Someone immediately asked, "Old Walsh, your daughter and Lawyer Sterling are...?"

"Just ordinary friends."

Mr. Walsh immediately explained.

As if he was afraid of being misunderstood.

His attitude was in stark contrast to how he was at Henry Lancaster’s wedding last month.

There had been acquaintances at their table then, too.

When people had asked when they would be "tying the knot," Mr. Walsh, despite saying he’d respect their decision, had been all smiles.

Noah Sterling didn’t say a word.

Mr. Walsh glanced at him and said, "Since you’re heading the same way, let’s leave together in a bit."

If they were to handle this case together, even if other lawyers from the firm did the grunt work, the two of them would inevitably be bumping into each other constantly.

It was better to get some things out in the open.

Noah Sterling had driven his own car.

Mr. Walsh called his driver and told him to take the car, then followed Noah Sterling to his vehicle.

After the car had been on the road for a while.

"We elders shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of you young people, but I have to say this. Sherry is my only daughter. I couldn’t even bear to scold her when she was growing up. If anyone wrongs her, I will not let it slide!"

Mr. Walsh was turning sixty this year. His hair was still black, and he was in good health.

His voice was full and resonant.

"Uncle Walsh, I just spoke with Sherry. I think she might have misunderstood me."

Noah Sterling ventured.

He wasn’t willing to be blamed for being two-timing.

"What could she have misunderstood?"

Mr. Walsh asked.

"Yesterday, my ex-girlfriend said some nasty things to her, then came to my firm threatening to sue. I called Sherry last night about it. My intention was to show my concern. If it really came to a lawsuit, I planned to represent her myself."

"..."

"But it seems she misunderstood me."

As Noah Sterling recounted the incident, his tone was tinged with undeniable exasperation.

He genuinely had called to help Sherry.

But Sherry had somehow interpreted it completely differently.

"Then what’s the deal with you and that ex-girlfriend?" Mr. Walsh was still siding with his daughter. "My daughter wouldn’t accuse you for no reason."

’Talk about being wrongfully accused,’ Noah Sterling thought.

"I..."

"Forget it. Don’t explain it to me. Go explain it to my daughter. As long as she believes you, that’s all that matters."

Mr. Walsh was firmly on Sherry’s side.

He naturally wasn’t going to listen to Noah Sterling’s side of the story.

He only trusted his daughter’s judgment.

When they reached the gate of the residential complex, Mr. Walsh greeted the security guard, and the car was allowed in, driving all the way to her apartment building.

Mr. Walsh glanced at Noah Sterling in the driver’s seat and said,

"Lawyer Sterling, I have faith in your professional abilities, and I won’t meddle too much in your relationship with my daughter. However..."

He paused, then continued, "My daughter only accepts wholehearted devotion. If you can’t offer that, then you should break up sooner rather than later and stop wasting each other’s time."

With that, Mr. Walsh opened the door and got out of the car.

Noah Sterling sighed.

When Mr. Walsh got upstairs, Sherry was still wandering around the apartment in her pajamas.

Seeing his daughter, he said, "Why haven’t you changed? Noah Sterling is downstairs waiting for you."

"Let him wait. I’m going to take my sweet time choosing an outfit and doing my makeup."

’That’s what he gets for threatening me!’ Sherry thought.

Mr. Walsh frowned slightly. "You shouldn’t be like that. If you two really aren’t a good match, talk it over during lunch. If you need a ride home, I’ll come get you."

Mrs. Walsh, who was also home, asked, "Is that Lawyer Sterling downstairs?"

"He is. We agreed we’d talk at noon."

Sherry had a plan forming in her mind.

She would have a showdown with Noah Sterling over lunch today. She’d make him take the fall for still being hung up on his first love, and then they would announce their breakup.

Sherry went back to her room to change.

Since this was going to be their last meeting, she didn’t bother with much makeup. She just pulled her hair back into a high ponytail, threw on a T-shirt and jeans, and got ready to head downstairs.

"Sherry." Mrs. Walsh stopped her. "Your father and I love you. If you really don’t meet the right person, it’s okay if you don’t get married."

"I know, Mom." Sherry threw her arms around her mother and gave her a big kiss. "I love you guys, too!"

She opened the door.

And bounced her way to the elevator.

The thought that after today she would no longer have to worry about her family pestering her to get married...

...made her want to call Rory Linden and celebrate.

She pulled out her phone, only to remember that Rory was probably traveling with Leo Linden today.

She sent Rory a text: "Where are you guys hanging out now?"

Rory rarely posted on social media.

The few posts she did make were usually work-related assignments from the hospital.

After sending the text, Sherry put her phone away.

She figured she wouldn’t get a reply anytime soon.

After all, who stays glued to their phone when they’re on vacation?

Sherry walked out of the building.

Noah Sterling’s car was parked on the side of the road just a few yards away.

The man was dressed in a light gray suit, leaning against the car with his long legs crossed.

The dense trees behind the car cast a cool shadow, and the wind made the leaves dance, playing with the light.

When Sherry looked over, the man was on the phone. His gaze was directed off to the side, presenting her with nothing but his striking profile.

For a fleeting moment, Sherry realized that those candid online photos of Noah Sterling...

...really weren’t photoshopped.

In person, he really was...

...pretty handsome.

Hearing a noise, Noah Sterling turned. When he saw Sherry emerge, he opened the front passenger door for her.

"Who said I was sitting up front?"

Sherry opened the rear door and slid into the back seat.

Noah Sterling glanced at the empty passenger seat, then had no choice but to close the door and get back behind the wheel.

"Lawyer Walsh, what would you like to eat for lunch?"

Noah Sterling asked first.

"Let’s get hot pot. I’m in the mood for hot pot."

Sherry stated her preference.

Her tastes were very similar to Rory Linden’s—they both loved spicy food.

So they rarely disagreed when picking a place to eat.

"Alright."

Noah Sterling didn’t object.

Sherry chose a hot pot restaurant. She bought herself a milk tea before they went inside.

Noah Sterling was in a crisp suit while Sherry was in casual clothes, their styles a stark contrast.

As the server led them to a private room, many customers in the main dining area couldn’t help but stare.

A few young women, in particular, were practically gawking.

「In the private room.」

Sherry took the ordering tablet and asked, "I’m getting the spicy broth. What do you want for the other half?"

As she looked up, Noah Sterling was just shrugging off his suit jacket.

The white dress shirt underneath must have been tailored, as it fit his shoulders and waist perfectly.

The fabric hugged the lines of his physique, clearly outlining the subtle ripple of muscle on his arms.

And the way he did it...

To top it off, after taking off his jacket, he casually loosened his tie with his right index finger.

In their profession, everyone wore suits.

Loosening a tie was hardly an uncommon gesture.

But when Noah Sterling did it...

...it seemed somehow different from when other people did it.

"I can handle the spicy broth, too. The other one is up to you."

Noah Sterling didn’t seem to have a preference.

"Then let’s get one spicy and one tomato broth."

Sherry decided.

The two of them finished ordering the rest of their food.

The server left with their order, leaving the two of them alone in the room.

Sherry looked at him and got straight to the point. "Can we make this our breakup meal?"