Chapter 313

Chapter 313
Diana POV

In the end, I told her honestly. "I think even for a blind date, I shouldn't settle for someone terrible. Could you set me up with someone else?"

"Setting you up with someone else is no problem. But James said when you get back, he can introduce you to some outstanding young men. Wait—did he not mention it?"

My grip on the phone tightened suddenly. My breathing became uneven.

James said he'd introduce me to... potential dates?

Jane asked again, "He didn't mention it?"

I snapped back to reality, my voice bitter. "He didn't say anything."

"Then ask him. His connections should be pretty good."

"But I can't bring myself to ask..."

My voice grew quieter and quieter.

I was already trying hard to control my emotions.

Jane didn't press further.

She said lightly, "All right. That day he was annoyed with me, so he said that. He didn't mean it. Diana, at the very least, you need to know what you want."

I bit my lip hard. After a long pause, I finally said, "It's not that I don't know. I just don't dare want it."

Silence stretched on the other end of the line.

Then Frank's carefree voice came through. "What's there to be afraid of wanting? Look at me—I dare to want things! If you like something, you should fight for it."

I didn't respond.

Not everyone had Frank's family background and confidence to fight for what they wanted.

Another crisp slap rang out.

Then came Frank's shameless voice. "Did that hurt? If not, hit this side too. That way it'll be symmetrical."

Jane snapped, "Get lost!"

I felt like I'd called at the worst possible time. "Jane, I should go."

"Go meet Jacob today. After you meet him, then we'll talk about whether you 'dare' or not."

I was confused and about to ask what she meant.

Jane added, "Make sure to stay safe."

With that, she hung up.

I thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure out what Jane meant by that.

Eventually I gave up thinking about it and went back inside.

By then, James had finished making breakfast and had already set it out on the dining table.

He sat at the table but hadn't started eating.

Hearing my footsteps, he looked over.

Our eyes met in midair.

I quietly steadied my emotions and walked over.

"Sit. Let's eat."

James said it casually.

I sat down, picked up my utensils, and ate slowly.

I didn't say a word the entire time.

James looked up at me. "How did one phone call leave you this quiet? Did Jane pressure you about the blind date?"

I shook my head. "She didn't pressure me. The blind date is my own decision. But I've never been good at judging people..."

I looked up at him, as if gathering my courage. "Mr. Howard, Jane said you know a lot of outstanding young men. Could you... introduce me to some?"

My tone was tentative.

James agreed readily. "Sure."

In that instant, something inside me snapped. My breathing grew shallow.

What had I been expecting?

A different answer?

I lowered my head and continued eating.

James looked at my calm face. No joy. No emotion at all.

His tone was light but carried a certain depth. "I agreed. Why aren't you happy?"

My hand holding the utensils trembled slightly.

It took enormous effort to suppress the bitterness rising in my chest.

I looked up and smiled at him. "I am. Thank you."

James stared at my smile but said nothing.

I lowered my head and kept eating.

The rest of the meal passed without any conversation.

After we finished, James went back to his room to rest.

Even though he told me I didn't need to clean up—someone would come to do it—I was restless. I personally took the dishes to the kitchen and washed them.

The whole time, I fought back the stinging in my nose, but tears still fell uncontrollably, one drop at a time, into the sink, washed away by the water.

James had let go.

I should too.

That afternoon, I went to work as if nothing had happened.

James was in meetings all day—either senior management meetings or international video conferences.

I watched the clock. It was almost six, and James still hadn't come out of his office.

I'd arranged to meet Jacob at six-thirty at Snowflake Club.

If I left even ten minutes late, I'd hit rush hour traffic. I'd never make it on time.

I had to message Jacob: [Sorry, Mr. Flaming. I'm still working overtime. I might be late.]

Jacob replied quickly: [No problem. I haven't left yet either. How about eight? Or nine? Whatever works for you.]

I glanced at James's office, unsure when his meeting would end.

I replied: [Eight should work.]

Jacob wrote back: [Great. Take your time. I'll head over right on time.]

From the Howard Group to Snowflake Club, without traffic, was a twenty-minute drive.

I figured I had enough time, so I wasn't in a rush. I waited patiently.

When I saw Lilith come out of his office, I knew the meeting was over.

I stood and walked toward James's office.

Just as I was about to knock, the door opened.

James stood in the doorway and checked his watch. "Didn't you say you needed to leave at six today? Why are you still here?"

"When I reported your schedule earlier, I missed an important appointment. At seven-thirty tonight, you have a dinner meeting with Mr. Carleton from Carleton Tech. The location is Snowflake Club."

James nodded slightly. "Got it. You can clock out now."

"Okay."

I returned to my desk to gather my things.

Now that the time had been pushed to eight, and it wasn't even seven yet, I had plenty of time. I didn't want to arrive too early.

After packing up, I sat back down in my chair.

At some point, James came out of his office and saw me staring blankly at the river view outside.

He walked over and tapped on my desk.

I turned instinctively and looked up at him. "Mr. Howard, did you need something?"

"I'm also going to Snowflake Club. Let's go together."

"Oh, okay."

I grabbed my bag and walked with him.

In the private elevator, it was just the two of us.

I kept my eyes on the numbers on the LCD screen.

He suddenly spoke. "What are you thinking about?"

I turned and met his gaze. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

"You're not interested in Jacob?"