Chapter 39

"You know, I didn't come back to fall in love," Zoey snapped back to reality, giving Claire a serious look.

Claire sighed as she watched Zoey grab her phone and head into the study. After a moment of thought, she still hoped Zoey could find happiness. So, she quietly opened the door and rang the doorbell across the hall.

Henry opened the door, looking surprised to see Claire.

"Need something?" he asked.

"Mr. Windsor, you like Zoey, don't you?" she said.

Henry opened the door wider, letting Claire in.

"You want me to be with Zoey?"

Claire nodded eagerly. "Of course! Zoey's amazing and beautiful. Only you, Mr. Windsor, are worthy of her."

A smile finally crept onto Henry's face. "So, you came to tell me how to win Zoey's heart?"

But Claire's smile faded, and she sighed heavily. "Mr. Windsor, Zoey's had a rough few years. Besides being schemed against by Alexander, she also dealt with a jerk who almost ruined her life."

Henry, who was about to pour tea, paused and set the teapot down.

He turned around, his gaze intense. "When did this happen?"

"About three years ago. Zoey had just gone abroad, was unfamiliar with everything, and got deceived. It was terrible, but she pulled through with immense willpower. I really admire her."

Claire couldn't tell Henry the whole truth, so she made up a story that the incident happened while Zoey was overseas.

Before she could get to the most crucial part, she suddenly felt a chill and shivered.

"Mr. Windsor, it seems a bit cold in here," she said.

Rubbing her arms, Claire looked up at Henry and saw his face had turned very grim, which made her shiver again in fear.

Henry asked coldly, "What's that jerk's name?"

Claire swallowed nervously. How would she know? She had made it up.

"Um, I forgot. He didn't use his real name. But that's not important. I just want to tell you that if you want to win Zoey's heart, you need to be patient. Actually, Zoey isn't as resistant to you as you might think. I should go now. If Zoey finds out I'm not around, she'll look for me. Good luck, Mr. Windsor."

With that, Claire quickly slipped away, worried Henry might ask more questions.

Soon, Henry was alone in the living room.

Feeling agitated, he took out a pack of cigarettes and started smoking.

He hadn't expected Zoey to have been in a relationship abroad.

Henry felt more heartache than anger.

First, she was schemed against by her own father. Then, after finally going abroad, she was deceived in love. Yet, she remained positive and enthusiastic about life. He wondered how many tormenting days she had endured in those three years.

Henry sat in the living room all night, the ashtray on the coffee table filling up with cigarette butts.

When the first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he finally made a decision.

The alarm rang, and Zoey struggled to get out of bed.

Having just finished her shower and blow-drying her hair, she heard the doorbell ring.

Zoey opened the door to find Henry standing outside.

"Mr. Windsor, what's up?" Zoey yawned, still a bit sleepy.

Henry's deep eyes looked at her intently. "Didn't you say you would treat me to a meal?"

"Now?" Zoey was stunned, looking at Henry in confusion.

Henry nodded. "Yes, treat me to breakfast."

After quietly observing him for a moment, Zoey nodded. "Alright, wait a moment. I hope you don't mind if I invite Claire."

As she turned to call Claire, Henry's face showed a hint of helplessness; he did mind.

"Claire, get up. Come have breakfast with me. We need to head to the set afterward." Zoey opened Claire's door and pulled the blanket off her head.

Claire, still half-asleep, grumbled, "Why breakfast? We can eat at the set; don't they provide boxed meals? Let me sleep a little longer."

As she pulled the blanket back up, Zoey yanked it down again. "No, I don't want to have breakfast alone with Mr. Windsor. Get up."

Claire immediately perked up, opening her eyes and looking at Zoey brightly. "Mr. Windsor has come to see you? How quick he is!"

She thought, 'It seemed my visit to Henry last night wasn't in vain. A person as intelligent as he is will know exactly what to do with just the slightest hint.'

Zoey frowned. "Now that you know, and you're still not getting out of bed? I'm not sure how to face him."

Claire suddenly cupped Zoey's face. "Zoey, I think you should face this directly. Mr. Windsor has moved right across from us. You can avoid him once, but can you keep avoiding him a second or third time? Problems need to be faced eventually; why not embrace them with grace?"

With Henry's excellent conditions, any other woman would have been ecstatic and eager to be all over him.

Zoey sighed. "You're right. I have to face it. I'll bring you breakfast when I get back."

She decided to be honest with Henry. Once he knew her situation, he probably wouldn't pursue her.

Claire smiled with relief, thinking Zoey had finally decided to accept a new relationship.

She happily patted Zoey's shoulder. "I'm glad you've come to understand. Please bring me breakfast when you return!"

Zoey put on her coat and went to the door. "Mr. Windsor, sorry to keep you waiting. Claire isn't up yet. I'll treat you to breakfast."

Henry smiled again. "Alright."

He thought, 'That Claire was quite perceptive.'

Zoey took him to a famous breakfast place downstairs, particularly known for its delicious sandwiches.

During breakfast, Henry placed a sandwich in Zoey's bowl and asked, "How did things go?"

Zoey was momentarily stunned, then realized what he was referring to.

"It's resolved. My dad returned the shares to me," she said.

Henry did not inquire about the method Zoey used; instead, he said to her, "Shall I arrange for someone to protect you, so you won't face any more dangers?"

He didn't trust Zoey's father's character. After losing so many shares, he might still want to harm his unappreciated daughter.