**Chapter 57** Tammy sat poised with the menu in her hands, her eyes flickering over to Jun. “You know,” she began, a teasing lilt in her voice, “your outfit is rather snug. It made me wonder if you have a preference for men. Not that I’m judging! Everyone should embrace their sexual orientation, right?” Jun nearly spat out his water in surprise. “Miss Lynch, you’ve got it all wrong! I assure you, I’m as straight as they come.” His cheeks flushed slightly, a mixture of embarrassment and amusement flitting across his face. “Believe me, I’m not as promiscuous as you might think,” Tammy retorted with a quirk of her brow. “Let’s reset this,” Jun interjected, extending his hand toward her. “How about we start from scratch?” Tammy eyed him curiously before accepting his handshake, intrigued about his true feelings for Avery. After placing their orders, the atmosphere shifted into a more relaxed state, and the initial tension melted away as they exchanged banter. They dove into a variety of topics, the conversation flowing freely over the clinking of glasses filled with wine. An hour later, buoyed by the alcohol and the ambiance, Jun’s defenses lowered, and he found himself sharing personal anecdotes. “I have this friend who ended up in a shotgun marriage. He’s smitten with his wife, but fear keeps him from expressing it. The other day, when she got into a bit of trouble, I helped her out, not knowing she had no idea I was his friend. When she met me the first time, he practically exploded with anger, convinced it was reckless for her to meet a stranger. Quite the comedy, right?” Tammy’s expression shifted from surprise to intrigue. “That’s quite a tale! I’ve got a friend too, who one day dropped the bombshell that she’s married. She won’t tell me who her husband is, and all she talks about is wanting a divorce. I wonder if she even stands a chance at that.” Jun nodded, an understanding gleam in his eyes. “In today’s world, anything is possible.” “Exactly! I swear, I’m never going to jump into marriage,” Tammy declared with conviction. “Neither am I,” Jun echoed firmly. But behind her casual demeanor, Tammy’s mind raced with thoughts. Deep down, she needed to uncover whether Jun truly possessed the rumored two hundred million in his bank account. It was time to execute her plan. “So, how do you prefer to pay for things these days? Digital wallet or credit card?” Tammy asked nonchalantly, keeping her tone light. “I use my phone—much more convenient,” Jun replied, shrugging lightly. Tammy raised an eyebrow. “But isn’t there a limit on that?” “I don’t really treat myself. I just graduated not long ago, and I feel guilty spending too much of my parents’ money,” he admitted with a sheepish smile. Tammy nodded, taking note. Then, with a newfound boldness, she asked, “And what’s your savings account balance look like?” Jun blinked, clearly caught off guard by her directness. “Are you concerned I’m some broke loser?” he shot back, though he quickly added, “Honestly, I have just under a hundred thousand in there.” Tammy’s lips pursed as she processed his answer. Should she trust this guy or remain loyal to Avery's judgment? Jun’s tone had seemed genuine, but her loyalty to her best friend weighed heavily in her heart. Switching tactics, she inquired, “Does your family assign you significant roles in the business?” Could it be that the two hundred million belonged to his father? Maybe his interest in acquiring Tate Industries was merely inherited? “Not at all! Trust me, my dad wants me to take over the family business, but that’s the last thing I want,” Jun replied, his voice firm and steady. His answer left Tammy even more puzzled. She craved answers, but she sensed that their relationship lacked the depth required for such probing questions. If she pressed him now, he would likely retreat behind his wall of secrets. It was time to adopt a more strategic approach. “What do you think of me?” she smiled sweetly, masking the tension beneath. “If you’re interested, I’d love to see where this could go.” Jun looked stunned by her forwardness. “Isn’t that a bit rushed?” he replied, his surprise surfacing. Tammy’s smile dimmed, frustration creeping into her features. “I didn’t mean it that way! I just thought maybe we could see each other a few more times, get to know each other better before anything serious…” Jun stumbled, sensing Tammy’s growing discontent with every word. His attempts to clarify only seemed to further upset her. “Okay! I’m sorry, Miss Lynch. I just didn’t expect you to feel that way about me. If you want to move forward, then of course, I’m not against it…” “Stop calling me Miss Lynch. Call me Tammy,” she insisted, the warmth in her smile returning. She had decided to uncover Jun’s true motives within the next fortnight. The effect of her bewitching smile left Jun momentarily dazed, grappling with how quickly things were escalating. Was he really about to get a girlfriend so soon? Meanwhile, Avery’s jaw dropped in disbelief at the news of Tammy capturing a boyfriend. Surely, this was too substantial a sacrifice! Just as she was about to text Tammy for clarification, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. Surprised, her fingers inadvertently hit the answer button, and she found herself greeted by a mysterious male voice on the other end.