Chapter 308

I knocked on the door, and the seven or eight people inside turned to look at me. In that instant, I noticed how the men’s eyes lit up when they saw me.

Since this wasn’t a formal occasion, I had chosen a flowing, floral maxi dress that swayed gracefully with my movements. My long hair was styled in an elegant half-up braided bun, and I wore delicate pearl earrings that accentuated my refined yet alluring charm.

The shift in my mindset had also done wonders for my complexion. My skin glowed with a fresh, dewy radiance, like a flower in full bloom.

Let’s face it, men love looking at beautiful women. It’s human nature, just like how women appreciate a young man with broad shoulders, a chiseled V-line, long legs, and a sculpted eight-pack. Some things are simply hardwired into us.

Jared’s gaze clung to me as if magnetized. The moment our eyes met, it felt like he had dragged me into some midnight fantasy of his.

I had already been walking quickly, my cheeks slightly flushed, but under his intense stare, they burned even hotter. Was this man forgetting where we were?

“Is this Mrs. Holcomb? So young and beautiful,” a middle-aged gentleman remarked politely. The others murmured in agreement.

A faint smirk tugged at Jared’s lips, but he quickly clarified, “Victoria and I are divorced now. She’s my ex-wife, an incredibly accomplished woman who’s recently stepped into hotel investment and management. I’d appreciate it if you all could support her in the future.”

With that, Jared introduced me to each person in the room, and I made sure to memorize their names for future networking.

The discussion lasted until midnight, and the insights I gained were invaluable. They gave me a clearer understanding of the hospitality industry’s trends and potential areas for growth.

Back in school, I never fully appreciated the joy of filling my mind with knowledge, but now that I needed it, I realized I could never learn enough.

When it was time to leave, Jared deliberately slowed his steps to walk beside me.

“Thank you for introducing me to so many exceptional investors,” I said. Common courtesy demanded gratitude, and he had done me a favor.

Jared smiled faintly. “I can tell you’re eager to grow. I just paved the way a little.”

“A path like this is practically paved with gold bricks. Most people never get the chance to walk it,” I replied with a light laugh.

“I owed you that much.” He glanced at me, his gaze deep and unreadable. “For seven years, you gave up your own social circles and ambitions to focus entirely on me and our child.

“The truth is, with your talent and looks, you might not have been worse off if you’d never met me.”

I blinked, then chuckled. “That’s… surprisingly fair of you to say!”

Jared studied me for a moment before asking, “Did my mom call you this morning?”

“Yeah. She demanded I quit my job and stop interfering with your dating life,” I answered bluntly.

He sighed in exasperation. “She’s just impatient. Whatever she said, don’t take it to heart. She only lashed out at you because she couldn’t get through to me. She thinks you’re the one standing in the way?”

“Then can you explain it to her?” I really didn’t want to deal with my ex-mother-in-law. Let’s be honest—middle-aged women could be relentless when they set their minds to something, and once they started an argument, it never ended.

Jared’s voice turned cold. “Didn’t you already explain it to her? You told her you had a boyfriend now.”

I turned to look at him. His eyes burned with displeasure. “Do you have to make sure everyone knows about you and Nathan?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Mr. Holcomb, can you be reasonable for once? I was just stating facts. How does that translate to me flaunting anything?”

Jared pressed his lips into a thin line. Just then, the elevator doors opened, and everyone began filing in. Not wanting to continue this conversation, I quickly stepped inside. Jared followed right behind me.

The elevator was crowded, but the investors, being gentlemen, naturally made space, leaving the spot beside me open for Jared. This was the closest we’d been since the divorce.

Chapter 309