After Mira finished speaking, she turned and walked away in her high heels.

Zach chuckled and dismissed her words with a scoff. He found the idea of unrequited love laughable.

After she left, a young woman in a plaid mini-skirt stepped out of the bar. Her long, fair legs were exposed, and her curly hair cascaded down her shoulders. With flawless makeup, she looked like a living doll. “Mr. Graham…” She leaned in, confident he wouldn’t turn her down.

But Zach sidestepped to avoid her. Then, he stretched out his arm and grabbed Winter’s waist to pull her into his embrace.

Winter, who had been enjoying the scene, was taken aback.

He looked at the woman in the mini-skirt. “Sorry, you’re late.”

She bit her lip and looked resentfully at Winter before reluctantly walking away.

“How dare you use me as your excuse to turn her down?” Winter crossed her arms and scoffed. “Get your filthy hands off me!”

Zach had intended to retract his hand, but now he felt defiant. “Not happening. What are you going to do about it?”

She smirked. “So, you want to play? Fine.”

He didn’t understand the meaning behind her smile. Suddenly, she twisted his arm behind his back.

“What the heck! That hurts!” He instantly wailed.

Winter asked, “Do you still want to play?”

“Okay. Fine, I was wrong. Just let go. My arm feels like it’s about to snap.”

Winter rolled her eyes. “You’re useless.”

With that, she relaxed her grip but didn’t let go. Instead, she put his hand back on her waist.

Under Zach’s confused stare, she said coolly, “Could you take your hand off now? Thanks.”

He smirked. The smile was fake, but his annoyance was genuine. She actually returned his hand to where it was and then expected him to retract it.

It was like a game where she pushed him just to pull him back again, like a parent telling a kid to get up from the spot where they fell.

Zach was the child in this little game, and Winter was definitely the parent. What a joke! He felt downright insulted, like he was being scolded for not behaving.

At that moment, an angry figure stormed out of the bar. The anger emanating from the man, Alexander Channing, could be felt from a distance.

“Winter Jefferson! What the fuck is wrong with you? You told me to meet you at 8:00 pm. Just look at the time. How long have you kept me waiting? Everyone’s time is important, not just yours. I thought something serious might have happened to you, but now it seems…”

His gaze landed on Zach, and he let out a mocking laugh. “Looks like you were busy flirting with other guys?”

Zach still had his hand on Winter’s waist. Of course, he was doing it intentionally.

Alexander continued, “I didn’t realize you were such a flirt. No wonder you wanted to partner up with me to please your family. Unfortunately, I don’t collaborate with those who are not punctual.”

With that, he strode away.

Winter swatted Zach’s hand away from her waist. “Do you want me to twist your arm again?”

He quickly retracted his hand.

She looked at Alexander’s retreating figure and sighed that her day had become such a mess.

Winter had finally found a fake date who seemed just as interested. She was expecting a pleasant interaction with him so she could tell Natalie that she had found a potential husband the following day. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned.

“It’s all your fault and your driving skills. You should retake your test.” She took it out on Zach.

He kind of deserved it. Out of all the cars to hit, he had to rear-end hers.

Zach stood there and accepted the scolding without protest. Suddenly, he asked, “Was that the youngest son of the Channing family? What’s his name? Alex something?”

“But why were you meeting him? A collaboration? What kind of deal? And why did he say it was to please your family?”

Winter rolled her eyes and said grumpily, “Why are you asking so many questions? It’s none of your business.”

“I’m just trying to make it up to you. Maybe there’s something I can help with. If you can discuss cooperation with him, you can also discuss it with me,” Zach said.