Chapter 56

Ada was a bit confused until she heard the sound of high heels coming to a stop with a sharp click. She turned around, only to feel an unsettling sensation. Despite the woman having her face covered, her beauty was undeniable—so striking that it almost made people afraid to look directly at her. But Van was looking straight at her, expressionless, his eyes like a foggy abyss. The hotel manager was puzzled to see that the previously imposing and cool woman suddenly seemed very girlish at that moment. He could almost imagine that under her mask, her expression must be one of tightly pursed lips. Winnie was tense all over, thinking, "No way, I've had a super transformation today; even Ruby might not recognize me. How could Van? And please, an old classmate is waiting for him to catch up; how could he have any attention for me?" She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and took a soft step, trying to slip away nonchalantly. Van narrowed his eyes and called her out slowly, "Winnie." Winnie snapped to attention, bowing at a 90-degree angle. "Hello, Mr. Marlowe." Winnie didn't lift her head, "The summit is waiting for you, so I won't disturb you any further." Van, calm and detached, "The summit has just ended." Winnie, "..." Couldn't he just play along? She's a public figure, after all. She kept bowing, unaware of when the man opposite her had slightly lifted the corners of his lips, as if suppressing a laugh. After a while, she heard his deep, cold voice, "Then, please lead the way for me." Winnie didn't want to lead the way; she wanted to eat. While tension simmered here, on the other side, Ada quietly watched their exchange before calling out to Van again. "Van," she said, "It's been a long time." Van finally shifted his gaze from Winnie's face and looked toward Ada and her fiancé. Ada clearly had a good eye for people. Her fiancé was a well-off businessman, likely with assets worth several hundred million. However, at this moment, her fiancé was just waiting for Ada to introduce him so he could go up, eagerly exchange business cards, and chit-chat, hoping to casually mention at the next Marlowe Group's supplier conference, "I met Van last time." Van's gaze remained calm; he only gave a slight nod to Ada, "Long time no see, I have urgent matters to attend to, please excuse me." 'It's been so long," Ada called out, raising her voice slightly. Seeing Van pause, her tone softened again, "Can't we chat for a bit?" Van offered her a smile—a very polite, gentlemanly, but strictly businesslike smile. 'I really don't have time today. She's still waiting for me." When he said 'she," Van's gaze drifted back to Winnie, with a hint of composure in his eyes. Everyone's eyes collectively shifted to Winnie's face. Winnie had no choice but to stand like a professional PR, squeezing her voice into a fake smile directed at Van, "Mr. Marlowe, we need to hurry up, okay?" Unfortunately, she couldn't mimic it well; Wendy's professional tone never included the word "okay" in such a coy manner. Fearing she might give herself away with the next sentence, Van didn't waste any more time and apologetically said to Ada, "Sorry, Ada, let's plan to meet another time." Ada hadn't expected to hear him address her as 'Ada" again. For a moment, she froze. She understood this was Van granting her a shred of dignity. She curved her lips, her bright eyes fixed intently on Van, presenting the look he was familiar with and fond of. "Bye." She took a deep breath, swallowed, the disappointment on her face just right, like leaving a trail of ellipses at the end of their story. Van no longer looked at her, walking straight to Winnie, looking down at her, and extending his hand, palm up, "Please." Winnie had no choice but to follow him down the administrative corridor, her mind racing on how to keep up the act in front of his old classmate. Then she heard the waiter approach, "Mr. Marlowe, your lounge is ready." Van nodded, and they entered the room, closing the door, shutting out Ada and her fiancé's gaze. Winnie pulled down her mask and let out a long sigh, completely overwhelmed. Van sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs, slightly turning his head to light a cigarette. "I wasn't prepared to see you today." Winnie thought to herself, "Neither was I. I just found out about your dysfunction." Seeing her still standing, Van slightly lifted his chin, "Sit down." He was so cold today, like a different person from before, with a clear impatience and arrogance. Winnie thought, "What's there to be arrogant about, you dysfunctional man?" She sat down obediently. Van, with the cigarette in his mouth, didn't bother to explain their earlier encounter, just looked at her from bottom to top. Finally, he took the cigarette from his lips, exhaled, and gave a slightly weary smile, "You look very different today." That was probably a compliment. But perhaps he was tired of dealing with social interactions today, which made him exude an air of disinterested coldness. Winnie reflexively wanted to get up and leave, but she felt pinned by his gaze. The smoke swirled faintly, Van tapped the ash lightly, "How did you end up here?" "Brand event," Winnie answered him. "I mean," Van's tone slightly intensified, "how did you end up in the administrative building? Isn't your salon on the fifth floor?" So he knew all along that she was here for an event. Before she could respond, Van seemed to see through her and asked, "Are you hungry?" Winnie's rebellious streak always kicked in at the wrong time. She stubbornly said, "Not hungry." Van smiled, pressing the service bell. When the waiter came in, he asked, "What are the signature afternoon tea items?" "Salmon sandwiches, freshly baked, red velvet cake, and rose milk mousse," the waiter replied. Winnie had turned her back to the waiter, pretending to look closely at a business painting on the wall. She only turned back when she heard the door gently close. Van gave a cold laugh, half-joking, half-serious, "Being with you seems like it would be a lot of trouble."