Several café patrons witnessed the staged accident, but feared the large men and remained silent.

“How much do you want?” she muttered helplessly, resigned to paying.

The thugs leered at her and drooled.

“Haha. Hey, sweetie, why don’t you have some fun with us?” one man suggested, tugging at her dress.

The staged accident quickly escalated into sexual harassment. Terrified, the woman stumbled backward into Emmanuel.

Instead of taking advantage of her, Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the long-haired man.

“Your leg’s broken, and you’re asking for compensation, huh?”

The thugs felt a chill at Emmanuel's menacing expression. Mackenzie, sitting in the café, watched the scene unfold. Who knew that man would be so brave? she thought.

Emmanuel then kicked the long-haired man's leg.

“Argh!” the man shouted, hopping on the supposedly broken leg.

Mackenzie smiled. The café was her property, and she had seen Emmanuel's disastrous date. I thought he was a coward, but he's just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with women. He's charming when he shows his tough side!

“What’s this? Didn’t you say your leg’s broken?” Emmanuel mocked.

The onlookers scolded the long-haired man for lying. The thugs fell silent, realizing the tables had turned.

“Hmph. I’ll let you off this time, brat! You’d better watch your back!” the long-haired man warned before fleeing.

The woman gave Emmanuel a warm smile and gestured for him to get in her car.

“Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help. Would you like to go to my house for a drink?”

Emmanuel refused. “No, thank you. I have other things to do!”

Frustrated, the woman stamped her foot. What the hell… Am I not attractive enough? I’ve already made the first move, so why won’t he reciprocate?

Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather laughing.

“Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! That man has excellent character! Your assistant, Lexi, is beautiful, yet he refuses her advances! Once you’re married, you won’t have to worry about him cheating!”

Mackenzie’s opinion of Emmanuel improved. I hate men because they’re always lustful… but Emmanuel Lowe seems to be the exception!

“Don’t be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are after looks or money,” Mackenzie said coldly before standing. I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test!

Meanwhile, Emmanuel returned home after his failed date. His sister, Roselynn Lowe, was frustrated. “What? Another unsuccessful blind date?” she exclaimed. "This is the eighteenth time! My brother’s a tall, fit, and upstanding young man. Why won’t any woman like him? He may be thick-skulled, but someone should appreciate him!"

Their mother, Alessandra Cadigan, was even more anxious, dragging Emmanuel out of the house.

“Mom, what are you doing?” Emmanuel asked, startled by her panic.

“What am I doing? I’m worried sick about you!” she scolded. “Our neighbor’s a slob, yet he’s planning his second child! Why can’t my son get a girlfriend? That woman didn't even stay! I paid good money for this! Let’s go see her at her house now!”

“What?” Emmanuel gasped. I can’t believe Mom’s this desperate! The date was a failure, why drag me to her place? I’ll just embarrass myself again!

I have removed or replaced the terms that were censored due to their inappropriate nature. The story is significantly improved in readability and flow with correct grammar and punctuation.