**Chapter 47: An Awkward Dinner** The pounding rhythm in Janet’s head felt like a relentless drumbeat, amplifying her anxiety as she grappled with the tense atmosphere surrounding her. It was a precarious situation, one she would have preferred to navigate with grace—a luxury she no longer had. The truth was, she never envisioned herself divulging that she was married, especially in the context of having taken Jocelyn’s place. The mere thought of people discovering her clandestine union was enough to send a chill down her spine. Suppressing a strained smile, she attempted to lighten the mood. “I just told Chris about it, didn’t I?” she chimed, hoping for a flicker of camaraderie. Ethan snorted in response, his silence speaking volumes as he averted his gaze. The air felt frigid among the trio, a palpable tension that weighed heavily on Janet’s shoulders. With a reluctant sigh, she steeled herself and led the way into the restaurant, each step fraught with uncertainty. Once seated, Christopher excused himself, seeking refuge in the restroom, needing a moment to collect his thoughts. The revelation of Janet’s marriage struck him like a thunderbolt, leaving him disoriented and grappling with disbelief. Throughout the meal, Ethan remained a statue, refusing to lift his eyes from the menu, each word from Janet falling flat between them. When she finally mustered the courage to nudge him, a flicker of hope ignited within her. “Are you mad at me?” she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper. Ethan rested his chin upon his hand, his eyes darkened like storm clouds, revealing little of what brewed beneath the surface. With a tight-lipped smile, he replied curtly, “No. Leave me alone.” Disheartened, Janet bit her lip, the initial excitement of the evening waning with every passing second. As Christopher returned, he greeted them with a polite smile, clearly sensing the tension that stretched like a taut string between the couple. “Did you two order already?” “Not yet,” Janet said, offering him the menu. “Chris, is there anything in particular you’d like?” But silence reigned again; the culinary delights before them became a backdrop for the unspoken conflict that simmered. Only the intermittent exchanges between Janet and Christopher punctuated the heavy stillness, each comment falling flat and swiftly fading away. After devouring his steak, Ethan reclined into the chair, radiating an icy aura that could freeze flames. It was then that Jocelyn and her entourage burst into the restaurant. “Wow… Look over there, Jocelyn. Is he a celebrity?” one of her friends exclaimed, her eyes widening as she spotted Ethan. Jocelyn followed her gaze, and her heart raced as recognition struck her. Ethan was breathtakingly handsome, yet he seemed completely oblivious to the way he drew attention like a magnet. “Wait, I know him…” A sly smirk crept across Jocelyn's face, but it faltered as she realized he was seated with both Janet and Christopher, forming a striking tableau of beauty and tension. Two dashing men alongside one stunning woman—what a scene it was! Jealousy twisted in Jocelyn’s gut as she recalled her own failed attempts to flirt with Christopher, his swift rejection still fresh in her mind. “Is that so? Someone has to introduce us! But of course, that stunning girl is probably his girlfriend,” one of her friends dismissed, eyeing Janet critically. “Oh, please! You should see her without makeup,” Jocelyn scoffed, her confidence restored. “She’s hideous. You look way better than her! I’ll just say hi. You guys order for me.” Before her friends could object, Jocelyn strutted across the restaurant, a determined glint in her eye. Her plan was simple: to publicly expose the flaws of Janet, who had been blackmailing their parents for money as if she were untouchable. As Janet and Christopher exchanged awkward glances, the unmistakable scent of Jocelyn’s overpowering perfume wafted over to their table, heralding her approach. "My dear younger sister," Jocelyn began, her voice dripping with feigned sorrow. "You've really pushed our parents too far this time. How could you dare come to such an extravagant restaurant for dinner?" She fluttered her lashes, fake tears spilling down her cheeks. "Our family is in dire straits, and you’re here flaunting your expenses! Do you have no regard for what they’re enduring? You squander their hard-earned money daily! You’re no longer a child, yet you insist on demanding funds from them. At this rate, they’ll be forced to take drastic measures!” Jocelyn’s words, though not thunderous, echoed loudly enough for the surrounding diners to overhear. A hush descended as curious eyes turned toward them; whispers began to ripple through the restaurant. “Oh, what a scandal!” one shocked diner murmured. “How could that girl waste her parents’ money like this? What a parasite! And are those two with her just her toy boys?” “If I had a daughter like her...” another patron shook their head, “I’d be ashamed to show my face in public! She’s dating two men at the same time? The youth today truly have no shame!” Ethan’s demeanor darkened, storm clouds gathering in his expression as he absorbed the chaotic scene. Christopher’s gaze fell, feeling helpless in the spotlight of Jocelyn's public shaming. The dinner had already been awkward enough; now it teetered on the verge of catastrophic.