Chapter 3

A week after calling off the engagement, I went to a tea house on the city outskirts to discuss business.

Walking through the courtyard toward the interior, I unexpectedly saw Bob.

He sat at a garden table with refreshments and tea in front of him, smiling as he said something.

And sitting across from him was Fiona.

Bob saw me first. His eyes lit up, then he quickly composed himself and continued talking as if nothing had happened.

A server came up to ask how many were in my party. I said I had an appointment and was led to a corner table.

This spot wasn't far from Fiona's table—close enough to overhear their conversation.

I'd just sat down when I heard Bob say:

"Fiona, about Johnson calling off the engagement that day—how did you handle it afterward?"

My hand paused as I lifted my teacup.

Fiona's voice came through: "What's there to handle? He called it off. Am I supposed to beg him?"

Bob laughed. "But he did that in public. Where does that leave your dignity?"

Fiona laughed too.

"He thinks calling off the engagement will scare me? The engagement was arranged by both families. He doesn't get to decide alone."

I held my teacup and slowly took a sip. The tea was good.

Bob asked again, "So will you still see him in the future?"

"See him for what?" Fiona's tone was casual.

"I have you now."

Bob lowered his voice and asked, "So when will you marry me?"

Silence for two seconds.

Then Fiona's voice rang out.

"Soon. Once I finish dealing with this current mess, I'll marry you."

I swallowed that sip of tea and poured myself another cup.

The tea was hot. Steam rose to my face, slightly damp.

Bob was saying something else over there, but I could barely hear it anymore.

One sentence kept spinning in my mind—her words "once I finish dealing with this current mess, I'll marry you."

Once she finished this current mess. I suddenly wanted to laugh.

I'd waited a year for her to come back to me, and here she was, planning to marry someone else once she finished her current mess.

I drained the tea in one gulp and called the server over to settle the bill.

As I got up to leave, I passed their table without stopping, even wearing a faint smile on my face.

Bob's expression flickered—probably surprised I could be so composed.

Fiona watched me walk past, her gaze following me until I walked out the courtyard gate.

Outside the tea house, I got in my car and only then did I grip the steering wheel tight.

My nails dug into my palms. It hurt.

I sent a message to the project manager, changing the location for our business discussion.

Three seconds later, I started the car and drove away.

Inside the tea house, Fiona pushed away the refreshments Bob offered her.

"Let's go."

Bob froze. "Where to?"

"You go home first. I still have things to do."

Bob's face changed, but he didn't dare say more.

That evening, the project lead was decided—Tony Group.

The next day, I received word that the project liaison would be Bob.

I stared at that message for a long time.

Did Fiona get him into Tony Group? Or was he already part of Tony Group?

Whatever. None of it mattered anymore.

I put down my phone and continued revising the proposal.