Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
In other words, Eustace was too late. Danika noted the violent heaving of Eustace’s chest, and she guessed that he was on the verge of lashing out in rage.
After remaining silent for so long that Danika thought he would never speak again, Eustace suddenly said, ” Alright then, I’ll wait for you at the venue.”
Danika didn’t try to provoke him further. After all, offending him would do her no good. She just wanted to set clear boundaries with him.
As she reached for another skewer, she asked, “Won’t you be with Yvonne?”
“Who said that?” Eustace immediately retorted. “We grew up together, so we’re just close friends.”
He had never liked anyone in the past, which was why he allowed himself to get so close to Yvonne. Everyone thought they would end up together, and even Eustace himself thought that way too. He didn’t feel anything about it as he had no expectations for love and marriage for the longest time. Therefore, he had no qualms about marrying Yvonne.
It didn’t matter to him who he married. After all, he was familiar with Yvonne, and the Dickmans could help the Quinceys to a certain extent. However, it all changed when he met Danika.
“Since you grew up together, aren’t you two childhood sweethearts?” Danika asked, giggling. She continued to tease him, saying, “Why don’t you guys just get together?”
“I don’t like her.” After meeting Danika, he knew what it meant to like someone.
Danika shrugged, not believing him. “Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked, noticing that Eustace hadn’t touched. the food.
“It’s unhygienic,” he replied, shaking his head before adding, “Since you have stomach issues, you should eat less of such things.”
Danika, however, wasn’t bothered by his words. She quipped, “So you see, we’re incompatible. We have nothing in common. Even our lifestyles are different.”
Eustace fell silent.
“Think about it carefully. Perhaps you don’t truly like me. Maybe you just like the chase and the challenge. because I’ve always been a little mean and rude to you?
Danika thought that the possibility of that being the reality of the situation was very high. As soon as she was done talking, Eustace braved himself, picked up several skewers, and started to eat.
Dumfounded, Danika watched him and chided, “You don’t have to force yourself to eat that. I was making an example. Eating this doesn’t change anything.”
“Hey, it tastes really good. No wonder it’s your favorite,” Eustace announced, disregarding whatever Danika had said.
She didn’t bother to say more as she figured he would give up on her sooner or later.
After the meal, they headed back to Perry Residence together. When Danika was about to enter her home,
Eustace asked, “Does this mean our previous misunderstandings have been resolved?”
“I guess,” Danika replied, nodding. “But that doesn’t mean I like you.”
“It’s okay. There’s still time. As long as you don’t hate me, there are plenty of opportunities.”
Eustace was delighted with the situation. Danika, on the other hand, figured he was out of his mind. With that, she closed the door behind her.
Eustace smiled to himself as he headed to his place. He turned on the lights, revealing the black walls of his living room, which resembled a suffocating prison. Eustace, however, didn’t feel that way.
Pouring himself a glass of red wine, he was in a great mood as he stood before the floor-to-ceiling window. A tinge of warmth spread in his heart as he watched the brightly lit streets outside.
The next day, Danika was woken up by Max’s phone call.
“What time is it? Why are you disturbing my sleep?” she answered, her tone gruff and unpleasant. It surprised Max, but he quickly recovered. “Did you not sleep well last night?”
She had a hard time sleeping last night as the image of Eustace’s face plagued her mind. As a result, she didn’t sleep a wink for the first time.
“Is something wrong?” Danika took a deep breath to steady her emotions.
“Aren’t you going to attend Mr. Quincey’s birthday party today? That’s why I’m calling. I’m going to bring you to a stylist this morning,” Max said. He felt a little hurt as Danika was the first woman he had treated so well. Unfortunately for him, Danika didn’t care at all.
Danika slapped her forehead. Barely keeping her anger in check, she replied, “If I remember correctly, the birthday party will only begin at night. Why must I go to the stylist so early in the morning? Is your brain still asleep?”
“Don’t girls usually spend all day at the stylist?” he asked.
“I don’t know how long it usually takes for others, but I’m quick,” Danika answered. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it myself.”
“In that case… Why don’t you grab breakfast now?”
Max was already in the lobby of Perry Residence, and he was rather unsatisfied that he couldn’t see her.
“No thanks!” With that, Danika hung up the phone before falling back on her bed to sleep.
Downstairs, Max felt a little down as he stared at his phone. It was rare for him to offer his companionship to a woman during her styling sessions. How could she reject him so mercilessly?
He wondered why he was wasting time on someone who wouldn’t appreciate his efforts. Wouldn’t it be better if he agreed to Eustace’s terms to cement his position in the Pearson family?
As soon as that thought entered his mind, he spotted Eustace, and his expression fell. Even if he were at death’s door, he would never ask Eustace to help!
Spotting Max, Eustace’s mood plummeted too.
“I never knew you were such a hardworking person,” he said.
“Well, when it comes to girls, surely I must work harder” Max answered, grinning.
“Unfortunately, not all things can be achieved through hard work alone,” Eustace retorted.
In his opinion, even if Eustace was not Danika’s type, Max certainly wasn’t either.
Max responded with a smile, disregarding Eustace’s sarcastic remark, saying, “In any case, Danika is my date for tonight while a certain someone will be alone.”
“That’s not right,” he added, shaking his head again. “I heard that Miss Dickman is interested in you. Perhaps you two could get together.”
When Eustace’s face darkened, Max grinned wider. “Hey heard that the Dickmans played a role in Danika’s kidnapping. I think she might hate them. Eustace, if you join me to bring the Dickmans to bankruptcy, Danika might begin to admire you.”
The Dickmans had the same status as the Pearsons in Parrington. Both families were not on par with the
Quinceys, but they had a good standing nonetheless. If Max managed to destroy the Dickmans and acquire their assets, the Pearsons would ascend the food chain.
However, Eustace merely looked at Max as if he were a fool, saying, “The Quinceys and the Dickmans are close friends. Why do you think I’ll ever agree?”
“So you won’t agree?” Max spread his hands, looking indifferent. “It’s alright. That’s fine. I’m not the one that Danika hates anyway. Given her character, I figure she won’t forgive the Dickmans any time soon.”
After musing in thought for a while, he continued, “I heard that Gilbert is Danika’s eldest brother. Say, if I propose to join forces with him to deal with the Dickmans, will Danika agree?”
Although Eustace stayed quiet, his ugly expression said it all. Based on his understanding of Danika, she would agree. In fact, she would likely be very involved with the plan.
“See you tonight, Mr. Quincey. I hope you won’t inform the Dickmans.”
Waving at him, Max entered his car. Eustace watched as Max’s flamboyant red sports car rolled out of sight. Then, he turned to look at Danika’s floor before he left.