Chapter 163
Henry's sharp, handsome features were clouded with frost, hist entire demeanor exuding an icy, oppressive aura. His gaze was frigid as he asked, "How is Mason Reed's situation?"
Jacob shook his head. "The same as before."
Henry sat in the chair, rubbing his temples. He hadn't been sleeping well lately, managing only three hour or four hour of sleep a day with the help of medication. At this moment, his head was pounding painfully.
After a moment of hesitation, Jacob ventured, "Should I respond to Ms. Reed?"
"No need."
Henry's tone was cold and detached. "Bring me the aromatherapy."
Jacob froze. "I'm sorry, Mr. Harrison. We left in such a rush that I didn't pack it."
Upon hearing this, Henry's piercing gaze immediately pinned him in place.
Jacob dared not meet his eyes and quickly lowered his head in trepidation. "I'll contact Grace right away and have her ship it over."
"Get out," Henry said with an unmistakable note of displeasure.
He thought to himself, "When Mr. Harrison doesn't sleep well, his temper is especially volatile. Ever since meeting with Mrs. Harrison, it's been even worse."
The partnership project proposals had been rejected repeatedly, leaving the collaborators at their wit's end and making Jacob's life as Henry's assistant even harder.
That evening, after finishing dinner with Ava, Victoria said, "Grandma, I have something to take care of and need to step out for a bit."
"Go on, don't worry about me," Ava replied with a wave of her hand.
"Do you want anything to eat? I can bring it back for you." Victoria offered.
Ava thought for a moment. "How about some donuts?"
"Alright, I'll get you some," Victoria said with a warm smile before heading out.
As she exited the hospital, she saw Pete already waiting by his car. He stood casually in a white shirt, his features gentle and refined, his demeanor radiating warmth.
"Let's go," Victoria said as she approached him.
Pete opened the passenger door for her without a second thought. She nodded in thanks and climbed in.
At the restaurant, they gave the name and phone number used for the reservation. A server escorted them to the elevator.
The restaurant was located on the top floor of Century Tower, the tallest building in downtown Camoreham.
As the elevator ascended, the height became increasingly apparent, with the city stretching out below them.
The night had fallen, and the dazzling lights of the urban landscape unfolded like a luminous painting.
"Bad call," Pete remarked suddenly.
Victoria glanced at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Pete closed his eyes and admitted, "I'm afraid of heights."
Victoria burst out laughing without restraint. "You picked this restaurant yourself. I already made the reservation, so now you have to tough it out and finish the meal."
Pete squinted at her, catching the brightness of her smile. Her clear eyes sparkled. For the first time in a while, she seemed a little more vibrant, a little closer to her former self.
He thought, "This is better. Victoria finally shows a glimpse of who she used to be."
The server standing nearby smiled and reassured him,
"Actually, as long as you don't look out the windows, it doesn't feel so bad while eating."
Pete nodded. "That's a relief. I was worried I wouldn't even make it through dinner."
In the top floor, there is exquisitely decorated restaurant where soft piano music flowed through the air. The server guided them to a table by the window, the prime spot for enjoying the stunning view. Unfortunately, Pete's fear of heights made this less than ideal.
"Are there any other seats available?" Victoria asked.
The server shook her head apologetically. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but all seats here are pre–booked, and we can not make changes."
Victoria turned to Pete with a shrug. "Nothing we can do, then."
Pete smiled. "Once we're seated, we won't see much of the outside anyway. It's fine."
It was already dark outside, and with the revolving restaurant perched high enough, looking out would only reveal an expanse of the night sky unless someone deliberately looked down. It wasn't too bad.
"As long as it's fine." Victoria nodded, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
The server handed over the menu, which Victoria immediately passed to Pete. "You can order."
"Then I won't hold back."
Taking the menu, Pete scanned it briefly and deliberately picked some of the pricier dishes.
After ordering five or six items, he glanced at her and asked, "Is there anything you'd like to add?"
"This is more than enough." Victoria replied noting that they ordered quite a lot of dishes.
After the menu was handed back to the server, Pete looked at her and suddenly asked, "Have things been tough for you these past few years?"
The question caught Victoria off guard. After a brief pause, she replied, "Get married, and you'll find out."
"You're trying to trap me," Pete said with a mock tsk. "I won't fall for it."
Victoria laughed, her eyes crinkling with genuine mirth, her smile radiant and lively.
Pete stared at her for a moment before saying, "I still miss the days when you were in Cedarhill. Back then, you'd sneak out all the time, either going up the mountains to hunt rabbits or picking fruit. You were so full of energy."
Victoria nodded. "Yes, and every time, you'd tattle on me. By the time I got home, Grandma would scold me or even give me a beating."
Pete raised an eyebrow. "The mountains were dangerous. I was looking out for you by telling on you."
Victoria huffed lightly, refusing to entertain his excuses.
"But then, you said you'd met someone who saved you. You said you liked him. Not long after that, you left Cedarhill. The next time I heard about you, you were married." He sighed.
"I thought you'd come back one day, especially since you said you wanted to learn carving from me".
Victoria lowered her gaze slightly, her long, curled lashes concealing the bitter emotions in her eyes. Back then, she had been so impulsive, always comforting herself and pouring all her feelings into Henry, only to be met with his cold indifference.
"If I could go back in time, I'd choose not to marry," she said softly.
Pete's expression deepened as he studied her. "Even now, it's not too late to regret."
But Victoria didn't want to linger on the topic. She quickly shifted the conversation. "What about you? How have you been these past few years?"
The elevator doors opened, and Carlos Stoddard, the president of the partnering company, stepped out first, wearing a polite smile. "Mr. Harrison, this restaurant has a great atmosphere and excellent food. You should give it a try."
Henry followed behind him, his tall figure exuding natural elegance and gravitas. His every movement reflected an innate sense of nobility, his presence commanding, and his sharp, handsome face devoid of any unnecessary expression.
As his gaze swept casually across the room, it abruptly paused when it landed on two people sitting by a window.
His expression immediately froze.
"Mrs. Harrison over there." Jacob said.
"I'm not blind," Henry replied coldly.
Carlos, sensing something was amiss, asked curiously, "Mr. Harrison, is that someone you know? Would you like to invite them over to join us?"
Henry's voice remained calm. "You go ahead. I'll follow shortly."
Without waiting for a response, he strode toward Victoria.
Carlos looked confused. "What's going on here?"
Jacob stepped in smoothly. "Mr. Stoddard, let's go ahead and order. Mr. Harrison has a personal matter to attend to."