After knowing Ivan Horne for so many years, it's the first time Grace Chandler has faced Ivan Horne's icy, penetrating stare.
If looks could kill, Grace thought she would have already been minced into meat by Ivan's gaze.
"Ivan... Mr. Horne, what a coincidence." Grace smiled awkwardly, then looked at Lia Aiken. After Lia's background was exposed on the front page, Grace thought this woman would be utterly devastated, but she wasn't.
Lia was doing fine, and she looked even more radiant than the last time they met. Grace heard that Ivan hadn't been back to the company for days, and she could easily guess that Ivan had been comforting and accompanying Lia.
With the nourishment of love, Lia would only become more beautiful; how could she become haggard?
"I don't like this kind of coincidence," Ivan said coldly.
The awkward smile on Grace's face almost faltered.
"Mr. Horne, about what happened last time, I'm truly sorry. I was drunk and acted in a moment of impulse, but someone sent me those photos, which was why I did it. I was used by someone too."
Ivan coldly stared at her and said, "Grace, you should know the reason I've shown you respect all these years. Don't think I don't know what you truly feel; I've never had that kind of feeling for you."
"You were used, but if you didn't have such intentions, no one could have used you. You wanted to ruin Lia's reputation, thinking that would make me break up with her. You're wrong; I love Lia, regardless of her background, I love her."
"Also, the person you should be apologizing to is Lia, not me."
Grace bit her lower lip, looking embarrassingly at Lia. Lia was also looking at her. After a moment, Grace softly said, "Miss Lia, I'm sorry."
"That kind of apology doesn't satisfy me," Ivan took over before Lia could speak.
Grace opened her mouth, wanting to ask Ivan what more he wanted, but the words wouldn't come out.
After doing such a thing, she should have known Ivan wouldn't easily forgive her. All the importance she gained from Ivan over the years had turned into nothing.
"Mr. Horne, Miss Lia, I will publish an apology, a public one, letting everyone know that it was I who gave those photos to the reporter without Miss Lia's consent, bringing great harm and inconvenience to her life. It was all my fault, and I will definitely apologize."
Grace suppressed her heart-wrenching pain and made this promise.
She should really give up now!
Grace looked at Ivan again, staring intently at him, as if trying to imprint his image in her heart, or perhaps to see him one last time before erasing him from her life.
Love for so many years, and pain just as long. Since he doesn't love her, why continue to torment herself?
"Mr. Horne, after my apology, I will resign and leave. I'll go back to accompany my grandfather; he's old and needs someone by his side to take care of him." After taking a few deep breaths, Grace finally said these words, "Thank you, Mr. Horne, for the support and cooperation in my work over all these years."
After all, because of Ivan, she earned a formidable reputation in the industry, gaining both fame and wealth.
Ivan's expression remained cold, and he said nothing. Victoria Kelly, standing by, felt heartache for her friend. Falling in love with such an emotionless yet devoted man and hoping Ivan would keep Grace as a reporter was impossible.
Ivan might even have wanted to destroy Grace's career.
Grace's voluntary resignation saved Ivan the trouble.
Grace looked at Lia again, this time not hiding her envy, jealousy, and hatred. Lia gazed back, and after several minutes, Grace said, "Miss Lia, you're luckier than me, than everyone else; I wish you and Mr. Horne happiness." In the end, she said sincerely, "I'm sorry!"
Lia pursed her lips, looking at Grace without speaking.
Grace felt Lia sometimes resembled Ivan a lot; it's no wonder they became a pair.
In just a mere month, Ivan fell in love with Lia.
This must be fate.
Grace turned to look at the bustling Gourmet Street, closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. She calmed herself and, holding Victoria's hand, said calmly to Ivan and Lia, "Mr. Horne, Miss Lia, goodbye."
Never seeing them again would be even better.
Ivan remained expressionless.
Lia, however, turned to watch Grace and Victoria's departing backs. The two had just arrived and hadn't eaten anything yet, but they left because they bumped into her and Ivan.
"Men who are too handsome are actually a bane; too many unwanted admirers," Lia said softly.
Ivan replied, "You have unwanted admirers too, and I'm the one who helped you drive them away."
Lia was momentarily lost for words.
Ivan lifted her hand and, lowering his head, took a bite of the grilled skewer she was holding. Chewing, he said, "Lia, to avoid more unwanted admirers, we should settle down soon. Once you're taken and I'm taken, we won't have to worry about unwanted admirers."
"What about those homewreckers?"
Ivan replied, "...I'm not them, and if anyone dares to come between us, I'll make them regret ever knowing me."
Lia gave him a couple of amused glances and continued walking with a gentle smile, "Getting married seems a bit rushed."
They hadn't even been in a relationship for very long.
Ivan chuckled softly.
Their flirtation lifted their spirits, and the unpleasantness of encountering Grace was quickly dispersed.
While they were in love, Grace was heartbroken.
After getting into the car with Victoria, Grace collapsed onto the steering wheel, crying.
Victoria gently patted her back, "Cry it out, it helps."
If only Grace had given up sooner and let go of her love for Ivan, she might already have a happy family now; Victoria's cousin once genuinely liked Grace.
Now, there was no longer a chance to be with Victoria's brother.
"I thought he might soften a bit if I said I would resign... Maybe if I didn't resign, he would make me lose my job. He just loves Lia so much, and they've only known each other for how long."
"Grace, you have to let it go; why dwell on it? It will only cause you more unbearable pain. You need to learn to face things with calmness and stop dwelling on the 'why.' Some people, even after knowing each other for a lifetime, can't become a couple, while others, after just one meeting, can become unforgettable to each other, searching desperately to find one another. You and Mr. Horne had fate but not destiny!"
