Chapter 1250: 653: Extra Story: Affection, Intimacy 3

"No need to apologize to me, feelings are like this—they can’t be forced."Alice Robinson felt a pang in her nose, "Can we meet up?"

"Are you sure Chester would be okay with you seeing me?"

"Don’t say that, Claud... I have my freedom."

"Alright then, I’ll wait for you at ’Yorna’."

"Okay, I’ll head over now."

Alice Robinson left through the back door of ’Tench’.

She didn’t bring a driver; she drove herself to the ’Yorna’ hotel.

Entering the hotel where she used to work, Alice Robinson felt a special fondness.

From afar, she already saw Claud Laurence sitting at the window seat, dressed in an ink-colored suit, leaning back on the chair. He too had seen her, and there were two glasses of poured red wine on the table.

This scene suddenly reminded her of a year ago...

When she first met him, it was also in this hotel. She sat in the seat where he is now, waiting for her then-boss, while he sat nearby, quietly dining. Back then, the entire restaurant was empty except for them, and though a distance separated them, it felt like they were dining together.

It was only now she realized that he had booked the entire place that day as well.

Alice Robinson walked towards Claud Laurence and sat down across from him.

"Do you mind having some red wine?" he asked, gentlemanly as always.

Alice shook her head and raised the glass of red wine.

He clinked it gently with hers and drank half from his glass.

The rim of her glass reached her lips, but when she saw him drink half of his, she slowly put her glass down and gazed at him intently.

His expression was blank, yet his eyes appeared dim.

"I’m sorry, Claud..."

Claud Laurence raised his eyes, deeply gazing at her.

They locked eyes, his expression complex, while hers brimmed with guilt and regret.

He finally parted his indifferent lips, "I’m not at all surprised you made this choice." He looked at her, eyes deep, "In just a year, how could you possibly forget someone you’ve loved for so many years?"

Alice Robinson lowered her head in apology.

Claud Laurence sighed long and deeply, "In fact, I’m not mad at you for going back to him."

Alice Robinson raised her eyes to look at him, her face slightly pale.

"I’ve always known that perhaps I can make you happy, but Chester is the one who can give you the greatest happiness because he’s the most important person in your heart." He paused, "But do you know why I, aware that he’s the one who can bring you the greatest happiness, tried to make you misunderstand him?"

"You once told me you didn’t trust him; you felt his love for me wasn’t pure."

Claud Laurence nodded, "Alice, are you sure the person he loves now is you?"

"I..."

"Are you sure?"

"He says he loves me."

Claud Laurence frowned, "He says that, and you believe him?"

Alice Robinson lowered her eyes and firmly nodded, "I believe what he says."

"Alice... I’ve interacted with him for over a decade; he never mentioned you to me, but I know Becca’s existence."

Alice Robinson urgently said, "Those are things of the past..."

Claud Laurence spoke earnestly, "Alice, I’m telling you this not to destroy Chester, but because I hope you, having gone through those past pains, will think it over carefully."

Alice Robinson nodded.

Claud Laurence chuckled, "Let’s have another drink."

Alice Robinson took a sip of red wine, noticing Claud Laurence again drank half his glass in one gulp.

Alice Robinson felt extremely guilty, her voice choking, "Claud..."

Claud Laurence put down his glass, looking at her reddened eyes, softly asking, "What is it?"

Alice Robinson took the red wine away from in front of Claud Laurence, "Don’t drink so much wine, okay?"

Claud Laurence ruffled her hair tenderly, "Silly, if you don’t like it, I won’t drink. Why do you cry over this?"

Alice Robinson cried out sorrowfully, "I’m sorry, Claud..."

Claud Laurence moved in front of Alice Robinson, lifted her tear-stained face, and gently wiped away the tears, "My dear, why cry?"

Alice Robinson sobbed and said, "I don’t know how to make up for the hurt I’ve caused you..."

Claud Laurence cupped her face, "Such a silly woman... I’m a man, not as fragile as you imagine."

Alice Robinson continued to sob.

Claud Laurence used his thumb to wipe away the tears at her eye corners, his voice slightly husky, "As I’ve said, loving someone doesn’t mean you have to be with them forever; if she’s happy, then I’m happy."