Chapter 2117


    Sylvia''s eyes lifted, and her soft smile blossomed like a myriad of flowers caressed by the spring


    breeze.


    Finishing his cigarette, Gabriel strolled back towards the house. As he passed by the neighboring


    window, he nced back and, sure enough, there was a man, also d in a blue sweater, who


    looked quite young.


    With a fleeting glimpse, Gabriel withdrew his gaze and continued on his way.


    Upon returning to the attic, as he walked down the corridor, suddenly a wooden door to his right


    opened. Gabriel looked up, locking eyes with the girl emerging from the room—an expression of


    surprise met his own deep, probing stare.


    Since their first encounter, which had all the trappings of a setup by friends, they hadn''t been in


    touch again. Today was their first unexpected meeting.


    Inevitably, it was a small world when they were in the same city.


    Sylvia was the first to break the silence. "You haven''t left yet?"


    She remembered him mentioning he would only be in C City for a day or two.


    Gabriel nodded, "Got tied up with some things, decided to stay a bit longer."


    Sylvia offered a warm smile, "Mr. Carnes, are you joining friends for dinner?"


    "Yes." Gabriel responded curtly, his tone pausing for a beat before he added, "You don''t have to be


    so formal here."


    "So, what should I call you?" Sylvia tilted her head slightly, her eyes yfully roving, "Gab?"


    She immediately felt the awkwardness of her own words.


    Gabriel''s brow furrowed slightly, quickly changing the subject, "Here for another round of


    matchmaking?"


    "What?" Sylvia blinked in confusion.


    Gabriel realized he had overstepped and, with a cold and serious face, said briskly, "Never mind, I


    should head off."


    "Sylvia, you''ve got a call." Another man emerged from the half-open door, holding Sylvia''s cell


    phone.


    Noticing Gabriel standing by Sylvia, the man greeted him with a cultured smile, "Sylvia, ran into an


    acquaintance?"


    Sylvia took the phone, nced at it and hung up, then introduced Gabriel, "This is my client and


    friend, Eugene."


    After introducing Eugene to Gabriel, she hesitated on how to describe him.


    The pausested only a second before she spoke up, "Gabriel here is a friend''s brother."


    Eugene shook hands with Gabriel, all politeness, "Pleasure to meet you, sir."


    Gabriel''s eyes darkened subtly as he shook Eugene''s hand briefly and said in a low voice, "I have


    to get going. You two chat."


    The man''s presence wasmanding, prompting Eugene''s tone to be even more respectful,


    "Of course, take care."


    Gabriel passed by them and headed to his private room.


    Watching Gabriel''s retreating figure, Eugene asked Sylvia, "Your friend''s brother—what does he


    do? He doesn''t seem ordinary."


    Sylvia''s eyes narrowed slightly, and she chuckled softly, "He''s indeed not ordinary."


    "What''s his line of work?" Eugene inquired curiously.


    Sylvia paused for a moment, "He runs a small business, overseeing a few employees."


    "Oh, a small business owner?" Eugene was surprised, "He doesn''t look it. What kind of business?"


    "Anything and everything. Whatever makes money," Sylvia said.


    "That kind of small business must be doing quite well."


    "We should head back," Sylvia suggested with a smile.


    Eugene walked ahead to hold the door open for Sylvia. As he waited for her, he asked in


    bewilderment, "Weren''t you headed to the restroom?"


    Sylvia''s expression stalled, then sheughed, "Changed my mind."


    "Then let''s go back and continue chatting."


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    "Sure."