Chapter 872

Realization dawned upon Samuel and Zane.

“I see. I was wondering why you suddenly came here to drown your sorrows. Turns out it’s because Rachel is about to be your aunt.”

Caleb sniggered. “That’s really quite troubling. These things only happen in novels—your ex-wife becoming your aunt. Sounds a little…”

Samuel slapped his forehead.

“That’s hard to say. You know that uncle of yours well. He’s been single for so many years. He might just be waiting for Rachel, for all you know! I heard through the grapevine that he knew her a long time ago, and even had interactions with her mother.”

Samuel had always been a philanderer and never stayed for long in a single relationship. He persuaded William, “I’d advise you to stop obsessing over Rachel. How about this? I’ll find another woman for you. The fastest way to forget your ex is to find a replacement as soon as you can.”

William wanted to throw all caution to the wind. All he knew was that if he continued this way, he’d feel terrible.

“You have someone in mind?”

Samuel snapped his fingers, and someone came over with many women following behind him. All of them were beauties. They stood in a line, ready for William to take his pick.

“Well, don’t they all look great?”

William wasn’t quite interested in the first few women in line, but his gaze rested on a woman who looked rather cold and distant. She was wearing a white shirt and jeans, her long hair tied back to reveal her fair neck. There was a distant indifference on her face, despite the noisy bar they were in. William’s fingers subconsciously rubbed against the cold wall of the glass in his hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down his throat. Samuel was alert enough to notice the change in William’s face and nudged him with his elbow.

“You like her? I went to great lengths to ‘borrow‘ her from my friend’s art gallery. Her name’s Winnie, and she does oil paintings. She doesn’t like coming to these places. It took me a lot of effort to call her here!”

Winnie didn’t seem to care about the looks that came her way. She simply stood there quietly, her fingers lightly caressing her bag strap, as if to confirm that her belongings were still with her. William suddenly stood up and stumbled toward her. He said hoarsely, “Come with me.”

Before Winnie could respond, he made a beeline for the couches at the corner of the bar. Samuel and Zane exchanged glances, knowing that something exciting was about to happen. Caleb swirled the wine in his glass, a pensive look on his face.

Winnie did resemble Rachel when William first got to know her. She looked neat, capable, and slightly stubborn, especially with her distant gaze. Winnie hesitated for a moment before following William to the couch at the corner of the bar.

William sat down and pushed a glass of iced water to her. “Can you drink?”

She shook her head and said softly, “Not really.”

“Then have some water,” William said as he stared at her, as though trying to see someone else’s shadow in her eyes. “Your name is Winnie?”

“Yes.”

“You’re an artist?”

“Yeah,” Winnie said, her responses clipped.

However, she looked back at him and did not shy away from his gaze.

“Mr. Lewis, do you want me to drink with you, or would you like to look at some artwork?”

Chapter 873

Winnie’s words stunned William.