The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 95

Bianca had zero desire to cross paths with Mathis. She instinctively grabbed Milo's arm. "Can we go somewhere else? That guy is a friend of Mathis's, and I really don't want to deal with him."

Milo glanced at his watch. "It's peak dinner rush. We won't find another table this late. Besides, we have a private room. Mathis isn't crazy enough to track us down just to crash our dinner."

Payton spotted Bianca. When he realized the man standing next to her was Milo Wilder, his temper flared.

"Well, aren't you shameless, Bianca?" Payton sneered. "Running all the way to Austin City just to throw yourself at Mathis? Let me give you a reality check—he doesn't care about you. He's here to close a corporate merger."

Bianca rolled her eyes so hard they nearly stuck in the back of her head. She was seconds away from cursing him out.

Milo beat her to the punch. "Since when do fine dining establishments allow dogs inside? That lapdog has a terribly annoying bark."

He had heard enough rumors to instantly recognize this guy as one of Mathis's loyal sycophants.

The sheer disrespect Payton showed Bianca was a direct reflection of how Mathis treated her behind closed doors.

Hearing Milo's insult, Bianca couldn't hold back a very uncharitable laugh, choosing to completely ignore Payton's existence.

She turned to Milo, smiling brightly. "Next time, you should bring your guard dog to dinner. It'd have better manners than a lapdog."

Milo grinned. "Absolutely."

Payton's face cycled through several shades of red and purple. "Bianca, you—"

"Me what?" Bianca cut him off without a shred of politeness. "Do I know you? Keep barking if you want, but do it somewhere else."

Without waiting for him to stammer out a response, she walked inside with Milo.

"Let's go eat," Mathis said, his voice entirely devoid of warmth.

After Mathis's abrupt departure the previous night, Cynthia had pried his itinerary out of Quincy and flown in this afternoon. She had left Lamont behind, hoping Mathis would take her on a luxury shopping spree in Harbor City after his meetings.

Meanwhile, in their private room, Bianca and Milo were having a fantastic time.

"You really know how to pick a restaurant. Everything is incredible." Bianca's appetite had improved drastically lately, and her overly hollowed cheeks were finally regaining a healthy, radiant glow.

Milo soaked in the compliment, a boyish, arrogant smirk playing on his lips as he wiggled his eyebrows. "Once we start dating, I'll take you to all the best spots. For the October long weekend, I'll fly you out to Tidehaven. The food scene there is next-level."

"I'm only going if we don't go alone," Bianca stated firmly. "I'm bringing a plus-one."