Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

In Alveria, only an establishment like Quiver could truly reflect her taste.

A woman couldn’t even get in if she wasn’t rich.

The moment she walked in, the sharp-eyed Ruby spotted her.

”Well now, Miss Ellsworth, long time no see.”

Zoe Ellsworth chuckled lightly. ”It really has been a while. I’m here for a couple of drinks. Ruby, any new boys in? Get me a room and send a few up to keep me company.”

A wide smile spread across Ruby’s face. ”Of course, we do. Come, follow me upstairs and take your pick.”

Zoe walked ahead, with Ruby to her right and slightly behind her.

When they reached the second floor, Ruby seemed to hesitate, as if she wanted to say something.

”If you have something to say, just say it. We’ve known each other for years; we’re not strangers.”

”Mr. Hawthorne is here too. In his usual spot on the third floor.”

”Is he with anyone?”

Ruby nodded.

Seeing this, Zoe actually seemed more at ease. ”We’ve been divorced for a few days now. We’re both free agents.”

”Alright, follow me then.” Ruby led the way. Zoe glanced toward the stairs leading to the third floor before looking away.

Once they were in her room, Ruby took out a photo album and handed it to her. ”Miss Ellsworth, these are all the young ones. Take your pick.”

Zoe opened the album. Just as she’d expected, it was filled with fresh-faced boys.

Some were clearly trying to act the part, while others seemed genuinely artless, as if they hadn’t even graduated from college yet.

She closed the album.

”Ruby, can I see them in person? Find me someone who doesn’t do this full-time. A college student would be best.”

At this, Ruby said, ”Alright. I have one who’s still in college—very handsome. His family ran into some trouble, so he chose this line of work to help his mom with living expenses. The thing is, he hasn’t officially started taking clients yet. You’ve come at the perfect time. I’ll have him meet you. I’ve got a room for you, just go and wait there.”

A small smile played on Zoe’s lips. ’Ruby must have misunderstood. I only came here to find a stranger to talk to, not to sleep with a man.’

She didn’t explain.

The room was on the third floor.

She followed Ruby upstairs. The hallway was serene, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The soundproofing was incredible.

They reached room 305. Just as Ruby opened the door, the door to room 306 clicked open. Herman Hawthorne stepped out, and upon seeing Zoe Ellsworth there, he was visibly stunned.

”You...” he started, unsure of what to say.

Zoe said nothing, simply entering the room and closing the door behind her.

He stood there for a full ten minutes, a cigarette burning down to its filter in his hand.

Just then, Ruby came out and saw him still standing there, which made things a bit awkward.

”Young Master Hawthorne, you’re still...?”

”Is she alone?”

Ruby cleared her throat and said in a low voice, ”No.”

”Then who’s with her?”

”He’s with our top newcomer.”

Herman Hawthorne’s face instantly darkened. ’It’s only been a few days since the divorce, and she’s already chasing after other men. Is she that desperate?’

”If there’s nothing else, Young Master Hawthorne, I’ll be heading down. It’s getting busy.”

”Hmph.”

Leaning against the wall, he pulled out another cigarette and lit it.

Zoe took a bathrobe into the bathroom and soaked in the tub for over half an hour before getting out, putting on the robe, and drying her hair.

The doorbell rang.

Zoe picked up a glass of red wine and went to open the door. Standing there was, indeed, a tall, slender young man with handsome, shy features, dressed casually. Behind him, she saw a pair of deep, dark eyes—the eyes of her ex-husband.

”Are you Miss Ellsworth?” Miles Coleman never imagined that the ”sugar mama” Ruby had mentioned would be such a young, beautiful woman.

She looked to be around his age.

”I am. Come in.” She swung the door open. As he stepped inside, she felt her ex-husband’s gaze, which hadn’t moved an inch.

Zoe’s expression remained calm as she closed the door.

It shut out his gaze.

Then, with a faint smile, she tilted her head back and downed the red wine in her hand.

”What’s your name?” she asked, setting down her glass. She sat on the edge of the bed and crossed her legs.

”I... My name is Miles Coleman.” He was a little nervous.

”Mm, have a seat. Ruby told me you came here to help your mother with financial pressures, is that right?”

”Yes.”

”You’re about to graduate from college, aren’t you?”

”Another six months.”

Zoe suddenly felt sleepy. She kicked off her shoes, pulled back the covers, and climbed into bed.

”Come here.”

He sat on the edge of the bed.

”You don’t need to be nervous. I’m not going to make you do anything. I just want you to talk with me, and I’ll pay you the same rate.”

Miles Coleman was taken aback. ’She only wanted him to talk?’

’And she’s paying this much? This job... is a piece of cake!’

”Do you have a girlfriend?”

”No.”

”Then is there a girl you like?”

He nodded. ”Yes.”

”Can you tell me some fun stories about college life?”

”Are you interested in that?”

”Mhm, tell me.”

He began telling stories, starting from his first day of college. He talked for a long time, until he realized that at some point, she had fallen asleep.

Miles Coleman recognized her. He’d seen her in the news and knew her brother was Ethan Ellsworth. Her family was wealthy, and she had dropped out of school early to marry Herman Hawthorne. Their divorce just a few days ago had caused a huge media frenzy.

She looked exhausted.

He stood up, tucked the blanket around her, then pulled a chair over and sat down to sleep.

The heating in the room was on full blast, so it wasn’t cold even without a blanket.

Zoe slept until she woke up naturally.

It was a little after six when she woke up.

She sat up and saw him asleep in the chair.

After washing up, she came out, took out her wallet, placed a thick stack of cash on the table along with a note, and then opened the door and left.

The hallway was still silent.

Zoe left Quiver, her mood having improved slightly.

As she descended the steps, she stopped short.

A man was standing in front of her car. It was Herman Hawthorne.

Walking up to the car, Zoe took out her keys and pressed the unlock button twice.

As she passed by him, his voice rang out, ”Sleep well last night?”

”Mhm. Better than ever.”

He gave a strange laugh and stepped forward to block her path.

”The guy you found last night can’t possibly compare to me in looks. How about I do it for free?”

”Pfft—” Zoe laughed. ”He might not have been drop-dead gorgeous, but at least he was easy on the eyes. Paying him to keep me company gave me a real sense of accomplishment. As for you... forget it. I had you for free for all those years. I got bored.”

And just as she’d hoped, she saw Herman Hawthorne’s expression change.

”Zoe Ellsworth, you’ve got some nerve.”

”If I dare to do it, why wouldn’t I dare to say it? If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

She walked around him and pulled open the car door.

Herman Hawthorne knocked on the car window. She rolled it halfway down. ”Is there something else?”

”I’ll see you tonight.”