Chapter 244
Eva instinctively retorted, “It’s not that I’m unwilling, I’m just doing my job. The company needs to operate, and for development, we need to seek investment. The manager used to be a top executive in a big company, and the Blackwood family is indeed the best choice. Besides, I’ve let it go and it doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s just a collaboration, so what’s the harm? It won’t affect me. Should I give up working in Chicago if I happen to encounter him in the future?” “Really? Are you sure there’s no impact?” Michael asked.
“I’m sure.” Eva nodded.
Michael looked at Eva: “Okay, then promise me p>
Eva asked, “What p>
“Promise to be with me.” Michael’s handsome face lost its usual smile and warmth for the first time.
Eva looked at him in a daze. She didn’t expect him to suddenly become so insistent.
“Weren’t you saying there’s no impact? What did you want to tell me in the car before the manager’s call came through?” Michael held her gaze tightly. “You said there’s no impact, so now tell me, has your mindset changed compared to back then p>
Eva fell silent. She realized she couldn’t argue because, indeed, her thoughts had changed.
Her thoughts naturally evolved over time.
“Eva.” Seeing her remain silent, Michael urged her, “Speak p>
Eva couldn’t say a word, she could only lower her eyes, feeling slightly disheartened. “You’re right, I have been influenced. But this influence is only related to my thoughts over time, it has nothing to do with others p>
“Nothing to do with others?” Michael chuckled softly. “Is that what you really think in your heart?” “What else could it be p>
In the next moment, Eva’s chin was lifted by a pair of gentle hands. Michael held her chin, raising her head. Everything went dark, and Michael leaned in to plant a warm kiss on her forehead.
Eva was stunned. After regaining her senses, she wanted to struggle, but her wrist was held by Michael.
When she looked up, she met a pair of wounded eyes.
This was the first time Eva saw the expression in Michael’s eyes through his glasses: hurt, unease, and fear.
“Don’t keep pushing me away, Eva. It’s been five years, and all I want is a chance to stay by your side. Even if you don’t like me, just look at me more, okay? He hurt you, he’s not worthy of you. Don’t look back anymore. Promise me, okay?” Eva was moved by Michael’s words, her eyelashes trembling slightly. After a long while, she finally said, “I, I need to think about it again p>
“For how long?” Michael’s voice was low and deep. “I don’t want to wait anymore, Eva p>
This version of Michael made Eva feel helpless, especially when faced with his usually gentle and smiling eyes, now filled with undeniable pain. She couldn’t help but feel that she owed him a lot.
“A week?” She hesitated before uttering the word.
“No.” Michael, who was usually accommodating and easy to negotiate with, shook his head to reject her suggestion.
Eva narrowed her eyes slightly. “Then six days p>
“Three days.” Michael’s voice was gentle yet firm. “I will only wait for three days, Eva p>
No matter what she thought after those three days, he wouldn’t retreat any further.
Three days seemed a bit difficult. But… it was still better than the current predicament.
Eva could only lower her gaze and nod. “Okay, three days p>
Finally getting the answer he wanted, Michael released her as if his wish had come true. He then regained his usual smile.
“It seems like you have something to discuss with your manager. I’ll go get him p>
After saying that, Michael left.
As soon as he was gone, Eva’s tense body instantly relaxed, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
It was like a fish on the verge of death returning to the water, able to breathe normally again.
Eva leaned back on the sofa, closing her eyes with exhaustion.
Michael… really changed a lot.
She had always thought of him as gentle and easygoing. But today, he seemed so dominant, giving her the feeling that if she didn’t agree, he wouldn’t easily let her go. There was a sound outside, and Tim came in.
“Boss p>
After Tim entered, he discreetly glanced outside and wanted to say something to Eva, but he was afraid of being overheard, so he quickly took a few steps and hurried outside. Once he made sure Michael wasn’t around, he closed the door and then mysteriously approached Eva.
“Boss, are you okay p>
His sudden closeness startled Eva. “What are you doing p>
“Nothing, just checking if you’re okay p>
Eva was speechless. “Stay away from me, and I’ll be just fine p>
But Tim didn’t follow her advice and instead sat down next to her, still maintaining a proper distance between them.
“So, are you going to agree to his proposal p>
Upon hearing this, Eva furrowed her brows. “You eavesdropped on our conversation p>
“It wasn’t eavesdropping. I was just outside the door, and your voices were so loud that I could definitely hear. Are you really planning to be with him and not continue with Mr. Blackwood?” “What continuation? Don’t talk nonsense p>
“But seeing Mr. Blackwood’s reaction, it seems like he wants to continue the relationship p>
Eva smirked. “That’s laughable p>
How could she possibly continue her relationship with Adrian? Hadn’t she learned her lesson from before?
“Laughable, huh? But look at your friend just now, it seemed like he couldn’t wait p>
“You agreed to be with him immediately. Isn’t that a sign of nervousness? But Tim hesitated to speak further.
“But I have the impression that your friend is a bit suspicious.” Tim clicked his tongue.
Eva frowned, “What do you mean by that p>
“I don’t mean anything else. I just accidentally overheard your conversation and felt that he has some issues p>
The more Eva listened, the more uneasy she felt, as if Tim was speaking ill of Michael.
“Look, he keeps saying he’s waiting for you, pretending to be generous towards you, but actually pressuring you step by step, trying to use your sympathy to be with him. Think about it carefully, is it like that?” Eva stood up abruptly.
“Please stop talking.” She looked at Tim displeasedly. “I hope you’re just the manager I hired to help me with the company, but please don’t meddle in my personal affairs, and don’t judge my friends lightly.” Compared to her outburst, Tim didn’t get angry. He even shrugged, indicating that he didn’t mind.
“Alright, I just happened to overhear, so I mentioned it. If you don’t like it, I won’t talk about it next time.” Finally, Tim couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark, “But I still want to remind you to be careful of him p>