The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1893

"Roger..."

Stella's head snapped up. She frowned at him, mustering her courage. "We agreed I was paying for this."

"Alright."

Roger leaned back in his chair, picking up his cup of warm tea and swirling it elegantly. "Be my guest."

"Okay."

Thinking she had won the argument, Stella quickly dug into her pocket for her phone.

Only then did she realize it was completely dead.

To make matters worse, she didn't have a single dollar in cash on her, nor a charging cable.

Stella practically tore her backpack apart, but she couldn't scrape together a dime.

She wanted to ask if she could owe him and pay next time, but Roger was staring at her with those bottomless, dark eyes.

A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth; he had known she couldn't pay all along.

Stella bit her lip, a faint, embarrassed flush creeping up her pale cheeks. She hesitated for a split second before mumbling, "I'm sorry. I don't have any money on me. I guess... I'll have to treat you next time."

"Mm."

Roger stood up, pulled some cash from his pocket, and dropped it on the table. "Let's go. I'll walk you back."

They headed for the exit, but the moment they stepped outside, they realized the sky had opened up into a torrential downpour.

"Sir, you gave us way too much!" The elderly couple hurried out after them, waving the cash.

The two bowls of noodles cost about twenty bucks, but the man had casually dropped a few hundred-dollar bills.

"I'll be coming around often. Just put it on my tab."

Roger glanced at the pouring rain, his brow furrowing slightly. "Do you happen to have an umbrella?"

"Oh!" The couple blinked in surprise before hastily producing one, smiling apologetically. "We only have the one."

"Thank you."

Roger took it and popped it open. He looked back at Stella, who was standing frozen by the door. "Come here," he commanded, his voice a low rumble.

Unable to fight him off, Stella had no choice but to let him guide her into the pouring rain.

The downpour was brutal, hammering relentlessly against the nylon canopy.

The old man watched them walk away, practically glowing with delight. He didn't take his eyes off them for a long time.

"We clearly had an extra umbrella in the back. Why didn't you..."

his wife asked, utterly perplexed.

"That young man is clearly a catch. He's a perfect match for Stella," the old man chuckled, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. "Any fool can see he's got a thing for her."

"What about Stella?" His wife shook her head helplessly, letting out a sigh. "You don't even know how she feels. Stop trying to play matchmaker."

"Oh, relax."

He patted her hand, brimming with confidence. "She's been eating here for a solid year. You think I don't know her personality by now?"

"Forget bringing a guy around, I've never even seen her show up with a girlfriend."

The more he talked, the more hyped up he got. "I'm telling you, Stella definitely has feelings for that man."