Chapter 7：Flipped

As she walked, the long skirt moved gracefully, creating patterns that resembled flowers. There were no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors in the original text. Even her departing silhouette was captivating.

Torin smiled at them and excused himself, following after Lyra.

Lumi Hawthorne already held grudges against Lyra, and at this moment, Ronan's piercing gaze intensified her aversion, generating a sense of crisis within her.

Leaning into Ronan, Lumi Hawthorne almost hung onto him, her face nuzzling against his chest, her tone delicate, "Ronan, let's eat, I'm a bit hungry."

However, Ronan gripped her waist, pulling her away from him, displaying impatience and coldness, "Enough, stop acting up."

Ronan narrowed his dark eyes, feeling a vague familiarity with the girl beside Torin.

Lyra walked briskly, anger surging within her. She believed she didn't care anymore.

Yet, upon witnessing Ronan and Lumi Hawthorne's public display of affection, her anger couldn't be contained.

Rushing out of the restaurant, she almost collided with someone passing by, stopping abruptly.

Someone lightly tapped her shoulder from behind, and she angrily turned, "What!"

Seeing Torin's handsome face, her expression softened slightly.

Somewhat stiffly, she said, "I'm sorry, I suddenly... I lost my appetite."

Torin understood but didn't reveal anything, showing an understanding expression.

"I've lost mine too. Honestly, everyone knows Ronan is married. Yet, he still keeps a mistress, quite nauseating!" Torin's expression was genuine, sincere, devoid of pretense or falsehood.

This made Lyra feel a warmth inside, spreading from her heart to her limbs.

"Since neither of us has an appetite, let me take you home!" Torin suggested.

Alarmed by his stomachache earlier, Lyra replied hastily, "That won't do, you need to eat something for your stomach!"

Her concern...

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Torin's lips, very faintly.

Suddenly, Lyra blinked and clapped her hands, "I know a good place, let's go there!"

They ended up at a bustling street filled with people and greasy tables in restaurants, a place Torin had never visited!

"Is this the good place you mentioned?" Torin's perfectly chiseled face revealed a crack. He had never been to such a place!

"Yes, come on, take a seat!" Lyra skillfully found a spot and gestured for him to join.

Without showing much reaction, Torin walked over, slightly furrowing his brows. He placed a tissue on the seat before sitting.

"Boss, our order!" Without glancing at the menu, Lyra immediately said, "A salad, pasta, and some grilled meat."

A while later, Lyra pushed the salad toward Torin, inviting him to eat, "Go ahead!"

"Do you often eat here?" Torin asked casually.

"I used to come often. I even worked at this restaurant during high school!" Lyra laughed, not bothered to discuss her past.

Torin picked up his chopsticks, observing her skilled movements, slightly frowning.

She was the wife of Zenith Ventures' CEO! Despite her lack of favoritism, she shouldn't be in this situation, right?

It seemed his information was incomplete, far from the reality of Lyra herself.

Staring at the pasta and grilled meat before her, Lyra's eyes sparkled. She smiled contentedly as she started eating, consoling Torin who was having the salad, "This might cause happiness, you shouldn't eat it."

After saying this, she joyfully savored the grilled meat, expressing satisfaction.

Torin suddenly found the salad tasteless, staring at her slightly reddened lips, "Is the grilled meat delicious?"

"It's fantastic!" Lyra gave him a thumbs up.

"I'd like to try it too." For safety reasons, Torin never ate from such small restaurants. Yet, now he felt an unexpected appetite, lured by Lyra's actions.

"You have a stomachache, can you eat?" Lyra was concerned.

Mirroring Lyra, Torin wrapped a piece of grilled meat and put it in his mouth. Upon tasting it, his brows immediately furrowed. What was this taste? His stomach churned violently, almost making him want to spit it out!

However, sensing Lyra's worried gaze, he quickly maintained a calm expression, and with some effort, he said, "It's not bad."

"Not bad, right?" Lyra smiled instantly, placing two more pieces on his plate, "Have some more!"

After the late-night meal, Lyra insisted on paying the bill.

Torin swiftly took the bill, calmly stating, "I never let women pay."

Having eaten a bit too much, Lyra suggested taking a stroll. They wandered and inadvertently reached the vicinity of Stanley Park.

"Mr. Torin, I appreciate your help today!" Lyra suddenly said.

"Thank me for what?" Torin was puzzled.

Stopping in her tracks, facing the clean and clear Stanley Park, she took a deep breath.

The night air invigorated her, and she turned, sincerely saying, "Just wanted to thank you."

Torin gave a faint smile. His deep, enigmatic eyes swept over her face, and then he slowly spoke, "Such thanks lack sincerity, don't you think? The new spring collection is about to launch. If you truly want to thank me, why not come back to work?"

"But I..." Lyra lowered her gaze, her eyes flickering slightly.

Seeing her struggle, Torin's smile faded a bit, "If it's about Lumi Hawthorne's matter, you shouldn't blame yourself."

He stated firmly, "Lumi Hawthorne gained fame through scandals. Her image doesn't suit Horizon Global Enterprises Inc. Even without your involvement, I would have replaced her."

"But she's backed by Ronan." Lyra's tone was bitter.

"So what? Ronan is already married. His actions are despicable. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and responsibility. My view on love is to wish for a devoted partner, never parting until death." Torin's words were solemn and resolute.

Lyra was briefly stunned, feeling a hint of bitterness, "Your future wife must be very fortunate."

Torin lowered his gaze, carefully observing Lyra. After a while, he suppressed some emotions.

Torin earnestly said, "Come back to work! You work with integrity and dedication, you don't need to compromise with anyone. If you encounter difficulties again, you should stand tall and overcome them!"

...

Lyra saw sincerity and hope through Torin's face.

She raised her gaze and asked seriously, "But what if the difficulty is too great for me to handle?"

"It will depend on your choice." Torin replied swiftly, his tone firm, "Whether you choose to evade or face it bravely. Besides life and death, there's nothing you can't handle."

Lyra fell silent.

Torin was right. She shouldn't linger in this tasteless marriage. She should gather the courage to create a new life for herself.

With a firm resolve, she said cheerfully, "Mr. Torin, thank you. I understand now. I won't evade this time. I'll come back to work tomorrow!"

Lyra declined Torin's offer to take her home and hailed a cab herself.

Torin didn't say much, just closed the taxi's door for her, smiling, "I look forward to your return!"

After the taxi departed, Torin's brows furrowed instantly. He walked to the roadside, looking a bit unsteady on his feet.

Leaning on the wall, he took out his phone, dialed a series of numbers, and gave his location, "I think I need to be hospitalized."

Shortly after, a car rushed toward him, and a handsome young man jumped out, exclaiming, "Torin? My goodness!"

Torin was rushed to a high-end private hospital. After some hustle and bustle, he lay on a VIP hospital bed, a needle inserted in the back of his fair hand, delivering fluids."

"Do you even know what you're doing? How dare you eat at a small roadside eatery? Are you crazy?" The young man was frantic, jumping up and down.

The young man's loud voice made Torin's temples throb painfully. Reluctantly, he said, "Garrick, keep it down."

"Torin... I mean, Your Highness! Weren't you getting close to that woman, Lyra, to deal with Ronan? How could you be so careless as to eat at a street stall? What if the enemy tampers with the food?" Garrick Monroe said, displeased.

Indeed, Torin was the Crown Prince of Country S.

The monarch of Country S had always been indifferent to political affairs, and now Country S was divided into two factions.

One was led by Crown Prince Torin, and the other was led by Uncle Casimir Graves.

Casimir Graves supported the second prince, who lacked the ability and was younger and formed an alliance with Ronan from ZenithVentures in Country A.

They secured support from Country S's internal resources in exchange for financial support from Ronan.

Of course, Torin wouldn't stand idly by. He devised a plan against Ronan.

He pretended to get close to Ronan's wife, Lyra, intending to find an opportunity to severely weaken Ronan's power.

At the thought of that innocent and pure woman, Torin's stern features softened slightly.

Garrick Monroe's questioning halted, and his expression changed, "Torin, you're not serious about that woman, are you?"

Torin lifted his chin slightly, very casually saying, "What if I am?"

Garrick Monroe's mouth twitched as he held his head in his hand, "What on earth are you thinking?"

Torin closed his eyes, leaning back, "My plan won't have any problems."

"But she's Ronan's wife!"

"She's unhappy." Torin lifted his eyelids lightly, "That man treats her poorly and doesn't love her."

"Don't forget, she's just a tool we're using to deal with Ronan!" Garrick Monroe clenched his lips firmly.

Torin gently closed his eyelids without saying more. However, the contours of his tense jawline revealed his tightness.

Garrick Monroe also remained silent, sighing.

Looking at Torin's resolute profile, he knew once Torin made up his mind, no one could change it.

Ronan learned through investigation that Lumi Hawthorne had been arrogant at the new product launch event, demanding employees of Horizon Global Enterprises Inc. kneel and apologize to her. This displeased the CEO, leading to the replacement of the spokesperson.

This made Ronan very angry.

Among his women, Lumi Hawthorne was the fastest climber, and the most eye-catching.

But her character was too arrogant. After climbing up to this high branch, she became even more domineering, arbitrarily scolding the staff.

Ronan had connections with women in the entertainment industry, partly because the old-fashioned forces at ZenithVentures were keeping a close eye on him.

Before he fully controlled ZenithVentures, he had to maintain a facade to make them think he was a worthless playboy.

Secondly, it was for his entertainment company. After all, the fastest way for female celebrities to gain fame was to be associated with him.

But he disliked disobedient and delusional women.

He had no plans for divorce at the moment. Therefore, any woman who coveted the position of "Ronan's wife" would be decisively discarded.

The assistant entered with a pile of photos of newly recruited talents in the entertainment company.

Ronan casually instructed, "I won't take Lumi Hawthorne's calls in the future. Let her behave and focus on filming to earn money for the company."

The assistant was taken aback. Since Lumi Hawthorne joined the CEO's side, she had been extremely arrogant, relying on the CEO's favor, posing like a mistress in front of them.

She thought the CEO treated her differently, but not.

Ronan flipped through the photos one by one, evidently unsatisfied.

"Damn, a fool! Thinking of entering the entertainment industry with this appearance?"

"This appearance can't even pass the village entrance, how can the company promote it?"

"Why is there a sixteen-year-old here? Dreaming of becoming a star? Did the teachers assign too little homework over winter break?"

Ronan's attitude was nasty and venomous, as always.

He unsatisfactorily threw all the photos on the table. Suddenly, an image of a pure and fragrant face with bright eyes and white teeth floated into his mind.

The girl next to Torin was quite good-looking, much better than Lumi Hawthorne.

She looked like a refined young lady, with an aura and appearance that rivaled any of Ronan's rumored partners.

Ronan's slender fingers traced his sharply defined jawline, lost in thought.

"CEO." The assistant coughed softly as if wanting to report something.

Ronan snapped out of his reverie, noticing the assistant was still there. He frowned, "Is there something else?"

"The staff at Majestic Crest Villa said that the madam hasn't been at home recently, seems like... she moved out." The assistant cautiously reported.

Ronan's face showed impatience. Rubbing his slightly tired forehead, he said in a flat tone, "You don't need to report anything about that woman to me in the future."

Ronan's casual decision made him regret it later.

"It's her!" Ronan selected photos for a long time, finally choosing one that bore some resemblance to the woman in his mind, "Inform her to pack up and accompany me to the auction."