Chapter 1538: Chapter 1538

Ida deciphered a flicker of disdain from Bryan’s expression, which naturally grated on her nerves.

Meanwhile, her secretary, wracked with guilt for not intercepting the intruder, stood nervously by the door.

Ida fixed her gaze on Bryan for a moment, then lifted her eyes and waved her hand dismissively at her secretary, signaling for her to leave.

Relieved, the secretary quickly closed the door behind her as she left.

With no one else in the office, Ida didn’t bother to hide her disdain for Bryan. “What makes you think I’m not worthy of your courtesy, Bryan? What are you doing here?”

Bryan responded with a smirk. “Oh, Ms. Gipson, don’t be so sensitive. It was just a joke! You used to joke around with me all the time. What happened? Can’t take a joke anymore? Are you really mad?”

Ida stared at him. “Not at all. What do you want, Bryan? Speak up.”

Instead of answering immediately, Bryan sat back in his chair, taking in the office decor. Everything was the same as it had been three years ago. Not a single thing had changed.

He could still recall the days when he would visit this office regularly, only to be met with Ida’s cold shoulder.

And he hadn’t forgotten about that time when Ida’s shirtless ex-boyfriend emerged from the office bathroom.

Seeing Bryan’s silence, Ida rapped her desk impatiently. “Bryan, if you don’t have any business, there’s the door!”, Bryan refocused his attention on her, his gaze predatory. “I came to catch up. Are you free?”

Ida knew exactly what he meant by ‘catching up.’ She adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. “I’m sorry, Bryan, but I’m quite busy today”

A touch of ridicule crossed Bryan’s eyes. “You’re that busy? Isn’t it lunchtime? We could go to the café around the corner. An hour might not be a lot, but it could be enough.”

Ida laughed. “I’m not busy.”

Bryan, thinking she was agreeing to spend more time with him, also laughed. “Great! I’m free as a bird, too. I can stick around.”

Ida’s slender fingers tapped rhythmically on her desk. “Sorry, Bryan. I’m not busy, but I have an appointment with someone else today. I can’t ‘catch up’ with you. Maybe some other time?”

Her words were spoken with a lightness and a hint of amusement. It was polite, yet annoying.

Bryan’s annoyance was evident on his face. “Really? Who did you make plans with?”

“That’s none of your business, Bryan. Don’t be so nosy. The more you know, the less fun it is. If you can’t handle the game, don’t play.”

Bryan stiffened momentarily, then let out a derisive chuckle. “I can handle it; don’t worry. I was just wondering who you’re meeting. I’ve never tried a threesome before.”

Ida’s eyebrows furrowed. She had to resist the urge to throw her now-cold cup of coffee in his face.

“Bryan, you’re more open-minded than I thought. But unfortunately, I’m not into group activities.”

Bryan crossed his arms and looked at her skeptically. “Really? I always thought Ms. Gipson was the adventurous type. Seems like you do have some boundaries after all.”