Chapter 46
As soon as Myra entered the car, the cool air inside provided a welcome relief from the oppressive summer heat.
The man in the car leaned back against the seat, his eyes closed. His strong features—wide forehead, straight nose, and deep, narrow eyes—were still striking even with his eyes shut. The elegance of his demeanor was unmistakable, giving off an aura of quiet confidence.
At the sound of Myra’s voice, Tony opened his eyes briefly and gave a slight nod, but he didn’t look at her directly.
Then, without warning, he turned toward her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “How did this happen?” he asked, his gaze falling on her chin, which was marked with bright red fingerprints.
Tony reached out, his long, slender fingers brushing against the reddened skin, and Myra felt the heat from his touch, though it was not harsh. Still, she quickly recoiled from the sensation. “It’s nothing,” she murmured, her voice low.
She tried to turn away, but the redness on her chin was more apparent from the side, and Tony’s eyes reflected a mix of concern and anger. His lips tightened, and it was clear he had an idea of what had happened, even without Myra saying anything.
Leo, who had been silently driving, felt the temperature drop further inside the car. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and after reading the message, he immediately pulled over. A few moments later, he returned to the car with a small bag in hand.
“Miss Stark, here’s some ointment for your injuries. The pharmacist said it’s quite effective,” Leo said, offering the bag to Myra.
Myra hesitated before accepting it. “Thank you, Leo.”
Tony had initially planned to take him to the Hart Residence, which was located in the upscale Southern Hill neighborhood. Since the Chase Residence was also nearby, it made sense to drop Myra off on the way. However, throughout the drive, Myra couldn’t shake her unease.
She had expected Tony to ask her about the plagiarism scandal, but he remained silent, his eyes closed as if deep in thought. Myra, never one to initiate conversation, didn’t speak either. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.
As they neared Southern Hill, Tony opened his eyes, his expression unreadable. “Don’t you have any questions for me?”
Myra jumped slightly at the unexpected question. She had assumed that Tony would have something to say, especially since the Chase Residence wasn’t exactly on the way to the Hart Residence. There had to be a reason he was driving her this way, yet he hadn’t said a word about the plagiarism accusation that was consuming her thoughts. Was he confident in the outcome? Or was it all just a politeness from the Hart Group to “look into it”?
“Director Hart…” Myra began, her voice tinged with uncertainty. But before she could finish, Tony took out a cigarette, lit it, and the smoke soon filled the air, adding to the tension in the car. His face, partially obscured by the smoke, looked colder and more distant than ever.
Her heart thudded in her chest. He’s probably the only one who can help me now. If he believes in me… she thought desperately. She gathered her courage. “Director Hart, I didn’t plagiarize the design from Hay Group. The design I brought to you today isn’t mine either.”
She paused, waiting for a response, but the silence stretched on. Myra felt her stomach drop. Of course, why would he believe her without any proof?
Finally, Tony spoke, his voice a quiet murmur. “I would rather hope you were the one who drew those drawings.”
His words were light, almost casual, but they made Myra’s body stiffen in surprise. The smoke from his cigarette swirled around them, and his expression, half-obscured, made it difficult for her to gauge his true feelings.
After extinguishing the cigarette in the ashtray, Tony turned to face Myra directly, his gaze colder than ever. “I have a way to investigate the truth.”
Myra’s heart skipped a beat. “Really?” she asked, her voice laced with hope.