Emily Blair had been right all along the extravagant bouquet of 999 red roses was indeed Elizabeth Wilson's doing. Elizabeth had mentioned that very morning she wanted to "try something," but Emily hadn't expected her to be so brazen, especially with so many employees present.

Elizabeth looked at her with feigned innocence, as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

By now, the restaurant staff had arranged the mountain of roses behind Emily's chair, drawing every pair of curious eyes in the room. Diners were whispering and stealing glances at her and Albert Rivera, the center of attention whether they liked it or not.

The restaurant owner approached with a card in hand. “Ms. Gomez, someone asked me to pass this to you."

Emily accepted it with a weary sigh. "Thank you."

She glanced down at the card-a printed message, dripping with sarcasm, unsigned. With a flick of her wrist, she placed it face-down on the table and shot Elizabeth a glare.

Clearing her throat, Emily addressed her gawking staff, "Let's focus on our meal, shall we?"

Chairs scraped as the employees obediently turned their attention back to their plates of shrimp.

Emily hoped that would be the end of it, but Albert leaned in with a teasing smile. "Ms. Blair, your admirer certainly pulled out all the stops. May I guess? Was it Mr. James from Lumina Wellness Living?"

Emily's brows knit in discomfort.

Albert caught on and quickly added, "If you'd rather not say, I won't press."

She couldn't very well admit that this was all Elizabeth's little test for him, so she mumbled, "It wasn't him."

Albert didn't let it go. "With so many roses, Ms. Blair, did your heart skip a beat?"

Emily hesitated. By rights, she and Albert were only supposed to be helping each other out with their meddling parents and mutual business partners. Any talk of romance was off-limits.

Yet Albert kept probing, and Emily couldn't help but wonder at his persistence. She met his gaze. "It's not really about that, Mr. Cox. Let's eat."

Albert's expression was as composed as ever, a polite smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He glanced at the roses, then murmured, “Of course. Let's have our meal."

The rest of lunch passed in blessedly uneventful peace, thanks to Emily's determined efforts.

Afterward, as they prepared to leave, the restaurant manager approached Emily and politely asked what she wanted to do with the mountain of roses.

Without hesitation, Emily delegated the task to Elizabeth, handing her both the responsibility and the bill, before turning on her heel and making for the exit.

Elizabeth was not pleased—far from it. She hadn't seen the reaction from Albert she'd expected. Maybe she'd misread the situation after all?

She waited at the restaurant door, Albert falling into step beside her. The night air was cool, carrying away the lingering scent of food and roses.

Emily took a moment to enjoy the breeze, then turned to Albert. "Well, Mr. Cox, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Wait," Albert said gently. "Could we talk for a moment?"

Emily assumed it was business. “Go ahead."

He hesitated, then asked softly, "I just... I'd really like to know who sent you those roses. May I?"

Emily paused, unsure how to answer.

Albert added quietly, "Mostly, I want to know-do you think you'll say yes to him?"

Emily's tone was gentle. "Why do you ask?"

Albert ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face. "I know this isn't the right time, but... would you consider not saying yes to him?"