Serenity and Zachary York novel Chapter 3176

Duncan only fell for Liberty after spending lots of time with her and his affection for her grew.

He was not the type to fall in love at first sight and his kind of love took time.

As long as Rhea was given a chance, she felt Duncan would realize that she was better than Liberty and he would choose her instead.

By the time they were done discussing business, it was time for a meal.

Rhea invited Duncan to eat together.

He politely declined. “It’s not convenient for me to move around at the moment. I eat all my meals at the company cafeteria unless I’m meeting my friends.”

“Alright, then. When you’ve recovered, I’ll treat you to a meal.” Rhea did not press further, afraid that she would seem too deliberate and put him off, but also afraid that Duncan would pick up on her intent and immediately draw the line with her, which might cost her the business deal too.

Duncan rarely came into contact with young, unmarried women.

Even if there were ladies among the upper ranks of the other companies he worked with, the youngest were all middle-aged like she was. Most of them were old enough to have grandchildren.

If she was not supporting her in-laws’ company in her husband’s place, with a son on top of that, Duncan might not even personally take charge of the project their companies were working on.

To Duncan, she was the Torreses’ daughter-in-law and a married woman, even if her husband had passed away. As long as she did not remarry or leave her in-laws’ home, to others, she remained their daughter-in-law and not an individual entity.

“Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Torres was all dressed up today. Do you think she’s started dating someone? She’s normally in suits.” Owen might be a guy, but he had a gossipy side too. He wheeled Duncan out of the main office building and headed for the cafeteria. On the way there, he could not resist gossiping a little.

Duncan said, “Really? She dressed up today? I didn’t notice. Oh, I remember now. When she came yesterday she was wearing a suit and didn’t have long hair, but she had long hair today.”

Owen said with amusement, “Mr. Lewis, she’s always had long hair, usually tied up in a bun, which she let down today. You make it sound as if she can make short hair grow long overnight. And it wasn’t a wig either.”

Duncan laughed. “I don’t pay attention to these things. I only focus on talking business with her. Whether or not she’s dating someone is her personal matter. You can listen to gossip, but if there isn’t any, let’s not create one so we don’t damage her reputation.

“Mr. Torres passed away quite a few years ago and it isn’t easy for her to raise a child, take care of her in-laws, and manage her company as a single mother. We shouldn’t gossip about her especially if there’s no factual basis. We don’t want to be rumormongers.”