Chapter 853 Long Time No See

Nathan's steps came to a halt. Cold eyes were fixed on the front of the white double doors. "Here," he said slowly. "Ouyang is inside."

Elizabeth sensed the tension in the atmosphere but could not pinpoint the cause. She watched Nathan wordlessly, a calm smile hiding her unease.

"Shall we go in together?" She was pulled away from her musings by the sound of Mandy's voice.

Elizabeth declined her offer with a slight shake of her head. "That's alright. I'll go first. Ouyang wants to see me after all." She had come here with that exact purpose. Adrian's life had almost been ruined, and she carried part of the blame. She had to do something. Otherwise, guilt was a stench that never washed away.

"Miss Li."

"Honey."

Mandy and Shawn protested in unison. The smile on Mandy's face was frozen and had almost turned into a grimace. Shawn was silent, but his agitation was betrayed by the tightness in his jaw.

Elizabeth chuckled. "What? It's not like he's gonna eat me alive."

"No, it's just… I don't want you to see him alone," Shawn answered, his shoulders dropping.

"We've already talked about this. Why are you suddenly changing your mind?" Elizabeth's voice had taken on a calm, almost clinical tone.

The woman in front of him now was not Elizabeth. His wife was safely hidden somewhere underneath this cloak. Shawn had already known what her answer would be even before he protested, but he had to try. As he looked at her now, however, he could see the glint of decisiveness in her eyes, and he relented. There was no stopping her now.

Mandy watched her quietly. She was also well-acquainted with Elizabeth's character. Like a proud fortress, this woman knew both kindness and strength, love and hatred, ruthlessness and protection.

There was a moment of impasse until Nathan broke the deadlock. His dark eyes swept ac

n a rough voice, "Long time no see."

"How have you been these years?" Elizabeth continued politely, not knowing entirely what to say to him.

"Just so so. And you?" Ouyang's eyes did not leave Elizabeth's face. He traced her features with unblinking eyes as if wanting to commit her image to memory.

"I've been good." Elizabeth gave him a bright smile. It was true. Since she married Shawn, her life had been filled with immense happiness. Shawn gave her all of his love, which she returned with her own. Their happiness only grew when she gave birth to a son and a daughter for him. Time flew and the children have now grown up, and they had lives of their own. Now, like the beginning, it was only the two of them again.

Ouyang felt a pang of bitterness at her answer. Life had been kind to Elizabeth in a way that was the opposite to him. His eyes were sunken and weary, which made him look much older than his age. Shawn had probably taken good care of her over the years.

Her maturity was evident in the way she dressed and carried herself, but she had kept a youthful glow about her. Her skin was smooth, and she was in good shape. The light in her eyes gave her a warm glow that made her look even more full of life.