Duke was stunned for a moment.
He looked at Adeena, who was in front of him, solemnly and said, âAre you trying to do a background check on me after deciding to cooperate with Winters Corporation ?â
Adeena did not deny it. âThe news mentioned your divorce. Is that true?â âIt might be true, it might not be.â Duke sounded solemn. âWe never officially divorced, but weâve been separated for four years.
Which do you think it is, then?â
Adeena did not want to ask too many questions about other peopleâs marriages.
She pursed her lips and continued, âFrom what you said, does that mean your daughter has not met her mother for four years?â
Duke looked at her in silence.
He was at a loss, not knowing how to put in words how painful it felt to be separated from his wife for four years.
âI donât want to lie. Every lie I tell her will only keep us further apart. âBut I canât tell her the truth directly, eitherâ¦â
Duke was lost in his train of thoughts.
Adeena stared at him. When she first met him, his gaze was sharp and cold.
But right now, his gaze was as calm as a lake in a valley, but was also like a magnet drawing her in.
She found herself enchanted by the image. Duke slowly approached her and touched her face with his slender fingers.
As his face got closer, Adeena held her breath and her body became tense.
She raised her hands and wanted to push him away, her hands felt weak.
Just when she hesitated , Dukeâs lips met hers. Her cold lips instantly became warm.
He was domineering and rough. Bit by bit, she was out of breath. She was like a suffocating fish who was on the verge of dying âWe were talking about his wife and daughter. How did we come to this?
(Wifeâ¦
âDaughter⦠All of a sudden, she came back to her senses. It was as if a bucket of cold water poured over her head.
She raised her leg and kicked Dukeâs abdomen.
She swiftly stood up and stepped back. âMr. Winters, please show some selfârespect!â
Duke wiped off the lipstick stain on his lips and said in a hoarse voice, âAdiâ Ms. Willis, can I call you Addy?â âNo.â Adeena became cold. âIf this happens again, I will report you for sexual harassment.â
After she said this, she angrily strode off the lounge.
âWhy did I even fall for it?
âHeâs a married man with children of his own. Am I crazy? How could I let him kiss me for so long?â
She wiped her lips hard, only to realize that her lips were a little swollen.
She hurriedly took out a pocket mirror from her purse to have a look. Indeed, it was swollen and her lipstick was smeared. She was embarrassed.
âI came to this banquet tonight because I had something very important to talk about, but now, I donât think it will happen anymore⦠âI seldom get so furious. Even if Ruth discreetly sabotages me, I wonât show such a strong reaction, but nowâ¦â She angrily looked back at the lounge and left the banquet early through the side door.
A car parked in front of the banquet hall. The door was pushed open, and a woman stepped out of the car.
Her offâshoulder pink and blue gown attracted peopleâs attention. The necklace around her neck was the most striking item of all.