The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 70

I was taken aback. "You want me to convince the new tycoon, Jack, to cooperate with you?"

He had asked me about this before, but he didn't know I was Navier back then.

William hesitated, but before I could speak again, he quickly said, "Forget I mentioned it!"

For some reason, he suddenly seemed worried that his impression in my heart might worsen.

Before I could say anything more, my father, Arthur, and Iris came back.

"Who is this?" Seeing William, Dad asked.

He didn't know about the connection with the Spencer family, so he naturally didn't recognize William.

"This is Mr. Ripley, who came to learn about your traditional shoe-making craftsmanship," I quickly explained.

"Hello, Uncle. I'm William.” William walked up to Dad and introduced himself respectfully.

He had a clean and tidy appearance with a friendly smile, but it was clear he wasn't someone who worked with his hands.

"Hello.” Dad gave him a brief look and didn't say much, just extended his hand to shake his.

Iris knew William but hardly interacted with him.

Seeing him now and knowing he was my father's good friend, she timidly clung to Dad, and her big eyes showed obvious rejection.

She didn't like Aubrey and knew that Aubrey's friends often bullied me, so she didn't have a good impression of William either.

Dad just thought she wasn't used to meeting strangers and didn't think too much about it.

"Dad, why did you come back?" I asked.

Dad looked at the wet Iris in his arms and said, "It's windy outside, and I'm afraid she might catch a cold."

He touched Iris's wet head without caring that her wet clothes might dampen him.

Iris immediately nestled in his arms like a little kitten, her hands wrapped around his neck, enjoying the intimacy.

"William, please come inside." Dad politely invited William into the house.

He warmly offered some homegrown watermelon, cut into thin slices, and served it to William on a plate.

William was pleasantly surprised but didn't know how to approach it.

In wealthy families, watermelon is usually cut into small pieces and eaten with toothpicks.

Iris, who had changed her clothes with me, came running out.

Seemingly aware of his awkwardness, Iris playfully rolled her eyes at him and took a piece of watermelon, sitting at the entrance nonchalantly while munching on it. Occasionally, she would pick up the large fan by the door and fan herself.

She imitated how Dad ate watermelon, finding it amusing and mimicking him perfectly.

Iris ate quickly, nibbling on the watermelon in small bites, and soon watermelon juice stained her little face.

With her head bobbing up and down, she looked like an adorable little bunny.

William seemed a bit mesmerized.

He could clearly feel that Iris had become much livelier than before.

Back at the Spencer family, the child hardly showed herself.

Every time she appeared, she would shrink her body as much as possible and cling to my leg, following me everywhere.

Her eyes were dull and lacked luster.

She was timid and sheltered, unable to face the world.

Now, she had big, watery eyes, acted quickly and decisively, and her reactions were sharp.

Her little legs were crossed on the doorstep, looking intelligent and adorable.

It was a stark contrast to the past, as if she had completely transformed into a different person.

Looking at me, I sat on a chair with more elegance and restraint compared to Iris.

My eyes were curved, and my lips carried a faint smile. Though serene, there was a sense of vitality about me.

I was no longer confined by the old-fashioned, rigid dress code. I now wore a white T-shirt paired with light-colored shorts, showcasing my slim waist and long legs.

My long hair was casually tied up, revealing a smooth forehead and exuding youthful charm like a high school student.

It seemed like I had shed the meekness and restraint—the lifeless and submissive demeanor I had shown in front of the Spencer family—as if all connections to that lifeless existence were severed.

Could a divorce really bring about such a significant change in a person?