At first, the date seemed promising. Stewart’s wit and charisma had Jess laughing, and the upscale ambiance elevated the mood. But when the check came, Stewart’s credit card was declined. Despite multiple attempts, the payment wouldn’t go through. The restaurant manager intervened, and Stewart’s frustration boiled over, causing a scene that drew the attention of other diners.
Jess, mortified, suggested a solution, but Stewart angrily pushed her to cover the bill. She refused, reminding him that the choice of restaurant wasn’t hers. Just then, Stewart revealed that Adam had promised to put money in his account but hadn’t followed through. The situation spiraled further as the manager threatened to involve the police.
Stepping outside to call Adam, Jess demanded an explanation. To her fury, Adam admitted the debacle was a prank to “spice things up.” He eventually arrived, paid the bill, and dismissed the chaos as harmless fun. Jess, however, felt humiliated and betrayed, realizing her brother had crossed a major line.
After Adam’s nonchalant apology, Stewart offered his own. “I had no idea,” he said earnestly. Jess, still fuming, assured him it wasn’t his fault but declined his offer to salvage the night. The tension between her and Adam lingered, leaving Jess to reflect on boundaries and trust.
Walking home, Jess vowed to take a firmer stance with her brother, determined never to let him meddle in her life so recklessly again. The night was a disaster, but it left her with a clear resolve: no more blind trust—not in setups, and definitely not in Adam.
