? Nowhere to Begin


    Poppy had an interesting expression on her face as she said that. Her smile seemed both yful and sly as she looked at me.


    I knew exactly what was going on. She was trying to y mind games and engage in subtle rivalry with me.


    I understood what she was thinking. Her words had a bitter undertone to them despite her radiant smile. The true purpose of her visit was likely not as simple as it appeared. She hade all this way to see me, and I didn''t believe it was just a casual visit, especially since we didn''t really know each other. What she said seemed like a joke between friends, but it could also be a provocation between rivals in love. It even sounded like she was gloating.


    I remained indifferent, pretending not to care. After all, Poppy was no friend of mine.


    I casually took a sip of the coffee and calmly responded, "Well, Ms. Poppy, it depends on where you heard that."


    My nonchnt demeanor left Poppy a little perplexed, and I could sense her frustration. I refused to give her an opening, which made it difficult for her to proceed.


    In an attempt to salvage the situation, she said, "I just heard some gossip. You know how it is in our circles. Gossip is inevitable, and I can''t help but listen."


    She finished with a smile, acting as if this was a trivial matter while concealing her true intentions.


    I found it amusing. It was like she was like a snake, peeking out and quickly retreating.


    She seemed to realize that if she didn''t probe any further, her visit might be in vain, so she added, "I heard a lot, especially when Harmony and Mr. As had that intense affair. There were all kinds of rumors circting back then."Original from N?velDrámá.Org.


    I chuckled. "Looks like you paid quite a lot of attention to these stories."


    I was subtly hinting that she was overly concerned about the people involved in the gossip.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I casually remarked, "But I''ve never seen them having an affair. Maybe I''ve just been oblivious."


    "How could that be? You''re Mr. As''s girlfriend, so you should be more attentive." she quickly retorted, seizing the opportunity to challenge me.


    In my mind, I chuckled. It was exactly as I had expected. She was here to test the waters.


    "Do you have a boyfriend, Ms. Poppy?" I didn''t rush to answer her question, choosing instead to counter with a question of my own.


    She paused for a moment, then smiled wryly. "I can''t exactly just get a boyfriend in my line of work. Besides, it''s not easy to find a suitable man, especially within our circles. Let''s just say I''m not interested.


    She made her intentions very clear. No wonder she attended banquets like that. She seemed eager to find a wealthy husband among the big shots.


    And since she was here at my smallpany, she must be really interested in As.


    She was being very straightforward about her goals.


    "How unfortunate. No wonder you have such a naive perspective. Oh... I suppose simple-minded would be a more fitting description." I acted as if I was an elder giving her a reality check.


    Since she had offered herself up for critique, I couldn''t let her down.


    "Oh?" Poppy took my words to heart, looking at me with a mixture of appreciation and craftiness. ''Please do enlighten me, Ms. Chloe."


    I didn''t hold back. "If a man is meant to be yours, you won''t need to fight for him. Even if you stay away, he''ll still be yours. But if he isn''t meant for you, he''ll never stay, no matter how much attention or effort you put in."


    She put her cup down. I could see her lips twitch, but she kept a smile on her face.


    ''So, I don''t bother paying attention to unnecessary gossip because it''s a waste of energy. Some people say I seduced him despite being a divorcee with a daughter. It sounds malicious, but the truth proves he''s still mine," I said assertively. Even I was impressed with myself.


    Poppy was visibly stunned by what I said and looked at me in disbelief.