Chapter 172

This meal was probably one that Kris had spent the most thought on.

Yet, somehow, Tony’s expression was sour from the very beginning. Ever since they entered the private room, Kris’ advances had been repeatedly turned down.

“Director Hart, I heard that you love playing golf. I quite like it too. My father was the one who taught me. I wonder if we can play together soon.”

Kris tried to remain calm as she expressed her status in the Stark Family in hopes of giving herself extra credit.

When she ate, she acted even more elegant than usual.

Tony took out a cigarette and lit it before casting her a glance. “I’ve been busy lately.”

Kris’ body went slightly stiff, but she quickly recovered with a laugh. “That’s normal. Since you’re busy, we’ll talk about it again in the future when you’re free. By the way, Director Hart, how high of a chance does the Stark Group have of cooperating with the Hart Group on the Elsinore Garden Project?”

The fact that Tony came to the Stark Group to personally meet with her today showed that he intended to let them take charge of this project. Besides, he came to the office but didn’t look for anyone else—

not even her father. As for his purpose… Kris was well aware that some men liked to maintain their image. If they expressed their feelings at once, it would be meaningless.

Tony inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled white mist through his thin lips. His posture was laid-back, yet he gave off a domineering and reserved aura that filled Kris with fascination.

For a man like him, even if he didn’t have any bonus traits, his presence alone was enough to drive a number of women crazy!

Kris was about to continue talking about the Elsinore Garden Project when suddenly, Tony’s phone vibrated and he quickly retrieved it. Even though he just glanced casually at his phone, Kris sensed that his expression changed for the better. But, when he faced her again, he was still a little indifferent.

“Director Hart, actually, I really admire you.” Kris felt an inexplicable sense of alarm in her heart.

Perhaps it was the womanly sixth sense in her telling her that she had to speed up her pace and not let him escape when he was just within her grasp. She let out a light cough, then displayed her most beautiful look for Tony. Lifting her fingers, she tucked her hair behind her ears. “I—”

“Miss Stark, you look quite like your sister.” Just as Kris was about to speak, Tony interrupted her.

He stubbed out the cigarette but showed no intention of picking up his cutlery.

Kris laughed dryly. “Everyone says that we look alike.”

After speaking, Kris suddenly remembered that Myra and Tony lived next to each other. The two…

must have known each other for some time. However, when they were in the elevator that day, she didn’t see them greet each other. It was as if they didn’t know each other.

Her heart wavered and she said nonchalantly, “My sister is two years older than me. She married Sean from the Chase Family two years ago. But, I heard that she didn’t behave well and was forced by the Chase Family to get a divorce. I’ve just recently returned to the Stark Group, but I won’t believe those things that people are saying. Although my sister has always had some opinions of me, I still believe her. She wouldn’t go fooling around outside.”

Her statement had a certain quality to it. Not only did she mention Myra’s marriage issues, she even brought up that Myra was a divorcee, and that she had a bad personality—all while managing to praise herself.

Even so, she saw that there was no change in expression on the man opposite her. Instead, his eyes seemed to have hardened.

Biting her lip, Kris asked cautiously, “I don’t know if I’m just thinking too much, but I feel like you’ve encountered something or someone that’s unsatisfactory. Today, you seem… a little upset?”

“You think so?” Tony glanced back at her with a blank look. The emotions in his eyes were unreadable, and it made Kris somewhat frustrated.

She seemed to have asked him out at an untimely moment, as Tony was obviously in a bad mood at present.

“Hehe, there’s no such thing as a smooth-sailing life. Every undesirable thing will eventually pass.

Director Hart, if you treat me as a friend, why don’t you tell me what you’re upset about? Perhaps having a listening ear will make you feel better.”

Kris spared no effort to continue acting like an intellectual woman.

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door of the private room. Kris frowned slightly, then she controlled herself and called out impatiently, “Come in.”

A waiter walked in with a tray.

Kris’ eyebrows furrowed even more when she saw what was on the tray. “What’s this?”

Giving her an apologetic smile, the waiter walked toward Tony. “Mr. Hart, a young lady gave this to you, saying that she had just sent you a text message. The lady also said that she’s just returning this to its original owner.”

Kris’ eyebrows twitched. Without a doubt, she knew what was inside a red velvet box like that.

As a trace of anger grew in her heart, she looked nervously at Tony.

Since the man had come to meet her in person, it indicated that he had some interest in her, so he wouldn’t possibly accept another woman’s gift right now.

But, Kris was wrong. Although Tony’s expression was complicated and incomprehensible, he still accepted the red velvet box.

When the waiter saw Tony taking the box, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, “The lady said that she’ll wait for you, Mr. Hart.”

With that, the waiter left.

An overwhelming wave of rage surged inside Kris.

She wondered which woman saw her meeting with Tony and decided to ruin things! One hand was placed on her knee, and her nails were nearly digging into the palm of her hand.

On the surface, she tried to pretend to be composed as she asked Tony, “Director Hart, I wonder which lady knew that you were dining at the Ritz Carlton and came here to send you a gift?”

“My lover,” Tony answered casually, playing with the velvet box.

“Lover!” Kris’ voice rang out suddenly.

Realizing that she had lost herself, Kris eased her distorted face.

Didn’t he come to express his goodwill? Why does he suddenly have a lover? And, how come I’ve never heard of this before? Hasn’t he been single all this while?

For an instant, too many questions popped up in Kris’ mind, and she could no longer maintain the perfect smile that had been on her face just now.

She forced out the words. “Director Hart, you’re kidding, right?”

Tony looked up abruptly, then his dark eyes fixed the woman in front of him with a blank gaze. “Do you think I’m kidding?”

Kris’ expression hardened.

“Miss Stark, have you eaten your fill?” Tony was already standing up.

When he walked into the private room earlier, not only did he not take off his jacket, but he also didn’t pick up the cutlery on the table. He just looked like he was ready to leave.

He had no plans to eat with me at all!

Kris steadied herself again, but she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Standing up, her expression turned cold as well. “Director Hart, what’s the meaning of this?”

“Miss Stark, you gave me a warm invite, so it wouldn’t be nice of me to decline,” Tony responded bleakly.

“Wouldn’t be nice to decline? I think you did it on purpose! Director Hart, since you didn’t plan on eating with me at all, why did you bother coming to the Ritz Carlton?”

Kris was angry from embarrassment.

When she looked at the red velvet box in Tony’s hand, something clicked in her mind, and she looked straight at him. “Director Hart, you came today to have lunch with someone else, right?!”

Tony lit another cigarette, refusing to comment. His voice was impassive and indifferent as he said, “I’ll hand the Elsinore Garden Project to the Stark Group.”