Moe wore a light beige round-neck knit sweater paired with casual light-colored pants, giving him a slightly less aloof and more youthful appearance. This version of Moe had a subtle resemblance to his teenage self."From now on, you should dress like this when you're not at work," Suzie suggested. She found Moe's new look quite appealing, reminding her of his younger self. "Don't dress in suits and ties all the time."Moe admitted, "I'm not used to it." He did have casual clothes, but they were mostly dark in color. His outerwear was predominantly black, while his underwear was usually white.Suzie teased, "Don't you like the clothes I got you?""It's not that.""So, will you wear them in the future?"Moe initially wanted to say no, but when he saw Suzie's clear and slightly playful gaze, he gave in, saying, "Yes.""That's better." Suzie chuckled. Over the next two days, Moe did not go to work. Suzie initially considered asking him why, but when she saw that he truly had free
"The company isn't mine; I'm just an employee. He's not capable enough to join Arch International Group. By the way, don't make promises to anyone so casually," Moe stated directly, choosing not to disclose his shares."Moe!" Eddie was getting angry.Moe remained silent.Eddie took a deep breath, visibly displeased. "Do you still consider me your father?"Moe's grip on the phone tightened, and a hint of emotion flickered in his typically cool eyes."I don't care if your cousin is qualified or not to join your company; you need to get him in for me," Eddie insisted bluntly.Moe remained cold. "It's not my concern. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."Eddie raised his voice. "I dare you… I've raised you all these years, and you won't even help me."Moe remained silent. After some time, he finally uttered, "Did you really raise me?"Since that cold night when he was five years old, Moe had not been cared for by anyone. If it were not for Cynthia, he might not even exist."F
[Cynthia: He's a workaholic. Even if I ask him not to work, he'll still sneak in some work. But now, he's willingly setting aside work to spend time with you.]Based on her intuition and knowledge, Cynthia believed that Moe liked Suzie. It was just that he might be emotionally dense and had not realized it yet.Hearing Cynthia's assessment, Suzie's heart fluttered. [Suzie: So, should I confess my feelings to him?][Cynthia: Why not give it a try?][Suzie: I'll think about it.]Moe was also done preparing their dinner as Suzie ended her conversation with Cynthia.In just ten minutes, Suzie had finished her meal, eager to have a serious talk with Moe."Do you not like today's dinner?" Moe was surprised to see her eat so quickly and asked."I liked it. You go ahead and eat. I need to talk to you afterward," Suzie replied, her mind preoccupied. Moe, noting that she was serious, focused on his meal. Once he finished, Suzie called him into the study. The atmosphere was tense, and
Nonetheless, Suzie was not a quitter; she had another trick up her sleeve."Why don't you like me?" Suzie asked.Moe uttered, "No connection, no spark.""Are you sure?""Mmhmm..."In truth, Moe was not entirely sure. However, he knew one thing for sure—Suzie deserves someone better.Suzie was hurt, but she pinned him against the wall and, under his cool and composed gaze, kissed him. Moe's body tensed, and his heart raced at an unusually high rate."Still no spark?" Suzie asked.Moe pressed his lips together, remaining silent. The two of them stood there in a standoff for quite some time.Eventually, Suzie retreated to her previous position, her expression a mix of disappointment and self-mockery. "Was the kiss just now repulsive to you?"Moe still did not speak, having not fully recovered from the sudden kiss.Suzie sighed, her voice low and hoarse. "Sorry… Forcing a kiss on you like that was probably gross.""No!" Moe quickly spoke up, his voice slightly raised.Suzi
"What are you doing?" Suzie looked puzzled as Moe dodged her.Moe avoided her gaze and casually replied, "Men and women shouldn't get too close.""Quit pretending. You didn't seem to mind when I kissed you just now. Why didn't you mention that then?" Suzie called, moving closer to him again.Moe remained silent.Suzie continued, "And another thing...""What?" Moe's mind was jumbled up, and he could not think straight."If I'm not mistaken, you enjoyed that kiss. So, it means you like me," Suzie boldly said, locking eyes with him."No," Moe quickly denied. Suzie could not understand. "Why won't you admit it?"Moe fidgeted with his hands, pursed his lips, and finally said, "I don't like you.""If you truly didn't like me, you would've pushed me away quickly or shown some sign of disgust when I kissed you just now. Didn't you say that only Cynthia and I are exceptions in your life?" Suzie concluded and pressed on. Moe looked at her.Suzie asked, "If Cynthia were single now a
Moe looked at Suzie as if questioning why she had dragged him into this.Suzie could not quite grasp what he meant and asked, "Are you still sticking to what you said earlier?""I don't like you. All of my reactions just now were because I promised to be your boyfriend," Moe repeated, delivering the hurtful words and secretly apologizing."Could you be more sincere?" Suzie could not understand why he was saying this."This is how I truly feel," Moe replied matter-of-factly."So you're saying that if I don't ask you to pretend to be my boyfriend, you won't let me kiss you, right?""Yes.""Fine, I don't need you to pretend anymore.""Okay."Throughout the entire process, Moe remained surprisingly composed, his eyes devoid of any emotion. Suzie, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration, stood on tiptoe and attempted to kiss him. This time, Moe stopped her. "It's not appropriate.""Moe!" Suzie was getting angry.Moe remained unyielding, standing there to stop her like an emo
Amidst a swirl of emotions, Moe asked, "Have you made up your mind?""Mmhmm." Suzie nodded."I'll drive you there tomorrow. You can stay here tonight," Moe said as he closed her suitcase and set it down.Suzie stopped him. "That wouldn't be appropriate."Moe lowered his gaze, masking his complex emotions behind his cool demeanor. Suzie did not press the matter; she knew he needed some pushing. Earlier, she had not actually called Brandon but just pretended to do so."Then wait here for me. I have some things to attend to. After I'm done, we can talk in detail," Moe finally spoke after careful consideration. He chose to say 'talk in detail' instead of 'send you', knowing Suzie's personality well. If he had said he would come back to send her, she would surely have said she would call a driver to pick her up.Suzie looked puzzled, wondering what could be so important that he had to attend to now.Moe did not offer much explanation. After speaking, he took his car keys and left.
"Cut ties with your girlfriends, commit to Suzie wholeheartedly, and I can help you resolve the issues with your startup company. But if you mistreat Suzie, I have many ways to make your life miserable," Moe said straightforwardly. Brandon became increasingly confused as he listened. He was about to speak when the door suddenly swung open.Suzie rushed inside and wasted no time in confronting Moe. "Is the thing you have to attend to concerning Brandon?" "No," Moe lied again, his domineering aura dissipating instantly."Then why are you here?" Suzie questioned."He asked me to cut ties with my girlfriends and focus solely on you. When did I ever…" Brandon chimed in teasingly."Shut up!" Suzie silenced him sharply.Brandon wanted to protest but restrained himself, especially after seeing Suzie's stern gaze."Now that you've made your intentions clear, let me make mine clear too. From now on, I don't need you to interfere in my life. I hope you won't involve yourself in my affa