Chapter 186 Regret
The next afternoon, just after lunch, Winona had returned to View Studio when Mr. Baker intercepted her. "Windy, let's go have some afternoon tea. Someone wants to meet you." He didn't specify who it was, but she had a hunch.
As she entered the private room, she wasn't surprised to see a face she'd regularly seen on television and industry interviews. "Mark," she greeted the esteemed museum director in the country.
Mark looked at her kindly. "You're even younger and more beautiful in person. It’s reassuring to see young people like you in our industry."
Winona smiled. "You flatter me, Mark. I have much to learn from you. My granddad always said if I ever got the chance, I should see the artifacts you've restored—to understand the pinnacle of our profession."
Mark laughed heartily, brushing off the compliment, "Well, as luck would have it, now's your chance."
Half an hour later, their conversation came to an end.
Outside the coffee shop, Winona and Mr. Baker walked Mark to the exit. He paused, gesturing for them to stop. "Consider what I've mentioned. You're always welcome at our museum. We have artifacts with great restoration difficulty, and for years, I've been looking for the right person."
After Mark had left and Mr. Baker departed on other business, Winona was about to leave. Suddenly, Austin appeared beside her, holding a lavish bouquet of roses that starkly contrasted the coffee shop's subdued elegance. He was grinning unabashedly, radiating confidence.
Without preamble, he placed the flowers into Winona's arms, his presence as bold as the bouquet. "Congratulations."
Accepting the roses, Winona replied. "Thank you."
"I prefer actions over words," Austin said, pausing for emphasis. Seeing Winona's guarded expression, he pulled her into an embrace. "How about a hug?" He knew Mark had arranged to discuss business with her and had deliberately waited there for her.
Winona found herself tightly enveloped by his embrace, the scent of roses surrounding her. Just as she began to push him away in reaction, he released her.
The entire interaction lasted less than two seconds, yet it was the most striking tableau in the whole coffee shop.
Zachary walked in to find Winona holding a bouquet of roses and smiling at Austin.
She was dressed in white, a stark contrast to the black-wrapped bouquet of red roses she was holding, which made her stand out even more.
He squinted his eyes and said, “Gotta go,” to the person on the other end of his phone call before striding over to them, his expression grim and dark.
Just yesterday, it was Matthew and that waiter, and now Austin – Winona's post-divorce life seemed to be getting more interesting by the day.
As Zachary approached, Austin swiftly positioned Winona behind him, shielding her, "Mr. Bailey, you don't have some weird obsession with watching guys woo your ex-girlfriend, do you?" he equipped.
He actually wanted to blurt out. Aren't you haunting her like an evil spirit?
But considering the public setting, he restrained himself to maintain some decorum.
Zachary emitted a sarcastic chuckle, deep and cutting, "Girlfriend? She said yes already?"
"She's your ex-wife, and you're her ex-husband; you have no say in this matter," Austin countered, casually draping his arm around Winona's shoulder, "But Mr. Bailey, you seem pretty clingy; having second thoughts? Looking to stage a grand kneeling apology?"
On the surface, Austin appeared calm, but inside, he was pleading: Please say it's not true; please admit you just can't stand seeing a woman you once claimed with another man; please don't let her get her hopes up.
A man's worth is often highlighted by his rivals.
Zachary's hands clenched tight, his knuckles white with the strain underlying the effort it took him to keep his composure. He faced Austin's provocative chin-tilt with a sudden laugh, "It doesn't matter to me because either way, it's not possible," he paused halfway as Winona gestured towards someone behind him and cut in, "Your darling is here."
"Zachary," Fiona's voice came from behind him, "I need to talk to you about something."
Zachary frowned.
Winona wasn't interested in watching their love talk and tugged at Austin's sleeve, "Let's go."
Zachary reached out to grab Winona, but she stepped aside, dodging his grasp. As he reached out a second time, Fiona beat him to it and took his arm, "Zachary, I have something significant to tell you. Can we..."
As Zachary watched the two of them walk away, he shook off Fiona's hand, intending to follow.
"Zachary," Fiona stepped in front of him, her eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night, her complexion paler than usual with a ghastly tinge of green, "You promised in front of my father's body that you'd take care of me."
Distracted by this interruption, Zachary turned away, realizing Winona and Austin had disappeared from view. He asked with an impatient frown, "What's the matter?"
The internet is abuzz with rumors saying my involvement is the reason you and Winona split up."
"So?" Zachary raised an eyebrow.
"These people are calling me a homewrecker. Emily has terminated my contract, and Zachary, if this keeps up, my career is done for. Please help me." Fiona's usual air of superiority was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a desperate need to escape her predicament.
"Okay," Zachary agreed with a nod.
"Thank you, Zachary."
"I'll have the Bailey Group's PR issue a statement clarifying that my divorce from her has nothing to do with you."
A smug smile almost crept onto Fiona's lips, but it quickly faded with his following words, "Consider it amends for the misunderstanding years ago that led to your father's tragic accident. This is the last time I help you, Fiona. Don't call me again."
Her face twisted in pain. "After all these years, you never cared for me at all?"
"Not in the slightest," Zachary replied, his voice icy.
She wanted to say more, but then she saw Winona approaching and swallowed her words.
Did Winona overhear anything?
Everyone had witnessed Zachary's blunt rejection of her, but Fiona couldn't bear the thought of Winona seeing it. She'd strutted around for years as Zachary's girlfriend, and the idea of Winona having the last laugh was unbearable.
Zachary watched Winona, too, but he hoped she heard everything he said.
Winona, however, passed by them with a straight face, seemingly oblivious to the tense and complex exchange as she entered the private room she had come from. She'd forgotten something.
Austin was supposed to retrieve it for her, but Winona worried he might run into Zachary, and that might lead to another brawl.
The café's other patrons had already seen enough drama. It was embarrassing enough as it was.
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