I: "..."
I pulled my hand away, instinctively touching my face.
It seemed like he was very confident about me.
So there really are people who think their partner could be stolen away at any moment.
[Hmm? My honey isn't holding my hand.]
[Got too happy too fast!]
[What era is it? Why is my thinking still so outdated, I should be guarding against women too!]
[Good, Clara, huh? I'll make sure to remember you!]
I took a small step and saw the scene where Clara and Ismael were facing off.
Clara's eyes flashed with surprise.
"Ismael?" Clara's gaze shifted from Ismael to me.
Our eyes met, and aside from surprise, she didn't seem to have any other emotions.
That was a bit odd.
I looked again.
"Is this your girlfriend?"
Clara spoke in a calm tone, her initial surprise seeming like that of seeing an old friend after a long time.
If neither of them had any feelings for each other...
Why were there rumors about them?
Strange. I looked again.
Ismael shot a cold glance at her, his hand behind his back subtly reaching for me. Unfortunately, as I took another small step, he failed to grasp my hand.
His initially indifferent expression grew even colder.
"Mm." Ismael nodded regally.
Clara and he exchanged pleasantries.
Normally, I should have felt like an outsider.
After all, Ismael hadn't even introduced me—on the surface, it seemed like he didn't value me as his girlfriend.
But before I had the chance to think too much about it, I heard Ismael's inner thoughts.
[Heh, woman, I knew it, you've set your sights on my honey.]
[You want to get closer to her through me, huh? I've already seen through your tricks.]
[Do you think I'm going to introduce her to you? No way! I'll never give you the chance to meet her!]
[My honey can only be my honey, no one else can get close to her!]
The sadness I had felt earlier was abruptly crushed.
[Hmm? Wait, a while ago my honey wanted to adopt a cat, should I be wary of cross-species relationships too?]
I: "..."
Ismael has started thinking about species now?
It was so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh.
Both of them, who had been conversing in a casual manner, immediately turned their attention to me.
Two pairs of eyes met mine.
There was no malice, but it was incredibly awkward.
"Miss Adeline, do you disagree with Ismael's thoughts?"
A question mark slowly appeared above my head.
I had only been focused on Ismael's inner voice, not really listening to what they were discussing.
Ismael's expression immediately soured.
His emotions rarely showed on his face, but this time, it was clearly a display of displeasure.
So, what had they been discussing?
As long as I stayed quiet, no one would know what I was thinking.
Ismael fixed his gaze on me.
[Why isn't my honey saying anything?]
[Does she not want to marry me?]
[This woman just asked me when I'm marrying my honey. Did I answer wrong?]
[Secretary—Secretary—bring me the book "How to Speak Well" immediately—it's on the leftmost shelf of my office bookshelf, second tier—]
I ignored Ismael's rambling and focused on the key information.
So that's what they were talking about?
I gave a universal smile in response.
Neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Clara showed a "I understand" expression and looked at me and Ismael with a hint of flirtation.
"When you two get married, don't forget to send me an invitation."
Ismael's expression immediately brightened at my response, but before he could fully enjoy the moment, Clara spoke and his mood soured again.
"The secretary will take care of the guest list."
[So you want to come to my wedding and steal my honey, huh?]
[Scheming bitch! Don't think I didn't notice that you looked at my honey twice in one minute!]
...Is looking twice in one minute really that much?
Ismael didn't hold back his words, and Clara's expression froze for a moment.
Luckily, she recovered quickly.
"I'm getting engaged this time when I return to the country. The invitation should've already been sent to you."
She smiled at Ismael. "I used to have feelings for you, but I've long since gotten over it. Don't worry, I'm not interested anymore."
"Ah, my doctor just arrived. I'll go ahead first."
She hurried off, leaving only me and Ismael behind.
I thought for a couple of seconds, then asked, "Do you two know each other?"
Ismael fell into thought.
[Do we know each other?]
[We must, right?]
[No impression.]
After muttering these thoughts, he nodded regally, signaling agreement.
"She said she used to pursue you."
More than that.
She was the one behind the rumors about his first love, the whole world knows that.
Otherwise, why would I record "Clara returns to the country" in my memo?
Speaking of which, Ismael even secretly looked at my phone!
What a jerk.
Ismael was really confused now.
So much so that his emotions showed clearly on his face: "No."
[No, I don't know her. Why would she have pursued me?]
[I've only pursued you.]
