Meanwhile, Robby’s meeting with the Layson Group made him sigh multiple times, not because of the previously agreed-upon oues. Three months have passed since their coboration began, but significant changes have yet to make much progress. Robby is a patient entrepreneur who carefully monitors the progress of his business.


    However,


    “Mr. Josh, are you confident about this policy?” Robby asked again.


    “Yes, sir,” Josh replied confidently. He quickly adjusted his sses. He again discussed the prospects, exining them clearly and in more detail. The initial doubt on Robby’s face was evident. But now? It all started to fade away, reced by a smile of understanding regarding the policy he was about to adopt.


    Unfortunately for Josh, this was a slow destruction policy within Grisham. Leonel’s behavior towards Chloe had already hurt his heart. Granted, the person in front of him was innocent. He only wanted to destroy Mountain. As far as Josh knew and verified, Robby Grisham and Agatha had several business lines independent of the well-known Mountain Pte.


    Josh believed that these two parents could continue their lives if Mountain faltered.


    He just needed to nudge a little. Especially after Leonel’s arrogance when he held Mountain. Josh rarely interacted with Mountain while establishing the name of Genius Group before transforming it into Layson Group. But he always observed Mountain’s movements, which had skyrocketed recently.


    “I have some concerns about the points you exined earlier, Mr. Josh,” Robby said promptly after Josh exined. Although it was more precise and detailed, there was still lingering doubt that he couldn’t exin, only residing in his heart. But seeing the great opportunity to make Mountain thrive even more, Robby finally said, “But what you said, Mr. Josh, makes a lot of sense. I support it. This coboration should produce something innovative for both of us.”


    A faint smile appeared on Josh’s face, and his heart began to rejoice. “Exactly, sir. We will face the challenges in the global market with excellence. I believe this coboration will facilitate the growth of both parties.”


    Robby nodded in understanding.


    “Especially in terms of profits.”


    The middle-aged man chuckled. “If that’s your goal, Mr. Josh, why have a coboration? Because you want to maximize profits.”


    Joshughed. “Alright then, sir. I’ll take my leave. This meeting has reached an agreement. I hope Mr. Leonel can ept it too.”


    “I will exin the points to Leonel,” Robby said, extending his hand. He shook hands with the man the same age as his son. Robby assessed that Josh had significant ambitions for something. It was somewhat terrifying, but his actions deserved recognition. Throughout their coboration, Robby had yet to encounter any significant obstacles. Josh Corp was an easy client tomunicate with and meet with whenever there was an issue.


    Josh confidently left the meeting room, followed closely by Emir, who never strayed far from his boss. They didn’t speak to each other as if they knew when to say and what they would do next. Emir sighed softly in the elevator, descending to the lobby.


    “Why?” Josh asked without even ncing at his assistant.


    “Me? There’s nothing, sir.”


    Josh sighed. “Your face can’t deceive me, Emir.”


    The man sighed deeply again. “You’re taking too many risks. Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”


    This time, Josh turned and chuckled. “You’re something, aren’t you?” Then he focused on the elevator door, standing tall and perfect. He had a handsome appearance, a lot of money in his pocket, and apany under his control that generated substantial dividends. At a nce, there was nothing wed about Josh’s appearance. This also included his strong desire to achieve his goals.


    To expand his empire excellently, regardless of the path he took.


    “Don’t worry, Emir. I have everything nned meticulously. If you refrain from executing my orders, I guarantee everything will go smoothly. The proof? What have I gained now? Ester and Leonel’s rtionship is getting closer. I can ensure it will end as that woman desires, right?”


    Emir fell silent.


    “Well, Ester is still Ester. She was acting without thinking at first. Luckily, she has the intelligence to ensure her opponents submit to her,” he said.


    “But if someone speaks up even a little, everything will be exposed, sir,” Emir replied.


    “Has anyone spoken up yet?” Josh turned to Emir, who now refused to meet his gaze. His assistant may have been hesitant or afraid. “Don’t worry, Emir. There’s nothing to be concerned about. We’ll leave when all this chaos starts to heat up. No one can me us because everything was done with full awareness from the beginning.”


    Emir chose to nod silently.


    “But apart from all that,” Josh sighed softly, “why am I the one experiencing setbacks?”


    ***


    “Try this one, Chloe,” Darren extended one of the sses from the small case he had brought. He adjusted several sizes based on the optical readings and Chloe’s eye diagnosis. Darren didn’t work alone at the hospital. There were experts to ensure that Chloe’s therapy went well and led to a proper recovery.


    Chloe nodded slowly, keeping a smile on her face. Although her eyes had be slightly blurry that morning, she tried to remain patient. Blurriness didn’t mean darkness like before, right? But Peni reacted differently to theint. Her assistant was overly worried, to the point of contacting Darren even though Chloe knew the doctor was busy at the hospital.


    But now, here they were. In Chloe’s living room, Darren had checked Chloe’s eyes several times. There was nothing to worry about. It was amon symptom that often urred when patients with semi-permanent blindness experienced their eyes still struggling to focus.


    “Oh, this one is better,” Chloe said after trying on the reddish-brown framed sses Darren had just handed her. Chloe blinked a few times to adjust her vision. Feeling satisfied, she looked around to readjust herself. Everything looked much better now. She felt there was no need to worry too much. “I’ll just use this pair of sses, Darren.”


    The man smiled broadly. “It’s a relief to find the right one. It’s a natural reaction as your eyes need time to adjust. Don’t engage in too many activities outside without eye protection for now.”


    Chloe obediently nodded. “Sorry for bothering you, Darren. It’s all because Peni was too worried about me.” Chloe turned to Peni, who stood not far from her seat. Chloe frowned slightly but smiled faintly because it was true; Peni was overly concerned.


    “It’s no problem at all. Besides, my practice hours are over. I have time toe here,” Darren said.


    “That’s a relief, then.” At least Darren’s visit to her house wasn’t forced. “By the way, it’s almost lunchtime. I think Tia is done making her vegetable soup. Would you mind having lunch together?”


    Darren blinked in surprise. “Are you asking me that, Sa?” Then heughed. “How could I mind?”


    “Sorry for canceling our lunch ns outside and choosing toe home early.”


    Chloe slightly regretted her decision at that time. Her sudden annoyance was to me. Meeting Leonel and Ester had made the joy in her heart disappear. She had nurtured so much happiness within herself, but why did she still feel annoyed whenever she heard Ester and Leonel’s voices?


    It seemed fitting for her to leave New York City. To start a new chapter in her life. Regardless of what Ester and Leonel did.


    “Oh my.” Darren chuckled. “I don’t mind, Chloe. Besides, we still have plenty of time to spend together, right?”


    Chloe fell silent, looking at the man who had just spoken. There was no doubt in her eyes. His bodynguage made her tremble slightly. Not because she feared Darren would do something inappropriate in front of her. It was more about whether Darren’s seriousness was absolute or just empty words.


    Upon hearing Darren’s words, Peni awkwardly cleared her throat. She quickly excused herself to give them more space, believing they had been brought together in the best way possible. Peni could see Darren’s sincerity from the beginning, as he had faithfully apanied Chloe.


    Watching Peni leave them alone, Chloe found herself looking down. She felt a bit embarrassed in this situation. How long had it been since she had felt that strange fluttering sensation when alone with a man? Ah, how foolish she was. It had been a long time, considering that even being close to her ex-husband rarely happened. It was truly disheartening.


    Yet she had tried various ways to initiate a conversation with Leonel. That’s enough, Chloe thought, quickly dismissing those thoughts and regrets from her mind. She pushed aside her attempts to grab Leonel’s attention from her mind.


    “What’s wrong, Chloe? Are you feeling dizzy?” Darren asked in a panic. Reflexively, he reached out his hand to take off the sses Chloe was wearing. Unfortunately, his movement was too hasty, causing Chloe to flinch in surprise. What she did next was to step back and let out a shriek.


    “Oh my!”


    “Chloe!”


    Chloe was so startled earlier that she fell because the sofa she was sitting on didn’t have armrests. She intentionally changed some furniture in her old house to make it look simpler and fresher. She ced the old sofa in the lounge area facing the swimming pool in another part of the house.


    “Oh my,” Darren quickly helped the woman. “I’m sorry.” He felt genuinely guilty for his earlier movement.


    “It’s okay,” said Chloe. She didn’t know what her facial expression looked like anymore. The warmth that spread across her face was very noticeable. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Darren.


    “Do you need help?” Darren asked, extending his hand. “It’s all my fault, Sa. I’m sorry. I thought you shook your head because of the sses.”


    Chloe finally mustered the courage to chuckle, also raising her eyes that had been lowered. And precisely, their eyes met in the air. Without blinking at all, immersing herself in the shade of Darren’s eyes, which she recognized as those of a kind-hearted man.


    They stared at each other like this for quite a while until Chloe was the first to break the gaze. “Sorry.”


    Darrenughed. “It’s my fault, but I heard you apologizing.”


    “I was amazed earlier.”


    “I apologize.”


    Chloeughed in the end. “How long will we be like this? Apologizing to each other?”


    Hearing Chloe’s words just now made Darren burst intoughter. “You’re right.” Then he extended his hand again. “Come on, let me help you.”Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Chloe didn’t refuse this time. For the first time in her life after divorcing her husband, there was physical contact with the opposite sex, done with full awareness. The palm of his hand seemed filled with a strong electric shock. It made Chloe unable to let go, and it appeared that Darren had no intention of ending the connection either.


    “Um… how long?” Chloe asked shyly. “We should already be waiting in the dining room.”


    Darren immediately let go of their connected hands. “S-Sorry.”


    “It’s okay. No need to apologize too much.” Chloe smoothed her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Come on,” she said, inviting Darren to follow her.


    In Darren’s heart, there was both excitement and an immense sense of embarrassment. But seeing that small figure moving away, he eventually followed her steps. His heart was also filled with many hopes, hoping his desire to be with Chloe coulde true. It didn’t matter if it had to be put on hold for a long time, as they could use it to get to know each other.


    On the other hand, Chloe felt her heartbeat no longer regr. She asionally closed her eyes. Her hand clenched too, but it felt much more pleasant than any feeling she had experienced before.


    She only had one wish: if she had to open her heart, it would only be for a man who loved her. Her purpose now was to stop loving someone else, and she wasn’t sure if she could face it again.