After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 86: Number One Suitor

"Sorry, I thought you might have fallen for me, so you’ve been dragging out the divorce, but it seems that’s not the case." I said with a candid smile, not feeling awkward at all.

Henry Preston had a cold expression, showing no other emotions, just sitting across from me smoking.

The smoke made me cough, so he got up and went outside.

This is one gentlemanly aspect of Henry Preston.

About a minute later, I saw through the floor-to-ceiling windows that Henry Preston received a phone call and left in a hurry.

At this moment, my phone rang too; it was Crystal Dawson calling.

"Zoe, come have dinner!" she said mysteriously, "There’s someone unexpected here for you."

"Who?" I asked.

"Not telling you, just hurry over, I sent you the location, if you don’t come, I’ll come pick you up!" Crystal Dawson said excitedly and then hung up.

I checked the time, it was indeed dinner time, so I told the housekeeper I wouldn’t be eating at home and then drove out.

Upon arriving at the destination, I opened the private room’s door and was surprised to find Tiana O’Connell and Leah Lane there too. Across from the door sat a man, in his early thirties, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a very typical handsome Asian man.

He was none other than Crystal Dawson’s older brother, Dylan Dawson.

Seeing me, Dylan Dawson was first taken aback, then his gaze softened a bit, "Zoe, long time no see."

"Dylan, when did you return to the country?" I suppressed a slight awkwardness, putting on a generous smile, and then sat down next to Crystal Dawson.

"I just got back this afternoon, Crystal insisted on throwing a welcome dinner for me, so here we are." Dylan Dawson’s voice was calm and steady, completely different from Crystal Dawson’s vivacious nature.

Crystal Dawson’s older sister Stella Dawson was also there, she laughed and said, "Crystal is hosting, you pay."

Dylan Dawson’s lips curled slightly, "It’s all the same."

Tiana O’Connell and I were both only children, Leah Lane had a younger brother, but Crystal Dawson was the luckiest, with an older brother and sister who doted on her immensely.

She smiled as brightly as a flower, "My brother’s generous, what’s the cost of a meal?"

I looked down, pretending to play on my phone while drinking water, but actually texting Crystal Dawson: Did you do this on purpose?

Crystal Dawson: My brother is still single, he can’t stop thinking about you, and as soon as I hinted that you’re likely getting a divorce, he immediately moved his work back to the country, touched?

I’m floored: I’m not even divorced yet! And even if I were, it’d be my second marriage, why set a trap for your brother?

Crystal Dawson: What’s the worry? So what if it’s a second marriage? My brother’s already thirty-three, an old bachelor, what right does he have to be picky about you?

I wanted to keep replying, but then I heard Dylan Dawson ask me, "Zoe, why have you gotten so thin?"

Ten years of unrequited love, five years of living like a widow, how could I not be thin with all that melancholy?

"Maybe I eat less, I’m trying to gain weight," I replied, "I’m also planning on hitting the gym."

"Perfect, I’ve kept up a habit of working out these past few years, if you’re planning to get into fitness, you can hire me as your personal trainer." Dylan Dawson joked, "I’ll give you a friendship discount of twenty percent off."

Crystal Dawson immediately perked up, winking at me with delight.

I could only nod, "Okay."

This meal was a bit embarrassing for me, especially with Dylan Dawson occasionally looking at me, his gaze just as open and sincere as before.

Before I married Henry Preston, Dylan Dawson was my number one suitor. I met him through Crystal Dawson, and even though he knew I was infatuated with Henry Preston at the time, he wouldn’t give up and tried his best to win my affection.

But feelings can’t be forced, just like how Henry Preston resisted me, I resisted Dylan Dawson.

Back then, all the other suitors would back off if they knew I liked Henry Preston, but Dylan Dawson was like a stubborn ox, refusing to give up no matter what.

Until I graduated from university and married Henry Preston, he sent wedding gifts via Crystal Dawson, then left for the overseas branch office.

I did feel a bit embarrassed; initially rejecting Dylan Dawson over and over for Henry Preston, only to face this scenario now that I’m almost divorcing Henry.

After dinner, Dylan Dawson went to settle the bill, Crystal Dawson seized the chance to egg me on, "Zoe, think about my brother, you’re planning to divorce anyway, after trying being with the one you love, give being with the one who loves you a shot!"

"The problem is, towards your brother... I truly have pure thoughts!" I was quite exasperated by Crystal as a persistent matchmaker.

"There’s no rush, he’s already waited five years, what’s another year or so?" Crystal’s tone was bold, as if her brother were immortal with all the time in the world.

Not far away, Stella Dawson was also smiling at me knowingly; she knew about the old, unresolved past.

I hurried to avoid that look, but Tiana O’Connell and Leah Lane surrounded me, "Yeah, Zoe, I think Crystal’s brother is great, and handsome too!"

"The way he pursued you back then, just recalling it makes me admire him!"

I was being attacked with their excited chatter, my head felt ready to burst; it was like a forced marriage scene.

Thankfully, Dylan Dawson returned after paying, and they stopped their chatter. He smiled warmly, "Alright, let’s head down." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Dylan Dawson picked up a takeout box and said to me, "Zoe, I noticed you really liked that plate of shrimp dumplings, so I asked the hotel to pack a portion for you, have it as a late-night snack."

Crystal Dawson was about to burst into laughter, her eyes twinkling mischievously. I was seriously worried she might run out of patience just watching.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and when I looked inside, I was stunned.

Henry Preston, Ivan Underwood, Silas Lockwood, and Jason Forrest were all there, amidst them was Azure Vaughn, looking like a star surrounded by admirers.

Azure had a smile on her face, but upon seeing me, she immediately became uneasy, "Miss Hathaway."

She stood in the center with Henry Preston, Ivan Underwood at her left, and Silas Lockwood and Jason Forrest at the right, closer to the back.

Anyone could see her and Henry Preston were the closest, almost touching elbows.

Henry Preston’s gaze quickly fell on Dylan Dawson, whom he also knew.

"Zoe, who’s that?" Dylan Dawson noticed something was off and asked quietly.

"Azure Vaughn, also from University A’s music department, she’s sort of my junior." I replied calmly, then took Dylan Dawson’s takeout box, "Thank you, Dylan, I’ll finish it well when I get home."

Henry Preston and his group exited the elevator, and I was the first to step in, ignoring his slightly gloomy face. I sweetly called out to Dylan Dawson and Crystal Dawson, "Dylan, Crystal, aren’t you coming in? Let’s go sing, going home is too boring."

Crystal Dawson knew I was doing it on purpose, she glanced at Azure and Henry Preston, "Yeah, let’s go have fun, going home alone when some people have been lured away by outside foxes is meaningless, let’s go, let’s go, off we go!"