Chapter 46
As soon as Myra entered the car, the cool air inside provided a welcome relief from the oppressive summer heat.
The man in the car leaned back against the seat, his eyes closed. His strong features—wide forehead, straight nose, and deep, narrow eyes—were still striking even with his eyes shut. The elegance of his demeanor was unmistakable, giving off an aura of quiet confidence.
At the sound of Myra’s voice, Tony opened his eyes briefly and gave a slight nod, but he didn’t look at her directly.
Then, without warning, he turned toward her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “How did this happen?” he asked, his gaze falling on her chin, which was marked with bright red fingerprints.
Tony reached out, his long, slender fingers brushing against the reddened skin, and Myra felt the heat from his touch, though it was not harsh. Still, she quickly recoiled from the sensation. “It’s nothing,” she murmured, her voice low.
She tried to turn away, but the redness on her chin was more apparent from the side, and Tony’s eyes reflected a mix of concern and anger. His lips tightened, and it was clear he had an idea of what had happened, even without Myra saying anything.
Leo, who had been silently driving, felt the temperature drop further inside the car. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and after reading the message, he immediately pulled over. A few moments later, he returned to the car with a small bag in hand.
“Miss Stark, here’s some ointment for your injuries. The pharmacist said it’s quite effective,” Leo said, offering the bag to Myra.
Myra hesitated before accepting it. “Thank you, Leo.”
Tony had initially planned to take him to the Hart Residence, which was located in the upscale Southern Hill neighborhood. Since the Chase Residence was also nearby, it made sense to drop Myra off on the way. However, throughout the drive, Myra couldn’t shake her unease.
She had expected Tony to ask her about the plagiarism scandal, but he remained silent, his eyes closed as if deep in thought. Myra, never one to initiate conversation, didn’t speak either. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.
As they neared Southern Hill, Tony opened his eyes, his expression unreadable. “Don’t you have any questions for me?”
Myra jumped slightly at the unexpected question. She had assumed that Tony would have something to say, especially since the Chase Residence wasn’t exactly on the way to the Hart Residence. There had to be a reason he was driving her this way, yet he hadn’t said a word about the plagiarism accusation that was consuming her thoughts. Was he confident in the outcome? Or was it all just a politeness from the Hart Group to “look into it”?
“Director Hart…” Myra began, her voice tinged with uncertainty. But before she could finish, Tony took out a cigarette, lit it, and the smoke soon filled the air, adding to the tension in the car. His face, partially obscured by the smoke, looked colder and more distant than ever.
Her heart thudded in her chest. He’s probably the only one who can help me now. If he believes in me… she thought desperately. She gathered her courage. “Director Hart, I didn’t plagiarize the design from Hay Group. The design I brought to you today isn’t mine either.”
She paused, waiting for a response, but the silence stretched on. Myra felt her stomach drop. Of course, why would he believe her without any proof?
Finally, Tony spoke, his voice a quiet murmur. “I would rather hope you were the one who drew those drawings.”
His words were light, almost casual, but they made Myra’s body stiffen in surprise. The smoke from his cigarette swirled around them, and his expression, half-obscured, made it difficult for her to gauge his true feelings.
After extinguishing the cigarette in the ashtray, Tony turned to face Myra directly, his gaze colder than ever. “I have a way to investigate the truth.”
Myra’s heart skipped a beat. “Really?” she asked, her voice laced with hope.
Tony nodded, his expression unreadable.
Myra clenched her fists, relief flooding her. I knew it. I knew he could help! Her chest tightened as she looked at him anxiously. “What is it?”
Tony met her gaze with a slightly amused glint in his eyes, but his voice remained calm. “Relax; I’ll clear your name. But there’s one thing I need from you.”
“Repay?” Myra stammered, the word suddenly heavy with meaning.
Tony’s eyes gleamed with a subtle intensity, and for the first time, Myra felt a flicker of something more than just business in his gaze. “How would you repay me?” he asked, his voice low.
Myra’s back straightened as she realized what he meant. The implication hit her like a wave. “H-How would you like me to repay you, Director Hart?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tony’s smirk widened, his tone lazy yet filled with a certain quiet authority. “How about marrying me?”
His words hung in the air, half a joke, half a proposition—impossible to tell what he truly meant.
Myra’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart raced in shock, and she opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. She had just been given hope that her name would be cleared, and now she was facing this unexpected—and shocking—demand.
Taking a deep breath, Myra forced herself to speak, her voice stiff. “Director Hart, this joke isn’t funny at all. I’m already married, and I know you have someone you love deeply.”
Her fists clenched at her sides, a reflex to contain the mix of emotions that swirled within her.
The air in the car grew heavy with tension. Myra could feel the weight of his gaze, but before the silence could stretch any longer, Tony broke it with a casual question.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t watch my interview? How do you know about the woman I love?” He raised an eyebrow, the faintest smile playing on his lips.
Myra felt her face flush. She had avoided the interview when Tony asked her about it, but she’d lied, claiming she hadn’t watched it. Now, she felt the truth slipping out.
“I didn’t watch it then,” she stammered, “but everyone at the Chase Group was talking about it, so I learned about it.”
Tony’s skeptical expression didn’t change. “Is that so?” he asked, his tone light but carrying a hint of doubt.
Myra, now even more embarrassed, nodded quickly.
To her surprise, Tony suddenly laughed—a deep, genuine laugh that startled her. His usual cold demeanor softened for a brief moment, and she was struck by how warm and human he looked.
But the moment passed quickly, and he turned his attention back to the road, his face once again unreadable.
“Well, then come back to the Hart Residence with me. Grandpa wants to discuss something with me. After that, I’ll take you home. And this time, I’ll clear your name.”
With that, he closed his eyes again, signaling the end of the conversation. Myra opened her mouth, but no words came out. The tension in her chest returned, this time with an added weight. Director Hart has a woman he loves, she reminded herself. I don’t belong in that world.
She tried to push aside the strange feeling that rose in her chest. I’m just going back to the Hart Residence. He’s promised to help me clear my name. That’s all.