How to Train Your Ex-Billionaire novel Chapter 36

He was watching her intently, without a word.

Winifred was startled but forced herself to remain calm. After drying her hands, she grabbed her bag and said, "Let's go."

They had just stepped out of the office when they ran straight into Cornelia.

"Yvan, what are you doing here?" Cornelia asked, surprised and pleased.

"Having lunch with a friend," Yvan replied curtly.

Only then did Cornelia notice Winifred standing beside him. "Dr. Spencer? How do you know Yvan?"

Winifred was at a loss for words and instinctively glanced at Yvan.

Yvan's tone was flat. "We were high school classmates."

"Oh, high school classmates." Cornelia looked between them suspiciously, her expression souring. "Your friendship must be very deep if you're still in touch after all these years."

"We're leaving." Yvan had no interest in engaging with Cornelia and started walking away.

Winifred had no choice but to nod at Cornelia and follow him.

Watching them leave, Cornelia's face darkened with thought.

They went to an expensive Western restaurant near the hospital, where an ordinary steak cost several hundred dollars.

Winifred had never eaten here before; it was far beyond what a person on her salary could afford.

"You order. This is my treat." Winifred passed the menu to him.

Yvan didn't hold back. He ordered a black pepper steak, a vegetable salad, foie gras, and a bottle of red wine for himself, then handed the menu back. "Order whatever you want."

Winifred glanced at the prices of his selections. The wine alone was over ten thousand, bringing the total to more than fifteen thousand. She couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

It wasn't that she couldn't afford it, but spending so much on a single meal felt incredibly extravagant.

But she supposed it was a fair price to repay his favor. Then she wouldn't feel guilty anymore.

She chose the cheapest pork chop on the menu and a glass of lemonade.

After the waiter left, Winifred looked at Yvan. "So, what happened with last night's incident?"

Winifred focused on cutting her pork chop, planning to eat quickly and leave.

Yvan stared at her and suddenly said, "Winifred, you've changed a lot."

Winifred looked up at him for a second before lowering her head to eat again. "Have I?"

"Yes."

He wanted to say she had become more beautiful and confident, but he didn't dare.

"By the way, why did you change your last name?" Yvan asked.

"I went to live with my mother, so I took her name." Winifred's face was calm, as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

Did her parents get divorced? When did that happen? Yvan had never known anything about her family. But divorce was a sensitive topic, and this wasn't the right time to pry.

Yvan fell silent, and so did Winifred. The only sound was the clinking of silverware against plates.

After much hesitation, Yvan finally asked the question that had been burning in his mind. "When did you get married?"