A woman sat across from him, her eyes twinkling like stars, her red lips opening and closing as she spoke.
It seemed like this blind date was halfway successful, at least the woman seemed to be quite satisfied with him.
Chloe Collins didn't rush to call him, but naturally pulled out the chair at the table behind him and sat down.
A waiter came up and she casually ordered a cup of coffee.
A gentle, feminine voice came from the table behind, "In my spare time, I like to paint. I'm not that talented, but I've held several exhibitions. I heard Mr. Foster likes to collect paintings. Can you help me see, how's my painting?"
The voice was soft and sweet like a piece of candy. Chloe Collins could hear the desire and confidence in it.
Desire for praise.
Then, she heard the man reply-
"Ugly."
The woman's voice faltered, "Uh... Sorry, what did you say?"
"If this painting represents your current level, I advise you not to hold any exhibitions. Other than making a fool of yourself, the only use it has is to add some comic relief to other people's dinner conversation."
The man's voice was cold and quiet, filled with a casual indifference.
The woman was annoyed, "Mr. Foster, what do you mean? You've never given me a smile, and you act as if you don't care about anything I say. That's fine, but painting is one of my strengths, and you're actually belittling my work. Do you know that this painting won an award and many people want to buy it, but I won't sell!"
A shallow chuckle brushed past Chloe Collins' ear as the man leisurely replied, "If you won an award, it means your competitors were weaker than you, and if someone wants to buy it, it can only mean his eyes don't work well."
"You! You never had any interest in me, did you?!"
"Not too foolish."
Chloe Collins leisurely tasted the coffee in her hand, the corners of her mouth lightly curving up in a faint smile.
The woman suddenly fell silent, clearly angry.
Just when Chloe Collins thought she would grab her purse and leave or splash water on Alex, she heard the woman's voice again-
"If that's the case, why did you sit with me for so long?"
"Waiting for someone."
"Waiting for someone? Don't make excuses. You've been sitting for so long, where's the person? Heh, I think you should stop defying your grandfather. We are both of marriageable age, so we should just get engaged and married according to our families' arrangements. In Grearon, who else besides me is a match for you?"
The woman's voice was no longer so tough, but carried a hint of hope instead.
It was obvious that she had really set her sights on this man.
Unexpectedly, the man replied, "The person has already arrived."
Chloe Collins' eyebrows lifted slightly as the words came out.
"Heh, really? Where?" The woman didn't believe.
Then Chloe Collins heard the sound of a chair sliding, and the next second, she saw the man standing in front of her.
The man's looks were incredibly dazzling, especially those eyes. Although they were full of coldness and alienation, they were no match for his inherent charm which seemed to carry hints of affection, making him very attractive. As he stood up, all the women in the restaurant threw adoring glances at him.
His indifferent gaze landed on Chloe Collins' face, "Let's go."
"Wait!"
Not giving up, the woman walked over, gave Chloe a cold glance, and asked Alexander Foster, "Who is she? What is your relationship with her?!"
The man looked away coldly, with no intention of answering her.
But she blocked his way, forcing him to answer.
Chloe Collins remained silent, enjoying the show with a serene heart.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her left chest, causing her eyebrows to furrow in pain.
She quickly looked up, focusing her gaze on the man.
It was time to confirm.
"Hey."
The man turned his head at the sound, looking at her indifferently.
Her red lips curved up, "Do me a favor."
Without any hesitation, she reached out, grabbed the man's wrist, and pulled herself into his arms.
Her arms circled his waist and her face rested on his shoulder.
He hadn't sprayed any perfume, but his body exuded a unique scent, which was a bit like a mixture of milky and minty fragrance.
Chloe Collins had smelled countless scents, but never before had a scent given her body such complete relaxation.
Slowly, the pain in her chest disappeared, and her breathing became steady.
A surge of warmth spread through the man's sturdy body, wrapping her in a cocoon.
She opened her eyes, seeing the woman's heartbroken departure.
"Held me long enough?" A slightly cold male voice sounded by her ear.
Chloe Collins let go of him, her expression devoid of any bashfulness that should have been present in such a situation, very calm, "Just helping you reject her, don't overthink it."
With that, she walked toward the exit.
The man behind her showed a hint of emotion other than indifference for the first time, his eyes slightly darkened.
Don't overthink it? Heh.
Both of them got in the car, sitting in the back with a distance between them that could fit another person.
Chloe Collins was still thinking about the change in her body just now, quite shocked. She had lived for eighteen years and had never encountered such a strange phenomenon before.
She sent a message to Albert Green, "Confirmed, not a coincidence."
[Albert Green: If conditions permit, confirm it two more times. If the pain disappears without him nearby, it means he has nothing to do with it.]
[Chloe: It's not the same. On my own, it takes at least three minutes for the pain to ease gradually. But when close to him, it disappears immediately.]
[Albert Green: Just confirm it two more times, no harm in it.]
[Chloe: We'll see.]
Ending the chat, she started playing a game to pass the time in the car.
Alex didn't pay any attention to her either, focusing on the computer in his hand, occasionally answering a brief call.
The assistant felt that the atmosphere was too cold and wanted to say something to ease it.
So, after Alex finished a call, he took the opportunity to speak up, "Young Master, I got the news. The eldest young master has gathered people on his side and is ready to start researching a new product. We must hurry."
"What's the rush?" Alexander Foster didn't care.Assistant: "Young Master, actually, I think that Miles White only exists in rumors. If there really is such a genius perfumer, how could he not even show his face? I've heard of talented people who are unrecognized, but not those who intentionally hide their abilities."
Recently, Master Foster wanted to hand over his company to one of his grandchildren and posed a challenge: whichever grandchild could achieve the highest sales of Redolence perfume in the country for the next quarter would inherit the company.
The eldest grandson quickly took action, gathering a team to develop new products. On the other hand, Young Master Alexander seemed in no hurry, instead seeking a perfumer who may only exist in rumors.
"Just drive." Alexander responded coldly.
The assistant pursed his lips, not daring to say anything more.
While they were talking, Chloe Collins didn't even bat an eyelid, swiftly defeating a small boss in her game. But when the assistant mentioned Miles White, her fingers paused for a moment.
Interest flickered in her eyes.
The next second, she was engrossed in the game again.
Alexander closed his computer at that moment and asked the assistant for a bottle of water.
The assistant quickly handed the water, relieved to see that the young master was still gentlemanly enough to care for a girl by offering her a drink. The atmosphere wouldn't be cold now.
He glanced back and saw Alexander unscrewing the bottle cap, then smiled. See, his young master wasn't cold at all; he even helped a girl uncap the bottle.
The next second, he saw in the rearview mirror that Alexander was actually bringing the water to his own lips, taking a graceful sip without touching the bottle mouth.
The assistant's expression cracked.
Alright, he thought too much.
Just then—
"Thirsty?"
Assistant listened attentively, making sure it was his young master's voice!
The "Cold-faced Yama" of the Fosters, actually caring for someone?
Did he hear it wrong?!
Chloe Collins, without as expressive a face as the assistant's, was also taken aback for a second.
She looked at the water being handed to her, then glanced at Alexander, wondering in her heart.
If she remembered correctly, this was the third time he had spoken to her since she entered the Foster residence.
Such a cold person, asking her if she was thirsty?
She slightly raised her eyelids, stared into his dark pupils for a few seconds, and then took the water gracefully, "Thanks."
Tilting her head back, she took a sip, and a clear stream of water flows into her mouth. A droplet splashes onto her chin, sliding down her perfect curve and onto her delicate collarbone.
With a single drink, she exuded the elegance of someone drinking wine.
Just as she was about to put the cap back on, Alexander reached out, took the water, and capped it himself.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated, drawing her gaze away.
[Medical staff: Do you have any books suitable for intermediate perfumers? I'd like to borrow a few.]
[Chloe: I'll send them to you tomorrow.]
[Medical staff: OK! No wonder you're my most charming little junior sister O(∩_∩)O.]
Chloe Collins glanced at the time and then said, "Stop at the intersection ahead."
"Huh? You're not going back to the Foster residence?" The assistant was surprised.
Alexander also cast a sidelong glance at the girl.
She had already unbuckled her seatbelt, "I have some personal matters to deal with. I'll go back later."
"But... Master said he wanted to see the young master personally bring you inside the house..."
"Stop the car." The man gave a light command.
The assistant could only obey, watching as Chloe Collins got out of the car.
Turning back to Alexander, he said, "Young Master, will Master blame you for being incompetent if he doesn't see Miss Collins?"
Alexander's expression was indifferent. "I've already picked her up. Whether she goes back or not is her own choice. Turn around, go to the company."
Assistant: "Alright."
"Wait."
The assistant quickly turned and waited for the command.
"Give me some water as well." The man ordered.
The assistant was puzzled, but after seeing the dead skin on his own lips in the mirror, he suddenly understood!
His young master had obsessive-compulsive disorder, and when he saw something uncomfortable, he wanted to change it.
He didn't like to see dry lips, among other things.
So usually at work, he would carry lip balm to prevent dryness and peeling from causing any discomfort to his boss.
It seemed like Chloe Collins' lips were also a bit dry?
So, was his boss doing that earlier just to make himself feel better?
The assistant couldn't help laughing but then thought that this was indeed his boss's style.
Suddenly caring for a woman was way too far-fetched.
In the back seat, Alexander's phone rang again.
"Grandpa."
"You little brat! What's the matter with the blind date? How did you make her cry again?"
"Take care of your health first; don't be too angry. No need to rush."
"Bah! If I die, it'll be because you've angered me! You tell me, how many girls have you made cry this month?!"
"Only those who truly love me can understand me; those who don't understand my words will be made to cry." His voice flowed out.
"Bah! Stop spouting nonsense! I'm asking you, the girl said you already have a girlfriend. What's going on? Where is she? Where did you hide her?"
Alexander switched the handkerchief in his hand and continued listening, "She's talking about Chloe Collins."
"Wh-, what?! You bastard! Chlo-Chlo is only a senior in high school! How could you do this?! Are you planning to cultivate her, huh? Isn't that it?"
Alexander responded with a faint smile, "Does it mean that if I'm dating someone, you won't arrange blind dates for me anymore?"
"Yes!" The old man said angrily.
Alexander: "Well, then you can assume that I'm cultivating her."