Free Web NovelChapter 29: Chapter 29: Passing by Spring, You Can’t Leave Empty-Handed
### Chapter 29: When Spring Comes Calling, You Can’t Leave Empty-Handed
A gentle evening breeze blew, carrying the distinct, cool air of the city at night.
Ethan Hawthorne turned his head, his gaze falling upon Maxine Rhodes.
She was wearing a soft, light-apricot knit dress that traced the elegant curves of her figure.
A matching cashmere shawl was draped casually over her arm, swaying slightly with her movements and adding a touch of casual, languid grace.
Unlike the sharp, polished professional she was during the day, she now possessed a mature, relaxed, and understated beauty under the glow of the night and the neon lights.
Watching a few strands of her hair dance in the evening breeze, his voice softened unconsciously. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
Maxine Rhodes answered, "Okay."
They walked side-by-side along the sidewalk. The orange glow of the streetlights cascaded down, casting a soft halo on the tips of Maxine Rhodes’s hair and her shoulders.
In that moment, it was as if after ten long years of watching countless silhouettes from afar, one had finally, truly come to walk by his side, stepping into the warmth of the ordinary world.
With a slight turn of her head, Maxine Rhodes could see the profile of the man beside her, his features softened by the flickering light and shadows.
The night deepened. Behind them, the traffic merged into a silent river of light, and neon signs bled into vibrant blurs in the humid air. It started with just a few cool drops, but soon, a fine, dense drizzle began to fall silently around them.
"It’s raining," Maxine Rhodes said, looking up as a cool droplet landed right on her eyelashes.
The moment the words left her lips, Ethan Hawthorne had already taken off his suit jacket without a word. With a sweep of his arm, he held it precisely over both their heads.
The space under the jacket was small and peaceful. His height advantage became apparent as he completely shielded her from the falling rain, but it also forced them closer together.
Their shoulders and arms pressed close. Through the thin layers of their clothing, she could clearly feel the warmth of his body seeping through.
"Looks like we’ll have to walk a bit faster," he said, looking down at her. His voice sounded exceptionally gentle against the patter of the rain.
Maxine Rhodes’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t deliberately pull away.
She raised her eyes to meet his gaze, so close to her own. A faint, yet poised smile touched her lips, and her voice came out clear and steady through the curtain of rain. "Okay."
They had only taken a few steps when Ethan Hawthorne stopped in front of a flower stall on the roadside.
The stall was tended by an old woman with white hair, who was struggling to pack up. In her bucket sat a single, lonely bouquet of gardenias.
Ethan Hawthorne took a step forward and leaned down slightly. His voice was still clear and gentle above the sound of the rain. "I’ll take this bouquet."
He pulled out a few bills—far more than the bouquet was worth—and gently placed them in the old woman’s worn cash box.
"It’s late, and it’s raining," he said sincerely, meeting the old woman’s surprised gaze. "You can go home and rest once you’ve sold them. Please be safe on your way."
The old woman froze for a moment, then her face broke into a warm, wrinkled smile as she thanked him repeatedly.
Only then did he pick up the bouquet of gardenias. He carefully brushed the tiny water droplets from the petals, then turned and presented it to Maxine Rhodes.
"When spring comes calling, you can’t leave empty-handed." His tone was even, but his eyes shimmered with a gentle light, like the street lamps above.
Maxine Rhodes had seen the whole exchange. She took the bouquet, her cool fingertips brushing against his warm ones as she did.
Ethan Hawthorne raised the jacket over her head again, and they continued walking into the rain.
"I didn’t realize Mr. Hawthorne was so helpful."
Hearing this, he just smiled faintly. "It was just a small thing I could do."
Maxine Rhodes lowered her head and gently smelled the gardenias in her arms. Their cool, crisp fragrance now seemed to carry a trace of warmth.
「The next day, at ten in the morning sharp.」
Inside a private room at the Willow Creek Resort, the air was fragrant with the scent of tea. Benjamin Sterling arrived right on time. His suit was immaculate, but it couldn’t hide the dark circles under his eyes or his haggard expression. He forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace, his posture as stiff as a marionette’s.
Behind an elegant screen in the room, Maxine Rhodes sat with a cup of clear tea, the gap in the screen giving her a perfect view of everything in the main part of the room.
Benjamin Sterling’s throat bobbed. He hardly dared to look Finn Finch in the eye as he began, his voice hoarse, "President Young... what happened yesterday... I was a complete bastard. I listened to some... some baseless gossip, lost my head, and ended up misunderstanding you and Director Rhodes. I even... I even interrupted your and your wife’s important anniversary..."
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he spoke. He remembered how he’d confidently brought people along to catch them in the act, and the memory made him wish the ground would swallow him whole.
"I should just slap this stupid mouth of mine!" As he said it, he actually gave his cheek a light tap, a gesture that was both comical and pathetic. "Those ridiculous rumors not only tarnished the relationship between you and your wife but also insulted Director Rhodes’s character. I... I’m completely to blame."
His hands trembled as he offered a freshly poured cup of tea, bowing his head even lower. "Please... you must convey my sincerest apologies to your wife on my behalf. I, Benjamin Sterling... promise I will never make such a stupid mistake again! I beg you, President Young... please be the bigger person, show some mercy, and give me... give The Sterlings another chance."
Finn Finch did not immediately take the cup.
He let Benjamin Sterling remain frozen in mid-air, holding the tea. Time ticked by in silence, each second like a thousand cuts to Benjamin’s heart.
After a long moment, Finn Finch slowly picked up his own teacup, blew gently on the surface, and took a sip. His cold gaze swept over Benjamin Sterling’s pale face.
"President Sterling," he said, his tone placid, "some misunderstandings can’t be brushed aside with a simple ’I lost my head.’ You brought people with you, barged into my wife’s and my private space, and frightened her. The incident left her very upset."
He set his teacup down with a sharp CLINK, making Benjamin Sterling’s shoulders flinch.
"My wife still hasn’t fully calmed down, even now." Finn Finch leaned forward slightly, his gaze full of scrutinizing pressure. "So, President Sterling, tell me, how should this be resolved to truly appease my wife?"
Cold sweat instantly soaked through Benjamin Sterling’s back. He hadn’t expected Finn Finch to be so relentless. It was as if he was determined to completely shatter his psychological defenses.
"I... I..." He was incoherent, his mind a complete blank. "As long as your wife can calm down, I’ll do anything! Compensation, apologies, or... or..."
Sitting off to the side, Maxine Rhodes elegantly took a sip of tea, hiding the cold smirk at the corner of her lips.
Watching Benjamin Sterling look so pathetic under Finn Finch’s pressure, like a prisoner awaiting his final judgment, brought her a great deal of satisfaction. fгeewebnovёl.com
Having enjoyed Benjamin Sterling’s predicament long enough, Finn Finch finally, as if granting a favor, turned his gaze back to the now-lukewarm cup of tea.
"Fine." He finally took the cup but didn’t drink it. He simply set it on the table with a soft thud. "I’ll consider it on account of Maxine’s efforts in mediating for you, and for this genuinely excellent recovery plan."
He paused, his gaze as sharp as a knife. "Don’t let it happen again. But remember this: I’m only doing this for her sake."
Hearing this, Benjamin Sterling nearly collapsed from relief. He bowed repeatedly. "Yes, yes, of course! Thank you, President Young! Thank you, President Young! There absolutely won’t be a next time! Absolutely not!"
"I hope you remember today’s lesson, President Sterling," Finn Finch said coolly. He then looked away from him and picked up his teacup.
As if granted a full pardon, Benjamin Sterling practically scrambled out of the room where his dignity had been utterly trampled.
The door closed softly.
Finn Finch walked over to the screen and knocked on it with a smile. "Director, now that the show’s over, shouldn’t you come out and inspect the results?"*****
