CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: FOUND A BOX OF CONDOMS IN HIS CAR...

Following Ian Kane’s gaze, Jasper Crowe looked diagonally across.

And immediately understood.

He continued sipping his tea.

Vera Sheridan also looked over, and saw the smile on Nina Sullivan’s lips freeze, timidly looking at Ian Kane beside her.

She understood that Ian Kane saw through Nina’s schemes and was retaliating.

Ian Kane, sparing his words, asked, "Unwilling?"

Nina was startled again, the burn scar on her thigh long healed but now searing, "I, I will dance, it’s an honor to perform for everyone!"

"And thank you, Ms. Sheridan, for giving this opportunity to a junior like me!" The girl wore a sycophantic smile.

Vera Sheridan responded with a faint "Mm," her cold eyes giving Nina a warning glance.

Nina quickly went to change into her dance shoes, tied her ponytail into a bun, took off her blazer, and started to gracefully dance in the luxurious private room, then spun into a fouetté.

She stood on one foot, the skirt of her black cocktail dress swirling, like a black swan.

After the perfect showcase, she clutched her chest and bowed elegantly.

Everyone applauded.

Only Ian Kane, leisurely skimmed the layer of oil off a bowl of ginseng chicken soup, and as Nina was about to return to her seat, said indifferently, "Keep dancing, don’t stop."

Nina’s graceful figure froze, she widened her eyes to look at Ian.

Vera was also taken aback.

The room fell silent, everyone could see Ian Kane was deliberately making things difficult for Nina.

Vera gave Ian a look, silently pleading.

Ian remained unfazed, pushing the chicken soup towards her, he looked at Nina, "What, unwilling?"

Vera frowned, looking at Quentin Hawthorne, thinking, isn’t Ian Kane concerned about his face?

Quentin lifted his chin towards Nina and said, "Kane is appreciating your dancing, be good, keep going!"

As he spoke, his fingertips lightly caressed the rim of the cup, his eyes flashed with an amused smile.

Everyone knew Quentin was with Ian Kane, only thinking he was flattering Ian, as for Nina, she was just a companion.

Vera also thought Quentin was flattering.

Nina had no choice but to continue dancing, her black figure like a spinning top, continuously rotating.

Her calves grew increasingly sore, her toes ever more painful, everyone seemed to be mocking her, but she dared not stop.

Seeing Ian Kane pour a glass of water for Vera, so considerate and caring, her heart burned with jealousy towards Vera.

Why was she so fortunate?!

Nina didn’t know how long she’d been dancing, her snow-white pointe shoes gradually stained red with blood.

She had danced for so long that her toenails deeply cut into her flesh...

Vera did not spare her any sympathy.

...

After the gathering, Ian Kane helped Vera into the Maybach, closing the door, saying he had a few more words with Jasper Crowe and would return shortly.

Vera sat in the car, resting with her eyes shut.

"That President Kane’s wife’s way of walking is really unsightly, if it were me, I’d be embarrassed to take her out."

"It’s true love, pursued for six years, willing to give his life, while you, how many would you change in six years?"

Voices of discussion could be heard outside.

Vera remained silent, a dismissive smile on her face.

When Ian Kane returned, smelling of smoke, he proactively explained to her, "Smoked one with Jasper."

Vera nodded, said nothing, reached for the buckle, and secured the seatbelt, inadvertently touching a box, thinking it was a cigarette box, casually picked it up, and was about to place it in the glove compartment when she froze.

Under the dome light, she found herself holding a silver Okamoto.

The box was unsealed and opened, only two or three individually-wrapped pieces remained inside...

Vera slowly turned her head to look at him.

Ian Kane was also staring at the box in her hand, as the Maybach passed under an overpass, a moment of darkness shrouded his expression.

The atmosphere was tense for a few seconds.

Streetlights cast their light again.

He turned his head, their eyes met...

He looked at her leisurely.

Vera felt a chill down her spine under his gaze, threw it into the glove compartment like a hot potato, said nothing, and turned to look lightly out the window.

Ian turned her face to look at her, his deep eyes reflecting with moist glitter.

"Honey, you finally trust me. I was so nervous, like facing an enemy, fearing you’d suspect me of cheating again."

He looked on the verge of tears.

Vera blankly responded with a "Mm."

Ian entwined his fingers with hers, adjusted his posture, leaning his head on her shoulder, "There’s no need for apologies between us, we are kindred spirits, souls relying on each other. In the future, as long as you always believe in me, I’ll be satisfied."

His weight leaned against her, a heavy feeling providing a sense of security.

"This car is usually in Veridia, Carter Sutton often drives it out to show off, that thing was left in the car by him, didn’t make you feel disgusted, did it?"

Vera hesitated, "No."

Silently thankful she hadn’t confronted him just now.

Carter Sutton was the son of his aunt’s family, studying at a third-rate university in Veridia, quite the playboy.

The hotel suite had two rooms; Vera went into her own room.

Just after her bath, she received a call from her mother-in-law, Jean Crowe.

"Vera, Ian’s not answering my calls again, says I annoy him, so I had to call you."

How could Ian, being so filial, not answer her calls?

"Mom, what’s up?" Vera patiently asked.

Jean’s voice was choked with emotion, "It’s about having a child, whenever I mention it to Ian, he gets impatient, he never acted this way since he was a kid..."

Vera was at a loss for words.

Ian’s father passed away early, and when he was alive, Jean suffered greatly. Ian had always been filial to her, and now, for her sake, he’s at odds with his mother.

"Vera, it’s not that I’m old-fashioned, but your grandfather holds 10% of shares, waiting to see which family gets a male heir, that’s who he’ll give them to. If Ian doesn’t get those shares, it’s like handing over the empire he worked hard to secure to your uncle or third uncle’s family, isn’t it? Mom’s considering for you two!" Jean continued.

Vera had heard about this matter long ago.

"Mom, don’t worry, Ian surely has his plans."

Jean said, "What could he plan? Your grandfather wants a great-grandson!"

"Also, Ian is something; you can’t dance now, you’re free and at the best age for having children. Vera, tell me quietly, does Ian have a problem in that area?"

Vera clenched her phone, knowing full well she was the one with issues, why did she ask on purpose?

"If there really is a problem, IVF would work too! Medical technology is so advanced nowadays!"

Her mother-in-law added.

Vera suddenly understood her real intention...!