Chapter 25

When Zachary and Giselle reached the parking lot, he suggested they go to a gym near her neighborhood for convenience. He then settled into the passenger seat beside her. She agreed, but seemed preoccupied as she drove. Noticing her dazed expression, he asked, "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing," she said, dismissing it. "Tonight was quite a coincidence, huh? To think we ran into your uncle."

Zachary chuckled. "Oh, the restaurant owner is an old friend of his. He often takes foreign clients there for dinner, so it's not surprising." As he spoke, he leaned closer to her.

"My uncle's always on my side—especially when it comes to dating," he continued casually. "He never objects, no matter who I bring home. And once he approves, Grandma has to agree too. My parents? Their opinions don't matter!"

Staring at his bright smile, Giselle couldn't help but remember her time with Donovan. A twinge of guilt flickered, then vanished. She wasn't easily swayed by guilt; she was level-headed, knowing exactly what she wanted.

They played tennis for two hours. Though drenched in sweat, she felt refreshed and relaxed. By the time Giselle returned to her apartment, it was nearly 10:00 pm. After parking, she entered the elevator and pressed her floor button.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Zachary: "Sweet dreams. Let's hang out again tomorrow." As the elevator doors opened, she stepped out, casually typing her reply: "Sure. Goodnight."

But as she looked up, she saw a man leaning against her door, glaring at her intensely.

Giselle froze, but remained composed. "Mr. Kane, did you miss me that much?" she drawled, approaching him. "It's only been three days, and you're already at my door."

Donovan remained silent, his grim expression unsettling. She nudged him. "Hey, move over. I need to open the door."

Completely unfazed, she unlocked the door with her fingerprint and opened it, even offering him her passkey. "Next time, just let yourself in and wait for me in bed," she smirked. "No need to freeze out here."

Donovan had intended to maintain his composure, but she always infuriated him instantly, using the most nonchalant tone. His hand shot out, roughly grabbing her chin. Pinning her against the door, he growled, "Giselle, how many times have I told you not to mess with him? Why are you always defying me? What the fuck do you want? Are you deliberately trying to piss me off?"

The image of her with Zachary at the restaurant—looking like lovebirds—and playing tennis with him in that fitted white top fueled his rage. He felt like strangling her.

But Giselle remained unshaken. "Mr. Kane, you're hurting me," she said with a cold sneer. Then, her sultry gaze softened as she added sweetly, "Can't you calm down? Nothing happened between Zachary and me. It's just... a misunderstanding."

Her unexpected words stunned him. He froze, his anger subsiding as his grip loosened. She patted his cheek, saying gently but mockingly, "Relax. I haven't even held his hand. He's just a kid, and we were just hanging out. No need to be jealous."

Then, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.