Chapter 210: Ruin the date.

Sunday arrived.

Ian came to the restaurant. He had reserved a table, just for the two of them. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows as he sat down. He checked the time.

7 pm.

’She will be here soon,’ he murmured to himself. His eyes kept drifting toward the entrance, unable to hide his anticipation.

A waiter approached with a menu. "Are you ready to order, sir?"

"No..." Ian offered him a smile. "I am waiting for someone."

"Of course, sir." The waiter walked away.

Ian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring box. He opened it.

The diamond ring glinted under the soft restaurant lights.

Warmth filled his eyes. ’She will definitely be surprised.’

He was planning to propose to her. He wanted to show her that he was serious about rebuilding their marriage.

’I hope she will say yes.’

A nervous smile touched his lips.

After their argument that day, he had tried everything he could to make it up to her.

Over the past few days, he had picked her up and dropped her off at home. He brought her flowers every day, bought her breakfast in the mornings, and kept sending her little gifts.

She had not smiled at him, but she had not refused anything either. That alone gave him hope.

Ian chuckled as he remembered her reaction when he had given her a dress that morning.

’I don’t like the design,’ she had said with a pout. ’But I’m keeping it. I don’t want to waste your money.’

"Liar," he mumbled, his smile growing wider. "You like it, but you won’t say it."

He shook his head affectionately. "Fine. I’ll keep sending you gifts until I finally make you smile."

He closed the box of the ring and slipped it back into his pocket. He looked up at the entrance again, hoping to see Evelyn walking in. But instead, he saw Maya.

The smile on his face vanished right away. His eyes narrowed.

Maya entered with two women, laughing and smiling brightly.

’Maya? What is she doing here?’

Evelyn’s words returned to his mind.

’Maya has feelings for you.’

Ian had already started looking at Maya’s actions differently after Evelyn’s warning. Now, seeing her here, he couldn’t help wondering if this was a coincidence. Or had she come here deliberately?

’Is she here to cause trouble?’

Before he could dwell on that thought, Maya noticed him.

"Ian!" She grinned and walked over. "What a pleasant surprise. Are you here to have dinner?"

Ian stood up. He opened his mouth to reply. But before that, Maya spoke.

"Meet my friends—Regina and Tiana. They are my best friends." She gestured to her friends. "We are here to dine. And you are here too."

She glanced at her friends. "How about we dine together?"

"Wait," Ian interrupted her. "I am actually..."

"Yes, that’s a good idea," both Regina and Tiana exclaimed together.

Before Elias could stop them, Maya already called the waiter. "Excuse me. We already reserved a table for three. But we just met our friend here. Now we are four. Can you arrange a table for four?"

"Of course, ma’am." The waiter nodded.

"Wait," Ian stopped him. "There is no need. I am not dining with them."

Regina and Tiana exchanged shocked looks.

Maya’s expression immediately crumpled. Tears began gathering in her eyes.

"Are you still upset with me, Ian? You haven’t forgiven me yet."

Ian was speechless. His mind went blank for a moment.

Maya lowered her head and wiped her tears away. "I already took the punishment," she said. "I was dismissed from your team. It was already too much for me. But I thought you wouldn’t be mad at me anymore."

As she spoke, more tears gathered in her eyes. "I was wrong. You still haven’t forgiven me."

"Dr. Whitmore," Regina said, stepping forward. "Maya has already been depressed over the past few days. She has been crying constantly. We brought her here to cheer her up."

She looked at Ian pleadingly. "Can’t you have dinner with us just this once?"

"Actually, I am waiting..."

"Please. Dr. Whitmore," Tiana said before Ian could complete his sentence. "One dinner with us won’t harm you, will it? Besides, we also have a chance to know such a young and talented doctor. You are Maya’s role model. She always talks about you."

He was beginning to feel trapped.

He had planned so much for this evening. Everything was supposed to be perfect. And now Maya had appeared out of nowhere.

He didn’t want to ruin it.

’Eve will be here soon. If she sees Maya here, she will be furious.’ The thought made his stomach tighten.

"Listen," Ian said firmly. "I’m not angry with Maya. You came here to have dinner, so go ahead and enjoy yourselves."

He looked at Maya. "But I’m here for someone else."

Maya forced a smile. "That’s even better. More people, more fun. We are already four. We can welcome another one as well. What do you say, girls?"

"Yes, that’s awesome," Regina said, beaming.

"After dinner, we can all go for a walk," Tiana said.

Maya held his hand. "Please, Ian. Say yes."

Ian immediately pulled his hand away. His expression turned cold.

"I told you—I am waiting for someone else," he hissed. "Don’t force me."

He raised his hand to call the waiter. But he suddenly froze.

Evelyn was standing near the entrance.

His blood ran cold.

She was staring directly at them. The sadness in her eyes made his heart drop.

"No..." He shook his head, realizing she had misunderstood the whole situation. He went numb in his place.

Maya noticed Evelyn too. A tiny, almost invisible smile curled at the corner of her lips.

She knew Ian had a date with Evelyn tonight. And she had deliberately brought her friends here.

Given Evelyn’s suspicious and jealous nature, she would definitely hate Ian after this and abandon the idea of getting back together.

"Evelyn, you are here too," Maya said, forcing a wide grin. She turned toward Ian. "I understand now. You are the person Ian was waiting for."

Then she looked back at Evelyn. "It’s quite a surprise, Ian. Why didn’t you tell me Evelyn was coming?"

She strode toward Evelyn. "This is going to be a lovely evening. Come, Evelyn. Have a seat."

She reached for her hand.

Evelyn stepped back. Her eyes remained fixed on Ian. She felt betrayed.

She had warned him about Maya, told him how uncomfortable that woman made her feel, and asked him to keep his distance. But here Maya was again, clinging to him.

And Ian hadn’t pushed her away.

Her chest tightened painfully.

Maybe she had been foolish to believe things had changed. Maybe she had been wrong to believe Ian truly wanted her back.

She had waited for him for years. She had given him chance after chance. But she couldn’t spend the rest of her life wondering whether another woman would always come between them.

She wouldn’t let him hurt her again.

"Evelyn, listen to me." Ian stepped forward. "Don’t start assuming things."

But Evelyn didn’t want to hear another explanation. She had heard enough excuses.

Her eyes burned with tears. She spun on her heel and dashed out.