<b>Chapter </b><b>466 </b>


    Leaning against a nearby pir, Emily looked exhausted from sadness, her eyes red as she stared at me. “He said you helped him, but the price was breaking up. He said he understands you, but it hurts him deeply.”


    Suddenly, my eyes filled with tears. Nathan understood me, but he couldn’t forgive himself.


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    <b>23 </b>


    “Ms. Murphy, why would you hurt him like this? You know exactly how much he loves you, how long he’s waited for you…” Emily’s voice was shaking with emotion as she confronted me.


    I lowered my head, unable to say a word.


    Just then, a deep male voice interrupted. “Emily, I don’t need a spokesperson. Please, that’s enough.”


    We both looked up to see Nathan, dressed in a business suit, standing quietly on the other side of <i>the </i>pir.


    Emily’s face turned pale, her expression a mix of grievance and sorrow.


    I looked at Nathan, my tears still glistening at the corners of my eyes, unable to hide them in time.


    Just then, the group of high schoolers who had been deep in discussion spotted Nathan and swarmed over, surrounding him and firing off a ton of questions.


    While Nathan was busy exining things to those curious kids, I quietly slipped back into the hall and found my seat


    again.


    Turns out it was intermission, so everyone could just do their own thing for a bit.


    Jared was on his phone, watching a clip of Yvonne dressed up in a turtle shell, crawling across the bed and chattering


    away. She looked ridiculously cute.


    I leaned over for a peek, and Jared just handed me his phone. “Yvonne’s school has an anniversary showing up–this


    is her act.”


    “She’s ying a turtle?” I was honestly shocked–Yvonne’s such a little fashionista.


    Jared could barely keep a straight face. “She and another kid are doing a skit of the tortoise and the hare. She actually


    volunteered to be the tortoise.”


    A strange feeling welled up inside me. Yvonne’s personality was nothing like her previous life–back then, she’d never go for something like this. She was always the one who wanted to y the little princess.


    “When’s the show?” I asked.


    Jared said, “Should bete November, think. You’re in the group chat, right? Just check the updates there.”


    I nodded.


    Jared asked again, “Will youe that day?”


    I watched Yvonne with those painted whiskers on her cheeks, crawling around like a little turtle. Something tugged at my


    10.31 Sat, 30 Aug


    heart, and I nodded. “Yeah, I want to see her perform.”


    “Awesome!” Jared said, his mood clearly lifting.


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    Thanded his phone back. He hesitated for a couple seconds before taking it, then said wryly, “You used to sneak a look at my phone whenever I was asleep or in the shower. Now you don’t even bother?”


    I smirked, “I’m not into wasting my time on pointless stuff anymore.”


    Jared fixed me with a serious look. “What, are you checking out some other guy’s phone these days?”


    I was taken aback for a moment, then made up my mind: from now on, I’m never going to check anyone’s phone again.


    Just then, Edward and his crew came back in. It looked like he saw me talking with Jared, and his face instantly soured.


    The conference picked back up, and some deals got signed right then and there. Nathan and his partner were busy as ever. Next up was lunch.


    Lunch was served at one of the restaurants inside the venue.


    Jared stepped away to take a call. I shot him a quick nce, then slipped off in the other direction. There was a botanical garden next door, and hardly anyone was around.


    I wandered inside, figuring I’d wait there for a while before heading over to the restaurant.


    I settled onto a swing nearby, taking a work call as I idly rocked back and forth, discussing business.


    After a few minutes, my phone rang again–it was Jared. I nced at the screen, hurriedly ended the work call, and was just about to answer when a cold male voice sounded behind me. “Ms. Murphy, looks like you’re the biggest winner here.”


    I stiffened at the voice, turning to find Edward standing behind me.


    When did he show up?‘ I wondered.


    1 shot up from the swing way too fast, and the empty seat swung back, nailing Edward right where it hurts. The impactnded with a solid thud.


    My head buzzed, and Edward’s face looked even more sour.


    The air was thick with awkwardness….


    AD


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