Chapter 11 Something Strange About Ian

• Just when I was about to make my escape with my purse in hand, the guy pointed to the fried rice, of which I had only eaten several mouthfuls. "But you haven't finished your fried rice!" he said.
• At this moment, I was already filled with anger, and I had no appetite for food anymore. "You can have it. I'm not eating it!"
• It was just a casual remark, but the guy took it seriously. He picked up the fork and began eating the leftovers without a care that I had already taken a few bites of it. "Food is precious. No matter how good our living conditions are, we shouldn't waste food, right?" He enjoyed the meal, even licking up every bit of food left at the corner of his mouth.
• I was extremely impatient with his lecture, though. "Listen, I admire your spirit of not wasting food, but I don't have an appetite right now. I have to get going." I didn't want to waste time talking to him anymore, especially as Ian and Eileen were getting closer. If I didn't leave soon, I might miss the chance to escape.
• Just when I was about to escape from the back, the guy said, "If you want to meet Mr. Holland, I can help you with that."
• Startled by his words, I stood there for a few seconds, but there was no joy in my heart. Instead, I turned around and said to him between clenched teeth, "Why didn't you say that earlier?"
• "You didn't ask!" he replied.
• "I…" I was utterly speechless; this guy was truly something else. "Alright, alright, I'm begging you, can you please stop playing with me? It was my fault for hurting you, but I did apologize. You said this meal is on you. Fine, as long as you can help me meet with Mr. Holland, I'll treat you to as many meals as you want." I wasn't sure if he could really help me make contact with Timothy, but seeing that he could freely go in and out of the Asco Group, I thought he perhaps had some influence there.
• The guy just focused on eating without saying a word; I had no idea if he was even listening to what I said.
• Suddenly, a familiar yet repulsive voice sounded behind me. "Robyn Landon?"
• In an instant, my neck stiffened, and my fists clenched. My fears have materialized!
• Before I knew it, that damn Eileen appeared behind me. "Oh, it really is you! I thought I'd mistaken someone else for you."
• I turned around and looked at her with a frown. "It's just a piece of clothing. Do you have to be so persistent?" I purposely turned the tables first so that I wouldn't end up being at a crushing disadvantage while dealing with the two of them.
• "Haha…" Eileen let out a silvery giggle. "Just a piece of clothing? Haha! If you have to pay for it, I'm afraid you can't even afford a single thread, can you?"
• Her caustic words attracted the attention of the people around us, and they all turned to look at me. Only that guy was definitely still focused on eating because I heard him slurp.
• Eileen then stood on tiptoe to get a better look at the guy behind me. "Oh, if I'm not mistaken, that person is your boyfriend, right? Wow! Your boyfriend sure has a big appetite. Look at him! He looks like he hasn't eaten enough. Why don't you order seconds for him?"
• Seriously, if I have committed any sins, let the heavens punish me. Why do I have to endure such torment from this guy?
• Just when I was about to speak up to defend myself, the guy got up, wiped his mouth, and walked over to my side. "The fried rice is so delicious! I haven't had such a satisfying meal in a long time. By the way, what are you two arguing about?"
• I turned my head to give him a dirty look.
• Eileen retreated to Ian's side while affectionately holding his arm. "Well, Robyn, you're pretty lucky. This pretty boy looks rather handsome. Not even Ian can compare with him," she remarked.
• Ian glanced at me, then looked at the guy next to me.
• I vaguely noticed something strange in his gaze, like there was something wrong. Don't tell me he actually thinks that the guy next to me is my boyfriend? Is he feeling jealous? Haha! In my heart, I was secretly pleased. Time for him to taste what it feels like to see the woman he fancies with another man. It must feel awful, doesn't it?
• Just as I expected, he couldn't hold it in any longer. "Robyn, are you sure he's your boyfriend?"
• I looked at him silently with a deliberate and mischievous smile on my lips.
• The guy next to me was quite a good observer. Taking the opportunity, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, saying, "Did Robyn offend you two in any way? As it happens, I haven't eaten enough either. Let me treat you to a meal as an apology on her behalf!"
• I was instantly speechless. He hasn't eaten enough? He just had a whole platter of frog legs plus side dishes and a plate of fried rice! And he said he hasn't eaten enough?
• Eileen doubled up with laughter. "Haha! Robyn, how did you end up with a big eater as your boyfriend?"
• I could clearly sense the guy next to me getting angry at being called a big eater. His hand resting on my shoulder trembled slightly, but he didn't show any sign of displeasure.
• Inwardly, however, I felt sorry for him. After all, it was because of me that he got called names by Eileen. I said to her, "Eileen Keyes, can you stop behaving like a mad dog, biting everyone you see? It's fine if you call me names…" I could put up with it if she called me names, but I would flip out if she included the people around me.
• Eileen glared daggers at me with wide eyes. "What did you call me? H-How dare you call me a mad dog?"
• "Isn't it true? If you'd had a rabies shot, you wouldn't have gone this insane!" I retorted.
• Ian just stood there in silence without standing up for Eileen.
• Eileen said to him, "Look at her, Ian! She actually dares to call me names in front of you!"
• I noticed that Ian's expression was surprisingly dark, especially his eyes, which emitted a chilling glare that sent shivers down my spine. If there weren't other people around, he would probably have slapped me across the face.
• After looking daggers at me, he wrapped his arm around Eileen and was about to leave. "Let's go."
• "Huh? Ian, aren't you going to stick up for me? She's a woman who repeatedly defies you. Aren't you angry with her?"
• I could tell that Eileen was completely dumbfounded. What's wrong with him today? He usually acts all high and mighty, but today, he just stood there without saying a word while his woman was being disrespected.
• "Are you coming or not?!" he thundered angrily.
• Startled, Eileen couldn't help but tremble in fear. She had no choice but to obediently follow Ian and leave.
• Only when they had disappeared completely did I heave a sigh of relief.
• "What's your relationship with them?" asked the man after retracting his hand.
• "What else could it be? That guy is my ex-husband, while that woman is his mistress," I replied casually, seemingly no longer caring about what other people might think.
• The man looked astonished, as if he had just heard some major gossip. "Your ex-husband? You mean that guy is your ex-husband?"
• I replied, "What's wrong with that? You don't happen to know my ex-husband, do you? Oh, right, he's the president of Winter Medical Group, and many people know him, so it's not surprising if you know him too." I had almost forgotten that Ian was the president of Winter Medical Group. And besides, he had received a great deal of attention for sponsoring the beauty pageant competition.
• Learning that I was Ian's ex-wife, the guy looked at me with sympathy in his eyes.
• I cautioned, "Don't go around telling people about this, okay? If this reaches his ear, I'll be in big trouble." I couldn't let the man know about this—at least not until I had left Monreso.
• The guy was puzzled. "Wait, I don't quite understand. What do you mean by not letting him know? What is it that he isn't supposed to know?"
• I smacked my forehead before explaining the whole situation to him. Since he was an outsider, I didn't mind telling him the truth. So, I recounted everything from the beginning to the end, including how Ian had asked me to talk to Timothy about the land deal.
• After listening to my story, he exclaimed with a look of amazement, "This is truly sensational!" He slowly clapped his hands in shock as though he had just heard some incredible story.
• "Stop making fun of me, will you? He's still having a handle against my friend right now. So, you've got to help me and make sure that I get to meet Mr. Holland," I pleaded, shaking his arm.
• "Well… Let me think about this…" He rubbed his chin, appearing troubled by the request.
• Didn't he just say he could help me? Could it be that he changed his mind after knowing that I'm working for Ian? Well, that's not surprising, considering that he's an employee of the Asco Group. There's no way he doesn't know that Ian has offended Mr. Holland before.
• "If you find it difficult, then forget it. I know that my ex-husband has offended Mr. Holland before. It'll certainly make it hard for you," I said. I understood his position and didn't want to force him into anything.
• "Hmm… It's not that difficult, actually. But you have to allow me some time to think it over," he replied.
• I was disappointed at first; I thought that I had lost my only hope. "Really?"
• "Uh-huh… But I have a condition!"
• "Condition? What condition is it? As long as it doesn't violate any moral and ethical principles and doesn't cross any—"
• "Call me Brother, and I'll agree."
• Heh… The condition wasn't excessive, just a bit peculiar. It was often said that a man and woman who called each other 'Brother' and 'Sis' would end up together sooner or later. This guy probably works as an accountant at the Asco Group, given that he's so good at calculating. But then again, this seems much more favorable than submitting to Ian's tyranny. "Brother!" I replied without hesitation. After all, it wasn't a big deal, just a casual way of addressing someone.