CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: HITCHING A RIDE

I told Henry Preston, and Preston still went his own way. With his domineering personality, he wouldn’t rest until he gets Azure Vaughn.

Telling Azure wouldn’t change anything either. Maybe she’d feel guilty and unable to face me, which would only strengthen her avoidance and rejection of Preston, leading him to use more aggressive tactics.

As for Joel Sutton, he couldn’t possibly outplay Preston. What could he do if I told him? Accompany me to bed, put a green hat on Preston, and seek a little psychological balance like me?

I’ve considered all possibilities, and the result is unchanged.

"Then why tell me?" Ivan Underwood’s voice sounded again.

"Now you know, I haven’t been kept in the dark. I’m willing to divorce; it’s Preston who won’t agree," I felt a tinge of bitterness in my heart. "I hope you won’t persuade him anymore."

Ivan Underwood knows best how much I like Preston. He grew up with Preston and naturally witnessed my ten years.

Hearing me say this suddenly, he seemed unable to accept it, his expression peculiar. "Are you sure?"

I nodded firmly, "I’m sure!"

Ivan was silent for a long time. I didn’t know what he was thinking until we parted, and he only said, "It’s good that you’ve come to terms."

In the past, I was too persistent, believing that if you never forget, there will be an echo.

As an observer, Ivan Underwood sees most clearly that the marriage has always been my one-sided wish.

On the way back, I felt unprecedented relief. Finally, someone else knew that I had let go of Preston. I hummed a little tune as I returned home, took a bath, and slept blissfully.

Since I had to return for my dad’s birthday celebration, I got up earlier the next day. After preparing the gift, I sent a message to Preston, "Remember to come to my house today."

On this day in the previous life, Preston didn’t show up, and I made an excuse for him, saying he was too busy with work.

Now he’s likely not to come again, but I don’t want to make excuses for him anymore.

"Dad, happy birthday!" As soon as I arrived home, I hugged my dad and kissed his old face.

My mom watched from the side, smiling, "Why so early? Have you eaten breakfast?"

"I did, what do you think the help I hired is for?" I linked arms with my dad, sat on the sofa, and replied with a grin.

"Why are you alone? Where’s Preston?" My dad immediately became unhappy when he saw no one else coming in, his face falling, "I see he’s becoming more and more outrageous!"

I smiled awkwardly, saying nothing.

In theory, with my dad’s status, many people would come to celebrate his birthday today, but he’s a straightforward person and doesn’t play along. Every year, he spends it with family at home; I’m his only daughter, so he still hopes Preston can come, at least to make it lively.

No one expected that this year Preston’s shadow wasn’t even in sight!

Just as my parents started to complain about Preston, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tall and slender figure at the door, carrying a gift in his hand.

I quickly covered my dad’s mouth, "Dad, Preston is here."

My dad’s words were muffled by my hand. He glanced at the door, his expression slightly awkward.

"Preston is here, why not come in and sit?" My mom came out of the kitchen, looking pleased upon seeing Preston.

Preston smiled politely, "Just arrived."

He walked over and sat opposite my dad and me, looking very handsome and noble in a gray striped vest and shirt.

"Dad, happy birthday, this is a little something from me." Preston placed the gift he brought on the table, which looked like a box of tea.

Since my dad is in politics, giving luxury items wouldn’t be appropriate, as wearing them wouldn’t conform to the ethos of being incorruptible.

He really enjoys tea, so Preston was smart in catering to his nature.

In front of Preston, my dad wouldn’t open the packaging directly, just smiled and said, "I’m just very happy you came, you didn’t have to bring anything."

"I’m busy with work most of the time and rarely visit you two, so coming empty-handed today would definitely be inappropriate." Preston, usually very aloof, was actually quite good at conversation.

Since my dad and he had mutual interests, he wouldn’t act so rashly here to show off.

The business acumen was ingrained in Preston, so his later willingness to turn against everyone for Azure Vaughn was something that shocked me immensely.

My dad waved his hand, "Don’t say that, a man should prioritize his career."

Their insincere politeness amused me. Their chat was pleasant enough, quickly leading to work discussion, which bored me, so I went to the kitchen to help my mom cook.

At noon, a table full of delicious food was set, and our family sat together eating, chatting, and it felt like a dream.

Not long after finishing the meal, my dad received a call, "Why the formalities? I just had lunch, I appreciate your thought..."

"Alright, alright, I’ll be right over!" I didn’t know what was said over the phone, but my dad looked both helpless and happy.

After hanging up, he told us, "My secretary found out about my birthday, so he organized a dinner with some colleagues from the department, and they insist I go, I can’t refuse."

My mom replied, "Then go, they mean well."

My dad nodded, "Right, well, Preston, I’ll head out first, stay and visit a bit longer."

Preston replied, "Okay, Dad."

Once my dad left, Preston didn’t stay much longer before he said goodbye to my mom, claiming he had to go to the office. Hearing this, I immediately followed him out, plopping down in the passenger seat of his car.

"What are you doing?" Preston asked coldly.

"Give me a lift." I answered shamelessly as I fastened my seatbelt; my car was being serviced by Lane, and taking a taxi back was a hassle.

Preston pressed his lips tightly, his eyes displeased. He clearly didn’t want to give me a ride, but it was inconvenient to leave me there in front of my house.

In the end, he agreed to my request and drove me back to Maplewood Gardens first.

In the car, I smelled a faint scent similar to the one on Azure. Could she have been in the passenger seat today?

Didn’t she tell me she would block Preston? So why are they meeting again?

I was puzzled, feeling something was amiss. Could Joel Sutton’s head really be turning into a green prairie soon?

With Azure’s personality, she shouldn’t accept Preston so quickly; otherwise, why would Preston have gone crazy in the past life? It was precisely because he couldn’t get her initially that he cherished her, then slowly fell truly in love.

I took out a lipstick from my bag and discreetly slipped it into the gap next to the seat, then adjusted the seatback at a significant angle.

If Azure sat in Preston’s car again, she would likely adjust the seat and find the lipstick.

"I’m going to take a nap." I said, squinting my eyes, casually crossing my legs, then closing them to rest.

Preston didn’t respond, and the car was silent until his phone rang. He glanced at me, then answered the call without hesitation.