Forsaking the Years of Longing

Chapter 20 Jason's expression darkened as he gritted his teeth. "None of your damn business."

"How is it not my business?" Callan shrugged innocently. "After all, I am the 'someone else' you just mentioned, right?"

Callan, who always appeared the perfect gentleman, turned out to be surprisingly cheeky when it came to antagonizing others.

Jason, clearly furious, stormed off. But before leaving, he cast me a lingering look.

"Caroline, you can reject me now, but I will win you back."

After he left, I rolled my eyes- just in time for Callan to notice.

"What did he say this time?"

I pulled Callan's coat tighter around me, realizing I hadn't been back inside long enough to warm up. "He apologized and said he wanted to make amends."

Callan clicked his tongue twice, full of mockery. "If he really wanted to apologize, he should've given you that plot of land in the south."

I couldn't help but agree. "Exactly. I've had my eye on that for so long."

We exchanged a knowing smile.

Just when I thought Callan might bring the topic up again, he simply pushed open the balcony door.

"Let's go back inside. Stay out here any longer, and you'll freeze."

Jason's initial attempt at reconciliation stirred no emotions in me, but it clearly felt like a provocation to Callan.

The tension between them intensified, though Callan clearly had the upper hand.

Jason, meanwhile, seemed to find more excuses to meet me, as if he were genuinely trying to earn another chance. But he brought me flowers I didn't like.

He took me to meals without knowing what foods I was allergic to.

In contrast

I knew his preferences inside out. By the end of one lunch, Jason's face even flushed red an extremely rare sight.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were allergic to that..."

I casually replied while typing on my phone, barely looking up.

"It's fine. I'm used to it."

Jason, however, seemed annoyed by my indifference. "If you agreed to meet me for dinner, why are you always working? Or is it that you're actually texting Callan?"

I frowned and finally put my phone away.

"You actually thought I agreed to this meal as a date?"

Jason looked even more surprised than me. "What else would it be?"

I said, "I thought we were here to talk about that plot of land in the south."

"What?" Jason's expression immediately soured.

I maintained a businesslike

demeanor. "Mr. Parker, let me be straightforward. Since I returned to the company, I've been planning to expand into new projects and industries. I'm very interested in that piece of land in the south and would like to negotiate with you. Would you be willing to part with it and

collaborate with us? Price is not an issue."

Jason shot to his feet.

"Caroline, you're talking business with me right now?"

I looked at him, puzzled. "What else would I be talking about?"