First to enter the line of sight was a pair of black leather shoes, polished to a shine.
Then a pair of straight, slender legs, wrapped in black suit trousers, perfectly tailored.
Following the long legs upward, when the man’s entire body came into view, Titus Zane couldn’t help but startle a bit.
The wineglass filled with a red liquid froze at her lips, and her plump lips, coated in bright red lipstick, were slightly parted as well.
She had never thought she would encounter Nathan Moore in such a place.
"Sorry, traffic was a nightmare," Nathan Moore nodded slightly, his tall and lean figure imposing an involuntary sense of pressure.
Three years had passed, and his handsome face seemed even more indifferent than before.
"Director Moore, it’s an honor," Mr. Tang circled around the coffee table, eagerly extending both hands.
Nathan Moore bent slightly, politely shaking hands, "Mr. Tang, it’s a pleasure."
After the surprise came detachment. Titus Zane casually held the wineglass, still reclining lazily on the sofa, sipping the red wine with a distant gaze as the men exchanged pleasantries.
In their line of work, one learned first and foremost to keep one’s composure in all situations.
Besides, she had already come to an agreement with Nathan Moore years ago that from then on, they owed each other nothing.
So there was no need for her to panic or evade, he was merely someone from her past with whom she had shared an unpleasant encounter.
Once let go, everything becomes diluted with time.
After the men had shaken hands with one another, Mr. Tang remembered his "new sweetheart." It’s typical for men to want to show off a beautiful woman by their side to their friends, just as women like to flaunt expensive jewelry to their sisters.
And so, upon taking a seat, Mr. Tang immediately introduced Titus Zane to Nathan Moore.
"Honey, this is Director Moore, the promising young entrepreneur of T City I told you about before..."
Only then did Nathan Moore notice Titus Zane’s presence.
In a club, it was common to have companions; at first, he mistook Titus Zane, who was drinking alone in the corner, for just another companion and didn’t pay any attention.
Now, hearing Mr. Tang’s introduction, he politely looked over, intending to just nod in acknowledgment, but upon seeing that familiar yet greatly changed face, the courteous smile on Nathan Moore’s lips froze, and even his usually unflappable handsome face was visibly shocked.
Titus Zane was somewhat more indifferent, raising her wineglass toward Nathan Moore, her lips curving slightly, "Director Moore, it’s an honor."
Nathan Moore came to his senses, but his reaction was sluggish, his black eyes, even across the distance, firmly fixed on Titus Zane.
"When did you... come back?"
Later... he had secretly searched a long time but found no news of her.
All he knew was that she had gone abroad, because he only found records of her leaving the country, and then there was no further trace.
"Today," Titus Zane took a light sip of her wine, maintaining a slight curve on her lips. Although charming, Nathan Moore felt her smile seemed polite and yet distant.
Mr. Tang looked from side to side, even he, insensitive as he might be, could see that the two had known each other before.
"Honey and Director Moore are acquaintances, you’ve met before, right?"
Before Nathan Moore could speak, Titus Zane confirmed it first.
"Years ago, I had an encounter with Director Moore, but it’s all old news now."
The understated phrase "old news" made it seem as if she had let go of everything from the past.
And indeed, Titus Zane’s demeanor suggested exactly that.
Speaking of the past, there was no joy, no sorrow, no reminiscing, or sighs – and the choice of words was intriguing: there had been an "encounter," not a relationship.