Chapter 290 Then I Wouldn't Keep Acting Like a Fool
Zachary's voice softened, his posh demeanor shining through with a hint of casualness, "Or do you fancy parading with a convoy tailing you?"
Winona, simmering with anger, shot him a fierce look. "Are you serious? You have to chauffeur me around?"
Zachary smirked, "Didn't have to."
Alright.
She got it.
These two men were secretly competing, using her as a pawn.
Winona retorted coolly, "I drove here solo, Mr. Bailey. No need for your assistance. Feel free to tail if you must."
When she had provoked the Turner family, a powerful family where her mother's killer hailed from, why would she be afraid of someone following her?
But before she could finish her sentence, Dylan suddenly appeared out of nowhere and interrupted her, "Mrs. Bailey, I'll drive your car back for you."
Winona felt speechless.
Austin sneered from the side. "No amount of 'Mrs. Bailey' can patch up the fact you're divorced"
Turning to Winona, Austin's expression turned grave, "Winona, we need to chat."
After a pause, Winona shook her head. "Said my piece already. Talking more won't shift a thing."
Mrs. Davis had told her that Austin had a falling out with his family because of her. Winona hadn't known this before, but now that she knew, she should avoid any any further involvement, or it would be truly insensitive.
To make her intentions clearer, Winona chose to get into Zachary's car. "Let's go."
The car cruised out of the museum lot. Winona, post-seatbelt click, leaned back, gazing thoughtfully into the rearview mirror, lost in her own world. As they distanced from the museum, Austin's form shrank in the distance.
Zachary tightened his grip on the steering wheel, the veins on the back of his hand standing out. "What's wrong? Can't bear to leave? You can still get out now."
No reluctance on her end; Austin never sparked romantic vibes anyway. Perhaps they were just pals from way back or she grasped the Robinson clan's disdain for someone like her—no status, no lineage, just a second marriage to Austin.
Yet, any soul would feel down in such a scenario.
Lost in her thoughts, Zachary's words snapped her back. She faced him, confusion and sorrow still clouding her eyes. "Then pull over."
She never intended for Zachary to chauffeur her. With the museum now a distant memory and Austin out of sight, hailing a cab home seemed like a breeze.
Watching her reach for the door handle, Zachary's gaze darkened with a chilling edge. He pressed the gas harder, the car roaring into speed.
After Winona left, Austin also drove away. Michelle sauntered from behind a column within the museum, her eyes tracing the vanished Maybach, narrow and intent.
As Zachary persistently drove on, Winona shut her eyes and shifted her gaze towards the window, signaling her reluctance to converse. Zachary, reaching out his hand, gently stroked her head, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness, "You're upset over another guy in my car, and I ain't even mad, yet you're the one feeling some type of way."
Winona instinctively leaned away when his hand made contact, the warmth of his touch sliding off her head.
Even with her eyes shut tight, she sensed Zachary's contained frustration filling the air.
Silence enveloped the car, prompting Winona to estimate the time it would take to reach her apartment before drifting off into a brief nap. When she stirred back to wakefulness, she found herself in an entirely unfamiliar setting.
Taking in her surroundings, she questioned, "Where are we?"
The vehicle was parked within the confines of a residential complex garden. From the opulent exteriors of the houses and the luxurious amenities, it was evident this was an enclave tailored for the affluent.
Zachary mentioned the complex's name, sparking a memory of her coworkers joking about not affording a spot here even after toiling for five lifetimes. Back then, she had merely chuckled along, never envisioning owning a residence, particularly in such an exclusive locale. Little did she anticipate the chance to explore this upscale complex firsthand.
"Why did you bring me here?"
Zachary's thoughts lingered on picking a wedding venue, though he refrained from voicing it outright, fearing it might provoke Winona into leaving. Turning off the engine and shifting into neutral, he remarked casually, "Didn't you say you didn't want to go back to Regal Oaks? Then let's get a new place."
His nonchalant delivery made the suggestion seem as trivial as changing socks.
However, Winona's aversion to returning to Regal Oaks stemmed not from the house itself. Meeting Zachary's gaze, she remarked, "Ever considered that the person matters more than the place? With the right person, even a tiny space would feel like home."
Zachary's expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of displeasure. "I've thought about it, but I don't like that outcome, so let's change the house."
A glint of mischief danced in Zachary's eyes. "You'll adapt to things, even if you ain't keen on them. People included."
Speechless, Winona marveled at his audacity.
Observing her stillness, Zachary didn't rush her. Instead, he retrieved a bag of groceries from the trunk.
One couldn't deny that a charming man exuding charisma could elevate even a humble supermarket bag to designer status.
He opened the passenger door.
Surveying the fresh produce, Winona lapsed into silence before questioning, "Did you go through all this trouble just to cook at home?"
Zachary dismissed, "Nah, we could've eaten anywhere. But since you prefer home-cooked meals over outside grub, let's whip something up here. I'm courting you, Winona, just the way you like it."
"Can I refuse?"
"You can, but my pursuit and your refusal are two separate things," Zachary said slowly, "If it's the same, I won't be trailing after you like a lost puppy. Don't you agree?"
Winona was left momentarily speechless, realizing she underestimated the thickness of this man's resolve.
As Zachary’s phone buzzed, he checked the caller ID—it was Dylan. "Mr. Bailey, the Turners are early and have invited you for dinner. What do you want me to do?"
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