Chapter 356
“What’s wrong?” Yvonne, noticing her sudden withdrawal, stopped the playful banter and asked instinctively.
As she stood up, her gaze met Nash’s looming figure, and she too felt a pang of panic.
Why was Nash suddenly here?
No one was more nervous than Nina herself. She had barely been catching up with Yvonne for a while, and now Nash appeared out of nowhere.
Instinctively, she tidied her appearance to disguise her unease.
Nash, still visibly displeased, approached with a stern, icy demeanor. Observing their apparent discomfort, he inquired sharply, “What’s so amusing? You seem unusually happy.”
His penetrating gaze scanned the table, taking note of the tea, snacks, and an inconspicuous package that did not belong.
Nina hurriedly removed the books and package, placing them behind her. “Nothing, just chatting with Yvonne, having some fun,” she replied quickly, attempting to deflect his attention.
“Yeah, yeah,” Yvonne chimed in, trying to help Nina navigate the awkward situation. She joked, “Wow, Mr. York, you’re quite the clingy type. Nina’s barely been out here for a minute, and here you are. If others knew you were this clingy to your wife, they’d be shocked.”
With only Yvonne laughing, the silence in the room became palpable, leaving Yvonne feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
Nash’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze sharp as he followed Nina’s movements, engaging her in conversation. “Miss Yvonne, you usually can’t stand the sight of me. Yet today, you’re surprisingly polite. What’s changed?”
The subtle vibes in their communication made Nash feel like something was off.
Yvonne felt a pang of guilt, fearing she might be discovered, so she attempted to smooth things over. However, this only exposed their abnormal behavior.
“I…” Yvonne began, wanting to explain.
“Yvonne is halfway into the business world now. In the future, she might have dealings with you. It’s better to have one more friend than to offend someone,” Nina interjected, trying to cover for her. “Yeah, Mr. York,” Yvonne stood up, smiling at Nash. “I’m transitioning now. I used to be all about my art, earning just a reputation without much money. But now, I’m investing in business. Who knows, I might need Mr. York’s help in the future. Let’s bury the hatchet, shall we?”
She extended her hand, intending to shake hands with Nash. However, Nash’s gaze remained fixed on Nina. Seeing this, Yvonne withdrew her hand, feeling embarrassed.
Noticing Nina’s tightly clenched hand, Nash asked coldly, “When did you buy these books?”
“Just to pass the time,” Nina replied casually.
“Why did you put them away? Why bring them here instead of having them delivered to your house? Are you and Yvonne planning to read a few books while out together?” It did not make sense. Her abnormal behavior raised suspicions in Nash’s mind.
Nina replied calmly, “These are books Yvonne bought. She came today not just to hang out, but also to bring me the books she bought for me.”
Nash furrowed his brows, his expression stern, and he reached out his hand. “Let me see.”
Nina’s fingers clenched tightly, refusing to give him the books.
“These are books I bought for Nina. Mr. York, you shouldn’t pry into a girl’s reading materials.” Yvonne interjected.
“Hand them over!” Nash’s voice turned cold once more.
His firm demeanor made it difficult for anyone to argue further. Nina took a deep breath, her complexion turning pale. She reluctantly retrieved the books hidden under the package, tossing them to him. Nash took them, inspected them, and flipped through the pages, only to find they were just a few novels.
Nina stared at Nash with a cold expression. “Satisfied now?”