?Chapter 396:


    A fancy dining table was set in the presidential suite, with Bu and rissa seated at opposite ends. In the center was ced a freshly cut orchid, its sweet scent blending with the savory aroma of seared steak.


    They both dined elegantly, yet their expressions differed.


    rissa asionally cast affectionate nces at Bu, while he remained unppable, meeting her looks with calm eyes. He appeared emotionally detached from her.


    In essence, she disyed her emotions openly, but he offered only polite kindness in return.


    After enjoying half her steak in a rxed manner, rissa smiled at Bu. “Hey Bu, I have something for you.”


    Bu set down his utensils and met her gaze steadily.


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    It was their routine. She would dine with him immediately after a work trip and always brought a gift.


    With another warm look at Bu, rissa signaled to one of her female subordinates nearby.


    The woman quickly came forward with a gift. After rissa took the gift box, the woman respectfully retreated.


    rissa slid the gift box towards Bu, saying, “I got you a tie. Want to take a look?”


    Bu casually opened the box, nced at the tie, then closed it and responded coolly, “Nice one. Thanks, rissa.”


    A look of disappointment crossed rissa’s face.


    “Bu, honestly, it feels like you’re just going through the motions. Can’t you be a bit warmer? I hope your kindness isn’t just because I once saved your life. I want it to be real, like how a true gentleman treats ady. I’ve been pursuing you for years. Why do you remain so distant? What should I do to move you?”


    Bu paused briefly before replying, “rissa, don’t waste your efforts on me. We’re just not meant to be.”


    Without waiting for rissa to respond, he continued, “And about Xander’s position in the Peridot Consortium, remove him. He’s not suited for it. The only reason he became the vice president is because of me. He shouldn’t get any special treatment.”


    Ignoring hisments about Xander, rissa focused on the earlier part of his statement, saying, “Why aren’t we meant to be? Why don’t you have feelings for me? Tell me, what’s your type, then?”


    Bu remained silent, his mind drifting back to memories of a girl from his past.


    It was during a mission when he was an international special forces soldier.


    The girl, known as Silver Fox, was part of their squad for that operation.


    She wore a silver-white suit that concealed her entire body except her eyes, leaving her face a mystery to Bu.


    But it was her personality that truly captivated him.


    Her name was fitting. She was as clever and shrewd as a fox, yet she was also charming and maic. Even her gestures held a mesmerizing charm.


    In contrast to Bu’s reserved demeanor, Silver Fox was outgoing and could engage him in lengthy conversations.


    She would talk about anything under the sun, endlessly chattering in his ear.


    If he stayed quiet for too long, she would give him a mocking look and teasingly call him “dummy.”


    Even with her yful teasing, she kept the conversation flowing, bombarding him with questions and light banter.


    Initially, Bu found her irritating and thought of her as delicate, someone who might crumble on the battlefield.


    However, when they faced battle together, Bu was astounded by Silver Fox’s bravery. She proved to be a valiant fighter, disying exceptional courage and quickness and moving with the speed and grace of lightning, apelling force that left Bu in awe on many levels.


    Regrettably, their time together ended when the mission was over, and Bu never saw her again. Despite his attempts to find her through various means, he always reached a dead end, unable to find any clues to her whereabouts.


    As he was lost in his thoughts, Xander’s voice suddenly broke through, saying, “Bu, I’ve brought my girlfriend to meet you.”


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