Nathan replied coolly, “Come on, Jared, you’re just kidding. I just wanted Victoria to stay for lunch, but she said she’s swamped with work.”

Jared looked at me, clearly annoyed. “Busy? So busy you can’t even spare time for lunch?”

My little lie was about to get called out.

I stammered, “I…”

Jared didn’t hold back. “She just doesn’t want to eat with you. ‘Busy’ is just her excuse.”

And just like that, the awkward truth was out in the open.

Nathan was clearly shaken. He looked at me, let out a soft cough to cover up his disappointment, and said, “Alright, you should get back to work. That’s more important.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away, not looking back.

I was so mad I gave Jared a kick in the leg. “Next time, watch what you say.”

Jared just let out a soft snort. “Why put on an act? If you want to turn him down, just be direct.”

“Harsh words are like snow in June, don’t you get it?” I snapped, anger flaring in my voice.

“When it comes to feelings, you should just be decisive. Victoria, you really don’t understand,” Jared shot back, his voice louder than mine.

I strode toward the elevator, and Jared trailed after me. “What, did I hit the mark? Running away again, huh?”

“I don’t need you teaching me how to live my life,” I shot back, arms crossed as I waited for the elevator.

“Then quit stringing people along if you can’t clean up the mess,” Jared retorted, clearly pissed. Maybe he thought I was flirting with Nathan earlier.

I gave him a cold, mocking look. “Seriously, you don’t even blush saying that? Who’s the one always playing with people’s feelings, huh?”

Jared instantly clammed up, his face turning stormy.

The elevator arrived, and I strode in without hesitation. Jared stayed where he was and didn’t follow.

It was just a lunch, but it marked the official end of the story between me and Nathan.

So be it. We’ll leave each other alone and get on with our own lives.

Edward still hadn’t said when he’d be coming, but I ended up here before him.

The last time I came, I was praying for money. This time, I was here for peace of mind.

I sat there on the bench, watching people come and go–everyone looked so sincere in their prayers.

Couldn’t help but start wondering: what’s the point of it all?

Seriously, what is it?

When you’re hungry, nothing beats the smell of food. When you’re full, you start craving something sweet or fancy, like the scent of roses. When you’re broke, you wish for cash; when you’re sick, you just want to feel better. If you’re too skinny, you want to put on weight; if you’re chubby, you want to slim down. When it’s cold, you want to bundle up; when it’s warm, you wish you could wear silk or something light and breezy.

I rested my head on the stone table, closed my eyes, and let the dappled sunlight filter through the leaves, falling softly across my body and face.

It struck me–maybe the point of life wasn’t the finish line, but the journey itself. Whatever stage we were at, there was always something you were searching for.

‘So, where am I right now?’

“I’ve got money, free time, and a career. Maybe now I’m just longing for the scent of roses–something a little sweeter, a little more romantic.”

After about an hour, I dropped some cash in the donation box and made my way out.

Jared called an emergency meeting, and during it, he announced that a state-owned enterprise wanted to invest in the hotel. With all their money and resources, there was no way Jared would say no.

As the one in charge, I got invited over to their office for a meeting just three days later.

The head of the state-owned enterprise was actually a bit courteous to me, which I honestly didn’t expect.

The meeting ended on a high note–they were just putting in money, not getting involved in the management at all.

After the meeting wrapped up, they treated me to lunch. To secure the investment, I broke my usual rule and had three shots of Bordeaux. The strong, distinctive aroma of the liquor left me feeling a little lightheaded.

In my drunken haze, I thought I saw Edward’s silhouette coming toward me.

Edward’s voice was soft in my car, but there was a gentle reproach in it. “Why are you so drunk?”

Everything was spinning, my breath quickened, and my body felt weak. I reached out, hooking my arm around his neck. “Edward… it’s you again, always supporting me, right? Thank you!”

Alcohol always makes emotions run high, and honestly, with all the help and resources Edward had given me, he really did deserve my gratitude.

“Thank me for what?” He didn’t move, just leaned back against the wall, his eyes lowered as he looked at me.