The Road to Rebirth Her Fresh Start and His Late Sorrow

Potter's thoughts were laid bare, and he couldn't help but let his gaze fall on Nancy, his face turning a deep shade of red. "Is... is that not okay?"

Nancy paused, her fingers stilling as she looked down to avoid meeting Potter's eyes.

Lenard furrowed his brow. "Of course not. Nancy here already has a dashing boyfriend. There's no way she'd fancy you!"

Come on, Potter isn't even as good-looking as Judson! There's no way he could compete.

"Her boyfriend?" Instantly, an image popped into Potter's mind of a strikingly handsome man from the previous night, carrying Nancy away...

A strange bitterness filled Potter's heart, and he couldn't help but glance back at Nancy. "Miss Lena, was that charming guy last night your boyfriend?"

Nancy knew Potter had misunderstood, but she didn't bother to explain. Instead, she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, he's my boyfriend."

Since Judson liked to call her his wife, she figured she might as well let him take the blame this time. Lena had a boyfriend!

Potter's heart sank with a thud, leaving only an indescribable bitterness. "Seems like I got dumped before I even had a chance to confess."

Nancy was speechless.

"Oh, it's not a big deal," Lenard teased with a grin. "You may not win Nancy's heart, but you can still collaborate with her. Men may be unreliable, but a good partnership isn't!"

After all, shared interests count for a lot.

Potter's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously. "You're right. Miss Lena is the most talented designer I've ever met. She's destined to be the queen of design."

Even if he couldn't be Lena's lover, being her business partner was a pretty solid choice.

With that, Potter gallantly pulled out a chair. "Miss Lena, please have a seat. We can discuss the contract over dinner."

Nancy didn't refuse and took a seat.

The food arrived quickly, and as they clinked glasses, they wrapped up their agreement and signed the papers.

Potter was impressed by Nancy's elegant handwriting. "Miss Lena, you've definitely done some calligraphy before, haven't you?" he remarked.

Nancy remained composed, smiling as she nodded. "I have, for a few days."

Just as she finished speaking, Lenard, slightly tipsy, leaned in. "Potter, working with Nancy is a win for

you. I bet you'll become a household name in the entertainment world! Cheers!"

Looking at the flushed Lenard, Potter earnestly turned to Nancy. "Lena, has anyone told Lenard that his tolerance for alcohol is awful?"

Nancy replied calmly, "He knows, but he refuses to believe it."

After this little exchange, the two of them shared a knowing glance, a hint of amusement in their eyes. Potter sighed in resignation. "Looks like I'll have to be the gentleman escort tonight."

He quickly added, worried Nancy might misunderstand, "It's just that driving after drinking isn't safe, and you both are too good-looking to risk it."

Seeing Potter's earnest expression, Nancy was about to reply when her phone rang. She gave Potter an apologetic look before answering the call.

Right then, Judson's deep voice, tinged with a hint of annoyance, came through. "Nancy, it's been an hour already. I'm coming to get you!"

"Okay, come on over," Nancy replied, hanging up and looking apologetically at Potter. "My boyfriend's on his way. Mr. Potter, could you please wait with Lenard at the entrance?"

Potter felt a pang in his heart, but seeing the distance in Nancy's eyes, he knew he had no chance and nodded, heartbroken. "Of course.

Nancy picked up her purse and walked out.

Though Lenard was technically the host of tonight's dinner, he was too drunk to handle the bill, so Nancy went to settle it at the front desk.

"Miss, here's your card," the receptionist said politely, handing it back to her.

Nancy took the card and was about to leave when a voice, dripping with sarcasm, stopped her. "Lena?"

Nancy turned to see a group of tall men, about seven or eight, approaching. They all had a rather menacing look about them.