Chapter 25

Scarlett POV

Night had already fallen as the plane smoothly landed on the runway of Silverlight City's private airport.

George sat across from me, focused on his work, his slender fingers occasionally typing a character or two.

Throughout the entire flight, a subtle silence had lingered between us, and we tacitly avoided mentioning what had happened that night.

The experience in Suncrest City felt like a dream, and once awake, it was time to return to reality.

"We should be able to finalize the contract next week."

George's voice broke the silence. He looked up, his eyes filled with genuine appreciation, the warm gaze making my heart flutter.

"Scarlett, thank you for your hard work this time."

I nodded, feeling a long-absent sense of pride and satisfaction welling up inside me. At least professionally, I was still the competent, independent Scarlett Smith.

My lips unconsciously curved into a small smile as I softly replied, "Thank you, Mr. Harber."

The plane came to a complete stop. As we walked through the VIP passage, George, who was walking ahead of me, suddenly halted his steps.

Following his gaze, I saw a woman standing at the end of the passage. As soon as she spotted George, she excitedly waved her hand, holding a large bouquet of roses.

I turned to look at George. His brow furrowed slightly, but the corners of his mouth turned upward, his expression showing exasperation mixed with indulgence.

In all these years by his side, I had never seen George look at any girl this way, not even me.

"George, darling!" Sandra's melodious voice rang out.

As she approached, she shot me a glare, clearly still unable to let go of what had happened at the hospital. Then her gaze focused entirely on George.

George smiled and said, "Sandra, I didn't expect to see you here."

"That's the point of a surprise," her voice chimed like a bell. "Look, flowers!"

She thrust the flowers into George's arms, then stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and eagerly offering her red lips.

I politely averted my gaze, but they were directly in front of me, making it difficult not to see.

When they finally parted, George's expression wasn't entirely pleased; he seemed about to reprimand Sandra.

In that moment, I caught a glimpse of apology in the look he gave me, but that apology only made me feel worse, as if I were someone to be pitied.

I quickly seized the opportunity to escape, my heart desperately wanting to flee this suffocating awkwardness.

"Mr. Harber, I'll head home first."

I tried to keep my voice neutral as I said this, but it still carried a hint of heartache known only to me.

Upon hearing this, Sandra turned to me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Scarlett, it's still early! You and George have been on the plane for so long. Join us for dinner."

The smile looked so sweet, but her eyes were full of calculation. I had seen plenty of people like this after my family went bankrupt.

"Miss Blair, thank you for your kindness, but I don't want to intrude on your date with Mr. Harber," I even said this with a smile.

Sandra's smile became more genuine. "If everyone were as considerate as Scarlett, life would be much easier for us CEO's fiancées."

Her emphasis on "fiancée" was anything but subtle.

"Sandra, we're not engaged," George interjected, his gaze following me as I moved toward the exit.

"Not officially engaged yet," she responded, taking his arm. "Not yet."

Her voice wasn't low, as if making sure I could hear.

Feeling Sandra's malicious gaze fixed on my back, I quickened my pace and hastily left, almost running away.

Unfortunately, I hadn't driven here and had to wait outside for a taxi. Just a wall away was the VIP lounge.

Through the glass doors of the lounge, I could see Sandra standing next to George, very close, still holding his arm as if silently declaring her ownership.

Seeing their interaction, I felt like a pitiful onlooker witnessing someone else's happiness.

It would be better to just leave, at least to preserve my last shred of dignity.

I quickened my steps toward another exit, while Sandra's voice faintly reached me from behind.

Her gentle voice carried on the evening breeze: "Darling, you look tired. This business trip must have been exhausting."

"Sandra, you..."

My steps grew faster, and gradually, I couldn't hear anything anymore.

Sitting in the back seat of the taxi, I gazed at the nighttime city, my thoughts returning to what had just happened. |

Sandra's hostility toward me was obvious—that condescending look, as if she were watching an insect that had accidentally crawled onto a dining table.

What truly surprised me was George's attitude toward her.

I remembered that last time at the hospital, George had been the dominant one in their relationship, but just now, he had appeared accommodating and compromising, seemingly controlled by Sandra.

A wave of bitterness rose in my heart. George even looked at me cautiously, as if afraid she would notice.

But considering the Blair family's political background across generations, it wasn't hard to understand.

Political and business marriages were unspoken rules in this circle.

No matter how large the Harper Group was, in front of these established political families, it was merely nouveau riche.

I smiled bitterly; only a noble lady like Sandra was worthy of George.

That elegance and composure emanating from her very bones, that inherent proud demeanor—qualities I could never possess even if I spent a lifetime trying to imitate.

Not to mention my current situation: not only engaged to Richard, who was more than 20 years my senior, but also...

I couldn't help but think of Alexander, remembering his abrupt departure that night, and our deal.

My hand unconsciously tightened around the silk scarf on my neck.

Beneath the scarf, the kiss marks Alexander had left still ached faintly.