Chapter 177 Chapter 177 " You did that deliberately , didn''t you ?" Thalia''s cheeks burned - this fame from embarrassment . That had been an ident ! Aplete ident ! Surely Rupert wouldn''t think they''d bean terraty Ksing in her office ? It wasn''t that she cared about Rupert''s feelings , but she genuinely didn''t want anyone misinterpreting her rtionship with Asher . Regardless of who that person might be . Asher tilted his head slightly , regarding her . " Did what ?


    " " You know exactly what you did ! " Thalia gritted her teeth . " You deliberately moved closer so I''d identally touch your lips , knowing you''d get lipstick on you , specifically so Rupert would see it Admit in Asher shrugged , his lips curved in amusement . " Wanting a kiss was genuine , but I honestly didn''t realize there was lipstick involved . " " Drop the innocent act , " Thalia scoffed . " If you didn''t know , why were you smirking at Rupert ?


    " Asher maintained his look of exaggerated innocence . " Was I ? It wasn''t intentional . I''d just had a little kiss with my darling - I couldn''t help smiling from sheer happiness . " " Asher ckwood ! " Thalia snapped , grabbing a box of tissues from her desk and hurling it at him . Asher caught it effortlessly . " Yes , I''m right here ! " He was grinning now , his dark eyes dancing with mischief . " I am not your '' darling '' ! Stop with these ridiculous terms .


    I absolutely detest flippancy ! " Thalia red at him , pointing emphatically toward the door . " Now , this instant , get out ! " " As you wish . " Asher , having finished shredding the papers , obediently headed for the door . " Next ume you need odd jobs done , I''m at your service . " Thalia fumed . " Out ! " As Asher left the office , he nearly collided with Lucy Jenkins . " Good afternoon , Mr. ckwood . " Lucy smiled politely , then froze when she noticed the lipstick on his lip .


    " Hello , " Asher replied , clearly in excellent spirits . 98.3 % Chapter 177 " Mr. ckwood , yourves " Lany hindisied , meritain how to m Asher was perfectly aware of the lipstick , but he feigned ignorance , giving het dig and heure gen Lucy''s eyes suddenly lit up with excitement Her mind was racing . This is brilliant ! Mr. ckwood and Ms. Winters have been kissing ! My ship lives on ! As Asher waited for the lift , Rupert happened to be leaving the office on business .


    Rupert approached with his briefcase , and upon seeing Asher , his tone carried a distinct erige of ckwood seems to be thoroughly enjoying his role as our office assistant . " " What''s wrong with being an assistant ? " Asher''s expression remained cheerful . " That she''d ask me to means we''re close . She feelsfortable enough to ask favors of me . Notice she doesn''t ask you to do Rather telling , isn''t it ?


    She''s likely too ufortable to impose on you - suggests your rtionship isn''t particrly intimate , wouldn''t you say ? " Rupert : " . He''d never encountered someone so adept at twisting reality to suit themselves . Rupert''s lips curved into a smile that didn''t reach his eyes . " Mr. ckwood certainly has a unique sense of humor . " The lift arrived . The doors opened , and both men entered . " Has Mr. ckwood heard that expression ?


    " In the mirrored interior of the lift , Rupert''s handsome face was reflected . " Proximity breeds opportunity . " Asher smiled dismissively . " And has Mr. Lysander heard the saying '' You don''t fish off thepany pier " ? " Rupert was momentarily silenced . But he quickly recovered . " Between fishing near the pier and going back to waters that have already proven barren , surely the former offers more promise ?


    Thetter has already disappointed , while waters unexplored might yield a fresh catch . " In the confined space , tension crackled between the two men , neither willing to concede . Asher smiled . " Is that so ? I rather think differently . Someone who has rejected you once will reject you again . Ack of feeling is precisely that ack of feeling . Likewise , someone who loved once can love again , because love is love , 14:21 98 5M Chapter 177 and its absence is equally definitive .


    " Rupert''s lips tightened , his eyes darkening to unfathomable depths . " Such confidence , Mr. ckwood ? " Rupert''s tone was cial " How does a wounded heart heal ? When someone has loved with their entire being , only to be devastatingly hurt by the person they trusted most - who would be foolish enough to give that person a second chance to break their heart ? " Asher''s smile faded . He said nothing more . The lift soon reached the underground car park . The doors opened .


    Asher exited first . Rupert followed , his expression grim . We shall see , Asher ckwood . We shall see . After work on Friday , Thalia was just leaving her office when she ran into Rupert . Rupert''s demeanor was perfectly normal as he said , " Ms. Winters , there''s something I feel I should rify with you . It''s been weighing on my mind . " " What is it ? " Thalia asked . " This isn''t the ce to discuss it , " Rupert said . " Fancy a walk in the park nearby ? We can talk as we go .


    " Thalia , seeing that Rupert seemed to have something genuinely important to discuss , hesitated briefly before nodding . " Alright . " The April evenings were growing longer . At just after six , the glow of sunset was gradually fading . The air already carried the promise of warmth . Thalia wore a light gray suit , her long hair pinned up , with a few loose strands being gently disturbed by the evening breeze , creating a beautifully disheveled effect .


    Rupert found himself momentarily breathless at the sight . He walked beside Thalia , the two of them side by side , while she gazed straight ahead , unaware of the affection in his eyes . 98.6 % Thalia pad dighly my gard have the go to yo friend . It h M y Thalia released analmon impertops w " About what ? " "Nothing important . " Thalia''s tone lightened considerably . " Your perspective align with mine - diness partners and friends . " Rupert''s voice remained gentle and even .


    " If my aunt continues her matchmaking efforts and invites you out , please feel free to decline . " " Yes , of course . " " Ms. Winters , don''t you have a sister about Lena''s age ? Rupert asked Thalia inquired , " How old is Lena now ? " " She''ll be turning seven in just over a month . " " My sister is about a year older , then . " " That''s close enough , " Rupert said . " Perhaps they could meet ? Children benefit from having ymates their own age .


    As adults , we inevitably have a generational gap with them - no matter how well we get along , we can''t rece friends their own age . " Thalia agreed with this sentiment . Lucy was still undergoing psychological treatment . Might a new friend help with her recovery ? " I''ll ask her , " Thalia said , " My sister has been through some difficulties recently . I need to make sure she''s open to meeting new people before I can give you an answer . " " Of course , " ? ( 0 )