In the brilliantly lit hall, golden lights spilled carelessly on the lively people, who were elegantly dressed, shuttling back and forth. The clinking of glasses echoed as they continuously drank toasts, amidst which, numerous deals were being discussed, and new business partners were found.
The CEO of W Corporation had particularly chosen this club to celebrate the establishment of the company's new branch, WH, not only hosting his business partners but also inviting renowned figures from various industries.
The club was momentarily lively, with an atmosphere that seemed relaxed and cheerful, but beneath the surface, there was an undercurrent of tension. People harbored various thoughts and intentions. The establishment of W's new subsidiary aimed to venture into the media industry, and many were watching closely to see what impact it would bring.
Ethan held a glass of champagne, swaying it between his fingers, lazily sitting in a corner of the sofa. He seemed to be absentmindedly gazing somewhere, detached from the conversations around him. Derrick attempted to engage him in conversation, but Ethan's mind appeared to be elsewhere. Several executives from different companies wanted to approach him, but a cold stare from him forced them to retreat, searching for other potential partners elsewhere.
"Hey, why so silent today? All these people are eagerly waiting to hear your thoughts on W's new brand. They want to know if you're interested in collaborating with W. Your silence is making everyone uneasy," Derrick said with a smile, observing Ethan's frosty demeanor.
"Wait and see. No need to rush," Ethan replied nonchalantly, his expression unchanged.
"Manager Steele, it's an honor to finally meet you," a clear and melodious voice interrupted, capturing the attention of both Ethan and Derrick. A graceful figure in a deep V-neck blue dress appeared, exuding elegance. She smiled at Ethan.
Ethan glanced at her and greeted with a simple "Hello" before falling silent again.
Undeterred by Ethan's lack of response, the woman continued with a smile, "Manager Steele, are you not in a good mood? Did our W staff not entertain you well?"
Derrick, attempting to ease the tension, waved his glass at her and said in a gentle tone, "He's thinking about something else. Please don't mind. Please go ahead and continue with your affairs, and we'll entertain ourselves here."
Seeing Derrick's friendly smile, the woman blushed faintly, nodded, and left quickly. Before departing, she shot a quick glance at Derrick.
Derrick Brooks was born with a handsome appearance. Beneath his sword-like eyebrows were eyes like rippling peach blossoms. His fine forehead hair hung down, partially concealing and revealing, making him seem as if he smiled with the warmest breeze of April. This contrasted sharply with Ethan's icy demeanor, heading in opposite directions like the north and south poles.
"This is the person in charge of W's new brand this time. I heard she's an aloof beauty, yet she seems to be getting closer to you," Derrick said, watching the woman walk away with a teasing tone.
"Do you believe that?" Ethan glanced at him, "A woman who can sit in this position, how could she be as she appears on the surface?"
Derrick sensed the deeper meaning in his words, smiled knowingly, and said nothing more.
"Feeling bored, I'm leaving first," Ethan said, abandoning the champagne, picking up the suit jacket next to the sofa, and weaving through the crowded room, leaving behind layers of people.
Seeing him leave, the CEO of the W company who had been observing from the side, quickly approached, looking at Derrick with a somewhat regretful expression. "Mr. Derrick, where is Mr. Steele going? I was hoping to discuss the collaboration with our new brand."
"Old fox," Derrick thought to himself, while maintaining a polite facade: "Oh, Mr. Starling, at such a splendid banquet, why talk about work? Come, let's have a drink."
As he raised his glass, Derrick couldn't help but curse his boss once again in his heart. How many people were ready to collaborate with UNREMOTE? Yet here he was, risking getting drunk with so many potential partners. But his boss always acts so arbitrarily, pushing everything onto him. Truly a bloodsucker!
Ethan, of course, was unaware of Derrick's internal grievances. After leaving the club, he didn't know where to go and had no intention of going home. He instructed his secretary, who was driving, to roam the streets.
Today, something felt off. He just felt uneasy, a kind of inexplicable irritability. His mind was in chaos. Usually, at such events, he would have successfully negotiated several contracts or had a few pending. After all, no one would refuse the immediate benefits in front of them. However, this time, he had absolutely no mood for it, just wanting to get away quickly.
When the car reached the Street Center Park, Ethan signaled the secretary to stop: "You go back first; I'll take a walk here."
It was the transition from spring to summer, and the evening temperature was just right – not too cold, not too hot. The park was adorned with various blooming flowers, not necessarily rare, but their fragrant aroma managed to soothe some of Ethan's underlying irritations.
The dim streetlights created a calm atmosphere. Ethan Steele stepped on his own shadow, strolling along the park's pathway.
People casually strolling in the park were almost middle-aged or elderly. Ethan smiled at the irony of feeling like he was getting old at the age of twenty-eight.
"Ethan, smile. Smile, don't be so serious. We should have the vitality and vigor of youth!"
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, clear as if it had just been whispered into his ears, yet blurred as if lost in the passage of time.
Ethan's mood sank again, and that persistent ache in his heart resurfaced.
"Olivia," he murmured subconsciously, standing still, caught in a protracted and tugging reverie.
"Lynne Green, what exactly do you want from me? Can't you just let it go?"
"No! Adrian!"
The high-pitched female voice that pulled Ethan out of his thoughts belonged to two people having a heated argument. He raised his eyebrows slightly and glanced forward to see two individuals quarreling, both appearing to be college students from a nearby university.
The young man looked helpless as he gazed at the girl in front of him. "I've already said it. We're not suitable, Lynne. You'll definitely find someone better than me."
"Adrian!" The girl's voice lowered, "Although we haven't been together for long, you should still know me a bit. I'm not the kind of person who clings, but I don't like it when people silently leave without any reason."
With her back turned to Ethan and standing just under the dim streetlight, a faint orange glow enveloped the girl. He stared at her silhouette, seemingly overlapping with the image engraved in his heart.
After a while, Ethan tiredly rubbed his forehead, wondering what was happening today.
The young man, frustrated, said, "Lynne, I don't like you anymore. It's that simple. What do you want? Do I have to spell it out when it is already absolutely clear?"
After saying this, he angrily left in Ethan's direction. The girl, taken aback by his words, stood still for a few seconds before silently turning around.
Ethan's gaze initially followed the young man. Regardless, leaving a girl alone late at night wasn't a courteous thing to do. However, it wasn't his concern. He withdrew his gaze, glancing ahead indifferently.
The girl standing under the streetlight revealed her entire face, clearly visible in the lamplight.
In an instant, Ethan Steele's heartbeat quickened. The world around them seemed to freeze, as if time had paused, enclosing only the two figures in its flow.
The girl had delicate features, a small and round face with not sharply defined contours. Her nose was a bit flat, and while she might not be conventionally stunning, there was an inexplicable comfort in her appearance. More importantly, her face gradually and unmistakably overlapped with the one Ethan held deep in his heart.
Ethan watched as the girl slowly crouched down, burying her face in her knees. It reminded him of that time when the person he argued with ran to the rooftop, hiding in a corner, silently weeping. When he found her, she was already in tears, unable to speak a word.
Her tears slowly seeped into his heart, rendering him speechless with discomfort.
Approaching the girl slowly, step by step, it felt like walking on a dream, afraid that the next moment it would be shattered.
In a somewhat strained voice, as the dream before him seemed unable to withstand even the slightest high pitch, Ethan sighed, "Olivia." He gently placed his hand on the girl's hair, softly caressing it.
Lynne felt a deep sense of discomfort. The time spent with Adrian wasn't short, nor was it long – just enough to start falling into her heart and immediately be pulled out again.
She often felt like she had lost the ability to love, until she met Adrian, who could melt her with a bit of warmth. Just as she was about to thaw her somewhat indifferent heart, he unhesitatingly walked away.
Feeling someone touch her head, she thought it was Adrian returning. She lifted her head gently, intending to tell him it was okay. However, upon standing, she saw another face – a familiar face engraved in the passage of time. It felt like crossing through the years, right in front of her, just like the first time they met two years ago, with those deep and profound eyes.
Do you still remember me? she wanted to ask, but heard him say, "Olivia."
Two years ago, on that night, he embraced her and kissed her, whispering "Olivia."
"Sir, you've mistaken me for someone else," Lynne pushed away Ethan Steele's hands, her tone cold. "My name is Lynne Green." She was determined to make him understand her name was Lynne.
Ethan's gaze gradually turned icy. He stared at Lynne for a while. Lynne's face seemed slightly thinner, with a very faint scar near her temple. Just a momentary glance, and he found himself immersed in emotions. The face before him, while not an exact match to the one in his memory, bore a resemblance of about seventy to eighty percent.
"Sorry, I made a mistake," Ethan stepped back, looking at Lynne with confusion once again.
But now, something seemed off. A person's eyes could reflect their state of mind the most. Olivia's gaze was romantic and innocent, while this girl's eyes seemed worldly and indifferent.
"Miss Green, I apologize." Ethan Steele took out a business card from his coat pocket and handed it to Lynne. "If there's anything I can do, please feel free to contact me. I'll do my best to express my apologies."
Lynne Green watched Ethan Steele leave, tightly gripping the business card. After a moment, she picked it up.
"Ethan Steele."
It seemed like something inside her was slightly stirred.
Little did she know, Ethan Steele hadn't handed out a business card to someone in such a long time.