Elara Don: "..."
What is he talking about?
Driving like he's flying a spaceship, almost hitting people, yet accusing her of trying to attract his attention?
How self-centered can this person be?
Amused, Elara Don walked up to Damon Hawke, chin raised high, looking him up and down: "Sir, do you think you're a dollar bill, loved by everyone? All I see is one nose and two eyes, nothing but ordinary! Being self-centered is a disease, you need to cure it! Look, there's a hospital right over there, go visit the psychiatric ward when you're free!"
Just her luck, encountering a narcissist right after returning home.
No point in teasing him!
Elara Don tidied up the hair around her ears, ignoring someone's grim face, ready to leave.
Yet, perhaps she hadn't been home in a while, unaccustomed to the roads here, she tripped on her foot and stumbled forward.
Without deviation, she fell right into Damon Hawke's arms.
Ouch!
How embarrassing!
Elara's cheeks flushed red, her fingers like jade touched his firm chest muscles, taking a deep breath.
The light scent of tobacco mixed with fresh mint, wafting into her nose.
Clean, cool, yet strangely familiar!
For a moment, Elara's mind was in a daze.
Four years ago, that stranger she shared a night with had the same scent!
Could it be him?
"You..."
"And you say you're not trying every means to get my attention? Miss, women need to learn self-respect!"
Damon Hawke pushed the dazed Elara Don away; his furrowed brows showed even more disdain.
He pulled out wet wipes from his pocket, wiped each finger clean, threw them into the nearby trash bin.
The meaning of disgust was evident.
Elara snapped back to reality, catching sight of his cold, loathing eyes, nearly laughing in anger.
Her, not self-respecting?
He's the one too self-centered!
Ludicrous!
Couldn't be bothered with him!
Elara withheld her inquiries, glaring at him fiercely before storming off.
Damon Hawke's handsome jawline tightened as he turned his head toward the roadside greenery, speaking coldly: "Finished watching? Not coming out yet?"
A rustling sound, and a small figure emerged from behind the greenery.
A black mask covered the child's face, only revealing those bright black eyes, shifting from Elara's direction to Damon's face.
"Little master, finally found you."
Bodyguard Benny hurried over, looking reborn, excitedly running and holding the child's hand, bringing him to Damon Hawke.
After the little master went missing at the airport, the elder master immediately checked the airport surveillance.
He then drove himself, tracking all the way, finally finding here.
Fortunately, the little master was safe, otherwise, Benny would surely face serious consequences!
"Dominic Hawke, give me an explanation; why did you run off alone to here?"
Damon Hawke looked down at the child barely reaching his calf, his handsome face shadowed with displeasure.
Dominic Hawke remained silent, his glassy eyes staring straight ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
"Speak! Why did you run off?"
Damon Hawke suppressed his anger, crouching down to meet his son eye to eye, pulling off the mask from his face.
The child had a chiseled, doll-like face with exquisitely beautiful features.
But he was somewhat introverted, not fond of speaking or meeting strangers, always wearing a mask when going out...
Quite troubling!
Dominic Hawke looked at his father, still silent, his tiny arms wrapped around Damon Hawke's neck.
The scent of milk wafted over, Damon Hawke silently sighed, his chilly demeanor easing, lifting his child into his arms.
"Dominic Hawke, if you don't want to meet your mom, you could just tell me, but you can't run off like this next time, okay?"
Today, his fiancée, also the child's biological mother, was returning home.
She wanted him to fetch her with the child.
He had asked his son, and his son hadn't disagreed.
Unexpected...
Not sure why, his son had never been close to his biological mother since childhood!
Dominic Hawke pursed his lips, sitting in the car, his gaze fixed on the apartment building outside, dark eyes steady.
Mommy should be like that lady earlier!
...
The next day.
Skyridge Apartments.
Elara Don was changing shoes while instructing her son: "Bea, don't run around at home! There are groceries in the fridge, just take them out and heat them in the microwave if you're hungry, got it?"
She had to work today, needed to earn money for milk powder!
Luckily, the little kid was exceptionally smart and sensible, taking care of himself since he was three.
No need for her constant worries.
"Mommy, don't worry! Come home early after work! If someone bullies you, make sure to tell Bea, I'll take a bug and get rid of them!"
Harry Soo held up a small bottle of insects, reminding Elara Don.
This child had been a bug enthusiast since young.
Would they become a scientist?
Elara chuckled softly, crouched to kiss the child's cheek, reminded him a few more things, and then left.
She hailed a cab to the bustling commercial area, staring at the grand building before her. Hawke Group's name shone under the sunlight, and she took a sharp breath.
Four years ago, just 19, she was forced to leave home, her studies incomplete.
In four years, relying on her sensitivity to scents and appraisal abilities, she self-taught and became a perfumer.
Employed by Country F's Lionne Fragrances.
This time, Lionne Fragrances was collaborating with Hawke Group on technology, with both companies developing custom perfumes, thus she was dispatched to handle business with Hawke Group.
Elara Don gazed at the grand entrance, tidied her not-so-messy attire, and walked in.
"Hello, I'm Charlotte Soo from Lionne Fragrances, I have an appointment with your Technical Director, Ethan Lane."
Elara Don addressed the receptionist.
Correct.
In Country F, her English name was Charlotte Soo, not Elara Don.
Due to concerns of threats against her and her child, she changed her name straight after going abroad four years ago.
"Hello, Ms. Soo, please wait, Director Ethan will be here soon."
The receptionist smiled while attending to Elara Don, when there was commotion at the doorway.
Several people walked in from outside.
"Mr. Hawke has arrived."
"Morning, Mr. Hawke."
"..."
Staff in the lobby paused and respectfully greeted the person entering.
Elara Don turned to look, only to see several men arriving.
One, in a neatly pressed suit, carried the dignified air of someone with authority, unapproachable.
With handsome and impeccable features, yet he never smiles.
It's him!
"Morning, Mr. Hawke, morning Director Ethan! This is Ms. Charlotte Soo from Lionne Fragrances, she has an appointment with you."
The receptionist greeted Ethan Lane beside Damon Hawke.
Ethan Lane stopped, his gaze resting on Elara Don, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes!
"You're Charlotte Soo? The perfumer dispatched by Lionne Fragrances?"
So beautiful!
With shoulder-length black hair, pure and spotless.
Bright eyes and teeth, elegant and distinctive.
Wearing a form-fitting almost professional attire, she looked even more like a corporate beauty.
"Hello, Director Ethan, I'm Charlotte Soo."
Elara Don nodded slightly to Ethan Lane, reaching out with a smile.
"Welcome, welcome."
Ethan Lane quickly shook Elara Don's hand, introducing her to Damon Hawke nearby.
"Mr. Hawke, let me introduce—"
"I'm not deaf."
Damon Hawke's expression cold and arrogant, his gaze fixed on Elara Don, his eyes contemplative.
This woman, acting like a fangirl, turned out to be the perfumer sent by Lionne Corporation?
Can she really handle it?