Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

Chapter 72: Chapter 70: In the Face of No Love, No Reason Is a Reason

’Just this once.’

So she went downstairs alone.

She hailed a cab out of her neighborhood and went to a small diner.

After eating a bowl of wontons, she strolled along the bustling city streets.

The streets, teeming with traffic, were a medley of assorted sounds.

Nora Ainsworth wore denim shorts and a simple white T-shirt. Her petite frame weaved through the crowd as she walked, eating a few barbecue skewers she held in her hand.

When she reached a high-end bridal shop, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the wedding dress in the window.

’She’d had wedding photos taken once.’

’But the wedding never happened.’

’Will I ever have the chance to wear one?’

She stood there for over ten minutes before finally walking away.

Somehow, her wandering feet led her near Grant Group Tower.

The lights were still on in one of the offices, a clear sign that someone was working late.

Thinking that Quentin Grant might be busy—that he might be the one working overtime—Nora Ainsworth, on a sudden impulse, went to a nearby snack shop and bought a bowl of dumplings before heading toward the Grant Group office building.

”Hey, what are you doing here?!” a security guard blocked her path. ”Only company employees are allowed in and out.”

”I’m the housekeeper from President Grant’s home. I’m here to bring him a late-night snack.”

The guard scoffed. ”President Grant’s housekeeper? I doubt it. But even if you were, I’d still have to report it to my supervisor before letting you in. Besides, President Grant left work a long time ago. Who are you even bringing this snack for?”

Nora Ainsworth paused, forcing an awkward smile. ”Oh, I see.”

The guard’s mocking voice followed her. ”Trying to get close to President Grant with a lame trick like that? Fat chance!”

Nora Ainsworth’s hand tightened around the bag of dumplings, her back ramrod straight. She walked for a long time before looking back.

She hadn’t gone far when a car honked at her. She looked closely and saw it was Leon Lynch.

He got out of the car and walked over to her. ”I almost didn’t recognize you. I came looking for you a few times, but they wouldn’t let me in.”

”Security is really tight there. But it’s over now. We have our final assessment in three days, and then we get our assignments.” Nora Ainsworth looked at him. ”Where are you headed?”

”I was about to head home, but then I spotted you. Let’s go grab a drink.”

Nora Ainsworth nodded and got into the passenger seat, still clutching the bowl of dumplings.

”You bought dumplings. Why aren’t you eating them?”

Nora Ainsworth gave a slight smile. ”I was going to eat them when I got home. Good thing I ran into you. Have you eaten? If not, you can have them.”

”I actually haven’t had dinner yet.” He took the container, cradling it in his hands, and ate with gusto, not asking any questions.

After he’d eaten every last one, Leon Lynch drank the last of the broth, threw the bag away, and drove off.

They drove to a bar parking lot, got out of the car, and walked side-by-side toward the entrance.

They found a quiet, inconspicuous corner and sat down, ordering two cocktails. They sat across from each other.

They hadn’t seen each other in months, and it felt like a reunion between old friends who hadn’t met in ages.

But they both knew they weren’t friends.

Their relationship was something more complicated than friendship, something harder to define.

”What’s your relationship with Herman Hawthorne?” Leon Lynch asked, getting straight to the point.

Nora Ainsworth mulled it over for a moment, then smiled. Using her old, familiar tone, she asked, ”Are you trying to meddle in my affairs by playing the part of my fiancé again?”

Leon Lynch’s tone was insistent. ”Without my consent, we never officially broke off the engagement. Nora Ainsworth, if you agree to marry me right now, I’ll make you my wife immediately.”

”Leon Lynch, are you kidding me?” Nora Ainsworth laid out the facts. ”This was a mistake from the very beginning. Have you forgotten? There’s no love between us. Besides, I don’t want to marry into your family. Your mother and I don’t get along at all.”

”We can build the love part later. If you and my mom don’t get along, we can move out. Nora Ainsworth, you should be a little more grateful. Think about it, I’m a handsome, suave guy. For you, I’ve started turning away all the women who throw themselves at me. For that alone, you should have a heart.”

Nora Ainsworth couldn’t help but laugh. ”Stop messing around.”

”Then tell me, what’s really going on between you and Herman Hawthorne? I don’t believe what other people are saying. I only want to hear it from you. The truth.” Leon Lynch’s smile vanished as he stared at her.

Nora Ainsworth considered it for a moment before answering, ”There’s nothing between us. We’re just acquaintances.”

Only then did Leon Lynch’s smile return. Adopting the tone of an interviewer, he said, ”Well then, Miss Nora Ainsworth, may I ask what your ideal partner is like? Or, to put it another way, what kind of man do you want to marry?”

She rested her chin in her hand and answered, ”I want a man who would die for me. But I have to love him, too. If there’s no love, no other reason is good enough.”

Leon Lynch froze. Her last sentence was the perfect confirmation: she didn’t love him. That’s why she didn’t want to marry him.

”Then can you tell me, is there a man you’re in love with right now?”

Nora Ainsworth picked up her cocktail glass and drained it in one go.

She’d been so bold with her drink because, in that single moment, Quentin Grant’s face had flashed through her mind.

’I can’t be falling in love with him,’ she thought. ’It’s probably just because he was my first.’

”No,” she said.

For some reason, Leon Lynch reached out—for the first time ever—and ruffled her hair. ”Little girl’s all grown up.”

Nora Ainsworth stared, dumbfounded, looking at him in disbelief. ”Leon Lynch, what was that? Did you just... pat my head?”

Leon Lynch teased, ”Better than grabbing your chest, right?”

Nora Ainsworth’s face flushed. ”Spoken like a true player!”

His eyes softened as he chuckled. ”I’d trade all those battles for one round with you.”

”I knew you were up to no good.”

He held out his hand. ”Give me your phone.”

She took it out and handed it over. As he took the phone, Leon Lynch grabbed her hand, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Nora Ainsworth snatched her hand back, but he could still feel its warmth on his fingertips.

Leon Lynch used her phone to call his own number, then handed it back. ”Don’t turn your phone off from now on. And when I call, you have to answer.”

”No way!” Nora Ainsworth shot him a look. ”What if I have an emergency, or I’m just busy? I might not be able to pick up.”

Leon Lynch grinned wickedly. ”From now on, there’s a new rule. For every one of my calls you miss, I’ll kiss you the next time I see you. I can find you anywhere, so don’t even think about hiding. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and try me. And if you get used to the kissing, I don’t mind taking things a step further—”

He raised an eyebrow, his meaning unmistakable.

Nora Ainsworth put her phone away, completely ignoring his threat. ”Our slate is clean now. There’s nothing between us anymore. I’m heading back.”

Just as she started to stand, she froze, her expression shifting.

Because a figure had appeared in her line of sight not far away.

Since her back was to the light, Leon Lynch didn’t notice a thing. Instead, he pressed on, ”I’m the one who decides if there’s anything between us. Nora Ainsworth, I’ve set my sights on you, and I won’t let go easily!”