Chapter 31: If You Invite Me, I Will Come
Selene deliberately stood in front of Clint and lowered her eyes to glance at his upper body. “But I don’t think you’re being professional.”
She gave him a seductive look. Clint squinted at her face and went blank for a while. He suddenly laughed out loud but did not say anything.
He walked to the windows, raised the corner of the curtain, then put it back down again. ”They’re still there. It seems I’ll have to stay here for a while.”
“Would you like a drink, Mr. Denovan?” Mandy asked. She had just come out from the back of the store and knew nothing about what had just happened between Clint and Selene.
Selene glanced at Clint, then turned to Mandy. “I’ll go to the warehouse and check what stock we’re low on.”
There were two main rooms in the store; one was for customers to select clothes, and the other was a warehouse used for storage.
Watching her leave, Clint put down the cup, then walked fast until he caught up with her.
Mandy should have stopped him, but after reminding herself who he was, she decided against him.
There were no windows in the warehouse, and the lights were on, which created a different kind of lighting compared to that in the other room, which came from sunshine.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Selene turned around only to see Clint. “Why did you follow me here?” Selene frowned.
Clint closed the door behind him and leaned himself lazily against the door. “Do you really not care about what they’re saying about you on the internet?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Are you worried your father will read that stuff?”
“No. He doesn’t use the internet much.”
“Don’t you regret not getting any alimony from our divorce?”
Selene put down the pieces of clothing in her hand. “No, I don’t. I’ve told you.” After finishing her words, she was about to leave the warehouse. “Let me go!” She demanded impatiently.
Clint did not react as he stared at her face.
Selene felt that something was wrong with Clint. And when she looked at him, she started feeling slightly agitated, so she pushed him. “Just get out of here and let me out!”
Clint grasped her hands and gave her an incredulous look. “You’re like a hedgehog. When someone gets close to you, you pierce them, puncture them and hurt them.”
“What on earth are you doing?” Selene asked, frowning.
“Nothing. Also, like it or not, I’ll deal with it. I don’t want you to be humiliated because of me.” Clint replied calmly, loosening his grip on her.
Selene looked surprised after hearing that. “Okay then, thanks.” She said unemotionally.
When they left the warehouse, Selene’s hair was a little messy from having been grabbed and pushed by Clint. Also, her face was flushed. Mandy grinned at Selene, earning herself a glare from the latter. So, Mandy lowered her head and said nothing.
Clint remained at the store for a few hours. He did not leave until the journalists left.
That evening, Clint released a statement online. Without mentioning Selene by name, he referred to Selene by ”Ms. S”. People could easily figure out who he was referring to.
The statement was simple, and it said that the news from the media was fake and merely slander. It was an attempt to humiliate Ms. S and to cause trouble for him. He married and divorced Ms. S out of his own volition. Ms. S refused to get any alimony, and there was no property dispute.
He blamed the whole ordeal on mere rumors.
People did not doubt any of his statements. This was because Clint always kept a low profile, so he was unlikely to give a statement if he didn’t have a good reason to do so.
The public knew it.
Selene’s reputation was repaired, and she slowly but surely disappeared from the public spotlight.
****
When Selene went to the store the next day, there were no journalists at all. Instead, there were new customers there who had been attracted by the store’s newfound fame.
When the customers left, Mandy, Selene’s assistant, grinned at Selene. “I read the statement from Mr. Denovan online last night. He must be still in love with you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had a reason for this, as people online were attacking you, not him.”
“Haha. What a funny joke.” Selene mocked, smiling.
“I’m serious!”
Selene shook her head in disapproval.
When noon arrived, Mandy went out to get some lunch. Selene had nothing to do but sit in the store.
Her mind wandered subconsciously to Clint.
Of course, she was not indifferent to Clint’s statement. She didn’t like being insulted online and having her reputation ruined. If there were something to be clarified, people would have expected Selene to be the one to give a statement of clarification. Clint was merely seen as an unlucky man who was deceived by his now ex-wife. He could have just kept a low profile and lived a peaceful life.
But he still gave his statement.
Selene then took out her cell phone and scanned her contacts. She found Clint’s telephone number and dialed it after several seconds of deliberation.
“Hello. This is Clint speaking. May I know who is on the line?”
Selene heard his familiar low voice.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.
“Hey. It’s me, Selene.”
“Are you okay?” Clint seemed a little surprised. He doesn’t expect that Selene will call him.
“I’ve read your statement online. I know you did it only to help me.” Selene paused for a moment, then continued, “Thank you!”
“Yes. That’s why I did it.” Clint answered back calmly.
Hearing his cold voice, Selene felt a little resentful. “I was thinking of inviting you to dinner, but I know you’re busy and don’t have time. So, maybe I could show you my appreciation by giving you the two suits you ordered several days ago.”
“Do you think I care about the money? Besides, I have time to have dinner with you.” Clint smiled.
“Really?” Selene looked very surprised. She couldn’t believe what she heard.
“If you invite me, I will come.” Clint quickly answered.