Chapter 5

Valerie's cheeks burned as she frantically apologized, "I'm sorry!" She tried to break free, but her weak legs betrayed her, causing her to tumble back into Howard's arms.

The teasing light in Howard's eyes instantly brightened. "Seems like you're pretty fond of my embrace, huh?" He chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the small space like a feather gently brushing Valerie's heart, sending a tingling sensation throughout her body.

Valerie was too embarrassed to look directly at Howard. Glancing at his legs, she felt a rush of guilt and stammered, "Mr. Carter..."

"Call me Howard, remember that." Howard tilted his head slightly, his gaze locking onto Valerie with an undeniable authority.

"Well... Howard, your legs... are they okay? I didn't mean to... I was worried I might hurt you," Valerie asked anxiously, her eyes filled with concern.

"Valerie, are you worried about me?" Howard raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible touch of emotion flashing in his eyes, though his lips still held that faint smile. "Do you think I'm so fragile that a little bump from you would break me? My legs may not work, but everything else is perfectly functional. Do you want to give it a try?"

Valerie couldn't help but recall the sensation of falling into his arms moments before. In that instant, she had truly felt his firm muscles, which surprised her and stirred something different deep inside. Her gaze unconsciously lingered on Howard for a moment, her cheeks once again turning a light shade of red.

"What's this? Mesmerized? Do you find me attractive?" Howard caught Valerie's gaze and teased, the amusement in his eyes growing deeper.

Caught off guard by his comment, Valerie instinctively nodded, but as soon as she realized what she'd done, she hurriedly lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Howard found Valerie's shyness particularly delightful. He turned his wheelchair and moved slowly toward the dining table. "Alright, stop dawdling and come eat. After breakfast, I'll take you to Aurelia Holdings."

Only then did Valerie suddenly remember the time. She smacked her forehead in frustration, "Oh no! I'm going to be late!" She rushed to the table, plopped down in a seat, grabbed a piece of fried egg, and started wolfing it down, all her usual poise completely gone.

Howard watched Valerie eating like a whirlwind and couldn't help but smile. He calmly picked up his utensils and elegantly cut the food on his plate, every movement exuding a natural grace and elegance.

Valerie caught a glimpse of Howard's refined dining manners and unconsciously tried to imitate him, but felt completely awkward. Howard gently said, "Just be yourself."

Valerie felt a warmth in her heart and returned to her usual eating style. After all, during those years of pursuing her dreams in the city, she had grown accustomed to quickly satisfying her hunger amidst a busy schedule—a habit not easily changed overnight.

After finishing their meal, Valerie glanced at her phone and her expression changed drastically. "Only half an hour left, I'm definitely going to be late!"

She was frantic, hastily grabbing the proposal and USB drive she had prepared the night before while mumbling to herself.

Howard reassured her calmly. "Joseph is on his way, you won't be late." But Valerie was too preoccupied to listen, rushing back to her room to get her bag, nearly tripping on the stairs. When she reached the living room and saw Joseph already there, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," Valerie said apologetically.

Howard smiled and shook his head, "Not at all, the timing is perfect."

After they got in the car, Valerie's gaze inadvertently fell on her phone screen. As if possessed, she opened her chat history with Wayne. Looking at the "It's okay" message she had sent a day ago that had sunk like a stone with no response, her heart twisted painfully, as if gripped by an invisible hand.

Wayne, the man who had occupied her entire youth, had now pledged his life to someone else. And here she was, still like a fool, staring at these cold words, waiting for an impossible response. At this thought, Valerie's eyes reddened slightly, and a deep self-loathing welled up inside her.

She bit her lower lip hard, her fingers trembling slightly on the screen as she underwent an intense internal struggle. Finally, she steeled herself and pressed the "Delete" button. With that, all those words that had once carried countless memories instantly vanished, as if her past with Wayne had been completely erased as well.

Howard, sitting beside her, took in everything. He leaned slightly toward her and asked softly, "So, you've finally let go?"

Valerie turned and met Howard's concerned gaze. Her eyes still held a trace of unshed tears, shimmering in the sunlight with a unique radiance. Realizing she had exposed her vulnerable side to Howard, she smiled awkwardly and quickly wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye. "Sorry, I...I’m making a fool of myself."

"There's nothing to apologize for. Matters of relationship aren't so easily dismissed. I understand. But I believe the future will be better, and I'll be with you every step of the way." Howard's voice was deep and warm, carrying a reassuring strength.

Looking at Howard's sincere expression, Valerie felt a warmth flow through her. She nodded gently, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly in a smile that was a bit bitter yet full of hope.

The car continued forward, soon reaching the vicinity of Aurelia Holdings. Looking at the familiar building outside the window, Valerie felt a mix of emotions. She instinctively unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to get out.

"Let's stop here, I'll walk the rest of the way," Valerie said.

"What, planning to hide me?" Howard's voice suddenly turned cold, a barely noticeable hint of hurt flashing in his eyes.

Feeling the change in atmosphere, Valerie quickly explained under Howard's gaze, "No, it's not that. Daniel caused some trouble here recently, and if people see you dropping me off, it'll definitely spark all kinds of rumors. Then we'd have endless problems. Give me some time—I don't want to make our relationship public just yet, okay?" As she spoke, she gently tugged on Howard's sleeve, her eyes pleading, her lips slightly pouting—a gesture she herself didn't realize was so endearing.

Howard was momentarily stunned, his previously stern expression instantly softening. Looking at Valerie's pitiful appearance, his displeasure immediately vanished. He sighed helplessly and nodded, his tone becoming gentle again, "Alright, I'll wait for you. Remember, if anything happens, call me anytime."

Seeing Howard agree, Valerie's face immediately lit up with a radiant smile. She happily said, "Thank you, Howard." Then, she pushed open the door, jumped out of the car, and walked quickly toward the company.

As Valerie entered the company building, the receptionist immediately came up to greet her.

"Valerie, you have a visitor," the receptionist said.

"A visitor?" Valerie looked puzzled, silently wondering who it could be. She walked toward her office with growing curiosity.

She pushed open the door to her office, and when she saw who was sitting inside, the smile on her face instantly froze, and her breath seemed to stop at that moment. She never imagined she would encounter here, of all places, the person she least wanted to see...