She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 245

After Hilda was gone.

Whenever Luther went to visit Gardenia, she would shut the door in his face. His parents treated him with cold disdain, and even his two children kept their distance. Annie had completely taken over raising Landon, and she did an impeccable job—which was his only small comfort.

His business empire continued to expand.

But his heart only grew more desolate.

He never sought out another woman.

Slowly, people stopped bringing up Hilda's name.

In high society, women started making overtures. Socialites and actresses constantly slipped their business cards into his suit pockets, but Luther had no interest in dating. Summer Shaw became the fourth secretary in his executive suite, but they had no personal contact outside of work; he merely gave her a job.

Two years later.

September, autumn.

Luther was introduced to a cellist.

Diana Dayne.

She was quite famous and came from an exceptional family background.

Aegis Group's market value was nearing two trillion.

Luther needed a wife in name.

Diana Dayne was very suitable to be the next Mrs. Sanford.

However, the two were still only in the casual dating phase.

When Nathan and Eleanor found out, they kept their opinions to themselves, letting him do as he pleased. Their only condition was that if he remarried, Annie and Landon had to live with them; they wouldn't risk a stepmother mistreating their grandchildren. Luther told them nothing was set in stone yet.

That evening, Luther had dinner with Diana.

After the meal, Diana drove off in her own car.

Luther drove his car alone back to the Silverlake Villa. While passing through a tunnel, he realized *Sanctuary Park* was nearby and decided to take a look. He pulled into an underground parking garage of a nearby mall to turn around. It was quiet, with hardly any cars or people around.

Luther gripped the steering wheel.

A faint light flickered in his eyes.

Because he was thinking of Hilda.

Just as he was about to make the turn, he casually noticed a young woman. She was wearing a dark, flowing dress, holding the hem as she playfully stood over a broken air conditioning vent. Her long black hair whipped through the air, and the wide skirt billowed upward. She pressed it down with her hands, repeating the game over and over.

She had a beautiful figure.

Luther was a normal man.

And she was stunning.

But he had neither the mood nor the interest to flirt.

Yet, just as he was about to hit the gas, he caught her side profile. All the blood drained from his face, and his hands trembled so violently he could barely hold the steering wheel.

It was Hilda.

The girl was still playing with the AC vent.

Perhaps sensing his intense stare.

She looked over, hastily pinned down her dress, and flashed Luther a shy, embarrassed smile.

Shy, sweet.

She looked blissfully carefree, as though she had never known an ounce of suffering, as though she had never met him in her life.

Every muscle in Luther's body locked up.

He slammed on the brakes.

He stared unblinking at the carefree young woman.

Every fiber of his being screamed with desperate longing.

She was alive. Her features had matured slightly, but it was undeniably Hilda.

She had just forgotten him.

Terrified of scaring her off, Luther forced himself to stay in the car. He lightly stepped on the gas, slowly passing by her. A tire splashed a puddle of water, spraying mud onto the hem of her dress. The girl gasped and bit her lip, watching as the luxury car halted and an elegantly dressed man stepped out.

He walked right up to her.

The garage lights were blindingly bright.

They locked eyes.

After a moment, the girl's cheeks flushed pink.

Luther's Adam's apple bobbed. Using every ounce of his willpower to restrain himself, he said hoarsely, "I apologize for ruining your dress. Let me compensate you. How much was it? How can I pay you?"

The girl waved her hands frantically.

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