Chapter 40

"Mr. Windsor, you've already done so much for me. I don't want to bother you anymore," she said, turning him down.

Zoey was genuinely touched, but she never saw herself with Henry, so she didn't want to owe him anything.

Henry watched her serious face as she refused him and sighed to himself.

It seemed that jerk had really hurt Zoey, making her scared to start something new.

But Henry wasn't one to give up easily.

He put down his knife and fork, took Zoey's delicate hand, and looked at her with those deep, handsome eyes. "Zoey, I like it when you need me because it means you trust me."

Henry's eyes were so captivating, like they could pull someone in and make them fall for him.

In his eyes, Zoey saw her own reflection, and her long-buried feelings started to stir.

But her mind reminded her that being with Henry was impossible.

"Mr. Windsor, there's something you should know," Zoey said, gathering her courage and looking at Henry seriously.

Henry thought she was going to talk about the jerk who hurt her so badly she couldn't trust love anymore.

He didn't want Zoey to relive that pain, so he said, "Zoey, you don't have to tell me anything. I just want you to know I'm serious. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Zoey didn't expect him to be so direct, but she couldn't accept him.

"Mr. Windsor, I'm sorry, I can't," she said.

"Zoey, actually..." Henry started to tell her that they had already been close three years ago and that he could make her happy.

Just then, a child's voice interrupted them. "Mom, I missed you so much."

A little boy, about two or three years old, ran up to Zoey.

Zoey's face lit up with surprise. She hugged the boy and looked at another child standing nearby. "Travis, Gabriel, how did you get here?"

Gabriel, the cooler-looking twin, stood aside. "Travis cried every day saying he missed you. I couldn't sleep because of him, so I brought him here."

Travis, who was snuggled in Zoey's arms, poked his head out and snorted. "I know you look at mom's photos every day."

Gabriel, not embarrassed at all, just shrugged like a little grown-up and walked over to Zoey.

Zoey smiled and touched his head, her eyes full of tenderness, completely forgetting about Henry.

It was the first time Henry had seen Zoey smile so warmly.

He thought, 'So, these kids are Zoey's and that jerk's?'

Henry's brows furrowed deeply, just as he was about to ask Zoey, a man walked over. "I brought back some documents from abroad yesterday, and these two wouldn't let go of me. I had no choice, especially since Travis's crying was so heartbreaking. I was afraid if I didn't bring him back, he'd cry his throat out."

Of course, Travis was just making a fuss without any real tears.

But these two kids were something else; they had Zoey's strong genes and were just as tough as she was. If Manuel hadn't brought them back, they probably would have found their own way.

Henry immediately recognized the man as Manuel, the top lawyer from an international law firm.

Henry thought, 'Is this the jerk Claire mentioned? Otherwise, whose kids could they be?'

Manuel felt a chill and turned to see Henry.

They had met at a banquet two years ago but only exchanged pleasantries.

He didn't expect to see Zoey having breakfast with Henry at a local spot.

No matter what he thought, Manuel smiled and extended his hand to Henry. "Mr. Windsor, I didn't expect to see you here."

Henry, with a stern face, didn't shake his hand.

Travis, still hugging Zoey's neck, glanced at Henry and then asked Zoey, "Mommy, why are you dating a man without telling us?"

Zoey was caught off guard by Travis's words and coughed awkwardly.

Henry shot a silent glance at Zoey, his face darkening, and suddenly stood up and walked out of the breakfast shop.

Gabriel watched Henry leave, his little face thoughtful.

Travis then said to Zoey, "Mommy, this guy looks good, but he seems to have a bad temper. You should find someone better. Gabriel and I can help you."

Zoey felt a headache coming on.

She had Gabriel and Travis sit down for breakfast and then turned to Manuel. "Why didn't you call me so I could pick you up at the airport?"

Manuel smiled. "I forgot."

Then he asked Zoey with a curious look, "Zoey, is Mr. Windsor after you?"

Zoey thought of Henry's expression when he left and felt a bit stifled. She replied calmly, "No, we just know each other."

Henry was from the Windsor family, and his wife would surely be a carefully chosen lady of noble lineage. But she had two kids. Henry wouldn't consider her anymore.

That was fine; Henry would move away soon.

Manuel looked regretful. "Oh, that's too bad. Mr. Windsor has such good qualities. Plus, I think he likes you. It would be great if you two got together."

"I don't rely on him, so why be with him? Just eat, and then organize those documents for me. I need them later," Zoey replied.

Zoey ordered breakfast for him too, and after Manuel finished eating, he left first.

Henry returned to his apartment with a gloomy face.

John happened to come over, bringing the breakfast Lally had prepared, and asked, "Mr. Windsor, did you go for a run?"

Henry looked at the breakfast on the table, his face darkened. "Why so much breakfast?"

John smiled and said, "Lally also prepared one for Miss Spencer. I'll go knock on her door now."

Hearing this, Henry's cold eyes turned icy, and he ordered in a deep voice, "Throw it all out!"