When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 71: A Chance Encounter at the Hot Pot Restaurant

To celebrate Hazel Hawthorne going on a business trip with Holly Shaw, Sharon Winters invited her out for hot pot. She also invited Nathan Miller and Aaron Shaw to come along.

Hazel didn’t realize until she got to the restaurant that Nathan was coming. He had already cleared the air about his feelings in front of everyone so as not to embarrass her, but now that he was face-to-face with Hazel, things felt a bit awkward. Even Sharon could tell.

Hazel pulled Sharon into the restroom and glanced back toward their private room. "So, are you treating or is Nathan treating?"

Fearing a misunderstanding, Sharon quickly explained, "Me! I was craving hot pot, and you know my boyfriend hates it. He always complains the smell is too strong. I just happened to run into Nathan, so I asked him on a whim."

"And you didn’t expect him to actually say yes," Hazel said, exasperated.

"I was just asking to be polite! Who knew he’d agree right away? If I’d known, I definitely wouldn’t have invited him. Besides, I know how he feels about you. I wouldn’t dare try to set you two up... unless you divorced Aiden Xavier, that is."

Sharon wore a sincere expression. "Even though I don’t like Aiden Xavier and can’t stand the way he treats you, I would never try to break up a marriage."

Hazel believed that Sharon had no intention of playing matchmaker. "I’m just worried it’ll be awkward for Nathan. Ugh, I’m terrible at handling emotional stuff like this. It gives me a headache."

"Don’t worry about it. Since Nathan chose to come, he’s definitely accepted the fact that you’re married. At most, he just wants to be friends. Don’t overthink it. If you feel awkward, it’ll only make him feel even more awkward."

Sharon comforted Hazel. They stayed in the restroom for a while. Hazel could only console herself with the thought that since she was already here, she might as well make the best of it. She couldn’t just leave, nor could she kick Nathan out. That would be in really poor taste.

When Hazel and Sharon returned to the private room, the atmosphere had become much more relaxed. Nathan and Aaron Shaw were taking the initiative to chat, mostly about work, to ease the tension.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ... A strange sound suddenly rang out.

Hazel was happily chatting with Nathan and didn’t hear the strange noise at all.

Sharon, however, glanced around. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hazel’s phone vibrating nonstop on the stool next to her. She peeked at the caller ID, and as if realizing who it was, she quickly tapped Hazel’s shoulder.

"Your phone’s ringing."

her phone from the stool. It

end, and Hazel could barely hear what he was saying, forcing her

"Where are you?"

the restroom. "Why

"Eating hot pot?"

"How do

Aiden over the phone.

man like Aiden Xavier

be seeing

’What does that have to do with me? It’s not like eating hot pot is

you

rose. "If you need something, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush;

that guy...

she remembered: after her last meal with Nathan, Aiden had seen her texting with him when he asked

my colleague and my friend. Is there a problem with me having a

were completely absurd. He’s interrogating me... Does he think

Did the maids at home not make you dinner?

more baffled. ’I haven’t done anything

hung up on Aiden. He was ruining her mood. She

and resumed her cheerful conversation with Nathan. The four of them were having a happy and enjoyable

to be a killjoy and ruin

open, and Aiden Xavier’s imposing figure suddenly appeared. His presence instantly plunged

across the internet and television due to tabloid news, making him unforgettable. Nathan and Aaron Shaw exchanged a look, while a bewildered Sharon stared at

seated, pretending not to see