CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: DIFFERENT TOWARD HER

After taking a fragrant bath, I began my skincare routine, but at this moment, Henry Preston pushed the door open and entered.

I found it strange, how come since my rebirth, the number of times he’s entered my room has sharply increased?

"Why don’t you want me to attend Leah Lane’s engagement party?" Henry came to my dressing table, his tone fairly calm, leaning casually against the edge, his long legs in black trousers extending notably higher than the tabletop.

"I didn’t say I don’t want you to go, you’re too sensitive." I responded helplessly.

"Is it because Ivan Underwood is going too?" Henry lowered his eyes, a slight furrow forming between his brows, a sign that his mood was declining rapidly.

My temples throbbed, what was he talking about? What does Ivan going have to do with me?

"No, Henry, what are you actually trying to say? Just say it, we never need to be so indirect with each other." I lightly circled my fingertips over the mask before taking out an electric massager to enhance absorption.

"I’ve told you before, it’s fine if we each do our own thing, but your targets can’t be those close to me, have you forgotten this so soon?" Henry’s aura turned abruptly cold, his voice also lowering to a sinister tone.

I was speechless and perplexed, "Who told you there’s anything between Ivan Underwood and me?"

Henry stared at me without speaking, so I guessed, "Was it Silas Lockwood who told you?"

The last incident at Whispering Gardens, Silas Lockwood, that big mouth, surely told Henry. Plus, I had Ivan running errands buying personal items for me before, which deepened Henry’s suspicion.

He’s always been a man of deep scheming, any unusual event could trigger his vigilance. Although not very old in age, when it comes to cunning, he’s no less than those old foxes in the business world with decades of experience, perhaps even surpassing them.

Besides knowing each other’s names and appearances, Ivan and I had no interaction whatsoever.

"Explain yourself." Henry straightened up, hands casually stuffed in his pockets, looking down at me from above.

"Explain what? I’m not even familiar with him." I had no desire to explain.

"If you’re not familiar, then how did he suddenly have your contact number?" Henry was very dissatisfied with my perfunctory attitude, a trace of anger appeared on his handsome face, "Zoe Hathaway, don’t you dare challenge my limits!"

I was startled by his outburst, my eyes widening as I looked at him, "Henry, did you come back to pick a fight on purpose? I’m telling you, Ivan was the one who contacted me first from the very start, why don’t you ask him how he got my number?"

The photo of Joel Sutton and me was sent to me by Ivan himself, otherwise, I wouldn’t have had his contact details. Even when I asked, he didn’t give it to me readily.

Without further ado, Henry picked up his phone to call Ivan Underwood.

That wouldn’t do, Ivan was a tough nut to crack too, and if questioned, what if he sent the photo of Joel and me to Henry?

How would I explain Joel’s identity to Henry? He probably already knew who Azure Vaughn’s boyfriend was; seeing the photo would reveal that I knew her boyfriend.

I didn’t want to lose my god-like vantage point so soon. I wanted to wait until Henry and Azure’s relationship progressed further before saying anything.

"Henry!" I called out, removing my face mask and getting up to try to snatch his phone away, "How can you do that? If I really had something shady with Ivan Underwood, how could I still be sleeping with you?!"

"..." Henry seemed speechless at my answer and raised his arm, keeping the phone high above me, entirely out of reach, coldly replying, "Who says a woman can’t sleep with two men? I wasn’t here to see what happened while I was away on business trips!"

Though as a modern woman my views on sex are relatively open, I still couldn’t accept being falsely accused.

Just as I was about to retort, the call connected, and Ivan’s voice came through, "Hello?"

I was anxious and frustrated, my eyes involuntarily reddening, experiencing a strong sense of defeat.

Henry continued the call, his eyes on me, and seemed taken aback when he noticed I was crying, eventually telling Ivan, "No problem, I dialed the wrong number."

Watching Henry end the call, I breathed a sigh of relief, then climbed into bed, not wanting to talk to him.

Henry said nothing, and I heard his footsteps heading to the bathroom, soon followed by the sound of running water.

Was he planning to sleep here tonight? My mind was in a whirl, truthfully, I didn’t want to share a bed with Henry. Firstly, it would complicate things, and secondly, I feared that my resolve would be weakened.

There were lots of people online joking about being the third-party mistress to Henry, tending to him after pregnancy, but I did feel it was the woman who stood to gain by sleeping with him.

His physique is exceptional, and with such a handsome face, it’s easy for anyone’s heart to flutter.

I had been infatuated with him for ten years, and in this new life, I became much more clear-headed, provided Henry continued to treat me as callously as he did in my past life.

Human nature is inherently self-deprecating, and I feared I couldn’t hold on.

After a while, the event I worried about occurred, Henry indeed laid down beside me.

"Henry, are you asleep?" I initiated the conversation.

"No, what is it?" Henry asked calmly.

"I want to talk to you." I turned over, and there lay Henry, resting one hand behind his head, his eyes closed. I gazed at his nearly perfect profile, still tempted, but my rationality warned me to restrain myself.

Henry made a soft sound of acknowledgement, waiting for me to continue.

I thought for a moment and asked, "Have you been pursuing a young girl lately?"

He opened his eyes slightly, turned his head to look at me, his gaze deep, "What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing, I overheard you chatting with Ivan and others at the teahouse, learned about this. So I wanted to ask, are you sincere about that girl? Is she different from the women before?" I asked curiously, feeling at peace inwardly.

"She’s different." Henry’s answer was as simple as it was sincere.

I paused, seeing the flicker of tenderness in his eyes, was he thinking of Azure?

"But doesn’t she have a boyfriend?" I pursued.

Henry’s face showed displeasure, and he gave a cold laugh, "Break up, and she won’t have a boyfriend then?"

Clearly, qualities like etiquette aren’t Henry’s forte. I silently observed a moment of silence for Joel Sutton, unaware if he and Azure had faced any issues lately.

"Haha, indeed, I wish you speedy success." I dryly said this, then turned to sleep with my back to Henry, contemplating whether to connect more with Joel Sutton soon, a good opportunity to act as the benevolent big sister providing solace.

If Henry and Azure’s relationship were to progress further, then my relationship with Joel should too, only then would it feel fair to me.