Chapter 761 Staying Away Is the Best Way I Can Protect You
In order to live the life of a new identity, she had to take on the work of the new identity.
Anastasia had sent a manuscript to a publishing house when she was traveling around the world. Unexpectedly, she had passed every round, and had won the first prize.
Today was the day she would receive the award.
With the attendance of well-known writers in the industry, the award ceremony bustled with noise.
Elise wasn’t sure whether Anastasia had any acquaintances in the circle, but in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, she could only hide in a corner where traffic was low.
It wasn’t long before the host of the event called her name. “Next up, we would like to invite the winner of the first prize, Miss Anastasia White, to come up on stage to give her acceptance speech. Everyone, please give her a round of applause!”
As the thunderous applause rang out from the audience, Elise, acting neither humble nor arrogant, walked up to the stage and stood in the center of the stage to bow to thank the audience. She then stood there while waiting to receive her trophy.
“We will now have the previous winner of the first prize, Mr. Alexander Griffith, to present the award! Welcome!”
Elise’s heart thumped violently and her expression became unnatural for a moment, but she still forced herself to regain his composure within the blink of an eye.
Alexander soon came on stage, and he took the trophy from the usher before he walked toward Elise and passed her the trophy.
“Thank you.” Elise deliberately made her voice gruffer.
However, the man’s attention was caught by her eyes when he glanced at her briefly.
Those eyes look so familiar… They look just like hers, Alexander thought without letting go of the trophy. He kept staring at her face unblinkingly.
His deep voice sounded between them only after a few beats. “I have an old friend who also likes the brand of perfume you are using.”
Hearing that, she lowered her head to avoid looking right in his face as she deliberately mocked. “Is this how you approach women, Mr. Griffith? We are at a public event!”
The host also realized the tense atmosphere, so he hurried over and reminded in a low voice, “Mr. Griffith, why don’t we take a photo first?”
It was only then that Alexander unwillingly loosened his grip on the trophy.
After that, Elise and Alexander took a photo together with the audience as their witness.
She then calmly left the stage and took a moment to chat with the fans who came up to ask for autographs before scurrying toward the exit when no one was around her.
Just as she was about to reach out to stop a taxi, Alexander’s familiar voice came from behind again.
“Miss White!” He jogged all the way after her. “It is fate that we meet. How about exchanging contacts on Whatsapp?”
“That is not necessary,” Elise answered without even looking back. “I am a married woman, Please have some self-respect, Mr. Griffith.”
“Ellie.” He suddenly reached out to hold her by her wrist.
However, she snatched her hand away right at the moment their skin touched. She even took two steps to the side before she solemnly warned, “Do you really have to put a pregnant woman on the spot like this, Mr. Griffith? My husband will definitely hold you accountable if something were to happen to me!”
“Pregnant?”
He felt something in his heart break and shatter as soon as he heard that.
Quietly, he retracted his outstretched hand, his eyes turning dull.
Elise took the chance while Alexander was distracted to hail a taxi to leave the place.
It was only when the car had driven some distance that she felt relieved.
Looking into the rearview mirror, she gradually lost the spark in her eyes when she saw his lonesome silhouette.
I am sorry. Staying away is the best way I can protect you.
——
…
As Jamie walked in the vehicle modification club with a delicate-looking lunch box, he knocked a few times on the frame of a car that was being modified.
“You’re here early,” commented Narissa, who suddenly peeked half her head out from under the car.
Hearing that, he sheepishly chuckled. “I couldn’t wait to see my new girlfriend.”
Narissa then got up as she explained, “The interior has already been equipped with the best accessories. It will be ready in half a day.”
“Whew!” Jamie gave a thumbs-up in admiration. “Whoever gets to marry you will live a happy life.”
Instead of answering him, she grabbed the lunch box and opened it on the table beside. She was ready to eat then. “I am famished—”
“Wait!” He suddenly slapped her hand away as he put the lid back on.
“What the hell?!” She was so hungry she could swallow a whole cow. She might even start killing anyone who stopped her from eating.
Jamie let out a resigned sigh as he pulled out a chair to sit beside her. He then took out a packet of wet tissues, pulled a piece out, grabbed her hand toward him, and wiped every inch and corner of it.
“You are now my ace tuner. Who am I supposed to go to if you get a bellyache?”
While he was wiping, he noticed that her face was also dirty, so he took out another tissue and naturally started wiping her face as well. He didn’t notice how he had gotten much closer to her in the process of it.
“It is better for ladies to be clean. Pay more attention when you work on the car in the afternoon. Don’t rub your face again…”
His voice as he spoke was low, and his movements soft and slow felt like a gust of breeze gently, repeatedly caressing her cheeks.
Narissa’s face had gotten warm in just that instant.
When Jamie realized the change in her expression, he opened his eyes wide and remarked, “I notice how easily you blush. Is it because your capillaries are maturing too quickly? You should put some makeup on to fix that.”
Upon hearing that, Narissa gulped and pushed him away to stand up. She also intentionally fanned herself. “I ain’t blushing! I feel warm, okay?! Besides, why would wanderers like me need makeup?”
“You can’t say that. Your face condition looks quite severe,” he urged, worried.
Afraid that he would see through her, she quickly turned her back at him. “Get off my back. This is natural beauty. Of course you wouldn’t know!”
As they spoke, the TV on the wall suddenly switched to the award ceremony of the Novel Competition.
Narissa’s temper immediately flared when she saw the affectionate look on Alexander’s face.
It has only been three months since El went missing, and there he is flirting with another woman in public?! she fumed.
However, as the camera took a shot of the woman’s face when Alexander stepped aside the next second, Narissa couldn’t help feeling perplexed when she saw the woman’s eyes.
I can’t seem to hate her. Her eyes, especially…
“Anastasia White…” Narissa unknowingly muttered to herself before she took out her phone and searched for information about the woman.
‘Anastasia White, the daughter of author Onyx White, 23 years old, has a notable work titled ‘Rebirth: Identity Exposed’, link www. …’
Compelled, Narissa clicked into the link.
‘She is a graceful lady of noble birth. A member of a family of scholars, she holds a charm born out of her lust for knowledge. There will come a day when she, the rightful owner of a glorious future, falls in love, completely blind to the abyss awaiting…’
Almost immediately, Narissa was attracted by the bold style of the writing. She was absorbed in the story.
“Hello?” Jamie huddled over to join in on the fun. “What are you looking at that has gotten your attention? Can I see?”
“Are you incapable of searching it online yourself?” Narissa sat back at the table and while she read, she picked up her fork and accurately poked into a piece of meat that she then sent to her mouth.
Jamie was somehow disappointed by her reaction, but he whipped out his phone because he didn’t want to lose to her. “I am doing that right now! How could a short story possibly be that fun to read, anyway?”
With that, the duo went on and read for the entire afternoon.
