Chapter 127

3:00 PM.

A sports car pulled up in front of the Friday's Restaurant.

Jack opened the car door and stepped out.

He glanced up at the restaurant, then walked around to the other side and opened the passenger door.

Bending slightly, he extended one hand.

In the next moment.

A delicate hand settled on the back of his.

Then a breathtaking figure gracefully emerged from the car.

Sherry had clearly gone all out today.

She wore an impeccably tailored emerald velvet gown that swayed like rippling water with her every movement, accentuating her stunning figure.

Her flawless makeup enhanced her already striking features, making them even more radiant. A few loose, gently curled strands framed her neck, exuding an air of mature allure.

As she straightened, the afternoon sunlight caught her perfectly, as if gilding her in a luminous halo.

"Thank you." She tilted her head slightly toward Jack, offering a perfectly measured smile, her voice soft.

"You're welcome." The corner of Jack's mouth lifted.

Sherry shot him a look, but still slipped her hand around his arm. The two walked side by side into the restaurant.

The moment they entered, the low hum of conversation seemed to pause.

Countless gazes were drawn involuntarily to Sherry—some openly admiring, others whispering in awe.

Yet in stark contrast to the radiant Sherry stood Jack at her side.

He wore a gray jacket that had faded from too many washes, paired with an ordinary white shirt buttoned all the way to the collar.

His expression was calm, even a bit stiff, his head slightly lowered as though utterly indifferent to the curious or scrutinizing stares around him—just silently playing the part of Sherry's most loyal shadow.

The contrast between them created a subtle tension in the restaurant, but Sherry was clearly used to this kind of scene.

Eyes forward, a perfectly poised smile on her lips, she strode straight through the spacious dining hall toward a semi-private booth by the window.

A man was already seated there.

Seeing Sherry approach, Tyler Thornton immediately rose to his feet. He wore a meticulously tailored navy suit, his hair slicked back without a strand out of place, his face adorned with an impeccable smile.

He extended his hand proactively, his eyes reflecting both warmth and measured appreciation. "You must be Sherry. I'm Tyler Thornton."

His voice was deep and magnetic, cutting clearly through the restaurant's chatter.

Tyler's gaze lingered on Sherry for a moment, unabashedly, before politely shifting away—as if his earlier flash of admiration had been nothing more than instinctive.

"Mr. Thornton, I've heard so much about you." Sherry extended her hand for a brief, elegant shake—fingertips barely touching before she withdrew, graceful yet distant.

Then she pulled out a chair and sat down.

Jack took the seat beside her.

Seeing Jack sit next to Sherry, Tyler's brow furrowed slightly. With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he asked, "And who might this be?"

"Him?"

Sherry cast Jack a sultry glance and chuckled softly. "My man."

"Your man?"

Tyler's smile froze instantly.

Sherry's mother had arranged this meeting specifically to set them up.

After all.

A union between their two families would benefit both of their dynasties.

Beforehand.

Tyler had done his homework on Sherry.

According to his research, Sherry was notoriously aloof, rational, and had impossibly high standards for men. She never lacked suitors, but even the wealthiest and most powerful among them couldn't get close to her.

Yet now, right in front of him, she was calling some guy in a cheap jacket 'my man'?

This was a blatant insult—not just to Tyler himself, but to his entire family!

Tyler took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the fury rising in his chest.

He turned his attention back to Jack, his gaze sharp and critical, as if trying to see straight through this audacious young man.

Yet under Tyler's oppressive scrutiny, Jack didn't even lift an eyelid.

He simply picked up the water glass from the table, took an unhurried sip, then naturally reached out and wrapped his arm around Sherry's slender waist.

Feeling the warmth and unyielding strength at her waist, a flash of mischief sparkled in Sherry's eyes.

She leaned into Jack's shoulder, tilting up her radiant face toward Tyler—whose expression had turned completely dark—her tone lazy and coy. "What? You have a problem with me bringing someone to this date?"

Tyler clenched his jaw, knowing that losing his temper now would only make him look ungracious.

Besides, watching this scene unfold—the proud, aloof Sherry actually nestling against this nobody like some lovesick girl—stirred an indescribable jealousy and sense of defeat within him.

"Of course not." Tyler forced out a smile that looked worse than crying, though his eyes raked across Jack's face like poisoned blades. "I just think… your taste is… quite unique."

"Thanks for the compliment." Sherry accepted it without hesitation.

She straightened, abandoning her earlier flirtatious demeanor. Hands folded on the table, her eyes instantly regained their clarity and sharpness. "Mr. Thornton, now that we've met, I've fulfilled my promise to my mother."

"Goodbye."

Tyler's smile froze completely.

He clearly hadn't expected Sherry to be this blunt. This wasn't a blind date—this was treating him like a checkbox on her to-do list, used and discarded!

"Sherry."

Tyler quickly stood up. "This restaurant has excellent steak. I've already had them prepare a medium-rare Beef Wellington. Since you're here, why not stay and try it? Just… as friends."

"No—" Sherry was about to refuse.

But Jack beside her smiled and said, "Sure."

Sherry shot Jack a look but ultimately sat back down.

Seeing Sherry agree to stay, a barely perceptible gleam of satisfaction flickered in Tyler's eyes.

He'd thought Sherry would coldly walk out as the rumors suggested, but this seemingly ordinary guy had turned out to be his opening.

"Great, great!" Tyler immediately signaled the waiter to bring the food, his tone regaining its warmth. "It's my honor that you both stayed."

He sat back down, his gaze shifting between Jack and Sherry, a meaningful smile curling at his lips.

"I didn't catch your name, sir?" Tyler raised his wine glass with feigned casualness.

"Jack Carter."

Jack kept it brief, offering nothing more.

"Mr. Carter, what do you do for a living?" Tyler pressed on, a hint of condescension in his scrutiny.