I reacted swiftly, leaning back to dodge, a faint frown appearing between my brows. "Joel." Perhaps realizing that his action had displeased me, Joel pursed his lips and said innocently, "Sorry, you're just too beautiful—I lost control for a moment." I was momentarily at a loss for words. Yet Joel went on speaking as if nothing had happened, "Back where I'm from, when a man and a woman lock eyes, it usually means they're going to kiss." He pushed the coffee cup on the table toward me again, then leaned forward with both hands on the table, his cat-like eyes, gleaming like polished amber, sparkled with amusement. "Aren't you going to try it? I made it especially for you." "What are you doing here?" I finally looked up at him once he'd finished talking. After the shipwreck incident at sea, Joel had been taken to the hospital. I had contacted his werewolf bodyguards and asked them to look after him. Maybe it was because that incident had nearly cost his life, the werewolf group in Fostrau had ordered strict supervision over him at the hospital, leaving him no chance to contact me during his recovery. With Caden also around at the time, I hadn't gone to visit Joel. A few days later, Caden and I left. Thinking about it now, a small pang of guilt crept into my heart. So many things had happened one after another lately that I had completely forgotten about Joel. "I missed you, so I came. Since you wouldn't come find me, I had to come find you," Joel said with a hint of grievance in his expression. He turned, pulled over a chair, and sat down directly across from me, resting his elbows on the table and staring at me intently. His gaze made me uncomfortable. I turned my head slightly to create some distance again. "Are your injuries healed?" "Is that concern I hear in your voice?" Joel's eyes lit up immediately. I was speechless, but still nodded out of concern. Joel, of course, started to push his luck. With a bright smile, his strikingly handsome face turned toward me.Suddenly, he clutched his chest and wore a dramatically pained expression. "I think my chest still hurts, what should I do, Rosaline?" His acting was so over-the-top, I couldn't bear to watch. I spun the pen in my fingers and silently watched him perform. Joel peeked at me, groaned a few more times, then finally waved his hand in defeat when he saw I wasn't reacting at all. "You're really too much," Joel said. "But the fact that you're concerned means you're falling for me." "Take back all that twisted logic of yours." Ignoring everything Joel had just said, I spoke seriously, "Joel, I've already told you—I love Caden. We're engaged." "So what?" Joel shrugged indifferently. "And I've told you—I love you, and I'm going to pursue you. Besides, you and Caden aren't married yet, so I still have a chance." "Our wolves have already confirmed that Caden and I are destined mates. You need to give up this delusion." I couldn't help but raise my voice. "What?" Joel's eyes widened, and he froze for a solid 30 seconds before clapping his hands together with a grin. "So what if he's your destined mate? I'm the werewolf prince of Fostrau—I don't back down that easy. As long as I stay single, I've still got a shot. So, you really won't reconsider?" I was completely at a loss for words. There was simply no reasoning with Joel. Feeling drained, I checked the time and said helplessly, "So you came all this way just to say that?" "Actually, I was hoping to invite you to dinner. Ms. Sinclair, would you do me the honor?" Joel asked directly. "Absolutely not," I replied, cutting him off without hesitation. "What about tomorrow? Or the day after?" Joel persisted, undeterred by the rejection. "I've got all the time in the world—whenever you're free." I stood up, walked around the still-talking Joel, and left the office. "I don't have time." "Come on, don't I even have the right to have a simple meal with a good friend?" Joel spread his arms in the hallway, watching my retreating back, his tall, handsome figure drawing the attention of several colleagues. "You have the right to ask, and I have the right to say no," I said with a faint smile. If Joel genuinely wanted to be friends, I wouldn't have minded sharing meals with him as often as he liked. But with the way his mind worked now ...Not even the existence of a destined mate could make him give up—I really didn't know how much more time he planned to waste on me. "Rosaline, you're so cold. I even started learning how to swim for you," Joel continued his pity act. Now, all I could think was that next time, I should just have the werewolf bodyguards stop Joel at the door and keep him out of the company entirely. But just as I stepped out of the elevator, Joel—who had gone quiet for a moment—suddenly caught up and grabbed my wrist. I froze for a second. "What now?" "Your hair's messy." Joel blinked and gently tucked a loose strand behind my ear. I took a step back, catching a glint of mischief in his eyes. As I wondered what he was plotting next, I suddenly felt a strong pull from behind—and before I could react, I stumbled back into a warm, broad embrace.