Tina nodded and said, “I wanted to invite you, but you said that you’re not into exercise. That’s why I invited Dr. Craw to go along
with me.”
Zoey placed her plate on the table. “Yeah, I’d rather not spend my vacation time on tiring activities like hiking. There are many
more fun things to do here. I’ve heard there’s a theme park and a karaoke center nearby, so I’d rather go to those places than
hiking. Isn’t that so, Ms. Lynn?”
Jenni sat down on another seat at the table. She looked at Luca, wondering how she could be up and about when she nearly
drowned the day before. She thought that Luca had faked the drowning to evoke Luke’s pity.
“It’s up to the individual how they want to enjoy their vacation, Zoey. I’m quite surprised, though, from Dr. Craw’s behavior in the
pool yesterday, I thought that she’s not very active. Why are you going hiking today, Dr. Craw?” Jenni asked. Luca could hear the
sarcasm in her voice.
Luca was deathly pale after she was fished out of the pool the day before. Jenni could not believe that she would be up and
about today.
“Everyone has their strengths. Dr. Craw looked great in her swimsuit yesterday. She must work out regularly. Isn’t that true, Dr.
Craw?” Tina spoke up for Luca.
Luca smiled. She did not answer the question but instead said, “It’s true that I’m not good at swimming.”
“If you’re not good at swimming, then you shouldn’t have stepped into the pool. You’re lucky that Mr. Crawford was alert enough
to save you, but no one can surely say the next time. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not wishing you ill will.” Jenni’s words
were tinged with jealousy. Luca was not her superior at work, so Jenni was not afraid to offend her.
Luca only smiled and said, “Thanks for your concern. I’ll be careful from now on.”
“Heh,” Tina smirked and began to eat.
She and Luca did not stuff herself with food because they would be hiking later. They packed some drinking water and buns
before leaving the hotel.
They did not walk to their destination because they wanted to conserve energy for the hike. Instead, they took the tour car so
that they could appreciate the view of the mountain villa too.
“Don’t mind what Ms. Lynn said earlier, Dr. Craw.” Tina had been working in the company for a long time. Even though she did
not know everyone too well, she could guess what Jenni was thinking earlier.
It was quite obvious that Jenni had a crush on Luke...
“I didn’t mind what she said. I feel sorry for her though. She probably has a wild imagination or something,” Luca said
nonchalantly while looking out of the window. It was sunny, yet the wind was cooling. That was the perfect weather to go hiking.
Tina understood what she meant. She nodded and said, “That’s right, we ought to leave her to her fantasies.”
Luca smiled when she heard Tina’s words.
Tina looked at Luca and said, “You look so charming when you smile, Dr. Craw. You ought to smile more. Don’t be an ice queen.
There’s already an ice king in our company.”
Tina did not mind taking a dig at Luke when he was not around.
“Do I usually look so cold?” Luca chuckled. Tina’s words usually made her smile, no matter if she was Bianca or Luca.
Tina was Luke’s best secretary. She treated everyone the same. She did not join any cliques, and she maintained the same
distance from everyone. That was why Luke trusted her.
“I can’t say that you’re cold, but you look very good when you smile. In fact, you remind me of... uh, the morning sun. It’s bright
and gentle, but not too warm...” Tina said, deliberately hiding something.
She did not say that Luca looked like a certain person when she smiled.
That person was Bianca Rayne, the wife of the CEO...
She remembered that she had not seen Bianca for a long time. According to Luke, Bianca was still traveling overseas.
Even though Tina suspected that it was not the case, she was somewhat glad that Bianca was not around. Usually, Bianca
would come to the company once or twice every week to throw tantrums.
Bianca had been very paranoid ever since she lost her memories. She was afraid that he would have an affair with the female
employees in the company. Despite Tina being an employee of Luke and nothing more, Bianca nevertheless harassed her
relentlessly.
“You’re exaggerating...” Luca felt a twinge of bitterness in her heart.
She would smile if she could.
She imagined that Luke liked her because she was pure and gentle.
When she returned, she decided she would be cold and distant toward everyone.
That way, Luke would definitely not fall in love with her, and Abel’s plan would fail.
The tour car eventually arrived at the foot of Mount Jadeite.
T Corporation had booked the entire place, and most of the employees were not interested in hiking. The place was almost
totally deserted.
“There’s not many people here,” Luca said.
“Of course. Didn’t you notice that there weren’t many people at the restaurant when we had our breakfast earlier?” Tina said
while tipping the tour car. “Last night, they were enjoying the nightlife here, and they only went to bed at three or four o’clock in
the morning. They’re not going to wake up so early to go hiking!”
Luca went to a roadside stall and bought a map of the area.
“Miss, do you want some drinks or something else?” The man at the stall asked.
Luca noticed that there were some trekking poles for sale. She considered that hiking up Mount Jadeite can be a considerable
challenge, so she bought two of them and handed one to Tina.
“Hold on, let me get a map,” Tina picked up a copy of the map and prepared to pay.
“I’ve already bought one,” Luca said.
“I’m afraid that we might wander off the trail and get lost. Each of us should have a copy,” Tina said.
Luca nodded in agreement.
After buying the items, they prepared to hike up the mountain. Suddenly, Luca heard Jason’s voice coming from behind. “Dr.
Craw? Tina? You’re here to hike up Mount Jadeite too?”
Luca turned around. Not only was Jason there, but Luke was there too...
‘What a coincidence...’
Did Tina tell Luke that they were hiking? Did Luke come here just so that he could keep an eye on her?
It was only hiking. She was not going to do anything unmentionable...
“Huh? Mr. Crawford and Mr. Doyle? Are you here to hike too?” Tina turned around, feeling quite surprised.
“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?” Jason looked at the map and the trekking pole in the women’s hands.