Chapter 80

Winnie hung up the phone and threw herself onto the bed. The winter days in Germany got dark early, and by about 4 or 5 in the afternoon, it was already pitch black outside. Snow was falling again, and people dressed in coats hurried by, braving the wind and snow. Van had arranged to meet her at the hotel where the conference was being held. A business car pulled up to the entrance, and the doorman opened the door to greet the VIP guests inside. Winnie stepped out of the car and entered the lobby but didn't see Van right away. She sat at a small round table and ate a plate of salad. At that moment, a stranger approached her. He was tall, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and spoke fluent English. 'Hi. I know a great place for light meals, but going alone feels a bit excessive. Two people would be perfect. Would you like to join me?" Winnie had just finished a plate of greens and, hearing that it was delicious, couldn't help but feel tempted. Without thinking, she asked, 'Is it far?" 'Not at all, just three hundred yards." Famished, and knowing Van was likely busy inside, Winnie decided to go with him to the light meal shop. It turned out the handsome guy was being completely honest; the food was as good as he claimed. Winnie was so touched, digging into a bowl of avocado chicken salad. It had been an hour when she returned to the hotel, but the hotel reception stopped her from entering. Meanwhile, the blonde man had been called away by his superior, so he had to excuse himself first. Left with no other choice, Winnie could only call her assistant. After a while, Van came out to meet her personally. He had clearly had a few drinks, his expression softer than usual, but his aura and steps were still calm and composed. His eyes, however, remained cold and distant, like a frosted window that refused to let any warmth seep through. Van was holding a pink flower, full and lush, with straight, dark green stems wrapped carefully in layers of sulfuric paper. He handed the flower to her, and with everyone watching, she felt like she wanted to disappear right away. She took the flower and followed him into the lobby, the two of them remaining silent for a long time. Finally, Winnie lifted her eyes and asked, "Why flowers?" Van smiled casually. "Flowers are necessary for a sincere apology." Winnie turned her face away, her gaze landing on the flowers. She blinked, unsure whether she was happy or unhappy. Winnie still wouldn't accept the apology. "You gave flowers, but I'm not forgiving you. After all, you saw everything." Van responded slowly, "Did I say the flowers were for that? I'm apologizing for what happened on the plane. As for what happened last night, I don't think it's my fault." "Not your fault? Then whose fault is it?" Winnie retorted. "You were sick and drunk, and you fell into my arms without wearing a bra. What was I supposed to do?" Winnie's face turned bright red. Discussing what had happened yesterday in such a public setting felt like a public execution. But she still tried to keep her dignity, pushing back. "That was just a normal reaction when I was uncomfortable. I do that with anyone." Van narrowed his eyes, staring directly at her. "Is that so? You act like that with anyone? Even with that blonde Italian man you were talking to just now?" Startled, Winnie felt her chest tighten. How did he know? Feeling embarrassed, Winnie angrily shoved the flowers into his arms. "Take them back!" The petals fluttered and fell, releasing a fragrant scent. Van smiled and took the flowers from her, appearing more adaptable than she was. "Alright. Just don't forgive me." A sleek Benz business car rolled to a stop outside the lobby, ready to pick them up. Van casually set the flowers down on the hotel reception desk and then led Winnie to the car. "Flowers." Winnie had been eyeing the bouquet before getting in the car, and finally couldn't help but speak up once they were inside. "Weren't you the one who didn't want them?" Winnie, still not giving up, asked, "You just left them there?" "It's just a bunch of flowers. You didn't want them anyway." Van took out some cold medicine and antibiotics, opening a bottle of Fiji water for her. "Take your medicine." Damn, she had only gotten a little upset for a moment; she didn't actually dislike the flowers. Van handed her the water, his tone and eyes calm. "When I give something, I don't take it back. You don't want them, but I'm not obligated to keep them for you." Winnie, still feeling a little lightheaded from her cold, thought about the high-end sapphire ring. "That ring…" "It's already gone." Winnie choked up, but the urgency of finding the flowers had disappeared. She slowly leaned back in her seat, her eyes lowered. "Take your medicine." Van ordered again.