"I suppose." Brad nodded before asking, "What about me then? I'm also someone from your past. Do you intend to cut me off as well?"
"You're different, " Carla replied, gazing at him gently. "No matter what happens, we'll always be friends!"
"I'm glad to hear that." Feeling guilty, he said, "I used to be really willful and had caused you a lot of trouble. I've grown a lot after everything that has happened in the past two years. I know you don't have any romantic feelings for me, and I also know love can't be forced. From now onward, I'll be by your side as your good friend and put my feelings for you behind me. I promise to be there whenever you need me!"
"Thank you, Brad." She was deeply moved by his words. "You have to take good care of yourself too. I hope that you'll find your happiness soon!"
"I will." He nodded. "It's a beautiful night. Shall we head to the beach for a stroll?"
"I don't think I can." Carla glanced at her watch and said, "I have to go back now. The kids are waiting for me to read them a bedtime story."
"All right then." Reluctant to part with her so soon, Brad offered, "Let me see you out."
"Sure." After Carla put on her coat, the two of them walked out together.
The sound of the waves brought back memories of the past, and he started reminiscing about the good old days with her.
Smiling, Carla listened attentively and would respond to him from time to time. Unbeknownst to her, someone had been observing her from a window upstairs, eyes gleaming with malice.
"Ms. Lierger!" Freda suddenly nudged Carla.
The latter looked over and saw a car approaching the hotel entrance. It was Zayn's Rolls-Royce.
Zayn's subordinates got out and opened the car doors at the back. A second later, Zayn and Nella stepped out from different sides.
Nella looked shy and dainty with his suit jacket draped around her shoulders.
After leaning over and saying something to her, Zayn walked side by side into the hotel with her. However, he had barely taken a few steps forward when he looked up and saw Carla exiting the hotel through the revolving doors with a man next to her. That sight made him halt in his tracks.
"Ms. Lierger?" Benard looked at Carla in shock, not expecting to see her there. Wait a minute! Isn't the man next to her…
"Brad!"
Zayn recognized Brad right away. Furrowing his brows, he strode into the hotel, completely forgetting that Nella was beside him.
Nella was taken aback for a second, but she soon snapped out of her daze and quickly caught up with Zayn.
Meanwhile, Benard and the other subordinates entered from the side entrance.
"Brad!" Zayn called, fixing his cold gaze on Brad. "Why are you here?"
"My family owns this hotel, " Brad replied calmly. "I was here catching up with my old friend, and I doubt I need your permission for that, Mr. Giblo."
Zayn glared at him coldly before turning his attention toward Carla. "Why did you come out when your hand is injured? Go back now."
"What has it got to do with you?"
Anger welled up in Carla's chest when she noticed Nella standing behind Zayn. However, she tried her best to put on a calm front.
"Carla—"
Just as Zayn was about to speak, Nella walked toward Carla and greeted her politely, "Ms. Lierger, what a small world! It's a pleasure to meet you again."
"I know, " Carla replied. Looking at Nella, she continued with a faint smile, "Aymo City is so huge, yet we seem to bump into each other all the time."
"Since we are all here, shall we have a drink together?" Nella suggested smilingly.
"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline your offer. I need to go back now." Carla rejected her directly. "You guys have fun. I'm going to take off now!"
She then glanced at Zayn before walking away.
"Carla, wait for me."
Brad was about to catch up to her when an object suddenly fell from above. Right before it hit Carla, a figure suddenly dashed toward her and pushed her away.
Bam! A loud crash was heard.
"Mr. Giblo!"
"Ah!"
Benard and Nella screamed at the same time.
When Carla turned around, she saw that a vase had hit Zayn's head, and blood began to gush out from his wound.
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