A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 43

At that moment, Yvan was dining in an upscale sushi restaurant atop this bustling downtown mall with a woman sitting across from him, her smile gentle and inviting. As they ate, she would occasionally lift her gaze to steal a glance at him.

Yvan clicked his tongue in irritation, frowning. “I’m here to eat, not to be ogled at.”

“But Yvan, you’re quite handsome, you know.”

The woman across, Willow Simpson, blushed with a coy smile, eliciting a wave of goosebumps across Yvan’s body.

“Can you act normal for once?”

“Are you not happy?” Willow pouted, “Is hanging out with me really such a hassle? If it weren’t for my granddad asking you out, would you even bother to show up?”

Yvan paused mid bite, looking up at her, “To be perfectly honest, if your granddad hadn’t arranged this, I wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

Willow’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she spoke with a touch of grievance, “How can you be so cruel to me. I like you so much…”

With a lazy, detached demeanor, Yvan watched her, signaling for her to continue.

like you so much; can’t you give me some sort of response?” Willow

from five years ago flooded Yvan’s mind–her high–society grace, her patience, and tenderness at home, her eyes always filled with hope, longing

said, “Ms. Simpson, what kind of response do

Willow asked straightforwardly. “Allying with my Simpson family can only help you; there’s no downside.”

“You think I need a

“I heard Matilda was released from prison, and I’m worried she’ll come after you again. I can be your shield if that helps; just be

be considered perfect if

no one could see what lay

simply

good enough? How

order more, feel free to put it on my tab.” Yvan stood up, “I should be going. Don’t use your grandfather to set up meetings in the

Chapter 43

He holds some esteem in my eyes; don’t wear it thin because

that she, a woman of her stature, was being rejected by Yvan. She had thought she

huff, she threw down her fork and stood up to follow him. “I… I’ll give you