CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 165: I WANT YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM ME

Since the incident at the airport, it’s the first time we’ve met. During this time, Henry Preston hasn’t contacted me or appeared at all, so I didn’t expect to run into him at this time and place. He’s not the type to attend a concert, after all, he used to think my cello playing was too noisy.

Seeing Henry show up, the two thugs who were closing in on me exchanged a glance, showing disappointment, and then walked away.

I had a premonition that these weren’t just some random thugs picking on me for fun, and it’s very possible they’re related to my car tire leaking.

But the immediate sense of crisis dissipated, and I didn’t feel like talking to Henry, so I ignored him and prepared to call Lane to come pick me up and take care of my tire issue.

"Purposely ignoring me?" Henry’s six-foot-three frame blocked my path, making it impossible to ignore him even if I tried.

"Lane, could you come over to Melodia Hall? My car tire’s busted." I finished the call and then looked up at Henry, "What’s up?"

After the situation with Azure Vaughn, I thought there wasn’t much left to say between us.

Henry frowned intensely, "You don’t need to be so distant with me."

"Then how would you like me to respond to you? Like before, as if nothing ever happened, happily playing the loyal dog?" I admit my words were a bit heated, but it was because Henry left me feeling at a loss.

The child is gone, and he knows what Azure did. Our relationship is in tatters, and the best approach is not to contact or disturb each other anymore.

"I can make it up to you, whatever you want, I’ll do it." A hint of regret flashed in Henry’s eyes, "I apologize for my previous mistakes."

"If an apology could solve everything, what would we need the police for?" I never thought I’d be able to say this classic line to Henry. Not all wounds can be lightly brushed away with a "sorry," just like the child I lost will never come back.

Henry’s lips moved, and before he could respond, I continued, "I want you to stay away from me, can you do that?"

"No," Henry replied plainly and directly, "I’ve tried during this time, but I don’t think I can do it."

"Henry, don’t forget, you’ve always been the one pushing me away, destroying my feelings for you. What’s the point of saying all this now? Do you think that with Azure gone, the gap between us disappeared?" I found it laughable, "Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen in love with me now."

Henry pressed his lips tightly, looking at me with a deep gaze. He didn’t answer the question.

I knew he wouldn’t fall in love with me. At most, he’s curious about my change. Anyone would find it hard to accept after ten years of loving him and suddenly not caring anymore.

The atmosphere grew cold. I didn’t speak, and neither did Henry. We both stood at the doorway like statues.

Until Lane drove up, and I was ready to leave when Henry grabbed my arm, "Yes, maybe I really have fallen for you. I admit it. Can you give me a chance to prove it?"

I turned to look at him as if I’d seen a ghost.

"Henry, ten years, and now you’re telling me you love me? Isn’t that laughable?" I shook off his hand sarcastically.

"Mr. Preston, please show Miss Hathaway some respect!" Lane, seeing this scene and hearing my response, immediately blocked in front of me, speaking angrily.

Henry glanced at Lane, anger flashing in his eyes, then looked at me. I calmly met his gaze, "Henry, we’re divorced. If you keep harassing me, I can report you to the police."

A derisive snort came from Henry’s nose, full of disdain. He’s always been like this—if you go along with him when he softens, he remains in good spirits. But if opposed, he reveals his true domineering nature.

Any wealthy heir has this problem. If someone thinks they’re genteel, gentle, and courteous, it’s probably because nothing has challenged them to reveal their true nature yet.

With the Preston Family’s strength and background, Henry has always had a smooth path, except when it came to marriage, he faced little adversity, everyone else had to comply with him.

Even I, as his ex-wife, whom he never valued or accepted, can’t be treated like this by him.

"Miss Hathaway, let’s go," Lane said to me.

I nodded, got in the car, and left without looking back. Where Henry goes next, I don’t care.

After returning home, I had Lane contact a towing company to have my car towed in for a tire replacement and a full inspection, otherwise, I wouldn’t feel at ease.

Crystal Dawson and the others had just returned too because she texted me: Wow, Zoe, I just got home, and Silas said Henry also went to the concert tonight. Luckily we didn’t run into him, or it would’ve been a disaster!

I replied: Already ran into him, just after you left.

Crystal: ... That’s unbelievable. Silas said Henry went to support a business partner’s daughter. Now that Azure is gone, is his next target going to be their daughter?

I don’t know about that, whoever Henry ends up with is fine as long as he doesn’t disturb my peace.

I originally wanted to talk to Crystal more about the middle-aged woman I bumped into tonight and the brief side glimpse I caught in the backseat of a black Lincoln, but since she’s pregnant, I didn’t want to worry her, so I let it go.

Just as I finished talking with Crystal, Tiana O’Connell called, sounding as lifeless as a wilted eggplant, "Zoe, are you free the day after tomorrow?"

"I am, I’m free almost every day. Why? Did you finish overtime?" I checked the time; it was almost midnight.

"Just got home a bit ago. Would you accompany me for a blind date the day after tomorrow?" Tiana found it really hard to say the words blind date.

"A blind date?!" I was shocked. How could a career woman agree to a blind date? Was her family pressuring her?

"Yeah, I just got home, and the old man suddenly told me if I don’t find a suitable man to marry, he’ll hand over the project I’m working on to someone else. I doubt I’m his only biological daughter!" Tiana sighed repeatedly, "Unbelievable, unbelievable!"

It’s the first time Tiana asked me to accompany her for a blind date. Naturally, I couldn’t refuse, so I readily agreed.

My current top priority is to rest and recuperate at home, waiting for Ivan Underwood to find a more skilled obstetrician-gynecologist to treat me. With nothing else to do, Tiana’s situation simply helps pass the time.

The evening of the day after tomorrow, I arrived punctually at The Nocturne Tower in City A, an eighty-eight-story building with a scenic restaurant on the top floor, perfect for couples to dine while overlooking City A’s night views.

Tiana’s blind date was set here. She wore a professional outfit, waiting for me, her makeup as plain as if she were sipping water, clearly showing her disdain for the date.

I expected this from her, so I also dressed plainly, not wearing any makeup as I left the house.

Tiana’s blind date was Simon Sinclair, the second son of Veridian Group, a mixed-race man with an Italian mother. However, it’s said he didn’t inherit his mother’s good looks and appears quite average. He doesn’t manage the company often, and news about him is rare.

The blind date location was chosen by Simon, and he was already waiting for us.

"What the heck?! How is that average?" Seeing Simon from afar, Tiana was shocked and immediately picked up her bag to cover her face, "Zoe, I’m going to freshen up my makeup first. You go greet him so he doesn’t think I’m late."

As expected, people do judge by appearances. I found it amusing and helpless as I watched Tiana slip away to the restroom. I walked over to introduce myself, "Hello, are you Simon Sinclair? I’m Tiana O’Connell’s friend, Zoe Hathaway. She’ll be here soon."

"Hello, Miss Hathaway." Simon smiled at me. His features were typical of an Italian man, with a strong and handsome contour, a beard, yet he looked anything but unkempt; instead, he exuded masculine charm.

I sat across from Simon. Being unfamiliar with each other, we could only engage in polite and distant small talk, eventually just naturally agreeing to quietly play on our phones. Suddenly, a woman’s enraged voice broke the peaceful atmosphere, "Henry Preston! You’re too much!"

Instinctively, I looked towards the sound, where a woman stood up and threw the wine from her glass at the man opposite her.

Henry let the wine spill over his face, his handsome face somber and cold, with his temple hair and entire face wet from the wine, drops were falling from the edge of his sharply defined jaw with the wine.