Chapter 92

Alvin gave the house a thorough cleaning before calling up Robert and Shirley.

The group headed out to The Epicurean Haven.

Meanwhile, Shirley had managed to finish work early and snuck back home.

As soon as she got in, she made a beeline for her closet, rummaging through it for a good while, pulling out all her best outfits.

She sifted through them one by one, tossing the ones she didn't like onto the bed.

The soft light in Shirley's room fell on the scattered clothes, each piece carefully chosen.

The room, already messy, became even more chaotic.

The closet doors were wide open, and clothes were strewn across the bed and nightstand.

Hats and shoes Shirley had just pulled out littered the floor.

After much deliberation, Shirley finally selected some outfits she thought were elegant.

She held them up in front of the mirror, knowing these clothes would be perfect for The Epicurean Haven.

After all, The Epicurean Haven was a place only the elite and wealthy could enter.

Even if you met those criteria, you still needed to pay a hefty monthly membership fee!

The amount people spent on membership in a month was more than Shirley made in a year!

Shirley tried on outfit after outfit, changing in and out of them repeatedly.

Despite the tediousness, she found it meaningful.

Each time she tried on an outfit, she paired it with the right shoes and bag, scrutinizing herself in the mirror.

She needed to ensure every detail was flawless, from her clothes to her accessories.

Standing in front of the mirror, a silk blouse slid over her slender arms, paired with a delicate skirt.

She turned, twisted, and bent, examining her image from every angle.

Shirley knew her strength lay not just in her looks but in the confidence and charm she exuded.

Shirley was indeed very beautiful.

She had a great figure and was tall!

But there were so many beautiful women nowadays, and Shirley needed to be even more stunning.

So, since starting work, Shirley had set high standards for herself every day.

Her life was always well-organized; she strictly controlled her diet, exercised regularly, and maintained her figure.

Her discipline made her stand out in the workplace.

Shirley's strict self-discipline had shaped her into who she was today.

With a great figure, beauty, and elegance, she turned heads wherever she went.

She had countless suitors of all kinds.

Shirley's beauty had exposed her to all sorts of men.

She had experienced many glamorous social events and met many men who only cared about appearances.

Some were wealthy, some handsome, some talented, but most failed to touch her heart.

Of course, there were also short, thin, and unattractive ones, and even some oddballs.

Shirley had dated enough men to form a soccer team.

But Alvin was the first of his kind she had ever met. There had been wealthy men who wanted to keep Shirley.

She had once been lost in materialism and vanity.

But she quickly realized that relationships without love only left her feeling empty.

So Shirley decisively withdrew from such unhealthy relationships.

She was not just a pretty, foolish, and easily manipulated vase.

Shirley was not the kind of woman who relied on men; she had her own career and ambitions.

She wanted not just material satisfaction but also mental independence and self-fulfillment.

Shirley's family had given her a good start, but her ambition and hard work were the keys to her success.

Shirley had met so many men that she could tell their true intentions with just a glance.

That's why Alvin kept surprising her.

Shirley couldn't help but develop different feelings for Alvin.

When she realized she had feelings for Alvin, she felt both excited and scared.

Alvin was unlike any man she had ever met.

Shirley saw many conflicting elements in Alvin.

She thought that a man like Alvin, who now loved his family, wife, and kids so much, must have been a playboy in the past.

The kind of expert in the game of love.

He would make women fall for him and then leave them emotionally hurt.

There was no doubt that Alvin used to be someone who only sought desire, not love.

With his charm, it was hard for women not to fight over him.

His charisma and intelligence allowed him to navigate the game of love effortlessly.

Shirley wanted to understand Alvin, his past, and his present. She was curious about what had caused such a significant change in him. What kind of woman had made him turn away from the glamorous world?

Shirley's curiosity and interest in Alvin went beyond ordinary friendship. But she wouldn't let her feelings affect someone else's family. She was a rational woman who knew how to control her emotions. She decided to bury her special feelings for Alvin deep inside, treating them as a small episode in her emotional journey.

After a long time, Shirley finally chose an outfit. She stood in front of the mirror, satisfied with her look. Shirley chose a simple yet elegant black dress, the hem gently falling to accentuate her graceful figure. Her long hair was artfully pinned up, with a few strands casually falling by her neck, adding a touch of effortless charm. Her makeup was delicate and understated, perfectly highlighting her features. She was very pleased with her alluring, sexy figure.

Shirley checked her watch; it was almost time. She took a deep breath, adjusted her mood, then picked up her handbag and gracefully walked out the door. Shirley felt she looked absolutely stunning today, breathtakingly beautiful!

Alvin and his group had just arrived at The Epicurean Haven when they saw Robert. Robert ran over, shouting as he did.

"Alvin, you guys are here! I just got here too, perfect timing!"

Sam was thrilled to see Robert and walked over to pat him on the shoulder.

"Robert, it's such a shame you weren't there this afternoon! You missed such an exciting, thrilling moment! I feel bad for you!"

Sam's expression was exaggerated, and Robert played along.

"You have no idea how anxious I was! I was on my way when my mom called, saying it was urgent and I had to come home immediately. I wondered what was so urgent! My mom was in such a hurry. Turns out, she was setting me up with a girlfriend! The scene was so awkward, and my mom kept creating opportunities for us to be alone. As a gentleman, I couldn't let the woman feel awkward. I didn't stop talking the whole time; I've never talked so much in my life!"

Alvin knew Robert well; he wasn't a talkative person. Seeing his exaggerated and pained expression, Alvin could tell Robert was genuinely uncomfortable.

"Then I found out! She was a lesbian, forced to go on the date by her parents! She told me she wasn't interested and asked me not to waste my time! You guys have no idea, I was practically petrified. All that talking, and I was just bothering her! My emotions were like a roller coaster."

Robert continued. Thinking about the awkward scene that afternoon, he shivered; it was too embarrassing.

"I kept trying to find an excuse to leave, but I didn't want to disappoint my mom. How could I explain this to her! When I got home, she started nagging me again."

Alvin looked at Robert with sympathy, clearly enjoying his misfortune.

"You guys don't know, my afternoon was terrifying. I wanted to come but couldn't, wanted to leave but couldn't."

After speaking, Robert was almost depressed. Hearing the whole story, Sam couldn't help but laugh.

"Robert, you have such luck! Good thing the girl was honest, or you might have bothered her the whole time!"

Listening to Sam's teasing, Robert rolled his eyes. He took a quick step, put a hand on Sam's shoulder, and patted his face threateningly.

"Sam, you must be tired of living! Watch how I deal with you!"

With that, the two men started playfully wrestling like kids. They pushed and shoved each other, laughing all the while.

"You two, aren't you too old for this?" Karen stood nearby, listening to their conversation, unable to resist commenting. A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes; the friendship between these men was so strange.

Karen and Alvin exchanged a glance, her head tilted in confusion. Then she asked, puzzled, "Is this what you guys call friendship?"

Alvin raised an eyebrow, smiling, and put an arm around Karen's shoulder. He leaned in close, his eyes playful, "Of course! We have all kinds of games! Karen, want to try?"

Seeing Alvin's mischievous look, Karen elbowed him in the ribs.