Chapter 874 Like

Chapter 874 Like

Evan couldn't take it anymore. "Charlie!"

Charlie just laughed. "Alright, alright, I'll stop messing with Rita. I'm starving. Let's eat and talk business over dinner."

Evan snapped, "Get lost!"

Seeing Evan so riled up, Charlie was thrilled. "Evan, giving in so soon? Weren't you the one who swore you'd never go for an arranged marriage?"

Rita looked more confused by the second. "If it's a bad time for me to be here, I can just grab a cab and leave."

Evan shot back, "You're such an idiot!"

Rita was at a loss for words. She didn't want to be a third wheel and mess up their conversation. Was that so wrong?

Suddenly, Evan reached out, grabbed Rita's hand, and pulled her inside. "It's freezing out here. Let's go in."

Rita's steps were tiny, and she was practically dragged inside by him.

Seeing this, Charlie laughed so hard he doubled over. "Evan, I never thought I'd see the day."

Evan shot back, "Just wait, your turn's coming."

The restaurant was a private spot they often used for get-togethers. After calling ahead, the chef would whip up a great meal.

Today was especially cold, and Rita was super sensitive to the chill. Evan had the kitchen make her favorite chicken soup in advance.

Rita wasn't picky about food and could eat anything, but over time, Evan had noticed her love for chicken soup.

The waiter brought the soup and was about to serve it when Evan took the bowl. "I'll handle it."

He personally served a bowl of soup and handed it to Rita. "Try this."

Rita didn't think much of it, took the bowl, and started sipping.

After a few sips, she felt like someone was watching her. When she looked up, she saw nothing.

Evan was also drinking his soup and wasn't looking at her. 'Must've been my imagination,' she thought.

Rita kept drinking the soup but soon felt those eyes on her again.

This time, she played it smart. She pretended to drink and glanced out of the corner of her eye, catching Evan watching her.

She quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Is there something on my face?"

Caught staring, Evan stayed cool. "Do you like the soup?"

Rita nodded. "It's pretty good."

Evan smiled. "I knew you'd like it, so I had it made just for you."

Rita was taken aback. No one in her family had ever cared about what she liked, and Evan was the first to know she loved chicken soup.

A strange feeling washed over Rita. "How did you know I like chicken soup?"

Evan shot back, "Is it that hard to figure out what you like? What's so surprising about it?"

He then added some food to Rita's plate. "You're too skinny. Eat more."

Rita was a bit touched. "Thanks."

Charlie couldn't take it anymore. "Rita, of course, he likes you."

Rita didn't buy it. "Charlie, don't joke like that. It's not funny at all."

If she took it seriously, she'd only end up hurt. She didn't have the guts to risk it because she had no one to fall back on.

Charlie kicked Evan. "You idiot, if you like her, just say it. This isn't like you at all."

Evan shot him a glare. "Mind your own business."

She was already his fiancée; he didn't think Rita would bolt.

Charlie smirked. "If I didn't meddle, you'd never win her over."

Evan sighed. "I called you here to discuss something important."

Charlie shrugged. "Can't be more important than your marriage."

Evan glared harder. "Charlie!"

Charlie raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, I'm listening."

Evan then laid out Rita's work with Saul on music.

After hearing it all, Charlie looked at Rita with newfound respect. "I didn't know Rita was so talented."

Rita felt a warm glow from the recognition and quietly listened to their conversation.

Charlie added, "But whether a song makes money and how much depends on its long-term success. If Saul and Rita's contract splits the profits 50-50 after costs, the money from these two songs could be enough for an average person's lifetime."

Evan spilled his thoughts. "I'm thinking she could start her own studio and be her own boss in the future."

Charlie nodded. "Being the boss can earn more if done well. But having employees to support means more pressure, which could affect creative inspiration. Making music relies more on talent than effort."

The two kept discussing, not bothering to ask Rita what she thought.

Rita quietly spoke up. "Can you ask for my opinion?"

Evan turned to her. "Tell us what you think."

Rita said, "I'm happy working with Saul right now. Besides, he mentored me, and I should be grateful. It's not right to think about going solo just because I've had one hit."

Evan asked, "Is that really your plan?"

Rita nodded. "Yes."

Evan muttered, "Don't regret it later."

Rita replied firmly. "I won't."

Charlie chimed in, "I think it's best to follow Rita's wishes. She's happy working with Saul and making money, so why not?"

Evan grumbled, "Who knows what she's really thinking."

Charlie sensed the jealousy in Evan's words. "So you're not worried about Saul using Rita to make money. With you as her support, he wouldn't dare cheat her. You're worried about her being taken away, aren't you?"

Evan's face darkened, and he instinctively looked at Rita.

A few days ago, when he went to pick up Rita from the studio, Saul not only personally escorted her downstairs but also whispered something to her before parting, leaving Rita smiling.

His fiancée, even if he didn't like her, couldn't be with another man.

Rita stared at Evan. "Is that really what you think?"

Evan gave her a cold snort.

Rita didn't want a bad reputation. She reassured, "Evan, don't worry. Even though we'll eventually break off the engagement, I won't like anyone else before that, let alone run off with someone. Besides, I see Saul as my teacher and have no other thoughts about him."

Evan looked into her eyes and stated, "I don't want to go against our families, so I've decided to accept their arrangement."

Rita was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Charlie chuckled. "Evan clearly likes you and doesn't want to break off the engagement."