Chapter 191 Chance Encounter

Chapter 191 Chance Encounter

Anastasia pulled open the car door and slid inside.

The heater was running, filling the interior with warmth.

Ethan handed her a clean towel. "Here, dry off."

"Thanks."

The car glided smoothly through the rain.

The cabin was quiet except for the monotonous swish of the windshield wipers.

Anastasia didn't know what to say, so she just stared out at the rain-soaked scenery.

"How have you been lately?"

Ethan broke the silence first.

His voice was gentle, comforting.

"Fine." Anastasia kept it brief.

Ethan seemed to see through her facade and let out a soft sigh. "Don't take Richard's temper to heart. He's all bark and no bite."

Anastasia's fingertips curled slightly.

"Some of the things he does—maybe his methods are wrong, but he doesn't mean any harm," Ethan continued. "He just cares about you too much."

A self-mocking smile tugged at Anastasia's lips. "His way of caring is to accuse me without reason while using his corporate power to back me into a corner?"

"If that's what caring looks like, I can't afford it."

Ethan fell silent at that.

So Richard really had gone too far this time. Interesting.

"I'll talk to him about this," he finally said after a long pause. "You're a talented designer. You shouldn't be buried under all this mess."

"Thanks." Anastasia's tone remained distant.

She didn't want to discuss her relationship with Richard with Ethan.

The car soon reached the vicinity of her studio.

The rain had lightened considerably.

"You can stop here," Anastasia said.

Ethan pulled over to the curb.

"Thank you for the ride." Anastasia unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to get out.

"Miss Stafford." Ethan called out to her.

He retrieved a business card from the glove compartment and held it out to her. "I'm planning to expand my business here domestically. If you run into any problems you can't solve, feel free to contact me anytime."

His gaze was sincere and open.

Anastasia hesitated, then accepted the card.

"Okay."

She got out of the car, gave Ethan a small wave, and turned to walk into the alley.

Ethan watched her figure disappear around the corner before restarting the engine.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Richard's number.

"Richard, I just ran into Miss Stafford."

Silence on the other end.

"When you love someone, you don't possess and hurt them like this. If you keep going down this path, you'll only push her further away."

Still no sound from the other end.

Just when Ethan thought he wouldn't respond, Richard's voice finally came through, slow and deliberate.

"None of your business. Stay away from her."

With that, the call disconnected.

Richard hung up and sat alone in his office for a long time.

Outside the window, the city blazed with lights.

Yet he felt like his world was pitch black.

In his entire life, he'd never apologized to anyone.

Much less lowered himself before a woman.

His pride, his ego—neither would allow it.

But Ethan's words stuck in him like a thorn.

If you keep going down this path, you'll only push her further away.

Richard couldn't help but recall that night—the look in Anastasia's eyes when she'd stared at him.

The resolute turn of her back as she walked away.

His heart twisted painfully.

Was he really going to lose her?

No.

He couldn't.

Richard lowered his gaze and picked up his car keys from the desk.

……

Anastasia changed into dry clothes and made herself a cup of coffee.

The encounter with Ethan felt like a brief interlude that left barely a trace in her mind.

Right now, all she could think about was how to break through this deadlock.

The distribution problem had to be solved quickly.

Otherwise, neither the studio nor the workshop could survive.

She opened her laptop, about to research new sales platforms, when her phone rang.

It was Caleb.

Anastasia swiped to answer.

"New development—Bradley's taking Renee to a business reception tonight. He's introducing her around, paving the way for her in the industry."

"Where's the reception?" Anastasia's pulse quickened.

This was an opportunity. She might be able to publicly expose Bradley's actions.

While it wouldn't shake the entire Lawson Group, it could at least make an impact.

"One Global, first-floor ballroom," Caleb gave her the address. "I can't get you an invitation. You'll have to figure out how to get in yourself."

"Got it."

After hanging up, Anastasia immediately sprang into action.

Although her studio was also in One Global, this kind of event required an invitation to enter. Even with her studio there, trying to use work as an excuse would probably get her turned away.

She scrolled through her contacts and found a fashion media blogger she'd worked with before. After some persistent coaxing, they finally agreed to bring her in as an assistant.

Anastasia changed into a low-key black cocktail dress, applied light makeup, and rushed to One Global.

……

The reception was in full swing.

Business elites and fashion influencers mingled everywhere.

Anastasia kept a low profile, her eyes rapidly scanning the crowd.

Soon enough, she spotted Bradley and Renee.

Bradley wore a white suit, refined and elegant, the picture of sophistication.

Renee was in a pink princess dress, her arm linked through his, clinging to him like a delicate bird.

Bradley was guiding her through the crowd, introducing her to one industry heavyweight after another.

And Renee, shedding her usual fragility, appeared poised and confident, all charming smiles.

Standing together, they actually looked somewhat well-matched.

A cold glint flashed in Anastasia's eyes.

She pulled out her phone and snapped a few photos from a discreet angle.

Just then, a server carrying a tray passed beside her.

She felt a sudden push against her back.

She stumbled forward, her phone flying from her hand.

Just as she was about to collide with the man in front of her, a strong hand caught her waist, pulling her into a solid embrace.

At the same time, another hand deftly caught her falling phone.

The familiar scent of cold cedar wrapped around her.

Anastasia looked up and met a pair of deep, penetrating eyes.

What was Richard doing here?

Richard hadn't expected to run into her either.

Looking at the woman in his arms, breathing in the faint fragrance emanating from her, his heart skipped a beat.

"Are you okay?"

Anastasia quickly snapped back to reality and pulled herself from his embrace, putting distance between them.

"I'm fine. Thanks."

Seeing her polite yet distant demeanor, a flicker of disappointment crossed Richard's eyes.

He handed her phone back to her.

"I'm sorry."

He suddenly spoke.

Anastasia froze, wondering if she'd misheard.

Was Richard actually apologizing to her?

Richard's eyes held an emotion she couldn't quite decipher. "I shouldn't have shut down your store."

His voice was low but clear.

The noise around them was deafening, but in that moment, Anastasia's ears registered only his voice.

She stared at him, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.