Three years ago, after that one night Ruby Gregory had with Steve Burton, she didn't end up pregnant, and Steve never contacted her again. Knowing about that night's incident, Maxwell Gregory felt that his daughter had been wronged, so he took her to Costa Luna. Now, three years had passed, and Maxwell felt that the memory of that night had faded. Ruby and Steve had grown up together from a young age, so their reunion shouldn't feel awkward, and maybe they could even rekindle their friendship, but now, sitting in front of Steve, he never brought up Ruby or that night. Could it be that after only three years, Steve no longer remembers Ruby?
Maxwell pondered for a moment and naturally steered the conversation towards Ruby: "Attending these banquets can be quite tiring, but since Ruby recently returned from Costa Luna and has become estranged from many people in Ciawell, I mainly brought her tonight to help her familiarize herself with everyone."
Finally, the conversation had come to this point, and Steve at last turned his head to look at Ruby. He hadn't seen her in three years, and she had grown more beautiful than before, with stunning features and captivating eyes. Steve didn't say anything; he only stared at her for a moment before saying indifferently: "So, you are Uncle Gregory's daughter. It has been a long time since I saw you... what's your name again...?"
Steve paused for a moment, as if he couldn't remember Ruby's name.
They had known each other for twenty years, and she even had a night of intimacy with him. Yet, he could no longer remember what she was called.
Not only had he slapped Ruby's face, but he had also slapped Maxwell's face.
Ruby's face turned a bit pale, and her hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Maxwell's expression also became hard to read.
Steve furrowed his brow as if he was genuinely trying hard to remember. After a while, he finally uttered the three words: "Ruby Gregory."
Maxwell's expression improved slightly, he turned to Ruby and said, "Ruby, you and Steve have been classmates for many years. How come you haven't even greeted him yet?"
There was a time when others would call him Mr. Steve, or Steve, but Ruby would only address him as Steve Burton or by the nickname she gave him, Time. However, now she found it difficult to know how to address him given his cold demeanor. After considering it for a moment, she ultimately opted for the most conservative greeting. Ruby gazed at Steve and displayed a smile that hit the perfect balance, neither too warm nor too distant: "Mr. Burton, hello!"
After knowing her for so many years, Steve could easily distinguish between Ruby's sincere smiles and her diplomatic ones.
Mr. Burton? Quite a bureaucratic tone... Steve's face instantly turned cold, and he showed no reaction to Ruby's greeting.
Ruby had no idea what she had done wrong. She had only greeted him, and yet he turned his face away from her in an instant - just like three years ago, when before one night of bliss, he was treating her as usual, but then turned his back on her coldly the next day. It was just inexplicable.
Maxwell had been in the business world for a long time and had long learned to read people's emotions. Seeing Steve's unhappy expression, he quickly and wisely changed the subject: "Steve, Ruby has decided to stay in Ciawell this time. A few days ago, I contacted the HR department at Pristine's Enterprises and heard that your Secretariat is recruiting secretarial assistants, so I submitted Ruby's CV and offered her the opportunity to practice in your company's secretariat."