Night fell.
The bustling streets were filled with the glare of bright lights and a lively atmosphere; both foot traffic and vehicle traffic were at peak levels.
Ivan held Lia Aiken's hand, accompanying her as they wandered aimlessly down the street.
Lia Aiken hadn't said a word since leaving the hotel.
After Ivan caught up to her, he silently held her hand, accompanying her in silence, giving her ample time to face the dramatic changes in her heritage's story.
"Ivan."
At last, Lia Aiken spoke, turning to the man beside her: "I want to eat something, will you accompany me to Gourmet Street? We'll eat from one end to the other, tasting everything the street has to offer."
Ivan dotingly replied, "Okay, I'll accompany you to Gourmet Street and we'll eat from one end to the other."
Lia Aiken looked at him gratefully, "Ivan, thank you."
From the incident a few days ago until now, he had been with her constantly.
As the CEO of Valence Group, his work schedule was hectic; many people wished to see him but couldn't. Yet he was willing to set aside all business just to be by her side.
If Lia Aiken initially had some concerns that her and Ivan's relationship developed too quickly and might not last, now she had no worries at all.
For someone like Ivan, to put anyone ahead of his company signifies that he values that person greatly.
Ivan gazed deeply at her. Lia Aiken always felt Ivan's eyes were captivating; the more a woman looked into them, the easier it was to fall for him.
"Don't be so formal with me," he gently held her hand, saying softly: "Lia, let's go eat."
With him affectionately and tenderly calling her Lia, she felt her bones turning soft. This man was indeed a heartthrob, and she found it harder to resist his charm.
Luckily, he loved her; otherwise, she would be one among many women mesmerized yet unfulfilled, and that would be painful.
Hand in hand, they walked to Gourmet Street.
Thankfully, Tom Aiken's hotel wasn't far from Gourmet Street, making it a short walk for the two.
For Ivan, it didn't matter how far; as long as Lia wanted food, he would accompany her.
"My dad..."
Lia Aiken was willing to speak about her father, so Ivan replied: "I think his pain runs deeper than yours. It's clear he loved your mother immensely; to hate for so many years shows how deep his love was and how deeply he was hurt. Now that the truth is revealed, you're biological father and daughter, your mom was also manipulated by your uncle. I think he won't hate your mom anymore, and as for you, he is filled with guilt and self-blame."
Lia Aiken sighed heavily, "In the past few days, I truly felt like I was caught in a tornado, spun around until I lost all sense of direction. I accepted that I'm not my dad's daughter, understood that my mom wronged him, and could grasp his attitude towards me, deciding not to hate him anymore. But now, we're biological father and daughter again."
"I can understand him better now, but understanding doesn't mean I can face it calmly just yet."
Ivan said empathetically, "I get it, Lia, no one blames you."
"As for my uncle, there's definitely resentment. If it weren't for him, my mom wouldn't have died, and my dad and I wouldn't have lived like enemies for nineteen years."
"He will face the consequences of his actions."
Lia Aiken smiled bitterly, her eyes reddening with tears lingering at the edges. She endeavored to blink the tears away, unwilling to cry, saying, "What's the use? Can time reverse? Can it bring my mom back? Can it erase nineteen years of mutual animosity between my dad and me?"
Ivan pursed his lips. No.
He could only open his arms and embrace Lia Aiken as they walked.
Lia Aiken tilted her head to gaze at the dark sky, sighing deeply again, "I'll leave him for my dad to handle; I reserve my right to hate him."
She found it hard to forgive her uncle because he caused the death of her mother and disrupted her originally happy family.
She had the right to hate her uncle!
The hand on her shoulder tightened slightly, Ivan enveloped her in his arms, silently comforting and supporting her. No matter what choice or decision she made, he would stand by her and understand her.
"Let's stop talking about that. We haven't eaten much today. Ivan, let me treat you tonight. All my paintings that sold are thanks to you; you deserve a meal on me."
"Okay, you treat me."
Right now she wants to draw the line between his and hers; after a while, once her feelings settle, he would propose and marry her. Then, everything of his would be hers, including his person!
After a dozen minutes, they arrived at Gourmet Street. The foot traffic was even heavier, the atmosphere vibrant, and before getting close, the aromas hit them. People passing by, attracted by the various scents, couldn't help but step in.
Grace Chandler and Victoria Kelly found a spot to park their car, then got out with their bags, heading to Gourmet Street as well.
Coincidentally, they ran into Ivan and Lia Aiken at one of the stalls on Gourmet Street. Ivan had just helped Lia Aiken buy skewers; they were ready to eat while walking, disregarding anyone else.
"Ivan."
Grace Chandler called softly.
Unexpectedly, she encountered Ivan here again. The Ivan in her memories, always lofty and unattainable, now had abandoned all stature to accompany Lia Aiken, eating skewers on the street.
Though not encountering him for the first time, every sight of them inflicted a fresh pain on Grace Chandler.
Victoria Kelly was also momentarily stunned, seeing her friend's face filled with envy, jealousy, and pain. She hurriedly tugged at Grace Chandler, whispering a reminder: "Since you're here, seize the opportunity to apologize to them."
Alluding to Grace Chandler's leaking of Lia Aiken's heritage to the media, under Victoria Kelly's persuasion, Grace Chandler constantly considered apologizing to Ivan. Yet, Ivan hadn't answered her calls for days, nor had he any time for her. He said he'd deal with her when he had time.
Remembering what she had done, Grace Chandler shivered instantly, curbing her envy, jealousy, and resentment and briskly approached Ivan and Lia Aiken. Ivan, who had just been looking at Lia Aiken with tenderness and pampering, instantly stiffened, his handsome face tense, exuding a chilly aura. His gaze at Grace Chandler was piercingly cold.
