237 Chapter 237

It was also one of the reasons why they broke up back then.

Shailene studied Vernon's body language and realized she had just hit the mark.

"I see, so it's her."

…

"Let me try to remember the name of the woman you called that night…." Shailene said. She hummed, trying to remember the name, but it didn't pop up in her head because it had been years ago.

"Chloe."

Shailene's eyes widened when Vernon suddenly opened his mouth and murmured the woman's name. After she got the name, her core memory started pouring out. She vividly remembered that night they were young university students, horny and drunk.

They went to Vernon's apartment and started undressing right after Vernon closed the door.

Shailene remembered how he carried her to the bed, started touching her boobs, and caressing her thighs.

Shailene took the initiative to give him a blowjob, so she stocked Vernon's rock-hard cock a few times before kissing the tip. The atmosphere was so hot, and the alcohol they consumed also heightened the sensation.

Vernon groaned a few times and grabbed Shailene's hair in response. Vernon looked down, and under the dim light, he saw wavy brown hair instead of red.

His mind instantly recalled the hair of the woman that filled his head and heart day and night, and then he murmured;

—

'It feels so good, Chloe….'

—

Shailene ended their relationship a month after that incident, as she realized there was no space for her in his heart.

"Well, it's kind of funny to see a playboy like you to be so loyal and dedicated to this woman," Shailene said. "But then again, I feel like you've never been in love with me in the first place. It's so unfortunate."

Vernon zipped his lips tight. He had nothing to argue with Shailene on this topic. Because he acknowledged that it was entirely his fault.

He dated Shailene just for the status of campus' hottest couple. It was just a fun thing to do to pass the time in the university.

He wouldn't lie that he had formed an emotional connection with her.

He and Shailene had many things in common, which was naturally shown with their harmless insult banter and how they rarely fought because Shailene was the only one who could talk Vernon out of his rage whenever he got pissed off.

Too bad, despite being a good match, Vernon's heart had been completely owned by only one woman, and that never changed even after ten years.

Vernon had nothing to say to refute Shailene. He was sensible enough to acknowledge his fault and allowed her to yell at or even curse him if she wanted to.

Because he played her like scum, he returned to her, asking her for a favor.

Strangely, Shailene didn't say anything after confirming the woman's identity that Vernon wanted to help. She leaned on the chair and crossed her arms right under her bosom.

She stared emptily at the road, and their situation suddenly became awkward.

Vernon wasn't really a chat initiator. He would rather hear what someone said to him and give a response accordingly.

But this awkwardness was choking him, forcing him to start a conversation.

So he opened his mouth, "So, how's New York? You like it here? I heard you're. working with many high profiled clients now."

"It's pretty fine. I'm busy most of the time and usually wouldn't accept an invitation, especially from a man who shattered my heart years ago," Shailene said nonchalantly while her eyes were still on the road.

Vernon's body tensed immediately, "I—Is that so?"

"Mhm, but I'm very interested with this woman that could make a scum man fall to his knees and called a one-time ex like me, just to ask for my help—"

Shailene finally turned her head towards Vernon. With a thin smile, she said, "—So you better stop trying to make unnecessary conversation with me. Save your breath to talk about this woman. She seems to be much more interesting than you."

Vernon swallowed his saliva hard. It was rare for him to get nervous, especially in front of a woman. But Shailene could do that easily, and that caught him off guard.

'I guess it's also my fault that she is being so hostile. I was such a bastard back then— not anymore though, I treat people with kindness after I graduated university, at least to a certain degree,' Vernon thought.

As detestable as he was right now, the college Vernon was much more scummy.

He had calmed down after graduating, which was quite an achievement.

'Well, partly because I'm starting a business, and I— I want to look more presentable in front of her…' Vernon thought.

**

His car stopped in front of the restaurant. The restaurant hosts opened the door for them and bowed their heads slightly as a sign of respect for Mr. Phoenix Gray.

Vernon gave one of the hosts his key and said, "I have a reservation for dinner."

'',

"Yes, Mr. Phoenix Gray. We have prepared everything for you," the host said. One of the hosts guided Vernon and Shailene to a seat reserved for the important guest.

Because Vernon was one of the investors and also a good friend of the owner, he always got special treatment whenever he reserved a seat for dinner here.

Vernon and Shailene sat in a special seat separated from the rest of the seats. This one was on the balcony, with a beautiful water fountain and garden view directly facing the balcony.

'',

The light in the fountain was lit up, giving a romantic atmosphere to whoever sat there, and it made Vernon uncomfortable.

Vernon frowned the whole time. He was displeased by the treatment because he specifically told Diamond not to make it weird since it was a professional meeting.

'Did Diamond make a wrong reservation? I told her many times that it's just a professional meeting, and she's not the type to make such a simple mistake.'