Chapter 78

Chapter 078 Never Say That to a Man It was not the first time that Hailey had cooked for Owen. As far as she could remember, she had cooked for him many times, hoping that he would fall in love with her once he had her food.

Unfortunately, he didn’t even take a look. Sometimes, Hailey thought of how humble she used to be in front of the man and found herself cheap. Love was something that made people humble. If she could travel back in time, she would slap that woman named Hailey and wake her up. “He will not love you.

Stop dreaming about it!” Now he suddenly wanted to have her food. Wasn’t he afraid of her holding a grudge and poisoning him? Following a cold laugh, Hailey said, “Make it Savory Restaurant and tell Gail to cook some simple dishes. By the way, go and prepare a cheque for five million dollars. It will be covered by my personal account.” Chris took down her instructions and asked skeptically, “Would he accept your check?”

“I’ll just make the offer. Take it or leave it. That’s his business.” Hailey thought for a moment, laid her eyes on the painting, and muttered, “I don’t want to owe him anything. If he refuses to take the money, I’ll have to trade with him.” Chris followed her to look over, surprised to see the landscape painting named “Calming the Waves”. “Are you going to give him the painting? Isn’t it your masterpiece?

Someone offered ten million dollars to buy it, but you refused to sell.” Hailey said indifferently, “It’s just a piece of work from my childhood rather than my masterpiece. My father was the only one who treasured it.

Unfortunately, I can no longer replicate it with this pair of hands.” She sighed under her breath but not regretfully. She had more interest in carving than painting. The craft passed down from her ancestors could not be lost.

In Suite 77 of Nomad, Owen had barely gone out all day. Except for having two video conferences, he had been sitting there honing his computer skills.

As his friend picked up his old profession, Matthew said helplessly, “You’ve been out of the field for years. Are you really going to relearn it? If you want to check anything, I can help you.” “It’s okay.”

Owen declined. “Self-help is better than help from others. It may be beyond your ability too.” Owen’s underestimation of him injured Matthew’s pride. When it was about time, Owen turned off the computer, changed his clothes, tied a tie, and buttoned up the sleeves. Not satisfied with the cufflinks, he changed them. The importance he attached to the date was plain to see.

Leaning against the wall, Matthew folded his arms on his chest and kept clicking his tongue. “That’s good enough, man. It’s not like you’re going on a blind date.”

Owen retorted in his heart. If it were a blind date, he wouldn’t have dressed up like this.

Matthew then corrected himself, saying, “There’s no way you are so serious about a blind date. I still can’t believe it. Did you hear it wrong? Did Hailey really promise to treat you to dinner?” “Why?” Owen raised his eyes and took a glance at his friend, “Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, but I have a piece of advice.” Matthew walked over and selected another tie for him, “You look like an old man in that gray tie. Take this one. It will make you look sharper.”

Owen looked at the red tie and then at his friend skeptically, “Are you sure?”

“Just take my advice.” Matthew tied the tie for him and rattled on, “I’m more experienced than you in this aspect. By the way, where are you guys going to have dinner? Can I come along?” “No,” Owen rejected flatly. Matthew gnashed his teeth. This man burned his bridge after crossing it. He had planned to court Hailey but then learned that she had admired Owen for ten years. Since then, he had felt diffident and entertained the idea of backing out.

Life was short. In a sense, Hailey had devoted her youth and prime time to Owen. Matthew had been searching for this kind of pure and unswerving love but with no success. Not everyone was so lucky to stumble upon love. How much effort would he spend before he could get Owen out of the depths of her heart? It was mission impossible, and he was not Ethan Hunt.

At six o’clock in the evening, Owen’s car arrived at the office building of Crystaldale, and Hailey appeared at the entrance in time. They were both punctual. Hailey greeted Owen, prepared to get into her car, and signaled him to follow.

Owen, however, got out of his car and grabbed her wrist. “Ride my car.”

“It’s okay.” Hailey wrinkled her brows and moved her wrist. What was wrong with this man? When they were married, he avoided her like the plague. After they were divorced, he got intimate with her. He no longer abhorred her? Owen refused to let go of her. There was imperceptible persistence and composure in his eyes. “You’ll ride my car, or l’Il ride yours. Your choice.” Hailey looked at him in dismay. Was there any difference? She indifferently lifted her eyelids and said, “If you’ll drive.” She knew that Owen hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma of that serious car accident although he was physically healthy now. He had never driven again since then. She was deliberately making things difficult for him. Owen dropped his eyes, gazed at her, and then opened the door of the passenger side. Hailey wrinkled her brows. Was he really going to drive? Owen told the driver and Jose to go with Chris. When he was about to get into the car, they called out anxiously, Mr. Moore…” “It’s okay. I got this,” Owen said blandly before closing the car door and adjusting the seat. It had been a long time since he touched a steering wheel. He clasped his fingers.

This felt like a lifetime ago. Riding shotgun, Hailey sensed his rusty state and got anxious. “Are you sure about it? You don’t have to do this.” Owen looked sideways at her and leaned over, making Hailey tense up. “What are you up to?”

“Your seat belt.” He pulled over the belt, wrapped it around her, and whispered, “Never say that to a man. It’s a taboo and a provocation.” When he looked up, the ardency in his deep, dark eyes scalded Hailey by surprise.