Then he took a step to the side as if trying to create distance.
That brief stare-off ended with Alice’s victory.
It was a relief that he didn’t seem to recognize her.
But why was he frowning?
Alice tried to convince herself that it probably didn’t mean anything and was about to suggest moving to another table with Olive when Olive suddenly slammed her hand on the table.
“I only have two friends, so I have no one to ask for help. This friend here, despite appearances, is quite innocent, and I’m worried that bad people might get close to her. I have something to take care of, so could you please look after our innocent one for a bit?”
“Why are you saying this? I can be alone!”
Alice was starting to get confused. Was this friend really scared and brought her along?
She was also worried that if it turned out to be a lie, Ryan might suggest ending their marriage.
Please stop.
“How can you leave us and trust the innocent one?”
Everything was ruined because of Miss Olive.
What does ‘innocent one’ even mean? It felt like her image was getting distorted.
Even Luis, who was chiming in, looked annoying. It seemed like they were in sync with each other.
“I’m sorry, but I trust the vice president more than you. I have to go now…”
Olive pushed Luis and then shoved Alice from behind.
Luis was pushed back, and Alice’s body leaned toward Ryan.
Seeing Alice like that, Ryan’s eyes widened.
Luis and Alice both let out a ‘yikes’ sound in succession. Olive, waving goodbye, had already disappeared into the distance.
To avoid falling, Alice instinctively grabbed Ryan’s forearm with both hands.
As Alice regained her balance and stood up, Ryan brushed her off with a cold look.
“What is it?”
Ryan’s gaze, now directed at Alice, was filled with coldness. Perhaps he was relatively warm compared to his usual standards.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“The innocent one didn’t do it on purpose; it was that person who pushed.”
Luis scolded the now irritable Ryan.
“But isn’t there something wrong with your friend’s character? Why would she push me aside and throw the innocent one at Ryan?”
Luis asked Alice with a serious yet playful look.
“I sometimes doubt it, too.”
Alice agreed with Luis, feeling resentful toward Olive for throwing her at Ryan.
“You shouldn’t be so close. This guy is married. I’m single and solo.”
Luis smiled brightly as he separated the two.
They weren’t really that close, but it seemed Luis wanted to let Alice know that Ryan was married.
However, Alice couldn’t hear any of it.
She was nervously fidgeting, worried that Ryan might recognize her. She glanced at him with a worried look, but Ryan didn’t even spare her a glance.
He really didn’t recognize her.
‘Thank goodness.’
It was a relief, but why did she feel a pang of disappointment and regret in her heart?
She had disguised herself to avoid attention, yet she didn’t understand why she wanted to be noticed by Ryan.
It was truly amusing.
What would change if he recognized her?
Alice found herself unconsciously drawn to Ryan, who wasn’t even looking at her.
She began to understand why women want to look good and be noticed by the people they like.
With a troubled heart, Alice dropped her head and stared at the ground.
How funny, Alice.
“Luis, aren’t you leaving? You said you’d just sign and then go eat.”
“Why are you so stiff? That woman with a character problem asked us to take care of the innocent one. We should wait until she comes back.”
How long would he keep calling her the innocent one?
Luis smiled at Alice as if he was saying he would wait with her. It seemed Luis wasn’t doing this out of romantic interest but simply had good manners.
Even when he had come to the office a few times to meet Ryan, he had spoken to him just as casually.
Knowing his nature and feeling no ulterior motives from Luis, Alice didn’t feel uncomfortable. Or maybe it was because he was Ryan’s friend that she felt a sense of trust.
Luis leaned closer to Alice, sniffing as if he were trying to catch a scent.
“Alice, excuse me, but what perfume are you wearing? It seems like a rare scent, and it suits you very well.”
“Oh, I mix my perfumes, so you might think it’s not common.”
