Lance narrowed his eyes dangerously as he looked at Leticia without saying a word.
Xavier, somewhat sarcastically, remarked, "What a coincidence, Miss Walsh is also dining here."
"It is quite a coincidence, I didn't expect to see Lance here either. It seems we are quite fated," Leticia responded, seemingly oblivious to Xavier's sarcasm, and gave Lance a shy smile.
Disgusted, Lance averted his gaze and coldly commanded, "Let's go."
With that, he left without looking back.
Seeing this, Xavier immediately followed him.
Leticia watched the two men leave one after the other, her face showing a frustrated and unwilling expression.
Yet, she dared not chase after them to pester.
Even so, she was not planning to give up.
After all, there was still plenty of time in the future; she didn't believe she wouldn't find an opportunity!
Lance was unaware of her thoughts and didn't think much of it, assuming it was a coincidence.
Given that his schedule was always confidential, and even the most persistent paparazzi couldn't track him, he didn't believe Leticia had the capability.
However, reality would harshly teach him a lesson later on.
Returning to the manor, Lance found Deanna still sitting in the living room waiting for him, which softened his heart.
"Why haven't you rested yet? Didn't I say you don't have to wait for me?"
He spoke as he approached Deanna.
Seeing him, Deanna smiled brightly and said, "I wasn't sleepy today, so I decided to wait for you."
Lance nodded, embraced her, and then they went upstairs.
On the way, he asked, "What do you think about what I mentioned this morning?"
Hearing this, Deanna smiled and shared the answer she had already prepared.
"I'm fine with anything, or it depends on when your friend is available. We can arrange a time that suits everyone."
"Alright, I'll ask them tomorrow when they are free."
Under the bright lights, the two walked side by side, discussing ordinary family matters in a scene that was indescribably warm.
It was another wonderful evening.
The next afternoon, Lance arranged to meet with a few friends who he got along well with at the shooting range.
By the time he arrived, three friends were already there:
Ollie Houghton from the Houghton family.
Ethan Thomas, President of Cavesun Group.
Jenson Jordan, CEO of Jordan Trading Company.
The three men were about the same age as Lance, each distinguished in their own right.
"Lance, it's rare for you to invite us out. Is there some good news?" Ollie was the first to ask. His personality was the liveliest among them and best at lightening the mood.
Hearing this, the others stopped shooting and curiously turned towards Lance.
Seeing their attention, Lance slightly curled his lips and admitted, "Indeed, I have some good news to share."
"What good news?" Ollie quickly pressed.
Lance revealed a gentle smile and announced, "I'm no longer single."
This statement was met with dead silence.
Ollie and the others hadn't reacted yet.
Lance raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's with those expressions?"
"Uh, obviously surprise," Ollie replied.
The other two were curious and pressed further, "When did this happen? We haven't heard anything."
"It's recent. When you guys are free, I'll introduce her to you," Lance said smilingly revealing the purpose of this gathering.
Ollie nodded, "I'm free anytime."
"I'm afraid I can't make it; I have to travel to Abla tomorrow for a month," Jenson frowned.
Ethan also mentioned, "I have to travel tomorrow too; I'll be free after a week."
"If that's the case, then I'll meet your girlfriend first. She's the first woman you've introduced to us; I need to see who she is," Ollie spoke somewhat excitedly.
Hearing this, Lance couldn't help but praise, "She's a great person. Being with her feels comfortable and peaceful."
This comment elicited several impressed sounds from around.
Ollie teased, "Lance, are you showing off your love life to us?"
"I refuse to witness PDA," Jenson joked as well.
With that, they continued laughing and playing at the shooting range.
Later when they were tired, they went to the outdoor resting area.
As soon as Lance stepped out, he saw Leticia approaching him.
Leticia also saw Lance and her eyes immediately lit up. She ran over joyfully and said in a sweet voice, "Lance, you're here too."
Seeing her, Lance's expression immediately turned cold.
However, Ollie and the others curiously sized up Leticia.
Ollie couldn't hold back and asked, "Lance, who is this?"
"Just someone unimportant," Lance replied without giving Leticia another glance and signaled his friends to leave.
At that moment, he realized something was amiss.
A chance meeting once or twice might be accidental, but three or four times definitely wasn't.
At the thought of this, Lance's aversion towards Leticia grew even stronger.
Yet Ollie didn't notice his displeased expression and continued to tease.