Chapter 159

As Grace ate, she still couldn't figure out Brian's intentions. Was this meal simply a thank you?

Midway through the meal, Brian abruptly asked, "Miss Cummins used to be Sean's girlfriend?"

Grace's chopsticks froze. Lowering her head, she replied, "Yes." She knew men like him would thoroughly investigate someone before a date.

"You broke up with him because of the car accident that year?" he pressed.

"So what if it was?" she retorted, lifting her head. "Mr. Hart, the person I killed was Jason's fiancée. In Emerald City, who would dare associate with me?"

"I dare," he said.

Grace was stunned. Her mind went blank as she stared at him.

"What do you think? Would you consider dating me?" he asked.

Grace felt no ambiguity, only numbness. His distant expression made his words sound as if she were merely an object, a novel acquisition.

"As far as I know, Mr. Hart, you recently got a new girlfriend," she said, referencing gossip from the Sanitation Service Center.

"Yes, but if you date me, I'll break up with her," he stated seriously.

Grace found this ludicrous. This Crown Prince seemed remarkably casual about relationships.

"Why?" she asked, puzzled. Her appearance had faded in the three years since her imprisonment; sun, wind, and neglect hadn't done her any favors.

"Your face is pretty. I like it," he said.

"My face?" She touched her face incredulously. She didn't consider herself prettier than any actress. Besides, many beautiful actresses would likely welcome his attention.

"Especially your eyes," he said. "They're beautiful, though your gaze is bitter and heavy."

His gaze held hers. "What do you think? Date me?"

His casual tone belied the intensity of his stare, leaving her breathless.

Grace abruptly stood. "I'm going to the restroom," she excused herself, hurrying from the private room.

Brian gently lowered his eyes, a playful glint appearing at the corners of his lips.

In the restroom, Grace stared at her unmade-up face in the mirror. It was acceptable, at best. She'd never considered her eyes beautiful, merely pleasant—certainly not stunning.

Could Brian genuinely be interested, or was this a whim? A game, like with Jason?

The thought of Jason brought a fresh wave of pain. Her Jay, her pure and clean Jay, was gone.

Shaking her head, Grace was leaving the restroom when someone rushed forward, raised a hand, and slapped her.