Juliet was running while trying to call Bill, but she was still blocked.
When she finally made it to the McDonald's across the street, she saw Bill sitting alone at the first table, his face dark with anger. Today, he was the only customer.
Juliet let out a sigh of relief and walked over.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Bill. Something urgent came up, and I forgot. Let me treat you to a meal."
Juliet's apology was met with Bill's disdain. He was dressed in a black suit, exuding an air of aloofness. His imposing presence seemed completely out of place in this McDonald's.
He must be some kind of executive or business professional, Juliet thought.
In fact, Bill had been ready to leave at 9:01 PM, but a call from his mother made him change his mind. He decided to stay and wait for this woman.
"Next time, give me a proper address. Even the GPS couldn't find this place!"
Bill finally spoke, but his tone was full of disdain.
The manager happened to walk out just then and overheard Bill's words, looking embarrassed.
Juliet shot Bill a glare, annoyed by his tactless remark, and then turned to greet the manager with a smile.
The manager nodded in acknowledgment and patted Bill on the shoulder. "Hey, isn't this Bill? You've grown up so much! That suit looks sharp—seems like you're making a lot of money!" Bill forced an awkward smile. "Not really, I'm just a regular salesman..."
"This guy used to work here at McDonald's when he was in high school," the manager said, clearly happy to see an old employee. Bill thought to himself, *If it weren't for those community service credits I needed, who'd ever want to work here?*
"What do you want to eat? My treat!" the manager offered, slapping his chest.
"A Family Bucket of fried chicken!" they both replied in unison. The manager went off to handle their order.
As their eyes met, Juliet couldn't help but roll her eyes at what the manager had said.
Juliet pursed her lips, thinking this guy isn't frugal at all. He clearly doesn't have money, yet he used the VIP service to get married, wears expensive suits for meetups—what a vain man!
She glanced at Bill again. He looked to be around 27 or 28 years old, with sharp eyes.
"Do you seem unhappy with me?" Bill asked, staring directly at Juliet. He had noticed her eye roll. His voice was pleasant but very cold, and if you listened closely, you could hear him grinding his teeth—he was furious. How dare this gold-digging woman look down on him!
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Bill. I live on Xingguang Road, and I earn a few thousand a month. I work as a salesman at a private company, rent an apartment above a teahouse, and drive a used car. I'm not a rich man."
Bill was laying out the background he had originally intended to share with Honey.
Juliet nodded and decided to introduce herself too.
"I'm a police officer."
Bill corrected her, "A *trainee* police officer."
Juliet took a deep breath and continued, "I work at the North District Criminal Investigation Unit, right across the street."
Bill crossed his arms and replied in a deep voice, "You're actually in the Miscellaneous Affairs Investigation Unit in the back courtyard behind the Criminal Investigation Unit, temporarily assigned to the team."
Bill assumed Juliet was the type of vain woman who wouldn't tell the truth, so he bluntly exposed her situation.
Juliet was speechless.
"Mr. Bill, do you have to interrupt me? Can't you at least let me finish my sentence?"
Bill had already said everything she was going to say, so what was left for her to add?
His expression was icy cold.
"Aren't I just telling the truth? That courtyard was a pig farm twenty years ago."
"What do you mean by that, Mr. Bill?" Juliet felt like he was mocking her!
Bill sat up straight against the back of his chair. "I'm just being honest."
Juliet frowned, hands on her hips, feeling like she couldn't communicate with him at all. Damn it, as soon as the month was up, she would divorce him immediately!
"Let's get to the point. I don't want a divorce."
Bill's sudden statement left Juliet stunned.
She wondered if she had heard him wrong.
This man, apart from being handsome, was annoying in every other way!