Chapter 173
Kris was left stunned, unable to follow Tony’s unpredictable shifts in mood. A jumble of emotions clouded her thoughts, and her composed expression faltered. “All right. Then—”
“But, I’m sorry, Miss Stark. I can’t let you be in charge of this project.”
Tony’s words hit Kris like a slap to the face, and her composure cracked. Her previously controlled features twisted into something unrecognizable. “Director Hart, I didn’t do anything to upset you. Aren’t you going a bit too far?”
“Upset me?” Tony’s eyes turned cold in an instant. His gaze swept over her like a freezing gust before he turned and walked out. “Miss Stark, perhaps you don’t know, but I cover my shortcomings.”
With those final words, his figure disappeared through the door.
Inside the room, there was the unmistakable sound of plates shattering, followed by the rattle of broken porcelain.
Kris’s body trembled with fury, the sting of embarrassment mixing with frustration. She had planned everything so carefully, expecting the meeting to go in her favor, but now it was falling apart in her hands. She had almost had Tony right where she wanted him. Who had intervened and ruined it? The audacity of his lover to show up—of all times!
As her anger swelled, she replayed his words in her mind: “I cover my shortcomings.” Her thoughts raced back to everything she had done in this encounter—what had gone wrong? Who had she offended to deserve such a humiliation?
Tony Hart…
Kris muttered the name under her breath. In all her experiences, no man she had ever wanted had slipped from her grasp. Tony, though, was proving to be different. She realized something else: his lover, despite her existence being unknown to the public, couldn’t possibly hold any significant place in Tony’s heart. Kris convinced herself that Tony was simply indulging in a fling, and once he grew bored of her, he’d cast her aside.
The thought of the waiter’s words lingered: “The lady said she’ll wait for you, Mr. Hart.” A cold glint of resolve flashed across Kris’s eyes.
Outside the private room, Tony paused in the hallway, a moment of stillness before he opened the red velvet box that had been handed to him. Inside, he found a ring, its diamond glistening under the soft lighting. His thoughts momentarily drifted to the waiter’s words: “The lady said she’s just returning this to its original owner.”
Tony squinted at the diamond. It wasn’t just any piece of jewelry—it was something far more personal. A warm feeling rose in his chest as he connected the dots.
Was Myra telling him something? He recalled the night she had cried in his arms, when the two had shared a quiet moment of vulnerability. She had kept the cufflinks instead of returning them. It was a sign—perhaps an unspoken one—that she cared for him more than he had realized.
The memory of her whispering the name of another man in her sleep lingered, and Tony frowned. He knew that despite the discomfort it caused him, he didn’t like hearing anyone speak ill of Myra, especially not Kris. That was why he had acted so harshly toward her earlier.
Tony squeezed the ring in his hand, then carefully returned it to its box. He took a deep breath and stepped into the next private room, his resolve hardening.
Inside, a woman sat with her back to him, digging into a meal that looked almost too much for one person. He raised an eyebrow—quite the appetite, indeed.
He made his way over, pulled out the chair next to her, and sat down. Just as he was about to light a cigarette, a hand appeared from beside him, snatching the cigarette from his grasp and tossing it aside.
Looking up into mischievous eyes, Tony’s lips twitched in a faint smile, despite his scowl. “Did you see the gift I gave you?” Myra asked with a playful glint in her eyes. “Look, I got us a couple’s set. Next time, when I wear it, everyone will know I belong to someone.”
Tony’s mood softened slightly. The mention of the couple’s set seemed to alleviate some of his frustrations, though his scowl remained. Myra, unfazed, grabbed the velvet box from his hand and gently took hold of his left hand.
At first, Tony’s fingers stiffened in her grasp, but Myra’s hopeful, pleading gaze wore him down. He finally relaxed, allowing her to continue. Myra slid the ring onto his middle finger with delicate care, her focus unwavering.
As she placed the ring, Tony couldn’t help but notice her long eyelashes, the soft curve of her forehead, and the way her curly hair cascaded around her shoulders. There was an air of concentration on her face, which somehow made her even more endearing to him.
Once the ring was in place, Myra looked up at him, her face a picture of quiet contentment. But Tony, unable to shift his gaze in time, caught the gentleness in her eyes. A warmth stirred within him, something he had not expected.
Myra, sensing the moment, reached for him and hugged him tightly. Her voice dropped to a soft murmur. “Tony… I had a dream about Sean last night. You’re upset today because of that, aren’t you?”
Tony froze. His body stiffened, and his face darkened as a wave of discomfort washed over him. He wanted to pull away, but Myra only held him tighter, her grip filled with vulnerability.
“I don’t know why I dreamed about him. But I told you, Tony,” she said quickly, “I don’t like Sean anymore. I don’t.”
Tony’s face remained tense, but he could see the sincerity in her eyes. He realized that Myra was speaking from the heart. She was laying bare her feelings, and despite his discomfort, he couldn’t ignore her.
“I can’t change the past six years,” Myra continued, her voice softening. “But if God gave me a chance to start over, I would have waited for you. I would have.”
Her grip tightened around him, and she pulled away just slightly, her face uncertain. “But I can’t change the past. If you need space, I can leave you for a while. Maybe when we calm down…”
Her words hit him like a thunderclap. “You want to leave me?” Tony’s voice was sharp, a storm brewing in his eyes.
Myra shook her head, her voice trembling as she tried to explain. “I don’t want to leave you. I just think we need some time to breathe. We’ll figure it out—”
“Myra, you’re heartless!” Tony snapped, his frustration boiling over.
Myra’s body went rigid. She met his rage-filled gaze, feeling the weight of his words. “Then, do you want me to leave? Tony, do you believe me? I don’t love Sean. Even though I dreamed about him, I’ve long stopped loving him.”
Her words cut through the tension, but Tony realized that she had said them deliberately, knowing full well it would rattle him. Myra wanted him to fight for her, to show that he didn’t want her to leave.
For a brief moment, Tony’s expression darkened, and his eyes became stormy. If any other woman had dared to challenge him like this, he would have punished them mercilessly. But with Myra, it was different.