He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 597

She hadn't saved his number in her contacts.

But the memory of those digits was burned into her mind, impossible to forget even if she tried.

Almost out of pure muscle memory, she dialed his phone.

The moment the line connected, she fell silent.

His deep, magnetic voice echoed through the speaker. "Ms. Wallace, to what do I owe the pleasure of a personal call?"

There was a clear hint of amusement in his tone.

She picked up on it instantly.

Remaining unfazed, she replied coolly, "You practically forced my hand, Mr. Hayes. Is there really a need for such a patronizing question?"

Her sharp retort was met with a low chuckle.

He was clearly in an excellent mood.

"I still haven't taken you out for dinner," he suddenly suggested. "That storm last night ruined our plans."

"Sure," she agreed without hesitation.

"I'll come pick you up," he said simply.

She offered no objections, giving a brief murmur of assent.

He ended the call.

She gathered her things, changed into a fresh outfit, and left the office with perfect composure.

Her assistant wisely kept her questions to herself.

As she stepped off the elevator, her phone buzzed with a message from him.

His car was already parked in the building's underground garage.

Since IGM had a branch office in Riverton, this was naturally her company's parking structure.

She made her way down quietly, avoiding any unwanted attention.

He had swapped his usual ride for a sleek, black sports car—flashy yet aggressively modern.

When she caught sight of the license plate, her brows furrowed.

It was far too conspicuous.

Everyone in Riverton knew this was Sebastian's Maybach.

Outwardly, however, she maintained her calm demeanor as she approached the vehicle.

He didn't step out to greet her.

IGM was located in a shared corporate tower, surrounded by countless other firms.

He was acting like a man holding all the winning cards.

She offered a thin smile. "Alright."

Her easy compliance seemed to please him.

He steered the car out of the garage and merged onto Riverton's bustling main avenue.

It didn't take long for her to realize he was taking her to an incredibly exclusive private restaurant.

It was a place that shunned Michelin stars but was legendary among the elite.

Years ago, he had only ever brought Janetta here.

Back then, Helena hadn't been deemed worthy of stepping foot inside.

But she kept her expression perfectly blank, showing absolutely no reaction.

"It's a traditional Riverton cuisine spot," he explained smoothly. "The chef is an old-school master. The flavors are very authentic; I think you'll appreciate it. They also have a chef specializing in Cajun cuisine, if you're in the mood for something spicy."

"Sounds wonderful," she replied evenly, her tone perfectly composed.

The ride continued smoothly.

As they drove, she casually glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed a car tailing them. Press trailing his every move.

She shifted her gaze toward him from the corner of her eye.