The Runaway Groom

Chapter 458

What was Mark doing here?!

That was when Irene remembered something else: she might have been close with Jeff, but he had never bought

her dinner before!

That was why she thought something was weird about this... he had a reason for inviting her.

She turned and left the diner right then, while texting Jeff: [Sorry, something came up and I couldn't make it.]

She strolled along the bustling foreign streets in her beige dress and loose jacket. She had a scarf pulled up to her

face to cover her burned cheek and neck.

She folded her arms as she slowly strolled along the streets-it was a rarity for her to be idling like today, and she

even had time to admire the sights.

"Alright, I got it.“ Harvey was on the phone even as he strode along the street, when he knocked into someone.

He turned around, about to apologize, but saw that it was the ugly woman from the auction.

This time, she only covered her burned cheek, only revealing her brows, eyes and forehead.

It reminded him so much of someone...

As he spaced out, Irene quickly hid her face, lowered her head and walked away.

Harvey came to his senses right then and dashed up to her. "Hey, where do you think you're going, ugly? I won't

hurt you.“

Irene kept her head down and did not respond, so Harvey caught her by the wrist. "You ruined my show last time

and you never paid me. Don't think you're getting away.“

As he pulled her firmly toward himself, there was a breeze and Irene's scarf slipped down to her shoulders, baring

her burned cheek.

Harvey flinched-the burn scar was utterly gruesome, and beautiful was the last word to describe it.

Irene flung off her hand and quickly covered her face again, but Harvey still cut off her escape.

"Look, I mean no harm, and it's always nice to meet a fellow countryman abroad. I mean, you've seen me speaking

Minerverse to everyone else around here, but I get to stick to Zidonian with you. Don't you think this is a fateful

encounter?"

Irene's eyes widened-it was certainly true, they had spoken in Zidonian the instant they met at the auction hall.

She had certainly been too nervous and forgot her situation.

It seems that silence was the best policy now.

Waving him off dismissively to show that she did not want to speak with him at all, she hurried off, leaving Harvey

behind, standing there as he stared after her.

That face...

He must be seeing things.

That ugly woman might well be a different being compared to Irene Spencer, and there was no way they had

anything to do with each other either.

He shook his head to throw away those messy thoughts right then.

Irene arrived at Mead Clinic the next morning, and she put on her employee ID, face mask, and lab coat as she

usually did.

As she stepped out of the dressing room with her hands in her pocket, Jeff called out to her.

"Can I have a word?’ He seemed to have been waiting for her a while now.

As Irene walked up to him, he asked, “What kept you last night?"

Irene did not know how to answer-she surely could not say that she knew Mark, and that she did not enter that

diner because she did not want him to see her?

"Actually, I was going to introduce you to another Zidonian, and since we're all fellow countrymen, I was eager to

help. He expressed an interest in the fully artificial heart we're developing, and you know how important the role

Mead Clinic plays in this process. Once they succeed, they might create a monopoly, and every other country would

be placed at a disadvantage."

"I know." She certainly understood where he was coming from.

Naturally, Jeff frowned. "Then what were you thinking? The man also told me that if you returned to Zidonia to help

him with the project, you may ask for anything you need since he has Remy's backing. I have only a rough idea, but

I remember that while Remy tends to be subtle, they have investments in enterprises across the globe. You have

nothing to worry about once you have their support, and everyone here knows that you're good, but if you keep

working here, your accomplishments would only be attributed to Minerva."

Irene had every reason not to return to Zidonia, and the mention of Remy only strengthened her resolve.

"Then why don't you go?" she asked in return.

Jeff gave her an incredulous look. "I was born and raised here in Minerva, even though I was educated in Zidonia.

We've already assimilated here and have no reason to return."

"On the other hand, you're different. You only joined Mead Clinic recently, and weren't you harassed a little when

you first came? They only changed their opinions of you because of your ability. Sure, your Minerverse and your

skills would allow you to flourish here, but they are just using you- you're ultimately Zidonian, and don't you want to

save more Zidonians?"

"All lives are equal," Irene replied.

Jeff breathed a sigh in exasperation. "Yes, but can't you think about this?’

Irene's hands clenched into fists in her pockets. "No. I'm never going back.’

Naturally, Jeff could not do anything about that.

While there was no doubt that his words reached Irene, she had no choice.

Needing time to calm down, she stepped out of the room when a familiar face appeared before her.

Her eyes widened in surprise and she quickly turned to leave, but she was caught!