"How did Mr. Leafcastle know Kris Cooper was also at the hotel?" she asked casually, as if it were a passing remark.

Nathan Leafcastle also replied indifferently, "I happened to see him there, so I mentioned it. If Miss Spencer isn’t bothered by it, then that’s fine."

Irene Spencer’s lips curved slightly. "Rumor has it, Mr. Leafcastle, that you and Vera Wave were childhood sweethearts?"

"That’s all in the past now."

Nathan Leafcastle replied nonchalantly, already raising his glass to his lips.

He took this sip a bit too quickly, obviously hiding some kind of emotion.

Anger? Jealousy? Or perhaps something else...

Irene Spencer sneered inwardly.

Indeed, just as she had suspected, his reason for seeking her out was far from being as simple as wanting to shoot a commercial.

"Ah!" Irene Spencer sighed. "The deeply affectionate are often troubled by the unfeeling. We’re kindred spirits in this, so let’s have a drink!"

She extended her glass, and Nathan Leafcastle raised his to gently clink against hers.

"It seems Miss Spencer misunderstands. Vera and I are just friends."

"I understand. Mr. Leafcastle is about to get married," Irene Spencer laughed self-deprecatingly. "Unfortunately, in my view, feelings one has truly invested in are hard to forget, aren’t they? Just like me... Haven’t I done so many foolish things for him?"

"Actually, Miss Spencer, you don’t need to be so fixated. I believe you’ll meet a better man in the future." Nathan Leafcastle took her glass and poured her more wine. "Come, let’s drink to Miss Spencer meeting a worthy man!"

Irene Spencer lifted her glass, clinked it lightly against his, and brought it to her lips.

Watching her swallow the wine from across the table, an almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Nathan Leafcastle’s lips.

After putting down their glasses, they continued to chat and eat. Nathan Leafcastle changed the subject. Seeing that he didn’t want to say more, Irene Spencer didn’t press him.

As she ate, her head started to feel a little heavy.

She gripped the armrests to steady herself as she tried to stand, but her legs felt weak, and she stumbled back into the chair uncontrollably.

"Miss Spencer?"

Before her consciousness was entirely consumed by darkness, the last thing she heard was Nathan Leafcastle calling her name. She struggled to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as if they were weighted with lead, incredibly heavy.

Nathan Leafcastle looked down from where he stood at Irene Spencer, whose head had slumped limply to one side. A cold smirk played on his lips.

"Take her back to the hotel."

"Yes!" The assistant immediately stepped forward and took Irene Spencer’s arm. "Miss Spencer, you’re drunk. Let me escort you back."

Supporting Irene Spencer by the arm, the assistant walked out of the private room. Nathan Leafcastle picked up Irene Spencer’s handbag, and he and the assistant left the clubhouse together.

After settling Irene Spencer in the car, Nathan Leafcastle took out his phone and dialed Kris Cooper’s number.

"Mr. Cooper, is it... convenient to meet?"

Kris Cooper’s tone on the other end of the line was anything but friendly.

"Not convenient."

"Afraid?"

"Such taunts are tedious," Kris Cooper replied disdainfully.

Nathan Leafcastle played his trump card. "What I have to say concerns Vera."

On the other end of the line, Kris Cooper was silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Where are you?"

"The XX Hotel, rooftop bar. Ten minutes. I’ll expect you there."

With that, he hung up.

"Will he come?" the assistant asked.

"He definitely will." Nathan Leafcastle glanced at Irene Spencer, still unconscious in her seat. "Be careful when you take her in. Use the service entrance, and don’t let anyone see you."

When the car reached the hotel lobby, the assistant got out first, supporting Irene Spencer. Her long hair hung low, obscuring her face, so no one recognized her. People simply assumed they were a couple, and no one paid them any mind.

...

...

It seems something happened in the book review section again. [Even though I don’t know what it is, I can kind of guess.] But seriously, don’t worry about it. Someone as thick-skinned and resilient as I am wouldn’t be bothered by these things. Good night, my dear readers~! I haven’t felt much like chatting lately—not sure why—so please don’t wait up.