February 14th in the Gregorian calendar is Valentine’s Day. Talia is currently single and focused on her law firm, with no mind for celebrating Valentine’s Day. The venue she rented in the office building is still under renovation. Ethan Grant somehow found out the address of her firm and ostentatiously ordered sixty-six flower baskets to celebrate the opening of her new firm. Just as the renovation workers called, Talia was discussing cooperation with Samuel Langdon in a café. "Miss Rhodes, someone sent you sixty-six flower baskets. They can’t fit in the corridor, so they’re all piled up inside. Please come and sort it out—it’s preventing us from continuing the renovations." "Flower baskets? Is there a signature?" "Yes, it says Ethan Grant." Upon hearing this name, Talia felt a headache coming. She took a deep breath and rubbed her temples with a helpless expression, "Understood. I’ll come over and have them cleared soon. You guys take a break for now." After hanging up, Talia said to Samuel Langdon, "There’s an issue at the firm that I need to check on. I’m sorry, but let’s sign the contract next time." "No need to apologize to me." Samuel Langdon stood up gently along with Talia, "Since it’s related to the firm, can I come with you to take a look?" Talia paused, thought for a moment, and replied, "Sure, since you’re also going to be a partner at our firm, let’s have you take a look first." Arriving at the law firm. Talia looked at the room full of flower baskets, and her brows furrowed irritably. She randomly picked a basket and looked at the ribbon attached to it. [Wish Talia’s law firm great success.—Ethan Grant] Talia looked at it with disdain. Great success for opening, as if I’m starting a business. Samuel Langdon also saw the words on the ribbon. Talia rubbed her forehead in frustration, "Yes, sorry to embarrass you." "Mind if I ask who this Mr. Ethan is?" Samuel Langdon lowered his eyes, hiding his emotions. Feeling that Samuel Langdon, being her partner, should be informed of matters related to the law firm to prevent him from worrying and canceling the partnership, Talia explained. "He’s my ex-boyfriend. We broke up over half a year ago." "Ex-boyfriend..." Samuel Langdon muttered softly. "Yes, sorry to embarrass you." Samuel Langdon suddenly asked, "Isn’t your ex-boyfriend Adrian Jennings?" Talia was a bit surprised, "How did you know that?" Samuel Langdon adjusted his glasses, "Yvonne Coleman mentioned it." In fact, he had always been aware of her alliance with Adrian Jennings, but it was not convenient to mention it now. A bit awkwardly, Talia explained: "Ethan was my first boyfriend. I met him when I worked in Mirehaven for a while after graduating. Following our breakup, I returned to Oakhaven to prepare for an alliance with Adrian Jennings. Later, some things happened, and Adrian and I broke up as well." Samuel Langdon acknowledged with an "Hmm" and said no more. Talia continued, "I’ll deal with these flower baskets immediately. Rest assured, I won’t let Ethan affect the normal operation of our law firm in the future." Talia called a cleaning service company to come and clear away the flower baskets. The cleaning company worked efficiently and removed all sixty-six flower baskets in under half an hour. The renovation workers resumed their work. Talia took Samuel Langdon around the floor, discussing the design layout of the office space. During a break, the renovation worker smiled and said: "Miss Rhodes, you and your boyfriend are opening this law firm together?" Talia blushed unconsciously when embarrassed, quickly shaking her head to deny: "You’ve misunderstood, he’s my partner, not my boyfriend." The renovation worker awkwardly scratched his head, "Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought he was your boyfriend since you both look like a couple." "No, no," Talia denied again. Samuel Langdon stood aside without speaking, his expression somewhat indifferent. Talia, feeling apologetic for the misunderstanding, noticed the subtle change in his expression, and said quite embarrassedly: "I didn’t expect the workers to misunderstand and cause you trouble. I’m really sorry." Samuel Langdon smiled and playfully said, "Do you really not want to be associated with me? You’re quick to deny." "Huh?" Talia was a little confused, "That’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want to cause you trouble, nor did I want you to misunderstand." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel(ꜰ)ire.net Samuel Langdon smirked slightly and looked at her, "Misunderstand what?" Talia averted her gaze, pursed her lips, and remained silent. Samuel Langdon seemingly read her thoughts, his tone amused, "Afraid I’d misunderstand that you like me?" Talia’s cheeks reddened more, hesitantly acknowledging with "Hmm." Samuel Langdon chuckled at her, "Do I look like someone so conceited?" "That’s not what I meant," Talia hurriedly explained, "I just... Yvonne and Winter mentioned many girls like you and confessed, but you rejected them all. I thought you might dislike women showing interest in you due to your popularity, so I was afraid you’d misunderstand me... and reject the partnership. Can you understand?" Samuel Langdon observed Talia seriously explaining and suddenly laughed. "Why are you laughing?" Samuel Langdon’s laughter was charming, giving a warm, spring-day feeling. His charm was different from Adrian Jennings’. Adrian Jennings seemed like an unattainable flower, distant and rejecting. Samuel Langdon was like the warm sun of spring, courteous, elegant, and amicable. Samuel Langdon: "It’s just that seeing you seriously explaining how you have no interest in me is very cute." "Actually, you don’t need to explain. I know you’re not interested in me." He had known for a long time. This was what Samuel Langdon silently recited in his mind. He almost couldn’t resist asking. Do you really have no impression of me? Thinking it over, he held back. Asking might risk losing the chance to partner with her. After taking Samuel Langdon to see the renovations, it coincidentally reached mealtime. Samuel Langdon kindly smiled and asked, "May I treat you to a meal, my partner?" Talia straightforwardly agreed, "Sure." Talia was entirely focused on work, with no thought of Valentine’s Day. She planned to discuss partnership matters over the meal and sign the contract. This was Talia’s first official dining situation with her partner. Thinking she should discuss business over the meal, Talia chose a nearby upscale restaurant. Walking into the restaurant with Samuel Langdon, she lifted her eyes and unexpectedly encountered a familiar face. Adrian Jennings stood in a black suit, his formal attire unable to conceal his noble presence and flawless visage. The man’s gaze paused on Talia for several seconds, and then shifted discreetly to Samuel Langdon behind her.