CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172: CAN YOU GIVE ME A CHANCE

Luke saw that she hadn’t picked up any of the dishes he served her, but he didn’t seem to care, leaning close to Florence affectionately: "It’s late today, why don’t we stay here at the old house and go back tomorrow, what do you think?"

In front of Old Mr. Gardiner, Florence couldn’t possibly say she didn’t want to stay at the old house.

She found an excuse: "I have something to do."

"But I asked your secretary, and you haven’t gone back to work at the company yet."

Florence put down her chopsticks, looking at Ethan, as if questioning with her eyes, what exactly do you want?

Luke met her gaze, blinking innocently: "Let’s stay at the old house tonight, okay?"

Florence withdrew her gaze, not looking at him or responding.

"Then I’ll take it as a yes."

Old Mr. Gardiner remained an observer throughout, not saying a word.

Florence eventually didn’t leave tonight.

But she didn’t want to share a room with Luke, so she asked the servant to prepare a separate room for her.

Luke bumped into this, stopping her.

"I’m not really going to eat you, and I can’t beat you either, so what are you worried about," Luke said with a smile, looking at her.

"I’m not worried about anything, just feel that since we’re getting a divorce, there’s no need to stay together."

Luke’s eyes darkened for a moment: "The number of times we’ve slept in the same bed can be counted on one hand, and nothing has ever happened. Moreover, we’re not divorced yet, even if Grandpa knows you have thoughts of divorce, but now that we’re at the old house, shouldn’t you exercise some discretion?"

Florence glanced at him, pushed past him, and headed upstairs.

Luke’s eyes followed her figure, trailing behind her up the stairs.

Florence treated him like a transparent person, changing into pajamas and coming out of the bathroom, ignoring him as she lay on the bed.

Luke entered the bathroom, and when he came out, there were two quilts on the bed.

He walked over; Florence was already wrapped in a quilt, sleeping on the very edge, leaving a large space in the middle.

Luke got on the bed and lay down.

He could only see the back of Florence’s head sticking out, and he didn’t know if she was asleep or what she was doing.

After a long time, he called out: "Florence."

No response.

"Are you asleep?"

Still no answer.

At this moment, Luke understood that feeling—clearly lying on the same bed but as if there was a vast distance between them.

The suffocating feeling made him agitated; he hated the way he was affected by Florence but didn’t dare let go.

"Since I came back from Cloudsea, I have been working hard. I won’t go to those flashy places anymore; I was young and immature before." Luke stared at the ceiling: "After getting married, I still went out freely, not considering your feelings and letting you endure years of criticism. I’m sorry."

"I promise you, I will work hard in the future, abandon all of my past, I will... I will be a good husband to you, love and protect you, can you... give me a chance."

After saying all this, he realized he was actually quite nervous.

But Florence still didn’t speak; Luke waited and waited, thinking she might have fallen asleep. Just as he closed his eyes in disappointment, her voice came.

"No!"

This was more painful than directly stabbing him.

Luke looked at the ceiling, smiling silently.

Feeling both pathetic and ridiculous.

He had anticipated her answer, but hearing it from Florence still caused him infinite pain.

Luke Gardiner, you deserve this!

The next morning.

Florence and Luke went downstairs one after the other for breakfast.

Luke turned his head to look at the person earnestly eating breakfast, speaking gently: "Let’s leave together after breakfast. Wherever you’re going, I’ll take you."

"No need," Florence refused, "I drove myself here yesterday."

"Then I’ll ride with you to the company," he suggested.

"It’s not on the way." With Old Mr. Gardiner absent, Florence didn’t have to conceal anything: "Besides, I don’t want to take you."

Luke’s smile froze on his face.

He smiled: "It’s okay."

The future is long; as long as we’re not divorced, I’ll have a chance.

After breakfast, Florence was the first to leave, and Luke quickly caught up with her pace.

Florence opened the car door, and Luke opened the passenger side and sat in.

"What exactly do you want? Didn’t I make myself clear to you, Luke? What’s the point of dragging this on?"

"It’s you." He buckled his seatbelt.

"Get out," Florence ordered.

"No."

Luke was determined to cling on.

Florence drove straight to the company, refusing to talk to Luke in the car, no matter what he said, she remained silent.

In the underground parking lot, she got out, slammed the door, and headed straight for the elevator, not caring at all what Luke planned to do next.

Luke caught up to her pace: "Do you dislike me so much, not even a bit of concession?"

"None!"

The elevator doors closed.

Luke gritted his teeth, silently walking out of the parking lot.

How could there be a woman like Florence.

So cold-hearted.

What’s so great about Ethan? Just because he’s a first love, is he that unforgettable?

--

Knowing Florence came back to the office, Chloe Quinn made a special visit to her office.

"Weren’t you going to return in another month? It’s only been about half a month."

"Came back with nothing to do," Florence explained.

"How’s your health?" Chloe asked her.

"Almost fully recovered."

Chloe Quinn: "I told Charles Shaw you’re back, come to my place for dinner tonight, he’s cooking."

"Sure, tell him to make something good, what about Evelyn Shaw?"

"Her debut was quite successful, and she’s been actively participating in shows while riding the wave," Chloe Quinn said, "I’ll ask her."

Florence nodded.

"Speaking of which, do you know about Christopher Somerset?"

"Yes, I do."

"While you were away from SJ, something happened in the circle a month ago."

"Apparently, the Somerset Family arranged a marriage for him, but Christopher Somerset didn’t even meet the girl. It seems the girl was quite fond of him and somehow found Evelyn Shaw to cause a scene. Upon learning this, Christopher Somerset seemed quite angry and apparently teamed up to hit back at the girl’s company."

Florence thought for a moment: "Won’t his dad intervene?"

"Probably not; his dad has given him power, doesn’t interfere with anything. It seems the older generation of the Somerset Family found out about his affair with Evelyn Shaw and arranged a marriage to make him cut ties. I heard the elders were upset and ended up in the hospital."

Florence raised an eyebrow.

Didn’t expect Christopher Somerset to have a ruthless side.

"Are they dating? He seems to be busy with Evelyn Shaw’s affairs and sometimes follows her to events."

Florence chuckled: "Why don’t you just ask?"

"How can I ask, I’m not part of the Shaw Family yet, nor a proper sister-in-law, so it’s not appropriate for me to ask."