Chapter <b>635 </b>


    Just then, the car door swung open, and the person who stepped out caught me off guard.


    “Nathan…” I said, surprised as I walked over.


    Nathan was wearing a ck overcoat and holding a bouquet of roses. When he saw meing, he handed the flowers to me. “Mr. Hob gave me your address. I’m here for a tech conference.”


    I paused for a couple of seconds, staring at the roses before reaching out to take them. “Thanks. But if you’re here for a conference, how did you manage to find time to see me?”


    Nathan smiled, his eyes twinkling. “What if I told you I came to the conference because you’re in the UK?”


    I smiled softly. “Did you reallye all this way just for me?”


    “How’s life treating you here? Looks like you’ve lost some weight,” Nathan said, giving me a quick once–over.


    I used to have a fuller figure, and while I’d slimmed down a bit, at least it wasn’t in any of the important ces -just my waist had gotten a little smaller.


    “I just can’t get used to the food here,” I said with a wry smile.


    “Come on, let’s go. Tonight, I’ll take you out for something you’ll actually enjoy,” Nathan said, opening the car door.


    I slid into the car, and Nathan got in right after me.


    “Did you actually have your car flown over here?” I asked, half–joking.


    Nathan chuckled. “Nah, mypany has a tech partnership with Mercedes–Benz. They hooked me up with this as a loaner.”


    “Oh!” I thought to myself, ‘Wow, life really is just a breeze for the big shots.


    Nathan folded his hands, looking more mature and steady than the man I first met. He really seemed different now.


    Noticing me staring, he actually looked a little bashful and scooted a bit closer. “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.


    I quickly sat up straighter and gave an awkward chuckle, “I just noticed you don’t have as many gray hairs as


    before.”


    Nathan justughed it off. “Really? Well, that’s a good thing. Makes me look less old.”


    “You’re not old,” I said. “And you’re back to wearing sses again.”


    Nathan nodded. “Yeah, my vision isn’t great at night, so I wear them then.”


    <b>9:43 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>15 </b>


    :


    “You look really good in sses. Very refined,” I said, trying to keep the conversation going.


    “Refined scoundrel, huh?” Nathan joked, poking fun at himself.


    “Not you. That’s totally Jared,” I said, teasing him.


    58


    55 vouchers


    Nathan burst outughing, clearly enjoying himself. “Mr. Hob would be pretty upset if he heard that<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    “Then let’s keep it between us,” I said casually.


    Nathan nodded. “When I asked Mr. Hob for your address, he was pretty hesitant at first.”


    “He’s just stubborn like that,” I replied.


    But Nathan saw it differently. “Victoria, things between you and Mr. Hob seem kind ofplicated. Have you ever thought about getting back together with him for Yvonne’s well–being?”


    “Not really,” I answered without a second thought. “He’s got his own baggage to deal with.”


    In hisst life, he said he owed his daughter a proper upbringing. So this time around, Jared should do his best to raise her well.


    “Really?” Nathan adjusted his sses, his eyes shining behind the lenses. “So you’re not considering marriage at all<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    I was caught off guard. ‘Why is Nathan getting all sentimental tonight?‘ I wondered.


    “Not anymore,” I shook my head. “I just want to live well on my own.”


    Nathan let out a gentle sigh. “You don’t have to get married, Victoria, but you can’t just give up on love. Everyone needs someone to share their life with.”


    I could tell what Nathan was getting at.


    Smiling, I looked at him. “People’s hearts change so easily. The more time you spend with someone, the more you start to rely on them. Getting emotionally attached can really mess you up, so I’m just not ready for that


    yet.


    Nathan gave me a helpless look, then said with a bitter smile, “Alright, if you’re not looking for anyone, then <b>I’ll </b>just stay by your side as a friend.”


    “Nathan, how many times do I have to say this? Don’t do this to yourself,” I said, not wanting to owe him anything emotionally,


    “Victoria, no matter how many times you say it, my answer’s still the same,” Nathan replied, even more stubborn than me.


    “Don’t you want to <b>get </b>married<b>?</b><b>” </b><b>I </b>asked, a little taken aback.


    C