Ariana snapped back to the present moment, nodding in agreement.

Mitchel chauffeured Ariana to her workplace, ensuring her safe entrance into the building before preparing to depart. Just as he was about to drive away, his phone rang.

On the other end was his mother, Theresa Bentley.

Mitchel answered the call, greeted by Theresa's soothing voice.

“Mitchel, how did you find yourself entangled in that girl's predicament?"

Predictably, a picture was taken at the scene, but instead of going straight to publication, it went first to Theresa.

Theresa gently inquired, “Pray tell, what's the hullabaloo? I heard about the incident at the Last exchange meeting. It also involved that girl, right? And due to her, you found yourself at odds with Theodore, the Anderson family's eldest son. Moreover, I heard that you abruptly left the hospital meeting just now."

Mitchel fell into a pensive silence at Theresa's words, his brows knitting unconsciously, lost in contemplation.

Pausing uncertainly on the other end of the phone, Theresa finally asked, "Darling, could it be that you hold an affection for this girl?"

Mitchel remained silent, his furrowed brows deepening, confusion etching across his countenance.

Theresa held her breath for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"You know, she happens to be Theodore's wife. It might not be wise to get entangled in this affair."

Mitchel let out a soft sigh and confessed with a bewildered expression, “I'm not sure "

He gazed toward the company building and continued, “It's just that since the moment I laid eyes on her, an overpowering sense of familiarity and closeness enveloped me."

Meanwhile, Ariana entered the company building, fully expecting the barrage of scrutinizing glances that met her as she entered her office, most of which were hostile and probing.

Unsettled under the weight of those stares, Ariana feigned ignorance and calmly proceeded to her workspace to commence her tasks.

Truth be told, there was a simple way to dispel these absurd rumors.

That would be to publicly acknowledge her relationship with Theodore.

However, since their parting in the small town, Ariana had lost contact with Theodore once again, unaware of Horace's whereabouts either.

Neither of them had responded to her messages.