Chapter 391
Chapter 391:
The file contained everything. She was twenty-three years old, university-educated, and worked for her father, a man named Leo Ford — the founder of Ford Furnishings, the man who had revolutionized the furniture industry by selling his products in flat-pack boxes and turned a simple idea into the largest furniture company on the planet.
Reading through it, Devin finally understood why Goodwin — a man who had never struggled to attract women — was failing so completely this time. Alma had grown up wealthy and had seen the world. There was nothing Goodwin could offer her that she didn’t already possess. And despite being well-preserved for his age, Goodwin was nearly fifty — far too old for a woman like her, and with very little to offer that she would actually want.
Devin’s eyes drifted to the section on her interests.
Like her father, she was deeply passionate about restoring antique watches. On one occasion, she had shut herself in a room for two full days without eating or drinking to finish repairing a particularly complex piece. Leo had eventually been forced to go in and help her complete it just to get her to come out and have a proper meal.
Devin rubbed his forehead. He knew absolutely nothing about watch repair.
Elsewhere, Veda helped Kristine carry the last dish to the table.
“It’s a simple meal — I hope you enjoy it,” Kristine said as she took the seat across from Asher.
She had made everything herself. Being in a different country meant she hadn’t been able to find all her usual ingredients, so she’d had to improvise with unfamiliar spices.
Asher looked over the spread and smiled warmly. “What’s the occasion p>
Kristine lowered her lashes for a moment before looking up at him. “First, I wanted to thank you for saving my life.” She glanced toward the staircase, then back at him. “And second — thank you for getting me that book p>
She watched his face carefully, searching for any flicker of hidden feeling beneath the surface.
ѕ𝗵a𝗿𝘦 𝘆𝗼𝘂r 𝘁𝗵𝘰𝘶𝗴h𝗍𝘴 𝗈𝗻 ѕ.𝗰𝗼𝘮
But Asher was perfectly composed. Not even the faintest trace of emotion crossed his expression.
“I’m friends with the library director,” he said simply. “Borrowing a book is nothing. You really don’t need to thank me for something so small p>
He said it so casually that Kristine felt something deflate inside her. She had clearly read far too much into it.
“Is something wrong?” Asher asked, noticing the shift in her expression. “Did you not like the book p>
“It’s nothing,” Kristine said quickly, smoothing over the feeling. “Since you’re on good terms with the director, could I borrow more rare books while I’m here p>
“Of course. Take whatever you’d like — I’ve already spoken to him about it p>
Kristine nodded.
A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the soft clink of cutlery against plates.
Then they both looked up at the same moment and spoke at once.
“By the way p>
“I was just about to p>
They stopped. A beat of surprised stillness passed between them before they both laughed.
“You first,” Asher said.
“No, you,” Kristine insisted.
He relented. “All right. I’ve confirmed our meeting with Leo for the day after tomorrow. Are you ready p>