Chapter 254: Then What Do You Want to Talk About?

The live chat suddenly exploded with activity, messages streaming past one after another. Vanessa stared at the screen for a long time, a bitter taste settling in her mouth.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as if to type something, but in the end, she gave up.

Even after the launch event ended, one question kept nagging at her: Why had Vincent been sitting in the audience section?

Had he gone specifically to see Daisy?

At the thought, her heart clenched painfully.

She opened her phone and sent Vincent a message: [Want to grab lunch together?]

A minute later, Vincent replied: [Sure.]

As the two of them were entering the restaurant, they ran into Mr. Cameli.

Vanessa didn't actually know Mr. Cameli, but the moment he spotted them, he fixed his eyes on Vincent, his expression stern. "Mr. Black, you stood me up just to watch your ex-wife's launch event?"

Vincent's tone was even. "Not my ex-wife's launch event. Black Group's."

"Seems like this event was really important to you, Mr. Black. The reviews have been glowing," Mr. Cameli said, clearly irritated. "But you can't just blow me off and expect me to let it slide!"

Vincent looked at him, then suddenly smiled. "What kind of compensation did you have in mind, Mr. Cameli?"

"Well, I happen to be free right now, so how about you buy me lunch!" Mr. Cameli said.

Vanessa had planned to subtly probe Vincent about the launch event over lunch, but now her entire plan was thrown off course.

The rapid-fire exchange between the two men left her struggling to follow.

It wasn't until they were seated at the table that she finally pieced together what had happened.

Apparently, Mr. Cameli had a short temper. After being stood up, he'd been fuming, ready to tear into Vincent.

But while waiting, he'd clicked on the livestream of the launch event and gotten drawn in by the content, which made him somewhat understand Vincent's decision.

Still, the slight bothered him, and running into them at the restaurant had prompted the confrontation.

Vincent was skilled at negotiation. Before long, he'd smoothed over Mr. Cameli's anger, and the two resumed discussing their partnership.

Vanessa sat beside them in silence.

So Vincent hadn't just watched the launch event—he'd rearranged his schedule at the last minute to attend, even standing up a client to do so.

After the launch event, Daisy had been running herself ragged. She'd finally made it to Saturday, thinking she could rest, when Felix called.

He wanted to take her out for lunch and shopping.

Daisy agreed.

Felix picked up on the exhaustion in her voice. "You've been working yourself to the bone lately, haven't you?"

"I'm okay—I still have time to eat and hang out with you!" Daisy said.

Felix had been away on business for so long. Now that he was finally back, she couldn't possibly turn him down.

She hadn't mentioned this to Luna, but Luna was up early anyway.

Seeing Luna busily gathering her things, Daisy asked, "Does Luna want to come out with Mommy too?"

"Yes, yes!" Luna grabbed her hand, happily heading toward the door.

Daisy noticed a car parked outside. The door opened, and Luna climbed in with practiced ease.

She was about to get in herself when she spotted Vincent inside.

She froze. "What… what are you doing here?"

Vincent said, "This is my car."

As if reading her mind, he asked, "Why? Were you expecting someone else?"

His gaze was too sharp. Daisy felt like she'd been caught doing something wrong.

She shook her head, dismissing her ridiculous thoughts. "That's none of your business."

Luna looked between them, confused. "Mommy, why aren't you getting in? Aren't we going out together?"

Daisy said, "Today Daddy made plans with you. Mommy has something else to do."

"Oh…" Luna's voice was heavy with disappointment.

Vincent said nothing. The car drove away.

Daisy sighed and sent Vincent a message: [When did you make plans with Luna?]

[Last night. She didn't tell you?]

[She's just a kid—what does she know? Next time, check with me first so Luna doesn't end up disappointed like this!]

Vincent replied: [Understood.]

Daisy felt helpless.

In the car, Luna heard Vincent's voice input and asked, "Daddy, is that Mommy texting you?"

"Yeah, she said she hopes we have fun." Vincent's expression, however, didn't look particularly happy.

Then, as if remembering something, he smiled.

Luna asked, "What are you smiling about, Daddy?"

"Nothing. I just think Luna's very cute, so I've decided to spend more time with her from now on," Vincent said.

Luna snuggled into his arms. "You're the best, Daddy!"

Shortly after Daisy sent her message, Felix's car arrived.

She got in, meeting his smiling eyes. "Congratulations on your successful divorce!"

Daisy joked, "You've been waiting for this day for a while, haven't you?"

"I have, actually," Felix said with a smile. "Now I'm not just some shameless homewrecker anymore."

His direct gaze made Daisy a little self-conscious. "How's work been on your end?"

"We finally get to spend time together, and you want to talk about work?" Felix asked.

Daisy said, "You're… impossible! One business trip and you come back twice as smooth-talking!"

While out with Felix, Daisy received a message from Vincent: [I'm very interested in the technical breakthrough from this launch.]

Daisy found it odd and replied: [Then you should invest more money.]

Vincent asked: [Invest in you?]

Daisy quickly responded: [That's not what I meant.]

Vincent's side showed he was typing. She sent: [I don't want to discuss this right now.]

Vincent asked: [What do you want to discuss?]

Daisy thought: Nothing at all, obviously!

She couldn't tell if Vincent genuinely didn't understand or was playing dumb.

She set down her phone without responding and turned her attention to the menu with Felix.

Vincent didn't send any more messages after that.

That message remained the last one in their chat.

Her date with Felix was pleasant enough.

That evening, Felix drove her home.

Luna sent her a voice message: "Mommy, I'm sleeping at Daddy's house tonight!"

She followed it with a photo.

It showed her building blocks with Vincent and Vanessa.

Then Luna asked, "Mommy, are you busy tomorrow? Master Curda said he wants to have dinner with us."

Daisy didn't actually have plans for tomorrow. Theoretically, if Luna hadn't asked, she probably would have spent the day with Felix again.

But since Luna had brought it up, Daisy agreed, and mentioned it to Felix as well.

Felix asked what Luna was learning and said he'd like to join them for a class sometime. Daisy agreed to that too.

The next day, Vincent's car was parked outside again.

After Daisy got in, she noticed Vincent looked like he hadn't slept well. "Was Luna too rambunctious last night? Did she keep you up?"