Chapter 482
The days grew shorter as dusk fell earlier.
She never felt there were enough hours in the day.
She had to get to the bar quickly after work.
She gathered her things swiftly, preparing to leave the office.
Just outside the main entrance, she ran into Lucas Evans heading straight toward her.
"Anna, finished for the day?"
"Lucas?" She paused briefly, her gaze instinctively shifting away.
She thought he wouldn't come after their last conversation.
What was he doing here today?
Lucas noticed her avoidance and scratched his head awkwardly. "I came specifically to give you something."
Confusion flickered in Anna Ross's eyes.
She didn't recall asking him to bring anything.
He turned and retrieved a book from his car.
"That signed copy by Rowling you wanted back in the day. I brought it back specially from my trip abroad."
The book was exquisitely packaged.
Anna's expression grew distant for a moment.
That was from their university days.
She had been obsessed with the author's simple yet powerful prose back then.
Those sentences always brought hope and comfort.
But now, she didn't reach out to take it.
"Lucas, thank you for the thought."
"But I don't care for that anymore."
"You should give it to someone more suitable."
She was no longer the girl who could be easily healed by words.
After everything she'd been through, only cold, hard cash could bring her peace.
Lucas's hand hung suspended in the air.
The wind rustled the pages, as if something fragile had quietly shattered.
He was silent for a moment before slowly withdrawing his hand, forcing a smile. "I'll keep it for myself, then."
"Actually, I quite like it too."
Despite his efforts to hide it, a slight tremor in his voice betrayed his true feelings.
Anna didn't linger. She turned and hailed a taxi.
Through the rearview mirror, she saw Lucas still standing rigidly in place.
Like a lonely, barren tree in the cold wind.
She averted her eyes, looking out at the flowing cityscape beyond the window.
Not far away, Adrian Sinclair watched the entire scene unfold.
The gloom on his face instantly vanished.
Noah Watson stared in surprise at his boss's sudden change in demeanor.
One moment he was icy cold, the next he seemed bathed in spring warmth.
He couldn't fathom what caused such an instant transformation.
Adrian pulled the car door open and settled into the back seat.
He tapped the window lightly with his finger. Noah immediately stepped forward, awaiting instructions.
"I'm rather tired today. You drive."
He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.
Noah quickly took the driver's seat.
He started the engine but then hesitated.
The man in the back had his eyes closed. Noah didn't dare disturb him.
But how could he drive without knowing the destination?
As he wrestled with this, Adrian suddenly opened his eyes.
Their gazes met. Noah hurriedly looked away.
"Mr. Sinclair, where are we heading now?"
Adrian frowned slightly. "What's on the schedule for today?"
Noah quickly checked his phone. "The main appointments for today are concluded."
"But the client you scheduled to meet yesterday is still waiting."
Adrian was silent for a moment.
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the seat.
"See the client first."
"Then proceed directly to the bar."
Noah acknowledged respectfully.
But inwardly, he wonderedโ
What business did they have at a bar?