Chapter 720 Side Story: Efforts in Pursuing Her 2


    Yelena couldn''t help but chuckle. "Who are you to me, Hank? Why am I obligated to join you for dinner


    every single day? Threatening me with your mother in the past was one thing, but now you want me to


    have dinner with you again?"


    Unperturbed, Hank pulled out his phone calmly. "It''s my mom who invited you for dinner tonight."


    Defeated, she slumped into the driver''s seat. "I''ll surrender, okay? Can you please stop pestering me,


    though? I''ve said it before, and I''ll repeat it—there''s no chance of us getting back together."


    "I''m not pursuing you. I''m simply honoring my mom''s request to have you over for dinner."


    Hank''s words tugged at Yelena''s heart, a hint of mncholy crossing her face as she retorted, "If you''re


    not genuinely interested in pursuing me andck sincerity, why would I considering to your house


    for dinner? Kindly convey to Ms. Balkan that our current circumstances aren''tpatible, making it


    inappropriate for me to ept. Now, could you please withdraw your hand? I want to go home."


    However, his grasp on her car door remained firm. "If you genuinely believe our situations aren''t


    Hank''s unexpected promation left Yelena taken aback, and she looked at the man as if he were a


    fool. "Is something wrong with you, Hank? Did you not understand a word I just said?"


    "I understand very well and genuinely offer you a solution."


    He had always carried an air of aloofness, a trait that had kept her from pursuing a rtionship with


    him. However, now, he seemed to have transformed into an emotionless robot, coldly issuing


    instructions. Compared to their past interactions, he appeared even more distant and unapproachable.


    Still, Yelena couldn''tprehend why Hank was so persistent in clinging to her, a question that had


    driven her to avoid him daily. He keeps using Ms. Balkan''s dinner invitations as an excuse to approach


    me. This is beyond annoying! she mused. Taking a breath, she confronted him, saying, "Hank, you''re


    no longer awyer, and I''m no longer employed by yourpany. You do not need to address me with


    such an attitude, understand?" She had never thought he would turn into a block of wood.


    He took a deep breath and asked, "So, are you saying you won''te home with me?"


    "Of course, I won''t. I''ve rified that Ick the status to go home with you," Yelena snapped while


    mentally hurling a few choice curses at Hank as she gave the car door an exasperated tug. To her


    surprise, his grasp was unyielding, preventing her from closing the door. "Hank Damazio!"


    Suddenly, he nced at his watch and told her, "My mom said we should return by 7.00PM. It''s already


    6.30PM. If youe with me now, there''s a chance we can still make it."


    Her defeat was evident as she conceded, "If you genuinely can''t discuss this with your mother, I''ll


    handle it myself. I''ll exin that our rtionship has ended, and there''s no reason for me to follow you


    home to have a meal. Do you think this approach could work?"


    This time, Hank chose not to offer a retort; he simply locked his gaze onto Yelena''s.


    Meanwhile, the underground parking lot''s dim illumination seemed to highlight a glimmer reminiscent of


    starlight in his eyes. Could he possibly be glistening with tears?


    Never in her wildest thoughts had she envisioned this stoic man shedding a tear. Just as she was


    about to extend some words of sce, he confided, "I can guess what you''re about to say. These are


    just contact lenses."


    The revtion left her utterly wordless. Well, I''ve overstepped.


    In a slightly vexed gesture, she tousled her hair impatiently. "Can you please let go? Stop bothering


    me!"


    "Yelena, do you know what you''ve done this month?"


    Hank''s question prompted Yelena to raise her head, and she responded nonchntly, "What have I


    done? I might have grown slightly closer to a few male actors in thepany. Besides, it''s Elspeth''s


    He retorted casually, "I''m the one who took care of those matters for you."


    Instantly, her countenance transformed into a radiant smile akin to a sunbeam piercing the clouds. "In


    that case, I owe you a big thank you. You''re too kind."


    "Given that you''ve acknowledged my assistance, as a token of appreciation, shouldn''t youe home


    for dinner with me?"


    Yelena''s smile froze as Hank''s unexpected trick unfolded. "You''re quite the cunning one," she


    remarked, surrendering to the situation and stepping out of the car. "Alright, let''s go. Where''s your car?


    I''ll go back with you, just this time." Then, she silently vowed that this would be thest instance.


    Tonight, she would exin everything to Simone and ensure she would never allow herself to be


    dragged home by him again.


    However, he stood rooted in ce, resembling a block of wood.


    Hence, Yelena tugged at the hem of Hank''s shirt and gazed up due to their height difference, asking,


    "Aren''t you going to walk? I said I''lle back with you."


    "I didn''t drive here," he admitted without a hint of embarrassment.


    Her frustration almost burst intoughter. "And you''re trying to pick up girls without a car?"


    At this moment, Hank nced at Yelena''s shy pink sports car. "Don''t you have a car? You can give


    me a ride."


    "Hey, you''re the one who needs something from me. Why should I turn into your chauffeur?"


    At her words, he lowered his gaze. "So, you''re not willing to give your life-saving benefactor a ride."


    Seeing a touch of dejection in his expression, she sighed and reluctantly returned to the driver''s seat.


    "Fine, no need to make it seem like I''m bullying you. Just get in."


    "Thank you," he said with a faint smile. Without further ado, he slipped into the car.


    As her foot pressed down on the elerator, determination etched on her face, she muttered through


    clenched teeth, "You''ve got me wrapped around your finger, Hank."


    "Do you think so? I think you could stay like that forever," Hank remarked absentmindedly while


    scrolling his phone.


    Nheless, Yelena was oddly unnerved by his unexpectedly romantic quip, for which she had no


    response. Not wanting to endure any cheesier lines, she sealed her lips and chose silence.


    Meanwhile, his house was just a short drive away, about 15 minutes by car. She deftly found a parking


    spot and strode inside without waiting for him.


    As soon as she entered, she called out, "Ms. Balkan, I''m here!"


    In the meantime, as Simone toiled away in the kitchen, her face lit up upon hearing Yelena''s voice.


    Swiftly making her way out, she greeted Yelena with an eager smile. "You''re finally here. Today, I''ve


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    prepared your favorite dishes. I remembered your feedback on the beef ribs from yesterday, finding


    them a tad salty. Fear not; I''ve adjusted the salt levels today. I truly hope they suit your taste. I''d be


    delighted to whip them up for you every day if it meets your approval."


    Just as Yelena parted her lips, preparing to assert that this would be her final visit, Hank appeared


    behind her. He nced at her before smiling tenderly, saying, "Yelena mentioned she''s craving sweet


    and sour salmon for tomorrow."


    Who said anything about returning for dinner tomorrow? Silently, Yelena chastised him in her mind.