Donovan parked outside a pharmacy, got out, and bought an ice pack and a towel. Back in the car, he wrapped the ice pack in the towel and placed it on Ruby’s face. Ruby shivered from the cold, tilting her head back.

“Use this to reduce the swelling,” Donovan said, handing her the ice pack.

Ruby pressed it against her face silently. She had just cried in front of Donovan and now felt embarrassed.

“Sorry, Donovan. You must have got important business at the Reynolds Group. I can get off here, and you can go take care of what you need to do. Don’t worry about me,” Ruby said apologetically. Her previous arrogance was gone. She had changed from a spoiled princess to a considerate sweetheart, thanks to Donovan.

Initially, Ruby approached Donovan with ulterior motives. She wanted to win him over and then ditch him. But now, she genuinely liked him.

Donovan glanced at her. “You’re feeling down, and I can’t just leave you here. That would be heartless.”

Ruby lowered her head. “But I’m delaying your important work.”

“It’s fine. I can go tomorrow,” Donovan said, tapping the steering wheel. Seeing Ruby’s anxious expression, he started the car. “I’ll take you somewhere.” Ruby didn’t know where they were going until they stopped at the International Finance Center. She followed Donovan into a Häagen-Dazs shop. Donovan seated Ruby by the window and ordered ice cream. “I heard that eating something sweet can improve your mood,” he said.

“Isn’t it too cold for ice cream?” Ruby asked.

“Don’t girls like spicy food in the summer and ice cream in the winter? If you don’t like it, we can get something warm,” Donovan replied.

Seeing him about to get up, Ruby quickly grabbed his hand, and both froze.

She awkwardly withdrew her hand. “No need. I heard ice cream pairs well with snowy weather. Look, it’s snowing outside.”

Donovan looked out the window at the falling snowflakes. “What a perfect day,” he said.

“Yes,” Ruby said shyly, glancing at Donovan with red ears. She scratched her head and looked out the window.

After finishing their ice cream, they left the shop. Donovan looked down at her. “Feeling better now?”

“Yes, thank you for keeping me company, Donovan. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be feeling down,” Ruby said sincerely.

Donovan, with one hand in his pocket, looked somewhat like Phoebe from certain angles. “No need to thank me. If you’re ever unhappy, come find me, and I’ll cheer you up.” Ruby stopped and stared at Donovan. “Why are you so good to me?”

Donovan looked down at her, recalling the message Ruby had sent earlier. He said playfully, “Didn’t you say you love me? How could I let someone who loves me be sad?”

“If someone else loved you, would you also cheer her up?” Ruby asked, her heart pounding.

She stared intently at Donovan, wanting to hear his answer but also fearing it might not be what she wanted.

Donovan looked into her eyes. “Do I come off as a jerk to you?”

Ruby was taken aback. She understood that Donovan was anything but a jerk. His near brush with danger at the hands of a female con artist had revealed a vulnerable and emotional side to him. Being loved by Donovan would probably be amazing.

“No,” Ruby said.

Donovan smiled and gently flicked her forehead. “Silly girl.”

Ruby touched her forehead, watching Donovan’s tall, handsome figure. Her heart felt warm. “Donovan, let’s go skiing during the holidays.”

“Sure,” Donovan replied.

Evelyn heard that Phoebe and Theodore were back and called Phoebe, inviting them to dinner at the Golden Apartment.

At that moment, Theodore was kissing Phoebe on the couch. Hearing the phone ring, Phoebe blushed and crawled out from under him to answer.

Phoebe had planned to go to the Golden Apartment to pick up Ollie, so she agreed.

After hanging up, Phoebe looked at Theodore, who was leaning against the couch. “My mom invited us over for dinner tonight. We can bring the local specialties we bought and pick up Ollie.” Given Evelyn’s dislike for Ollie, he must have had a tough time there. Phoebe needed to pick him up soon.

Theodore nodded. “Alright, but let’s go back to the Imperial Apartment first. I need to shower and change.”

They went back to the Imperial Apartment, got ready, and headed to the Golden Apartment. By the time they arrived, it was dark. They parked outside the complex and walked in with their gifts. They ran into Donovan at the entrance. Donovan greeted Theodore first and then said, “You guys are finally back. If you hadn’t come soon, Mom and Ollie would have torn the roof off.” “Is it that serious?” Phoebe asked.

“You know Mom’s not a fan of pets. She and Ollie are always at odds. If it weren’t for Theodore, she would have kick it out by now,” Donovan said.

“Well, fine,” Phoebe said.

“Anyway, you guys should take it away soon. By the way, Theodore, there’s a project at the company I want you to help evaluate. Can we talk about it later?” Donovan said to Theodore. “No business talk today,” Theodore said, glancing at Phoebe. “Come to my office tomorrow, and we’ll discuss it then.”

“Alright!” Donovan agreed. “I’ve invested in a few big projects recently. Once the funds come in, the company’s performance will improve significantly.”

Phoebe was a bit worried. “Donovan, are your investments secure?”

“Of course, don’t you trust my abilities? Don’t worry, everything’s fine,” Donovan said, almost pounding his chest in assurance.

Phoebe pursed her lips. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Donovan’s abilities; she was just afraid he might be too eager for success and get scammed again.

The three of them took the elevator up. Donovan unlocked the door, and they heard Evelyn scolding inside. “You little brat, how did you scratch the couch again? Do you know how expensive this couch is?” Donovan coughed heavily to remind Evelyn. She was still angry but turned around to see Theodore and Phoebe standing at the door. Her expression changed instantly, and she greeted them warmly. “Theodore, Phoebe, don’t just hover there. Come in and take a seat,” Evelyn said enthusiastically, taking the local specialties from their hands.

“You didn’t have to bring anything. Come in, dinner is almost ready,” Evelyn said, beaming with joy.

Donovan was treated like he was invisible, but he didn’t mind. He went to the bedroom to change into casual clothes. Phoebe sat on the couch holding Ollie, and Theodore sat next to her, watching her. They seemed much closer now, indicating that a lot had happened during their time away.