Lilah doubted this clash was mere coincidence.

Seeing a golden opportunity, she decided not to sit back. It was time to face Xavier Jewelers head-on.

Lunchtime arrived, and Lilah got a text from Gerard.

“Eaten yet?" Gerard texted.

"Not just yet," replied Lilah.

"I'm nearby," Gerard texted back. "Fancy joining me for lunch?"

Thinking they would go out, Lilah agreed. She was taken aback when he arrived at her office with a packed lunch in hand.

"What a coincidence to see you passing by here. Are you off to a social gathering?" Lilah asked, her curiosity piqued.

With a subtle nod, Gerard spoke in hushed tones as he meticulously arranged the food boxes, each dish a cherished favorite of Lilah's.

“Try it while it's still piping hot."

"Okay."

Within the serenity of this tranquil afternoon, partaking in a meal with one's beloved lent an enchanting ambiance to the surroundings.

However, Lilah couldn't help but notice Gerard's gaze frequently fixating upon her face.

Casting him a skeptical glance, she watched as Gerard dished out some more food and tenderly remarked, “Eat more. It appears to me that you've been toiling excessively of late and you've shed a few pounds.”

“Do you really think so?"

Lilah gingerly touched her face, contemplating whether she had indeed shed weight.

Amidst this moment, Gerard's phone buzzed with an incoming call from Walter.

In all likelihood, Walter was extending yet another invitation for an evening of drinking.

Gerard accepted the call and, as anticipated, Walter's initial utterance was, "Buddy, are you free tonight? How about a drink?"

To this, Gerard responded deliberately, "Oh, you wish to bestow a present upon me? What's the sudden urge to shower me with gifts? Oh, my birthday gift? There's no need, you know."

Walter found himself perplexed. "Pardon?"

What was Gerard alluding to?

Why did he not understand?

Gerard gracefully stated, “Okay, if you insist. Allow me to furnish you with the address at a later time."