Chapter 3

"He had promised me not long ago that he would be good to you forever. How quickly things change."

I told her everything that happened today in a few brief sentences.

She grew even angrier, her face filled with sympathy for me.

She patted her chest and said firmly, "Don't worry, I'll definitely find you a man who's a hundred times better than Fabian."

Thinking of something, she pulled out her phone and pushed a WeChat contact towards me.

"Do you remember Lorne? The genius from high school."

"At the last class reunion, you were too busy with work to attend, but he asked about you."

"I could tell he was interested in you."

She guaranteed, "This guy is handsome and rich. I heard he's never even dated before. He's a diamond in the rough, a CEO, definitely a hundred times better than Fabian!"

The company suddenly arranged for me to go on a business trip out of town.

It was already close to the end of the year, and I still had work to deal with. I was swamped every day.

Naturally, I didn't have time to add Lorne on WeChat.

At the same time, I was also self-aware. How could Lorne possibly be interested in someone like me?

I've been hearing his big name from high school until now, my ears are practically calloused from it.

As soon as he entered high school, he firmly sat on the throne of first in the grade, holding that position for three years.With a refined appearance and aloof demeanor, he was like a snow lotus atop a high mountain - untouchable and beyond reach.

Not to mention that he started his entrepreneurial journey in college, earning his first fortune before graduation. By the second year after graduation, he had already achieved success in business, joining the ranks of the tech elite.

I recently stumbled upon a financial news article featuring him. He was wearing a bespoke black suit, his hair slicked back with gel, revealing his strikingly handsome yet stern features.

His physique was impressively built, exuding raw masculinity. The comment section was flooded with women calling him "hubby" - he was that irresistible.

And then there's me.

My high school grades were mediocre at best, and I attended an average college. After graduation, I became just another cog in the machine, living a monotonous 9-to-5 life.

My family background offered no advantages, and I had just emerged from a failed relationship. How could I possibly measure up to someone like him?

So I simply set aside the WeChat contact Catalina had pushed my way.

Little did I know that the next client I would be liaising with would be his tech company.

And he would be personally coming to discuss the details with me.

Lorne had clearly made an effort with his appearance today. He wore a gray suit that accentuated his well-built physique.

His hair was styled with gel, his features strikingly handsome, with a jawline more defined than my life plans.

Every inch of him exuded the aura of a mature, successful man.As he walked into the conference room, many female colleagues cast admiring glances his way.

The coworker next to me gave me a nudge. "Mr. Shaw is so handsome. I thought he looked good in the news photos, but he's even more attractive in person."

Soon it was my turn to give my presentation.

I maintained a professional demeanor, delivering my report with clarity and composure. Lorne was the first to applaud when I finished.

"That was excellent," he said.

His gentle gaze fell upon me, making my heart skip a beat.

Suddenly, I remembered what Catalina had told me.

She said Lorne was interested in me.

As I lowered my head to organize my files, I could feel Lorne's intense gaze repeatedly falling on me.

Even my colleagues noticed, whispering:

"Do you two know each other? Mr. Shaw keeps looking at you."

We did know each other, that's true.

But in our three years of high school, we barely ever interacted.

......

By the time we finalized the partnership, it was already eight in the evening.

I have low blood sugar, and I was so hungry I felt dizzy. I couldn't wait to rush to a restaurant for dinner.

The weather in London is unpredictable. It had been sunny in the afternoon, but suddenly a downpour started in the evening.I waited for a while at the company entrance, but no Uber driver accepted my ride request.

Just as I was about to faint from hunger, a pair of well-defined hands steadied me by the shoulders.

At the same time, the pleasant scent of mint from his body wafted into my nostrils.

I looked up in a daze, meeting Lorne's concerned dark eyes.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke, his voice magnetic and husky:

"Long time no see, Xanthe."

"I was wondering if you'd do me the honor of joining me for dinner."

I've always been drawn to beautiful things.

The main reason I started dating Fabian was because he was incredibly good-looking.

Whenever we fought, just seeing his face would melt away my anger, and I'd end up begging him to make up.

But now, faced with Lorne, who was even more handsome than Fabian.

I nodded dumbly, "Sure."

Lorne appeared aloof, but he was surprisingly attentive.

Even though he was technically my client, throughout the meal, he was the one taking care of me.

He'd pick out dishes I liked, pass me napkins.

He could even keenly find topics I enjoyed and chat with me.

By the end of the meal, all the frustration I'd been feeling lately had vanished.

When he was about to pay the bill, I gently grabbed his wrist and said softly:

"Let's split the check. It's not right for you to treat me."

Under the soft lighting, Lorne's sharp features softened.

"But I want to treat you. If you really insist, you can treat me next time."I imagine a post I saw before - if you're interested in someone, you don't need to seek perfect reciprocity. It's okay to owe them a little, as long as there's some back-and-forth.

I found myself nodding inexplicably and asked him:

"Alright, how about we grab a drink together next time?"