CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: PURSUER

"Cold? Put this on for now."

A gentle voice reached her, followed closely by the person emanating a jade-like aura who stood in front of her from behind.

Ava looked at the tall, jade-like figure in front of her, wearing a shirt and casual pants, hands in pockets, smiling gently at her, and she rarely hesitated: "Jace?"

No mistake, the person standing before her was none other than the one she went on a blind date with in Varden.

"What are you doing here?"

Her hair was blown slightly by the wind, with one lock falling across her face, tickling her.

Ava instinctively wanted to tuck that lock of hair behind her ear, but a hand promptly reached it before she raised hers and tucked it behind her ear.

His hand was warm, inadvertently touching her ear, and Ava’s head unconsciously tilted aside.

She didn’t really like being touched by unfamiliar people.

Jace sensed her avoidance, his fingertip paused slightly, withdrew his hand, and put it back into his pocket, his brow and eyes still holding a smile: "Heard from a friend that you’d be at MK’s event, and I happened to be near Delphos City, so I came over."

Happened to be near Delphos City...

She had no idea what specific identity or occupation Jace held, nor did she inquire.

She wasn’t interested either.

But Varden and Delphos City are quite far, it’s a two-hour plane ride.

He was in Varden yesterday, yet here he was in Delphos City today, claiming he was just nearby—it sounds entirely like he came for her.

Ava had witnessed many tricks in pursuit, and Jace’s was nothing extraordinary.

But it wasn’t repulsive either.

"Haha, is that so, then you are... just arrived?"

"Just arrived a short while ago."

"Alright, then you..."

Suddenly remembering she owed Jace a meal, she thought of asking him whether he’d eaten—if not, she could invite him.

She wasn’t one to owe people favors.

But as Ava was about to speak, a particularly tactless voice interrupted her: "Who is this..."

Somehow, Lauren had come over and stood behind Jace, looking at him with a face full of gossip.

Jace paused and turned around.

Ava simply turned her back, trying to pretend she didn’t know this person.

"And you are?"

Looking down at Lauren, who was only one meter sixty, Jace eyed her.

Lauren’s eyes widened when she saw Jace turning around.

When Jace’s face was completely revealed before her, the flames of gossip burned wildly in her eyes, terrifying.

"I... I’m Ava’s assistant, Lauren Howell, you... hello."

Lauren tried to control her emotions, shakingly reached out to Jace.

Upon hearing her identity, Jace seemed to understand: "Oh, Ava’s assistant, hello, I’m Jace, Ava’s..."

He seemed to ponder how to introduce himself, glanced at Ava, noticing her pretending not to recognize him expression, and his lips formed a smile: "I’m Ava’s pursuer."

"Ah!"

"That... that straightforward?"

Ava no longer wanted to listen to Lauren speak, directly glaring at her: "Don’t you have other business? Hurry and leave!"

Lauren immediately motioned at Ava with exaggerated expressions, seemingly saying "Just wait", then turned to Jace and said: "I won’t disturb you two then, I’ll be off."

"Alright."

Lauren waved to Ava, her smile as sly as a fox.

Ava rolled her eyes, really wishing she could kick Lauren into the Pacific Ocean.

She had just thrown all her face into the Pacific Ocean!

"Have you eaten? Would you like to grab something?"

Jace asked warmly, capturing Ava’s lively expression in his eyes, mirth filled his gaze.

Didn’t Ava just want to ask this question?

Now that Jace mentioned it, she promptly replied: "Yes, I’ll treat you!"

"Haha, don’t worry, this time I won’t be paying."

"You better keep your word!"

"I will."

Chatting, they headed towards the car park, but just a few steps in, Ava suddenly stopped and looked down at her foot.

"What is it?"

Jace heard her sound, immediately looking at her.

"I think a pebble got into my shoe."

The path in front of the hotel was asphalt, by Sylvanus Bay Lake, so pebbles were quite normal.

She had no idea how a pebble had gotten into her shoe, but it hurt whenever she stepped on it.

With a serious expression, Jace squatted down: "Let me take a look."

"No, no need."

Ava hurriedly bent over to stop him.

But as soon as her hand placed on his, Jace removed it: "A model’s feet are very important, don’t force it, let me check."

He looked up at her, his gaze frank and earnest.

Ava disliked unfamiliar touches, but she understood it wasn’t pretension.

But given Jace’s insistence, it would be pretentious to refuse any further.

"Then sorry to trouble you."

"No trouble at all."

Jace focused, gently holding her ankle, murmuring: "Hold onto my shoulder, that way you won’t lose balance."

"Okay."

Ava placed her hand on Jace’s shoulder, stabilizing herself.

Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby.

The crystal chandelier scattered light wildly, seeming to drive back the approaching night.

Clack clack clack...

The dense footsteps emerged from the elevator, accompanied by polite exchanges: "It’s really kind of President Vaughn to come today!"

"Indeed, it’s rare to invite President Vaughn, but President Vaughn is so busy, we planned to take you on a tour around Delphos City, but now it seems it’ll have to wait until next time."

"Justin, why don’t we add each other on WeChat, so next time President Vaughn visits, contact me and I’ll ensure a great tour for President Vaughn!"

Everyone followed behind the leading figure, wearing expressions of flattery.

They spoke to Quentin, but their eyes were on Poe Vaughn.

Poe Vaughn was tall and steady in a dark suit, each step measured, as the light illuminated the sculpted features of his face, further enhancing and awe-inspiring.

Yet, written on that face was an intense coldness, not welcoming to everyone.

Quentin followed behind Poe Vaughn, politely replying to the group’s chatter: "Until next time then."

As the group approached the door, Quentin announced to them: "This is as far as I go."

"That can’t do?"

"We must escort President Vaughn to the car, to the hotel!"

"Indeed, we must escort President Vaughn to the hotel, otherwise how can we face inviting President Vaughn next time?"

"Exactly!"

"Assistant Quentin, there’s no need for courtesy."

The group ignored his suggestion and continued to follow Poe Vaughn.

But as they followed Poe Vaughn out of the hotel, they suddenly halted.

Because Poe Vaughn had stopped.

He stopped at the steps, eyes slightly tilted, looking towards the two people not far on the right.

The street lamp cast a warm glow on the surrounding landscape, illuminating the two standing by the trees into a picturesque scene.

Ava’s body bent slightly, one hand resting on the person below her, her arms slender and fair, under the lamp light, her skin seemed delicate.

The wind gently swirled her hair, inadvertently a few strands fell and brushed her cheeks.

Her brows lowered, dense lashes, light shadows revealing a high nose bridge, serene brows, rosy lips—a true beauty.

And beneath her, the man knelt on one knee, holding her foot, his head focused.

The man was tall, well-built, under Ava’s bent shadow, his profile faintly visible, smooth lines, deep brows.

A true gentleman as jade.

The man handsome, the woman glamorous.

This scene was perfect for a global fashion magazine cover.

Poe Vaughn fixated on the scene, his deep eyes obscured in the shadows, unreadable.

Quentin matched Poe Vaughn’s pause, following his gaze.

And upon seeing this, he stopped.

As did the rest behind them.

All were stunned.

As a supermodel, Ava naturally sensed the attention directed at her.

Her brows furrowed slightly, she raised her gaze.

In the expansive illumination, the tall figure stood in the night.

The world vast, his features deep, his presence unshaken.

He seemed even more formidable under the night sky.

Ava was dumbfounded, her heart suddenly pounding intensely.

It’s over!