As soon as those words escaped Jack's lips, a wave of laughter rippled through the room, breathing new life into the previously tense atmosphere. His unexpected quip served as the perfect antidote to the palpable tension that had lingered moments earlier.
The revelation of this seldom-seen facet of their typically reserved CEO left the entire room pleasantly surprised. Witnessing him gracefully shoulder responsibility and endure his punishment with unwavering dignity had a profound impact on the onlookers. In that moment, he not only endeared himself further to the audience but also imparted a valuable life lesson in accountability and grace.
Amidst the cheerful chatter, Georgia couldn't help but steal a furtive glance at Jack's retreating figure. A warm, sweet sensation enveloped her heart, filling it with an affectionate warmth that she found difficult to suppress.
"Ah, Poetry!"
Xiao Han's voice pierced through her reverie, and he playfully jabbed her with his elbow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He inquired with an amused tone, "What's it like, holding hands with Yu Zong? Does it make you feel so dizzy with happiness?"
Georgia couldn't help but giggle at his teasing. "You're impossible!"
"No, really! You've become the envy of all the female colleagues!" Xiao Han teased further, his eyes dancing with amusement.
Georgia rolled her eyes playfully, but before she could formulate a response, an abrupt interruption changed the course of their conversation.
Cheng Lu's sharp, piercing voice cut through the air like a knife, casting an icy pall over the group's camaraderie. "Oh, haven't you heard, General Jack is married! Is someone trying to wreck a family and become a homewrecker?"
Xiao Han couldn't hold back his indignation and immediately sprung to Georgia's defense. "That's going too far! You shouldn't speak so recklessly."
Cheng Lu sneered, her words dripping with condescension. "Did I mention any names? I simply said, 'Don't blame others for wanting what's rightfully theirs.'"
The heated exchange threatened to escalate, but Georgia intervened, gently pulling Xiao Han aside. "Alright, it's not worth getting upset over someone like her."
She was well aware of the nature of her relationship with Jack and remained unfazed by baseless accusations.
Xiao Han sighed in frustration but eventually acquiesced. "You're right, Georgia. Let's not give her the satisfaction."
With their moods lightened, the trio decided to shift their focus to something more pleasant—food. Georgia proposed, "Shall we head to the restaurant for a meal?"
"Sounds good," Xiao Han agreed.
As they made their way to the restaurant, they were met with a lively scene. The establishment buzzed with patrons coming and going, the clinking of cutlery, and the hum of conversation.
Georgia and Xiao Han secured a cozy corner table and placed their orders. As they chatted animatedly, the air around them brimmed with a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences.
However, Xiao Han's gaze suddenly shifted, his eyes widening in shock as he pointed in a particular direction. "Georgia, look!"
Georgia turned her head to follow his pointed finger and gasped softly. There, entering the restaurant side by side, were Jack and Su Ling.
The two of them strolled in leisurely, devoid of any entourage or assistants. Engrossed in conversation, they seemed utterly absorbed in each other's presence. Su Ling would occasionally cast sidelong glances at the man beside her, her smile radiating warmth and affection.
A pang of unease gripped Georgia's heart, her emotions entangled in a complex web. She blinked back the surge of emotions, unwilling to reveal her feelings to Xiao Han.
Xiao Han continued to voice his thoughts, his tone filled with curiosity and concern. "So, it seems like what Mencius Han said today might be true. Are Jack and Su Ling dating? But I thought Jack was already married..."
His words hung in the air, and Georgia couldn't help but furrow her brows. She took a deep breath, her mind whirring with thoughts and uncertainties.
Could there truly be a connection between Jack and Su Ling?
Unable to quell her curiosity, Georgia surreptitiously observed the pair from across the room. They had chosen a table and sat down, with Jack chivalrously offering the menu to Su Ling, encouraging her to place her order first.
Xiao Han's contemplative musings resonated in the backdrop of her thoughts, "Judging by their demeanor, it appears that their relationship is far from ordinary. After all, we haven't seen Jack act so kindly toward any woman before."