A Face Off


    I I started to feel nervous. His eyes were bottomless as he scrutinized my expression.


    *Ms. Chloe, for Ivanna, I will do everything in my power,” he stated, with no unnecessary words.


    Although it sounded concise,ing from a man of Jared’s stature, it held weight.


    Are you willing to let go?” I persisted.


    “I never once thought of letting her go,” he affirmed firmly.


    I felt moved. Such words, especially when spoken by someone like Jared, were a powerful tool for


    touching a woman’s heart.


    What more was there to ask? I had intended to ask if he could keep that promise, but how could I even


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    ask such a question to a man like him?


    I coolly stated, “Honestly, your answer doesn’t satisfy me. These words may be significant to you, but


    they appear superficial. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, especially in Trinity’s case.


    “Perhaps one day I will ask you to protect Ivanna’s life, but you might not be able to. Even if Ivanna is


    willing to give her life for you, I am not willing to take that risk. How could I bear it?”


    I had to express the thoughts that were bothering me. It almost sounded like I waspeting with him


    for Ivanna


    Jared lowered his eyes, and his long fingers gently swirled the cup. “So, Ms. Chloe, do you need me to


    promise it to you?”


    “Perhaps I’m just a woman who appreciates hearing promises,” I conceded.


    “But you understand that any promise can be broken, especially mine. As you mentioned, the variables


    with Trinity are too great.” Jared was equally frank.


    His words caught me off guard. Indeed, any promise he made now would be hollow. Trinity was at


    certainty, an indomitable presence that existed in Jared’s life long before Ivanna.


    1 felt a sense of powerlessness. Negotiations, demands, or requests to Jared were all futile. There was


    no


    way to bypass Trinity.


    was genuinely worried about Ivanna’s unwavering determination.


    Jared seamed to read my thoughts. He took the teapot with practiced grace, then poured a cup of tea


    for


    gently set the teapot down


    “Ivanna and I are connected by fate. And with Trinity, we are partners, inseparable.”


    In an instant, I stared at his face. At first, his words sounded like nonsense. What did he mean by ”


    inseparable“?


    Then, the words shed through my mind–fate and partners!


    The former referred to Ivanna, while thetter was Trinity.


    I lowered my eyes, graduallyprehending his meaning. What was this, if not a promise? Who


    wouldn’t


    chase after fate?


    Partners could be chosen, discarded, and even destroyed. They could be severed cleanly with a single


    stroke. Perhaps his true self could only coexist with Trinity. They were mutually dependent.


    I couldn’t help but think of As. What was I to him? For now, it seemed like we were just partners.


    My eyes stung, and an uncontroble emotion overcame me.


    “So, Mr. Jared, you must cherish your fate,” I advised, a mixture of emotions in my voice.


    “Without a doubt,” he replied, still as calm as ever.


    There was no need to continue the conversation. He had already given me a satisfactory answer. To


    ask


    further would only be redundant.


    I stood to bid him farewell. Besides Ivanna, there was nothing else to talk about.


    He stood up and thanked me in the most polite way possible–a real gentleman. I hoped this demeanor


    wouldst forever, never revealing the other side of him. But little did I know I’d soon witness that other


    side.


    As I exited the room, a whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. I couldn’t decide whether I should be


    happy or sad.


    I copsed onto the mat when I walked into Lauren’s room.


    Lauren hurried over, asking, “How did it go?”


    I stared at Lauren for a long time. Then, I said with a bitter smile, “Why didn’t I meet the right person at


    the night time?