?


    The raw dislike in Vrie''s eyes stabbed at Tom''s heart like a sharp knife, and the pain radiated through him, nearly overwhelming him.


    Tom began, "Vrie, I didn''t understand my own feelings five years ago and did a lot of hurtful things to you. For the past five years abroad, I''ve thought about you every day. Vrie, I actually—"


    Vrie cut him off, "Tom, you''re not about to say some nonsense about loving me, are you?"


    Tom froze, guilt and affection flooding his expression as he looked at her.


    "Vrie, can''t you give me another chance?" he asked. "I promise I''ll cherish you and won''t make you sad again."


    "Tom, you''re overestimating yourself. I won''t feel sad for you anymore. Your so-called love is just self-indulgence." Vrie''s eyes showed no sign of softening.


    "If you really loved me, would you have been in bed with another woman? Would youe to me now and ask for another chance while I''m seeing someone else?" she demanded. "If I were to get back together with you, how would I be any different from the person you were five years ago?" She had lost all faith in him the moment she caught him cheating back then. Just looking at him now made her feel disgusted.


    Tom''s face paled, but he quickly regained hisposure.


    "Vrie, I know I made mistakes, and I understand that it''s hard for you to forgive me right now," he said, trying to persuade her. "But I can wait. One day, you''ll realize I''m the one who''s truly right for you."


    "If you have nothing else to do, maybe eat something," Vrie replied, rolling her eyes at him.


    She thought how Tom must havee back from abroad with his brain scrambled.


    Tom didn''t press her further. His gaze shifted from her to N, then discreetly away.


    "I have other things to attend to. Enjoy yourselves," he said, standing up.


    He straightened his suit and turned to leave.


    Only after he disappeared from sight did Vrie''s expression soften slightly She looked at N,


    incredulous. "Do I look like I still have feelings for him? How can he be so confident?"


    Even if every other man in the world vanished, she wouldn''t look at Tom again.


    Seeing Vrie fuming, N couldn''t help butugh. "No, it''s him who''s not normal."


    "Good. I don''t want anything to do with that scumbag again!" Vrie huffed. The thought of her time with Tom unsettled her.


    "Okay, don''t be upset. He''s not worth it," N said soothingly.


    Vrie agreed wholeheartedly. "Right. I''m going to grab some snacks. Do you want anything?"


    "No thanks, I''m not hungry," N replied.


    "Alright," Vrie answered.


    After Vrie left, N leaned back on the sofa, ncing at Damon, who was chatting with others nearby. A smile crept onto her face.


    When Damon noticed her gaze, he turned and his once-cold eyes


    softened immediately. He said


    something to the person next to him, then walked over to N.


    "Are you bored?" he asked, settling beside her, his faint scent of pine surrounding her.


    N looked up at him. "It''s fine. Vrie is keeping mepany."


    "Mm. If you get bored or want to leave, just let me know. We can leave anytime," Damon reminded her.


    N replied, "Okay. Go ahead and do your thing. Don''t worry about me."


    This banquet was no different from a typical work event for the business people here. It was just a change of venue for business dealings.


    As CEO of Prospectus Technology


    Damon couldn''t avoid the


    ně


    crowd-even if he didn''t n to talk business, countless people woulde seeking him out.