Chapter 2

When Conan went downstairs, he found Ninian watering the plants in the garden.

She wore a black professional suit and tilted the watering can forward. There was a faint smile on her lips.

Conan seldom saw her in such formal wear. He always preferred it if she wore dresses, because when she wore a dress and had her long hair let down, she looked like “that person.”

Of course, Ninian did not know about this.

He walked over and asked, “Where’s breakfast?”

When she heard his voice, Ninian put down the watering can, and her smile vanished.

“I didn’t make it.”

“Why didn’t you? You know that I want to eat breakfast cooked by you once I wake up.” Conan frowned. He had a feeling that Ninian was acting strangely today.

“I have to meet a client soon, and I don’t have time to make it for you. Have the servant make it.”

Ninian turned around to leave, but Conan stopped her.

“You’re going in this suit?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Ninian looked at him. She knew that Conan did not like it.

But she did not care anymore. She only cared about what she liked.

She did not like wearing dresses. She always did think that she should dress more formally while at work, but Conan liked her in dresses and in makeup that gave her a refined look. He liked her looking like a doll.

She was no longer going to listen to him.

“What’s wrong?”

Once he noticed that something was off with Ninian, Conan spoke to her gently. “You don’t like that I got engaged, do you? You must know that this is what my parents want. I didn’t agree to it either.”

“You’re mistaken. Mr. Stone, you’re free to marry whoever you want. No matter what, you told me from the start that our relationship is purely physical with no emotional strings attached.”

She broke free of his grip and left.

When she returned to the office, Ninian found a gift box on her table.

Her colleague came over to tease her. “Ninian, you got another admirer giving you a gift?”

With a schooled expression, Ninian opened it. In the box was a limited-edition handbag.

This was the third handbag she received.

She knew who gave it to her. This was a gift with no effort put into it, and only Conan would do such a thing.

Whenever they lay together, Conan would always give her a gift.

Once, she told him that she liked handbags. After that, all that Conan gave her were handbags.

He gave her handbags of the same style in different colors or of the same series but in different styles.

He even gave her the exact same handbags multiple times.

In the past, she loved all his gifts. Even if she knew that he did not put any thought into it, she still felt happy.

But she no longer cared for them anymore.

“Do you want it? I’ll give it to you.”

She passed the handbag to her colleague, who was so happy that she tried carrying it.

“Really?! This is a limited-edition handbag! Ninian, you’re so generous!”

She went off to show off her new handbag to their other colleagues. Just then, Conan walked out of the elevator.

Immediately, he saw that Ninian had given the handbag he had given her to someone else, and he felt angry.

He dragged her into his office. “Ninian, why are you being so difficult? I told you before when we first got together that I won’t ever marry you.”

“I know,” Ninian said coolly. “Of course, I know that.”

“What’re you trying to pull, then?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just that this is the third exact same handbag I have received, and I am sick of it. So, I don’t want a third one.”

Conan was stunned. Did he really give her three of the same handbags?

Those were the newest, limited-edition handbags, and they were all expensive. Though he bought them without putting any thought into them, he still thought that she would like them.

“I’ll give you something else next time.”

“You don’t need to. There won’t be a next time.” Ninian checked the time. “It’s 9 a.m., Mr. Stone. It’s time for your meeting.”

She went out. As Conan watched her retreating figure, he sank into deep thought.