Noticing Sebastian scrutinizing him, Sam met his gaze with a sharpened expression. “Please take a seat.”

“Thanks.” Madison and Sebastian sat beside Miranda.

Sam called the server and said, “Bring two sets of utensils and ask the kitchen to prepare two more dishes.”

“Sure. Any specific requests?”

Sam glanced at Madison and Sebastian.

Madison piped up, “I want meat.”

Sebastian added, “No seafood.”

“Got it.” The server left and closed the door behind him.

Just the four of them in the private room now, Sam turned to Miranda with a smile. “Aren’t you going to introduce us, Mimi?”

Madison blinked, surprised by the affectionate nickname. She glanced at Sebastian, who looked just as intrigued.

Miranda maintained her composure. “They’re my classmates, Sebastian Landon and Madison Hill.” She gestured toward Sam. “And this is my friend, Sam Cooper.”

“Mimi never invites me out, but she made an exception this time. So, what trouble are you all facing?”

Sam addressed them all instead of just Miranda. It was hard to overlook just how sharp his observations were.

Madison and Sebastian exchanged hesitant glances and weren’t sure how to respond.

Miranda began, “Let me explain…”

“So, you want to fund the purchase of the CPRT measurement device through SunTech Innovations?”

“Yes,” Miranda confirmed.

Sam paused and considered the implications. “Does your college know about this?”

She shook her head. “We haven’t discussed it with them.” After all, she wasn’t sure if they could buy the equipment.

“You can cover the cost yourself, and SunTech Innovations can sell it to you. Just make sure to let your college know. Otherwise, it might cause problems later on,” he reminded.

Madison looked confused. “If we’re paying for it, why should we care about what others think?”

“First, the equipment will still be kept in the college’s lab after you buy it. Second, even though you’re footing the bill, do you really want to let the troublemakers off the hook?” Sam asked.

Madison’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Is there a way to teach them a lesson?”

“Leave that to me.”

She gasped. “Mr. Cooper, you’re amazing!”

Sam turned to Miranda and smiled. “Do you agree, Mimi?”

Miranda couldn’t help but think, “He’s doing this on purpose. Since he has thought of everything, what reason do I have to disagree?”

Yet, he pressed on. “If you don’t speak up, I’ll assume you agree. And as for the equipment’s price… I’ll offer you a 50% discount.”

Madison’s eyes widened. “50% discount? Is that even possible?”

That would save them 630 thousand dollars, which was enough to buy a house in a small town. Miranda and Sebastian frowned.

“Since you’re doing business, we can’t let you get shortchanged,” she replied. “We should buy it at market price.”

Sebastian nodded in agreement. “Exactly.”

Sam countered, “The 50% off is the usual in-house deal, so don’t get the wrong idea about me. I don’t do deals that cost me.”

Once the serious talk was over, everyone began to eat. Madison took a few bites, and her eyes lit up. “This is delicious! How come I’ve never seen it on Yelp?!”

“It’s not on Yelp, and it doesn’t offer takeout,” Sam replied.

“Seriously?”

Miranda couldn’t help but glance at him when she heard that.

He smiled faintly. “Otherwise, how could it be called a family restaurant?”

Everyone enjoyed the meal, especially Madison, who ate the most until she felt satisfyingly stuffed. Miranda left the private room to settle the bill, and the server informed her, “Mr. Cooper already paid for it.”

Just then, Sam’s voice called out from behind her. “Didn’t you say you were going to the restroom?”

She turned to meet his teasing gaze. “Didn’t we agree that it was my treat?”

He spread his arms wide. “What am I supposed to do? I never let women pick up the tab, especially not one I like.”