...
Arlo Seys emerged from the restroom, standing in front of the sink to wash his hands. Tranquil water flowed from the tap, cascading into his slightly chilled palms. His mind unintentionally drifted to the topic discussed in the private room earlier, and he felt momentarily dazed.
Time flowed like water, silently slipping through the gaps between his fingers.
Eight years have passed.
Ariel Morris, you're back home...
Ariel Morris, you've actually returned...
Ariel Morris, how dare you come back...
"Alright, I understand. I'll strive to secure President Sutton's contract to resolve the company's crisis..."
A girl happened to walk out from the ladies' restroom, talking on the phone while approaching the sink to wash her hands.
Her clear and pleasant voice entered Arlo Seys' ears, who was still in a daze.
A voice so familiar it couldn't be more familiar.
Without warning, eight years later, hearing it again, Arlo Seys felt like he was in a dream.
Every word of the girl's voice was clear, resonating in his ears.
Arlo Seys felt as if all the blood in his body was flowing in reverse, rushing fiercely, threatening to burst through his skull, causing him to tremble slightly and uncontrollably.
After washing her hands, the girl took a paper towel from the side, wiped, then threw it into the trash can and turned to leave. She kept her head down and continued talking to the person on the phone the whole time, not raising her head once, focused solely on discussing matters with the person on the other end.
Only after she left did Arlo Seys dare to lift his head and look at the mirror above the sink, just in time to see the girl turning left into the corridor. Although he only managed to catch a glimpse of her back, Arlo Seys could still recognize her at a glance.
It's her! It's really her! Ariel Morris!
Her voice, her silhouette, all so familiar!
Not long ago in the private room, he heard others discussing her, and now, in less than half an hour, she's appeared before his eyes...
Is City C too small? How could they run into each other so quickly?
Arlo Seys stared at the mirror in silence for over ten seconds, then lifted his legs, inexplicably following her.
_
Ariel Morris walked to the private room, taking a deep breath and then exhaling. Her composed face shifted into a gentle smile, with dimples blooming like tiny flowers at the corners of her mouth as she pushed the door open and walked in.
The boss of Rivermark, President Sutton, Kylian Sutton, saw her enter and cheerfully invited her over to sit.
Ariel Morris responded with a gentle smile and sat beside him as he indicated.
Just as she sat down, Kylian Sutton's greedy and covetous gaze fixated on her, his eyes tracing over her graceful curves.
Ariel Morris felt uncomfortable under his lecherous gaze, only wanting to quickly resolve the contract issue and leave. So, she endured it, and with a voice as gentle as water, she said, "President Sutton, regarding the cooperation with Morris Clan Enterprises, what's your opinion..."
"There's no rush," Kylian Sutton personally interrupted her, "I heard Young Miss Morris has returned to the country not long ago?"
Ariel Morris paused, then nodded and said yes.
Kylian Sutton chuckled, "I guess Young Miss Morris hasn't yet witnessed City C's beautiful scenery or tasted its culinary delights? How about this," he paused, then his smile deepened, continuing, "I happen to have some free time these days, maybe I could accompany Young Miss Morris on a good tour, and then we can discuss the contract."
Ariel Morris scoffed internally, with you, a big creep, going out for a few days, how can I remain clear? She cursed Kylian Sutton in her heart a million times, yet outwardly she bloomed with a smile, softly replying, "President Sutton, I'm very familiar with City C, how could I trouble you to accompany me, you being a busy tycoon billing millions per hour, I dare not waste your time."
Ariel Morris had a gentle and pure countenance, with bright eyes, her smile akin to a blossoming elegant orchid. Listening to her tender words made Kylian Sutton feel like he was being flirted with playfully, itching and tingling inside. His hand then naturally rested on the back of her hand.