Chapter 256 We Were Even
Winona was aware that Zachary might have overindulged, but she was taken aback by the extent of his indulgence.
Moreover, Zachary, in his foolishness, had reached the point where he could no longer eat.
She instinctively started towards him, but stopped after two steps. Pivoting, she headed for the nearby supermarket to buy water.
Upon her return, Zachary had already finished vomiting, standing there with an expression of discomfort on his face.
Winona handed him water and said, "I'm sorry. You could have told me you couldn't eat anymore. You didn't have to force yourself like this."
Taking the water, Zachary rinsed his mouth before slowly taking a few sips.
His slender neck stretched back gracefully, his prominent Adam's apple moving as he swallowed. With the neon lights shining behind him against the dark sky, he looked like a carefully crafted painting from any angle.
Winona gazed at him.
The words he uttered when he found her just now suddenly resurfaced in her mind, prompting her to reminisce.
It seemed that every time she encountered a predicament, Zachary was by her side, including the instance when she was abducted by those loan sharks, and he appeared out of nowhere to rescue her.
Apart from his striking appearance, he had brought light into her dark life at its lowest points.
He provided stability and enabled her to pursue her dreams independently. When one was financially struggling, dreams and hobbies seemed like illusions.
Although her business also made money, the long cycles of artifact restoration, taking months to years, meant that by the time she earned back the principal, the interest had multiplied several times.
Without him back then, Winona might have found herself tucked away in some dangerous place, perhaps amid the glamour of a nightclub, or even driven by the need for sustenance, embarked on an illicit path leveraging her capabilities.
Twisting the cap shut, Zachary, in a flat tone, said, "Maybe I just wanted to see if you'd care for me."
Accustomed to Zachary's indirect speech, Winona was momentarily stunned by his straightforward words.
After a few seconds, she smiled genuinely, without a hint of sarcasm, "Yes, Zachary, we may not be suited for marriage, but you have been the biggest guiding light in my life. I'll always remember the moment you pulled me out of the darkness."
Zachary's complexion was pallid, and despite Winona's lack of overt mockery, Zachary could discern an underlying abnormality.
"At what moment?" he inquired.
"The instant you signed that seven-figure check, I felt you were emitting a radiant aura of gold."
Although Winona had harbored some resentment towards Zachary after their divorce, especially knowing it had started with his scheming, she now realized that if it had been someone else who lent her so much money during her lowest point, she would never forget that act of kindness.
Her attitude toward benefactors was undoubtedly friendly, and she would go out of her way to help them in their time of need.
However, gratitude was one thing, and marriage was another. She couldn't negate his immense kindness just because he wasn't a good husband.
With a wry smile, Zachary turned and walked away, then turned back after a few steps, his tone harsh. "Winona, while I spoke of emotions, you spoke of finances. You dare to label me as foolish, yet in this comparison, who truly appears more naive?"
Winona resolved to henceforth regard him as a benefactor in all their conversations, as this approach would better assist her in controlling her temper.
"Zachary, we are even now. You treated me poorly in our marriage, and I reciprocated after our divorce. Tonight, I intentionally played tricks on you. After tonight, I will consider you a lifesaving benefactor. Just tell me what you need me to do for you."
Zachary chuckled coldly, his tone indifferent. "What I want you to do, you cannot accomplish. Do not make promises to me."
As they walked back to the hotel, Winona noticed that he showed no intention of stopping at the front desk, assuming he was accompanying her back.
"You don't need to accompany me further. The hotel is quite safe."
Glancing at her, Zachary remained silent.
Upon exiting the elevator, Winona saw Matthew waiting with a bag outside her room.
Upon seeing her, the anxious look on Matthew's face eased. "Winona, are you okay?" he asked.
While speaking, Winona glanced at Zachary, who was standing off to the side with a cold expression.
She shook her head. "I'm fine. I just bumped into someone I know."
Spotting Zachary's cold expression, she hurried over, taking the bag from Matthew. "You didn't have to wait at the door. I'll knock on your door as soon as I'm back."
Feeling uneasy without her phone, Winona felt exposed.
Matthew smiled, "You disappeared in front of me. Although you called to say you were safe, I needed to see you to be reassured."
The sound of the door card being read echoed behind them.
Winona turned her head and caught sight of Zachary as he effortlessly swung open the door to her room on the right.
Winona fell silent.
She suddenly grasped the significance of the contemplative gaze he had cast her way when she had insisted he need not escort her downstairs earlier. She thought, 'What a narcissistic man.'
Matthew remarked, "Rex and the rest are upstairs in the bar, along with others. Let's join them for a moment. After a day spent traversing the streets, each individual has crafted their unique perspective. Let's convene for a brief gathering."
Initially hesitant, Winona found herself swayed by Matthew's final words, thus amending her response. "Okay, I shall change attire and be with you shortly."
The bar upstairs was for hotel guests only, providing a relaxed atmosphere for leisure.
As Winona and Matthew approached, Rex beckoned to them. "What's taking you so long? The drinks have all been prepared, cocktails that won't leave you inebriated. Let's all enjoy ourselves in moderation. Matthew, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
Observing the array of colorful drinks on the table, Matthew pulled out a chair for Winona. "You can have a drink, but we have important matters tomorrow, so let's not overdo it."
Although Rex was a technician, his eloquence and emotional intelligence were remarkable.
Winona found herself enjoying several drinks under his charming influence. As he had promised, the drinks were mild and flavorful, almost like beverages, masking the taste of alcohol.
The atmosphere at the table was pleasant. Even when discussing work, everyone remained relaxed, unlike the seriousness of a conference room.
Suddenly, Winona felt an icy prickling, as though someone was intensely watching her. Compelled, she turned to identify the source.
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