Impatiently, Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother, knowing he was just outside the café. The twenty-eight-year-old, who had never been in a relationship, retired from the military after seven years and had been working as a gynecologist at a Yeringham hospital for three years, earning eighty thousand a year. Despite his concerns about ending up alone, Emmanuel's mother took charge and arranged numerous blind dates for him, resulting in seventeen thus far. However, none had led to marriage, and Emmanuel felt like he was going through the motions. Right before entering the café, he heard someone weakly calling for help.
Without hesitation, Emmanuel rushed to assist the person in need, discovering an old man who expressed gratitude for his kindness. Noticing the discrepancy between the old man's worn-out appearance and his well-kept hands, Emmanuel didn't have time to dwell on it as he hurried to meet his blind date.
Inside the café, Emmanuel found himself in an area with softer lighting, scattered flower petals, and an ethereal atmosphere that made him feel like he had entered heaven. There, he encountered a stunning woman seated at a table, radiating perfection. Despite his work as a gynecologist, the countless female bodies he had encountered hadn't captivated him like she did. Emmanuel was struck by an inexplicable attraction toward her, wondering if it was mere nervousness or genuine interest.
To his surprise, the table bore a large number eight, indicating that she was his blind date. Emmanuel took a deep breath to calm himself before approaching the woman's table and taking a seat across from her. The woman's expression turned flabbergasted and even hostile, not appreciating his audacity.
Ignoring her reaction, Emmanuel proceeded to introduce himself, unabashedly sharing details about his income, possessions, and willingness to be a responsible husband. Mackenzie, the woman, was taken aback by his sincerity and lack of shame. Eventually, she burst into laughter, finding Emmanuel's honesty and approach amusing.
However, their conversation took an unexpected turn when Mackenzie clarified that she wasn't there for a blind date. Realizing his mistake, Emmanuel apologized profusely and hurriedly left the VIP area, embarrassed by his blunder.
Shortly after Emmanuel's departure, an old man accompanied by bodyguards entered Mackenzie's private room. This man turned out to be Terence Quillen, the chairman of a prestigious financial corporation. He praised Emmanuel's character and kind actions, emphasizing that fate had brought them together.
Terence, nearing the end of his life, had a deep regret—his three sons had passed away without leaving male heirs. As Mackenzie, Terence's favorite granddaughter and his successor to the Terence Group, had never been in a relationship due to her misandry, he sought a suitable partner for her. Impressed by Emmanuel's qualities, Terence hoped Mackenzie would consider marrying him.
However, Mackenzie remained composed, determined to test Emmanuel herself before making any decisions. She valued finding a good man and didn't want to rush into marriage based solely on her grandfather's approval. Terence, hopeful that Emmanuel would pass Mackenzie's test, eagerly awaited the outcome.
The story unfolds with Emmanuel's blind date taking an unexpected turn, intertwining his life with Mackenzie's and the hidden motivations of her influential grandfather.
After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area.
Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table,
looking like she was running out of patience.
Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her
beautiful curves, she was, by all means, a sight to
behold.
Even though she didn't exude the same air of elegance
that Mackenzie had, there was no denying she had the
power to make men fall at her feet.
Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed in the
slightest. After all, he was well aware of his own
qualities.
Without further ado, he straightened himself up and
approached the woman with a smile.
"Sorry I'm late! My name's Emmanuel Lowe. I'm
twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist
with an annual salary of eighty thousand-"
"Stop!" the woman coldly interrupted before he could
finish his introduction. "What's the meaning of this?
With what little you have to offer, do you seriously think
women would want to marry you? I can't believe you
even had the nerve to be late! What right do you have
to keep a woman waiting? This has been an utter
waste of my time. Hmph!"
After firing off a barrage of questions, the red-faced
woman angrily splashed a glass of water on
Emmanuel's face.
Emmanuel's face.
The latter, who was caught off guard, instantly
became soaking wet.
Nevertheless, Emmanuel didn't lose his temper. After
all, he was indeed late because he went to the wrong
place, so he could understand why the woman was
upset.
3/17
"Hmph. You're twenty-eight and still only earning
eighty-thousand a year. No wonder you're doing so
poorly! Not only do you lack punctuality, but you also
don't seem to take life seriously. You're doomed to be
at the bottom of the social hierarchy your entire life!
I'm shocked you even have the guts to go on a blind
date with me… Stop being delusional!" the woman
scolded as she shot Emmanuel a look of contempt.
The next second, she grabbed her bag and stormed
off, not once bothering to leave her name.
To add insult to injury, she even waved a wad of cash
in front of Emmanuel's face, then slapped it hard on
the table as payment for the bill.
4/17
The latter's gaze darkened instantly as rage began
pulsing through his veins.
This woman is humiliating me! I may not have high
expectations for marriage, but that doesn't mean I
don't have a temper! Argh! As much as I want to make
her regret her actions, I know I don't have that
capability…
Since the woman was gone, Emmanuel, too, left the
café glumly.
To his surprise, he had only just stepped out the door
when he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding
into a BMW and screaming in pain.
Emmanuel couldn't help but furrow his brows. Oh, gosh.
That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is
there so much trouble in this café today?
"Ah! Someone's been hit!"
"Argh! My leg's broken! Murderer!"
Four men immediately rushed out to join the
commotion when the long-haired man fell on t
ground.
Those guys must be the co-conspirators!
Just then, a young lady hastily exited the BMW, clad in
a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed a large
expanse of tender, fair skin.
With her long, shapely legs and her cleavage peeking
out from the neckline, there was no denying that she
was incredibly sexy and alluring.
"What's the matter? How could I have injured your leg
when I was driving so slowly?" she asked anxiously.
Seconds later, the long-haired man's buddies
surrounded the woman, demanding compensation.
"Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!"
Several people in the café had witnessed the staged
accident, but unfortunately, they were so afraid of the
big, burly men that no one dared to confront them.
"How much do you guys want?" the woman muttered
helplessly, having resigned herself to the fact that
she'd have to settle the matter with money.
The group of thugs, however, began leering at her
bosom and drooling over her.
"Haha. Hey, sexy, why don't you have some fun with
us?" one of the men suggested as he shamelessly
tugged at her dress.
Just like that, what had started as a staged accident
quickly turned into public sexual harassment.
The pretty woman was so scared out of her wits that
she staggered backward until she bumped into
Emmanuel.
Instead of taking advantage of her like the other thugs,
Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the
long-haired man.
"Your leg's broken, and you're asking for compensation,
huh?"
Upon seeing Emmanuel's menacing expression, the
thugs felt chills down their spines.
At the same time, Mackenzie was sitting in the café
and watching the entire scene unfold.
Well, well, well. Who knew that man would be so brave?
I'm sure no one else would have the guts to go up
against five thugs.
The next second, Emmanuel stunned everyone by
viciously kicking the long-haired man's leg.
"Argh!" the latter shouted in pain as he began hopping
on the leg that was supposedly broken.
Goodness gracious! That man is daring!
Mackenzie, too, had curled her lips into a smile.
The café was one of her properties, so naturally, she
had also seen how Emmanuel's blind date went.
I thought he was a coward when he didn't flare up
despite being splashed with water. Who knew he was
just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with
women? I must admit, he looks rather charming when
he shows his tough side!
"What's this? Didn't you say your leg's broken? I'm
mocked.
When the onlookers realized that the long-haired man
had lied about his injury, they wasted no time scolding
and criticizing him.
By then, the other thugs had also lost their bravado
and fell silent. After all, they knew the tables had
turned on them.
"Hmph. I'll let you off this time, brat! You'd better watch
your back!" the long-haired man warned before
running away with his tail between his legs.
With that, the pretty woman gave Emmanuel a warm
smile and coyly gestured for him to get into her car.
"Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help.
Would you like to go to my house for a drink?"
Emmanuel, however, brushed her off without a second
thought. "No, thank you. I have other things to do!"
Seeing how unmoved he was by her advances, the
woman couldn't help but stomp her feet in frustration.
What the hell… Am I not sexy enough? I've already
made the first move, so why won't he reciprocate?
Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather
burst into loud guffaws.
"Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! Didn't I say that man
has an excellent character? Your assistant, Lexi, is such
a beautiful woman, yet he refuses to give her the time
of day! Once you guys are married, you won't have to
worry about him cheating on you!"
The more Mackenzie ruminated about Terence's words,
the more her impression of Emmanuel improved.
I hate men because they're always so lustful… However,
Emmanuel Lowe seems to be quite the exception!
"Don't be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are either after
looks or money," Mackenzie uttered coldly before
getting up.
Ha! I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test
of character!
Meanwhile, Emmanuel had gotten home after his
matchmaking session failed spectacularly.
Needless to say, his sister, Roselynn Lowe, was
frustrated beyond belief. "What? Another unsuccessful
blind date?"
This is the eighteenth time, for goodness' sake! My
brother's a six-foot tall, fit, and upstanding young man.
Why won't any woman take a fancy to him? He may be
thick-skulled at times, but surely, someone will still
appreciate him for his good looks, won't they?
Emmanuel's mother, Alessandra Cadigan, seemed
even more anxious as she hurriedly dragged him out.
of the house.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Emmanuel asked, startled
by how panic-stricken Alessandra was.
"What am I doing? I'm worried sick about you!" the
woman scolded without breaking her stride. "I don't
understand it, either. Our neighbor's an unkempt
up at home, yet he's already planning for his second
child! Why can't my son get a girlfriend? That woman
didn't even stay for the blind date, did she? I paid good
money to set this up for you! Let's go see her at her
house right now!"
"What?" Emmanuel choked out.
Did I hear that right? I can't believe Mom has gotten
this desperate! The matchmaking session was an utter
failure, so why must she still insist on dragging me to
the woman's place? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing
myself again?