Chapter 3

On the day of Dashiell's discharge from the hospital, many friends and long-time business partners came to visit. Lavender was among them.

However, apart from a brief glance when they first met, Dashiell didn't spare her another look for the entire time.

Lavender stood in the corner, looking dejected.

When someone raised a glass to toast Dashiell, she suddenly stood up and took the glass from Dashiell's hand, saying protectively, "Mr. Grey, our Mr. Winters has just been discharged. I'll drink this one for him."

With that, she downed the drink in one go.

Everyone present fell silent, their expressions varying as they glanced at me sitting beside Dashiell.

"Who's this?"

Dashiell smiled, his expression unchanging: "She's a new intern at the company. She's new, so please excuse any mistakes, Mr. Grey."

Everyone present was sharp; they could easily detect the protective tone in his words.

Mr. Grey graciously drank the wine in his glass, and the atmosphere at the table became lively again.

Underneath the table, Dashiell casually took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I don't know who hired this intern, but she's acting like a greenhorn, so eager to prove herself." I smiled ambiguously and let out an "Oh." Then I said, "Why don't we just fire her then?"

The hand holding mine paused imperceptibly.

I nonchalantly withdrew my hand and chuckled softly, "Just kidding. She's new, after all. We should give her time to grow."

He looked at me with a probing expression, about to say something, when I stood up.

"I'm a bit tired. I'll head back first."

Without waiting for his response, I smiled and said goodbye to everyone, then turned and left the private room.

When I reached downstairs and went to grab my phone, I realized I'd left my purse in the room. I had to go back up.

As I passed by the stairwell, I suddenly heard a familiar voice. I couldn't help but look over.

"Haven't I told you not to show up in front of her? Why won't you listen?"

"But I wanted to pick you up from the hospital too."

Lavender buried her head in Dashiell's chest, her petite frame shaking with sobs. "Dashiell, I missed you."

"Why were you so cold to me today? It hurts."

Seeing this, Dashiell's expression softened. "Why are you crying?"

He wiped the tears from Lavender's face, his tone tinged with a barely perceptible gentleness.

"I've told you, as long as you don't cause trouble in front of her, I'll do anything for you."

"Then I'll be a good girl. Will you stay with me today?"

She grasped Dashiell's hand and placed it on her chest. "Don't you want to personally examine the results?"

"I've prepared a special surprise for you tonight, Master. Don't you want to try it out?"

Dashiell's eyes darkened as he suddenly gripped the back of her neck and kissed her lips. "Clean up and wait for me."

Lavender wrapped her arms around his shoulders, clinging to him as she kissed him back. Her eyes, glistening with desire, looked directly at me with a smug and challenging gaze.

I calmly held her gaze for a few seconds before turning and heading downstairs, not even bothering to grab my purse.

As I walked home along the street, I happened to see a boy in Love Ocean Square holding a bouquet of roses, confessing his feelings to a girl.

It reminded me of that awkward yet sincere young boy from years ago.

He said, "Age and distance aren't issues. As long as you're willing, I've chosen you for this lifetime. Nothing can come between us."

But a lifetime is too long, and true feelings often change.