「Two days later.」
Rebecca Quentin sat in her garden, her cheek resting on her hand, lost in thought.
Indeed, she had something on her mind...
Ever since Howard Geoffrey had breakfast with her that morning, she had returned home. In the two days since, she hadn't gone back to the hotel, and Howard Geoffrey hadn't appeared before her again.
Truth be told, she always felt that the incident that morning had added a layer of awkwardness between them. She truly didn't know how she would face him the next time they met.
Just as Rebecca was deep in thought, the ringing of her phone interrupted her thoughts.
Seeing the name on the screen, she felt like she'd found a lifeline and hurriedly pressed the answer key, "Isabella, I was just thinking about..."
Before Rebecca could finish her sentence, she was drowned out by Isabella Joanna's excited voice.
"Rebecca Quentin... come out right now! I'm waiting for you at the coffee shop where we always go. I want to see you in half an hour!"
「Half an hour later, in the coffee shop.」
From afar, Rebecca saw the usually busy Isabella Joanna patiently waiting for her by the window. She hurriedly walked over and sat down across from her. "I'm sorry, I got here as fast as I could."
Isabella Joanna stared intently at Rebecca, as if seeing her for the first time ever.
Rebecca felt uncomfortable under her friend's intense gaze. She glanced down at herself before asking doubtfully, "What's wrong? Is there something on me?"
Finally, Isabella Joanna responded, "Nothing is on you. I'm just looking at you."
Rebecca was utterly confused by Isabella Joanna's statement. "Um, what are you looking at?"
Isabella Joanna didn't mince words, "I'm looking to see what charm you have that could make Howard Geoffrey marry you!"
"What?"
Before Rebecca could react, Isabella Joanna had already yelled, "Rebecca Quentin, you're really calm, aren't you? You're about to marry Howard Geoffrey, and you didn't even mention it to me last time! Do you even consider me your best friend?"
Rebecca widened her eyes in astonishment. "Um, Isabella, didn't I tell you last time?"
Isabella Joanna was extremely excited. "You didn't tell me the man you're marrying is Howard Geoffrey! Howard Geoffrey! I only found out after reading today's newspaper!" With that, Isabella Joanna angrily produced today's newspaper.
Rebecca glanced at the large headline on the paper: "Skytop Group's CEO Howard Geoffrey to Wed T City Debutante, Rebecca Quentin."
Rebecca wondered, "Is there a problem with that?"
"Of course there's no problem, just my envy, jealousy, and hatred towards you! Life is so unfair!" Isabella Joanna pouted, slumped back in her chair, and pointedly avoided looking at Rebecca.
Rebecca asked in bewilderment, "Isabella, what's wrong? Is there a problem with my fiancé?"
Isabella Joanna rolled her eyes enviously. "It seems this little girl doesn't even know who she's marrying..."
Rebecca replied seriously, "I know, Howard Geoffrey!"
Isabella Joanna said with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "Howard Geoffrey—he graduated from Harvard University in the United States at 20. At 21, he founded 'Skytop Group' in the US. He first entered the Forbes Rich List at 25. By 27, he had led the group to dominate global finance, trade, and real estate. Now, at 28, his 'Skytop Group' is the business group with the highest market value in the Flowery Kingdom. Because of his astonishing wealth and rumored handsome appearance, he is admired by countless debutantes worldwide. However, as he rarely appears in public, these women can only fantasize about him."