She had clearly said she would treat, but when it was time to
pay after the meal, Kaneeta was told that Woodrow had
already settled the bill in advance.
“Mr. Hartwell,” Kaneeta gazed at him with a faint melancholy,
“didn’t we agree that I would treat you?”
“Sorry,” Woodrow replied with perfect composure, “I forgot.”
Kaneeta stared at the barely–there smile at the corner of his lips,
suddenly realizing that Mr. Hartwell seemed to have a natural
talent for playing tricks.
“If Mr. Hartwell’s memory is really that bad, perhaps you should
keep a memo,” Kaneeta said, half–smiling.
“My memo only records important things,” Woodrow replied.
“For example, Ms. Drayton still owes me two meals.”
“Is that so?” Kaneeta tilted her head. “I don’t think so.”
Meeting Woodrow’s gaze, she mimicked his earlier tone: “Sorry,
I forgot.”
Woodrow let out a low laugh at her words. Seeing the
Chapter 100
mischievous glint in Kaneeta’s eyes, his own gaze was filled
with indulgence.
“It’s all right. As long as I remember, that’s enough.”
The two were about to leave when, turning around, they
unexpectedly ran into someone familiar.
Miguel.
He stood just five steps away, his dark trench coat dusted with
raindrops on the shoulders, his gaze fixed on Kaneeta as if
rooted in place.
He was still gripping a black umbrella, droplets of water
trickling down the ribs and dripping onto the floor, leaving dark
circles where they landed.
Kaneeta’s expression stiffened slightly.
She hadn’t expected to run into Miguel here, at a time like this.
She could sense the complex emotions in Miguel’s gaze-
resentment, probing, and perhaps a hint of stubbornness.
“What a coincidence, Woodrow, Ms. Drayton.” Miguel’s voice
was lower than usual, with a barely noticeable hoarseness at
the end.
Chapter 100
His gaze passed over Woodrow and landed directly on Kaneeta.
“I was supposed to meet a friend here for dinner. I didn’t expect
to run into you both.”
Without a word, Woodrow stepped forward half a pace,
blocking Miguel’s line of sight.
“Yes, quite the coincidence.”
Miguel’s gaze grew even more complicated, his fingers
clenching tightly.
When Kaneeta had mistakenly believed he was her arranged
marriage partner, she had been earnest, but he could sense that
she was only fulfilling her duty to the arrangement.
Of course, that was only natural. After all, a marriage alliance
between two families was essentially a business partnership,
unrelated to feelings.
He had pretended to be her fiancé only to steal a chance to get
close to her, to pursue her.
But now, the atmosphere between Kaneeta and Woodrow was
completely different.
Why was it different when it was Woodrow?
Chapter 100
)
Thinking of the painting she had returned to him, Miguel felt as
if his heart were being cut by a knife.
Suddenly, he spoke: “Ms. Drayton, about what happened before,
I’ve always wanted to explain to you…”
“There’s no need.” Kaneeta’s voice was soft, yet carried an
undeniable firmness.
Her fingertips brushed lightly against Woodrow’s sleeve. “Mr.
Woodrow, shall we go?”
Woodrow lowered his gaze and caught her subtle gesture, a
faint warmth flickering in his eyes.
“Yes, let’s go.”
4
Kaneeta walked forward with him, feeling Miguel’s gaze behind
her, sharp as needles pricking her back.
Once in the car, Kaneeta took the initiative to speak: “I used to
mistakenly think my arranged marriage partner was Miguel.”
Though it was still a bit awkward to bring it up now, she didn’t
want to keep it from Woodrow.
“It was foolish of me,” Kaneeta sighed. “I didn’t ask clearly
enough.”
Chapter 100
“No wonder,” Woodrow raised his brows slightly, “you kept
saying you wanted to keep your distance from me before.”
