As they chatted, the door to the venue suddenly swung open, plunging the room into silence..


    Someone stood up first, walking excitedly toward the entrance. “Mr. Sumner, I can’t believe you’re here!”


    N turned around. The moment she saw the man at the door, her face went pale, and she froze in ce.


    Her first instinct was to run.


    Remembering that Mason was still in the hotel, she quickly grabbed her phone from her bag and called Caroline.


    Mason looked almost identical to Damon. If Damon saw him, <b>he </b>would immediately realize Mason was his son. If Damon decided to fight for custody, she knew she wouldn’t stand a chance.


    “Caroline, take Buddy and leave right now!” she urged, her voice trembling.


    Caroline’s confused voice came through the phone. “What happened?”


    “I’ll exinter. Just get him out of here!” N pressed.


    Hearing the panic in N’s voice, Caroline didn’t ask any more questions. “Okay. I’ll take him out right This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    away.”


    After hanging up, N finally let out a breath of relief.


    Just as she did, Edgar approached her and said, “N,e with me. I want to introduce you to Mr. Sumner.”


    N felt herself stiffen again, fighting the overwhelming urge to run.


    It had been five years. She had seen Damon on TV, engaged to Erin. Maybe he had long forgotten about her. There was no way he still cared.


    With that thought, she managed to calm down a little.


    As they walked up to Damon, Edgar exchanged a few pleasantries before introducing her. “Mr. Sumner, this is N Kinsey. She’s the lead on the drug we developed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask


    her.”


    The moment Damon’s cold eyesnded on N<b>, </b>she tensed up, her palms starting to sweat.


    Seeing her pale face and theplex emotions in her eyes, Damon raised an eyebrow.


    “Ms. Kinsey, you seem nervous around me. If I’m not mistaken, this is our first time meeting, isn’t it?<b>” </b>Damon remarked.


    N froze. First time meeting? He didn’t recognize her? Or… was he pretending not to know her to keep their past a secret?


    Whatever the case, N felt relieved: At least he wouldn’t pursue her again, which also meant there was less chance of him discovering Mason.


    She forced a smile. “Not at all, Mr. Sumner. It’s just that you’re the CEO of a leading pharmaceuticalpany. It’s a bit nerve–wracking to meet someone of your stature.”


    Damon nodded. “d to hear that.”


    He began asking her questions about the drug development process. As N answered each question with ease, his cold demeanor started to soften.


    Before arriving, Damon had assumed N was just another woman using her looks to climb thedder. Now, he could <b>see </b>she possessed genuine talent.


    However, it was clear that N didn’t realize they had crossed paths earlier that afternoon. They had briefly encountered each other at the conference center when the elevator doors opened. She had been looking down and bumped into him.


    Damon frowned slightly, recalling the strange feeling that had washed over him when she collided with him.


    Noticing his expression, N paused mid–sentence. “Mr. Sumner, did I say something wrong?”


    Damon looked at her. Her delicate features and clear, shimmering eyes reminded him of a calmke, making him want to dive in and see whaty beneath the surface,


    Realizing he had been staring at her for too long, he quickly looked away, his expression once again cool. No, Ms. Kinsey. You did very well.”