Chapter 288
Chapter 288
Chapter 288 Old Friend
As the smile on his face deepened, Han got a little handsy with Anna. He was putting on a show for Leah.
While Han had no idea of the reason for himself to do so, he got the kick out of the upset look on Leah’s face.
Oblivious to Han’s strange behavior, Anna had a hard time breathing as the arm around her waist was too strong. She helplessly uttered, “Ethan, you’re holding me too tight.: Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
“Sorry.”
Han loosened his grip.
Meanwhile, Shawn helped Leah to a seat. Although he was shocked to learn that Han was the investor, Shawn had seen a lot in his lifetime. It did not take him long to get his act together.
Shawn knew that there was no hope of getting the investment.
Even though Han was back, Leah stuck by Shawn’s side throughout.
For a moment, Shawn was lost in Leah’s beauty.
A while later, he found his voice. Shawn said in a raspy voice, “We can leave now if you don’t feel too well.”
For selfish reasons, the last thing Shawn wanted was for Leah’s and Han’s paths to cross.
Still in a trance, Leah curled her lips. “I’m fine. I’ll be okay.”
Two years were enough for Han to get over her. He had another woman now, and they looked beautiful together.
Shawn sat next to her before Leah had anything to say about it. “I’ll stay with you for a while.”
“I’m fine. You can mingle around with the clients.”
Leah gave Shawn a little nudge. It was not proper for him to stick with the female companion rather than spend time with business associates in events such as this.
Besides, Shawn had a purpose to be here.
Shawn’s eyes darkened. Was she worried about him or did she not want Han to see them together?
He sullenly asked, “Oh, really?”
A man with a pot belly drew near with a wine glass in hand. He poked fun, “Mr. Ford, why are you hanging around here? I see you can’t get away from your wife.”
The event tonight played paramount importance to all the trades in the house.
The man was concerned he might not stand a chance since he caught wind that Shawn wanted in on the investment deal. Now, it seemed that it might not be the case.
Shawn explained with a blank face, “I don’t want to leave her just yet. She’s unwell.”
He knew the deal was not meant to be the moment he laid eyes on Han.
Perhaps there would be a power shuffle in Linkville soon.
The man with a pot belly was impressed. “You have a tight relationship.”
Leah opened her mouth to clarify but held her tongue in the end. People of Linkville got the wrong idea about her and Shawn anyway, so she would be wasting her time by setting the record straight now.
She discreetly pushed Shawn’s arm away. “I need to go to the ladies’ room.”
“Do you need me to go with you?”
Shawn’s eyes were glued to Leah the whole time as he did not feel comfortable leaving her on her own.
Han’s return destroyed any confidence and sense of security he had. Shawn always believed he still had time to wait for Leah, but now…
Leah shook her head. “I’m good. I’ll be right back.”
She then rose to her feet and headed for the loo.
Noticing that Leah had left the hall, Han let go of Anna and made up an excuse to advance in the direction of the loo.
In the ladies’ room. Leah let splashes of cold water on her face to wake her system and pull herself together.
She looked at the sad state of herself in the mirror and let out a bitter smile. Leah took the time to simmer down before pulling out some powder from her purse to retouch her makeup.
While heading back to the grand hall, Leah bumped into Han.
With his back against the wall, Han had a smile on his face as if he was waiting for someone.
Leah hung her head low and pretended not to know the man.
A husky voice ensued.
“What a coincidence, Mrs. Ford.”
Leah was taken aback. It took a while before it registered in her head that he was saying hello to her.
Clenching to the hem of her dress, Leah picked up her gaze. By then, she had removed all weakness in her eyes.
“Shawn and I aren’t married.”
That was all needed to explain her relationship with Shawn.
Han scoffed. “Oh, really?”
Something stirred in Leah as she knew that Han did not believe a word she said. After all, she was dead set on leaving him back then.
Leah’s voice was gruff. She licked the dried corner of her lips. “I’m not lying to you, Han.”
“Mrs. Ford, you got the wrong person. I’m Ethan, not Han.”
Despite drawing a deep breath, Leah could not hold back the tears from spilling.
It was all her fault.
She was the reason Han left his homeland and refused to acknowledge what they once were.
Leah swiftly dried her tears and curled a bitter smile. “I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else.”
She then tried to flee away.
With dimness in his eyes, Han reached out and grabbed her by the wrist.
“If you wish, you can see me as that person, Mrs. Ford.”
Her tearful eyes were an eyesore to him.
Leah was the one who abandoned him. She, of all people, did not deserve to shed a tear about it.
For all he knew, they could be crocodile tears with the purpose of tugging on his heartstrings.
“You give me the thrill, Mrs. Ford. If that’s what you want, why don’t we give it a go? An extramarital affair should be exciting, don’t you think?”
Han lowered his head and leaned forward to whisper in Leah’s ear, “I’m a thrill-seeking man.”
Leah recoiled at the mingling hot breath in her ear. She shied away from Han’s touch and pushed him away in disbelief.
She made a run for it. “I think I confused you for someone else.”
Displaying no emotions, Han watched her take off.
Leah drew a deep breath at the entrance of the grand hall to get a grip on herself before pushing the open and walking right through it.
She scoured around the place and found Shawn in a corner. She took quick paces over.
“I don’t feel well. I got to go.”
With furrowed brows, Shawn put down his wine glass. “I’ll take you home.”
Leah waved her arm. “It’s fine. The chauffeur is waiting outside.”
Shawn swiftly got up and followed behind her. “I’ll walk you out.”
The pair proceeded out of the hotel. Since Linkville was quite chilly during late Fall, Leah clutched tightly to her coat and slipped into the car.
After the black Porsche disappeared out of sight, Shawn made his grimacing expression known.
He pulled out a box from his pocket and skillfully lit up a cigarette. He needed to figure out the reason for Han's return and stat.
Leah was already gone by the time Han returned to the hall.
The man searched around the hall a few times, but the familiar voice was nowhere to be found. His eyes flickered in disappointment.
Han’s behavior did not go unnoticed by Anna. She was one step closer to turning into a green-eyed monster.
Her gut feeling was telling her that Han must know that woman.
Anna drew close and spoke tenderly, “What are you looking for, Ethan?”