Meanwhile, after being bombarded with texts from Lucy, Yvette finally agreed to meet. They arranged to meet at a café. Lucy arrived first. She knew Yvette's temper; every extra minute waiting would incite more irritation. While such agitation might not bother others, with Yvette, it was dangerous.
Yvette wore her usual simple attire: a t-shirt, denim shorts, her old canvas shoes, and a black baseball hat. Her hair was tied up, with only a few strands framing her brows. Lucy kept looking toward the entrance, finally spotting Yvette's silhouette. Her outfit was exactly the same as five years ago. She stood excitedly, waving. Yvette saw her, raised an eyebrow, and walked over.
After Yvette sat down, Lucy immediately called the server and ordered a cup of coffee. Yvette spoke slowly, "No need. I'll have three cups of milkshake, please." The waitress paused, asking for confirmation, "Three milkshakes?" Yvette nodded. "Yep."
After the waitress left, Lucy glanced at Yvette curiously. "Yvette, since when did you switch to milkshakes?" Yvette replied casually, "Well, I've recently found them more enjoyable." Lucy chuckled. As long as Yvette was happy, nothing else mattered.
Even after ten years, Yvette remained quiet. She rarely spoke unless spoken to. Back then, Lucy had been in a desperate situation when she met Yvette. Her family was pressuring her to marry a much older man. She ran away, penniless, ending up on the streets, nearly harassed by beggars. Fate, she reflected, could be both dramatic and strange.
Her rescuer wasn't a prince, but Yvette, appearing in blood-stained clothes with a large suitcase full of cash. Yvette simply asked, "Here's some money. What do you want to do?" Lucy remembered replying with determination, "I want to start a game company and make a lot of money. I just want to focus on making money." Yvette, who was only twelve at the time, gave her a brief look before handing over the suitcase. Lucy had to persistently ask for contact information to stay in touch.
Later, she used the money to establish FastPulse Technologies, a game company. In ten years, she transformed it into the world's largest. On the surface, she was the chairperson; in reality, Yvette held 31% of the shares, giving her absolute control. Yvette, however, never appeared and likely didn't care about these things.
For years, Lucy worked tirelessly, never marrying or having children, as those would only slow her money-making. She'd proven everyone wrong, possessing more wealth than she could ever spend. Lately, though, she felt lost. That's why she sought Yvette. She hoped for new insights from their conversation.
Lucy took a sip of her coffee, feeling down—a side she rarely showed. "Yvette, what do you people live for?"
Yvette sipped her milkshake, her eyes deep in thought. After a moment, she asked, "Are you thinking about dying?" Lucy choked on her drink, surprised. It was difficult to get comfort from Yvette. Lucy shook her head, sighing. "Yvette, with all this money, why would I think about ending it all? I'm just contemplating life."
Yvette set down her milkshake, her gaze icy, her lips pressed together. "If you don't want to die, you just have to keep living."
Lucy considered her serious, expressionless answer. She found Yvette had a point. Why worry so much? If she didn't want to die, she just needed to live. Was she being too dramatic? Maybe she'd been too idle lately. She needed something to do. Perhaps she should buy another company.
Just then, a group of women entered the adjacent booth. Clearly affluent housewives, around fifty years old, each carried an LV and an Hermès handbag. They looked elegant. A waiter seated them next to Yvette. Their conversation was easily overheard.
A sharp voice cut through the air, "Did you hear Jeremiah from the Chavez family is dating someone? Is it Truc?"
The gossip flowed, revealing that Jeremiah, the grandson of General Jase Chavez and a prominent figure in Betrico, was dating a girl from a small town. The women were openly jealous and critical.
Lucy, having already heard the news, explained to Yvette: "The Jeremiah they're discussing is the grandson of General Jase Chavez. He's the youngest major general in Clusia. I have some business dealings with his mother, Aurora." Lucy understood their jealousy. Major General Jeremiah was known for not being interested in women. This girl was truly remarkable to have captured his attention. "I'd like to meet her," Lucy admitted.
Yvette, having finished two milkshakes, swung her leg and looked at Lucy with a touch of mischief. "Nothing but two eyes and a nose. Nothing remarkable to look at," she stated calmly.
Lucy assumed Yvette wasn't interested. She figured it made sense; Yvette didn't understand love. If Yvette ever entered a relationship, it would likely take a very long time. Lucy believed no man could win her over. Just then, another round of discussion began in the next booth, concerning Aurora's presence at a social gathering.