My Ruthless Ex Demands by Eva Blackwood Episode 327

In the meantime, Elijah had barely stepped into the mall when the buzz of a gathering crowd caught his attention. Familiar voices drifted through the commotion, tugging at the edges of his memory.
He turned to Oliver, who immediately understood the unspoken command. “Mr. Norris, I’ll check what’s happening up front,” Oliver said briskly before weaving through the crowd.
Elijah stood rooted to the spot, his gaze scanning the scene when a figure in white materialized before him. “Elijah, what brings you here?”
Instinctively, he stepped back, eyes meeting a girl dressed in a white tracksuit, her face obscured by a hat, mask, and oversized sunglasses. Yet, despite the layers of anonymity, he recognized her instantly.
“Sandra,” he greeted awkwardly, glancing toward the crowd. “Are you here for a meal?”
Sandra’s laugh carried a bitter edge. “Elijah, why does it feel like we’ve become strangers?”
His tone softened, attempting to smooth the moment. “You’re overthinking again, Sandra. Your heart condition doesn’t need the extra strain.”
Always her heart. That cursed, fragile heart.
Sandra’s hands clenched into fists, caught between gratitude and a deep-seated resentment.
To Elijah, her heart seemed the only thing worth his concern—never her.
She drew a deep breath, her voice deliberately tinged with vulnerability. “Elijah, I was hoping you could do me a favor.”
The unusual approach made him raise a brow.
“What is it?” Elijah said, furrowing his brow reflexively.
“I’m joining a show called Weekend Party…” Sandra paused in the middle of her sentence.
She scanned the bustling crowd and gestured toward a quieter corner. “It’s too crowded here. There’s a restaurant nearby that’s quite nice, and they have private rooms. How about we head there for some food and a chat?”
Elijah gave a brief nod and started walking in the direction she had indicated.
Sandra trailed after him, her steps deliberate, and lightly tugged at his sleeve.
He noticed her gentle pull and slowed his pace, his gaze flicking to her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, he didn’t pull away, instead allowing her to guide him toward the restaurant’s private room.
Once seated, Sandra picked up the menu and began introducing various dishes as she selected them, her voice animated and cheerful. She ordered seven or eight items before sliding the menu over to Elijah with a warm smile. “Elijah, have a look. Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
Elijah took the menu from her, glanced at it briefly, then closed it and placed it back on the table. “I’m not hungry. This will do.”
“Alright, let’s stick with these,” Sandra told the waiter before turning back to Elijah, her expression softening into a shy grin. “I always end up wanting to try everything, but I can never finish it all. And you know how much I hate wasting food.”
Elijah’s tone was even as he replied, “Except for those two vegetarian dishes, the rest can be packed and reheated later.”
Sandra’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she teased him, “Elijah, you don’t even pretend to indulge me anymore. You used to say you’d help me finish everything.”
Elijah paused mid-motion, his hand lingering over his glass. Then, with measured composure, he set it back on the table. “I’m not in the mood to eat today. Besides, when you head off to Izrosa, who will finish your leftovers then?”
The playfulness in Sandra’s demeanor faltered. Her brows knitted together as she picked up her napkin and tossed it onto her plate with a huff of frustration. “I don’t want to hear about that place while we’re eating!”
Elijah chose not to press the matter, his voice shifting to a neutral tone as he smoothly changed the subject. “What was it you wanted to talk about earlier? Do you need funding for the show? If so, tell me how much, and I’ll transfer it to you now.”
He reached into his pocket, fishing for his phone.
Sandra quickly cut in, her voice firm yet tinged with restraint. “It’s not about money.”
She hesitated for a moment, her earlier irritation melting into something softer. Her tone dropped to a near-whisper as she confessed, “Carrie is going to be on that show too. You know how people are—they’re always comparing us. Could you… ask her to withdraw?”