Flora couldn’t mask her astonishment. Gripping the edge of the table excitedly, she inquired, “Do you know who it is?”
Hearing the conversation, their coworkers perked up. Some started whispering, “Gosh, is it me or is she seriously trying to go after the guy…”
“I know, right? How could…”
Flora ignored the murmurs, honing in on the answer.
Lilian’s disdain was palpable as she heard the whispers. “Why do you need to know?”
“Because it’s vital to me,” Flora’s urgency piqued Lilian’s interest. Staring at Flora, she tried to read something in her eyes, then responded, “Justin. His name is Justin!”
Flora’s face went white as a sheet, shock, confusion, hope, and bewilderment all crashing together on her petite features.
Lilian’s words hit her like a ton of bricks, leaving her reeling.
Julie, sitting up front, noticed Flora’s unusual state and quickly stood up. She discreetly approached Flora and tugged at her sleeve. “Hey, what’s the matter?”
“Where? Where’s the press conference?” asked Flora.
Lilian, irked by Flora’s urgent tone, waved the invitation in her hand while saying, “Knowing where it is won’t help you; only this can get you in. There are only a handful in the entire company. Oh, Mr. Bowles has one too, but he might not be interested in such a pointless event.”
As she watched Lilian strut away, Flora couldn’t focus on anything else; she just wanted to follow her.
“Hey!” Julie dashed to the door and yanked Flora aside. “Have you lost your mind? If the boss finds out, you’re toast. I don’t know what Lilian’s game is.”
“Julie, you don’t get it. I have to see Justin today!” Flora replied, already with a ton of questions piling up in her heart.
“Don’t stress.” Julie lowered her voice and patted Flora’s shoulder. “the admin department has those invites. Many bigwigs don’t bother with such events. I’ll help you check if they still have some, and if they do, I’ll snag one for you.”
“Is that doable?” Flora asked with concern.
“Why not? As long as nobody knows and you don’t stir up trouble on site.”
Julie’s connections turned out to be quite impressive. Within ten minutes, she had the invitation in hand.
“Go ahead. It’s very common for lower-ranking employees to attend in place of the execs. Oh, but I’m a bit worried that you’ll go there alone. Should I tag along?” asked Julie.
“No need, I’m good,” Flora clutched the invitation. “Don’t worry, and I’m taking off now.”
When she reached the address by taxi, the hall was already packed. The receptionist greeted her with a warm smile, “La Comte staff are in the front row. Let me show you the way.”
“Oh, thanks, but no need,” Flora said, standing at the entrance. “I’ll find them myself.”
As she stepped in, she spotted Dylan and Lilian sitting side by side in the front row.
Surrounding them were several other high-ranking executives from various departments. Flora found a discreet seat and settled down in the back row.
The press conference went ahead as planned, and it was only when the applause filled the room that Flora snapped back to the present.
A series of formal procedures unfolded, beginning with speeches from the visiting board members. Seated at the center was a middle-aged man Flora recognized as Justin’s father, Jack Norris.
The time for reporters to ask questions was dull and predictable.
Dylan, resting his forehead on one hand, appeared quite impatient.
“You hate these events, don’t you? I thought you wouldn’t come today,” Lilian whispered in his ear, leaning slightly towards him.
The last place Dylan wanted to be was here. He crossed his arms, his refined face revealing his weary patience. “I just wanted to see how the new CEO looks like.”
That was the only thing that piqued his interest.
Remembering Flora’s earlier odd behavior and weighing Dylan’s words, Lilian coolly leaned back in her chair.
“Now, please welcome the new CEO of Farnection, Mr. Justin Norris!”
In a flash, camera flashes erupted from all angles. Flora anxiously glanced towards the entrance, while Dylan also raised his haughty head at that moment.
The man in the black suit was young, with a striking, cold face and short, dark hair brimming with vigor.
He walked over to his father, flanked by several people. Under the flickering lights, every detail of his expression was captured.
“Hello, friends from the media. I am the new CEO of Farnection, Justin Norris.”
Dylan had the prime view. When he saw the man’s face clearly, his previously calm demeanor shifted subtly. He watched the ceremony continue in silence.
That face was not Justin’s. Flora, sitting in the back row, was flooded with mixed emotions. Most of all, she felt disappointment and bewilderment.
But the more she looked, the more something seemed off. The man not only had the same brown eyes as Justin, but even his manner of speaking and his every casual movement mirrored Justin’s.
When Justin smiled, he liked to lift the right corner of his mouth – this man did the same!
Flora was so desperate to know what on earth was happening here.
The room fell silent. Justin leaned into the microphone, his voice echoing throughout the vast space, “Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may have known me before. I’d like to make a statement at this press conference. A year ago, I had an unfortunate accident, which is why I underwent facial reconstruction surgery.”
“Ah…”
The venue erupted in buzzing chatter. Flora clasped her hands together, so thrilled she nearly jumped up on the spot. This confirmed she hadn’t been mistaken in her prior encounters.
Tucked away in a corner, Flora couldn’t get enough of the sight before her. She couldn’t even focus on what the people up front were saying.
Her vision grew blurry, and when she wiped her face with her hand, she realized she had been crying.
Justin seemed more mature than a year ago, and his hair was somewhat shorter. His expression held a coldness and distant feeling.
Regardless, Flora wiped her tears, sure he would still be the same towards her as before. She was restless in her seat, wishing she could go up and greet him right away.
Every minute of the past year had been agonizing for her.
Onstage, Donald delivered a speech on behalf of Farnection, indicating the press conference was nearing its end.
People began to stand up one by one, and Flora rushed to the exit.
The overcast sky appeared on the verge of change, but to her, the heaviness felt as refreshing as a spring breeze, because she was in high spirits, and everything seemed delightful.
She occasionally glanced at the square and then down at her toes, her fingers gripping her bag betraying her nervousness.
“How would Justin react when he sees me?” She wondered. “Will he be happy, or surprised?”
Flora couldn’t help but beam, brighter than ever before. Today, she was genuinely happy, eagerly awaiting the embrace she yearned for.
Not far away, several tall men escorted Justin towards the cars parked outside the square.
A chilly wind brushed against her face, and a light rain suddenly began to fall.
Flora hurried over, her mood unfazed by the autumn rain.
“Justin!” Her bright voice made the man pause just as he was about to step into the car.
“Miss, please leave.” The people surrounding him didn’t give her a chance to get close and spoke up to stop her.
“Justin, are you really okay? Where have you been this year? Why didn’t you come looking for me?” At this moment, she was overwhelmed by the fact that Justin was alive and hadn’t had the time to recall details of the incident at Saint Grace a year ago.
Justin loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves. His “new” face still looked so strange to Flora, and even his gaze were so cold that Flora almost couldn’t bear it.
