Recently, Drake had been traveling extensively to secure investment for his company.
been wer
Since businesses in London were unlikely to invest in Ashcroft Capital, he had been forced to look elsewhere. Most of his time lately had been spent in hotels and on planes.
Today, he had just returned to London, with Mason picking him up from the airport.
In the evening, they were driving to a dinner engagement.
While waiting at a red light, Mason glanced over at Drake.
Drake was scrolling through old photos of himself and Kimberly on his phone.
Mason’s lips parted and closed again, hesitating to speak..
Before he could say anything, Drake leaned over, showing him the phone screen, his expression softening with tenderness. “Look how happy we were back then.”
འལཝ་་
Mason’s expression was complicated.
Drake had previously asked him to purchase a ring in France, saying he would use it to win Kimberly back.
At the time, Drake had mentioned that Kimberly was about to get engaged, and Mason had commented that stealing someone’s fiancée was unethical.
Since returning to London, Mason had avoided bringing up the topic of Kimberly with
Drake.
He hadn’t seen Kimberly since she left their city, and didn’t know anything about her fiancé.
What he did notice was that Drake rarely smiled these days.
At social gatherings, Drake had once been the life of the party. Now, he often drank alone, and when drunk, would call out Kimberly’s name with profound sadness.
At this moment, looking at old photos with Kimberly, Drake showed a smile that hadn’t
12:27
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
O
33.3%
Chapter 78
been seen in a long time, seemingly lost in self–deceptive memories.
Mason thought Drake had become obsessed.
He wanted to ask, “Did you give her that ring?” but couldn’t bring himself to form the words.
In the end, Mason just sighed deeply.
The traffic light turned green.
The driver pressed the accelerator, and the car continued forward.
Mason finally couldn’t hold back. “Drake, as your buddy, I gotta say something. Yeah, you guys had a good thing going, but when it’s over, it’s over. She’s engaged now. Don’t go doing something you’ll regret.”
“Regret?” Drake scoffed dismissively. “I’ve already told you, I don’t give a damn about
ethics. I just want her back.”
Mason frowned, continuing his argument: “She’s about to get married, man. You can’t just-”
Drake waved this off carelessly. “Come on, Mason. Look at our social circle. How many
married people do we know who are still sleeping around? Husbands and wives having
their separate things going on is basically the norm, isn’t it?”
Mason was silent for a moment before responding. “Drake, just because something’s
common doesn’t make it right.”
Drake’s face turned cold, and he didn’t reply.
Mason stopped pushing the issue.
It seemed that once someone abandoned morality, ethics could no longer constrain them.
He thought Drake was being pathetic.
He hadn’t valued Kimberly when he had her, and only regretted losing her after she was
gone.
The car reached the busy downtown area.
Chapter 78
During rush hour, traffic had backed up into a long queue.
Drake leaned back, staring out the window with boredom, letting his mind drift.
Suddenly, he spotted a famiKimmyr figure.
“Stop the car!” Drake shouted.
Mason looked confused. “What?”
Seeing Drake staring out the window, Mason followed his gaze and instantly froze.
He immediately understood why Drake had suddenly demanded they stop.
On the sidewalk, Kimberly was walking alongside a man.
They were facing in the direction of the car, close enough that their faces were clearly
visible.
The man was strikingly handsome with an aristocratic air about him. His attire was
impeccable–clearly someone of significant status.
The two were talking and laughing together, their manner intimate.
Drake muttered under his breath: “Out of the hospital already? Tough bastard.”
Mason guessed that this man must be Kimberly’s fiancé.
Drake pulled the car door open and stepped out, walking straight toward Kimberly.
I’ll incorporate the suggested restaurant and continue refining the translation.
Asher had been out of the hospital for a week.
During this time, Kimberly had been monitoring his diet closely, ensuring he ate only mild, easily digestible foods.
Initially, he hadn’t minded, but after days of bland meals, he was growing weary of the
restrictions.
12:27
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
33.59%
Chapter 78
During rush hour, traffic had backed up into a long queue.
Drake leaned back, staring out the window with boredom, letting his mind drift.
Suddenly, he spotted a famiKimmyr figure.
“Stop the car!” Drake shouted.
Mason looked confused. “What?”
Seeing Drake staring out the window, Mason followed his gaze and instantly froze.
He immediately understood why Drake had suddenly demanded they stop.
On the sidewalk, Kimberly was walking alongside a man.
They were facing in the direction of the car, close enough that their faces were clearly
visible.
The man was strikingly handsome with an aristocratic air about him. His attire was
impeccable–clearly someone of significant status.
The two were talking and laughing together, their manner intimate.
Drake muttered under his breath: “Out of the hospital already? Tough bastard.”
Mason guessed that this man must be Kimberly’s fiancé.
Drake pulled the car door open and stepped out, walking straight toward Kimberly.
I’ll incorporate the suggested restaurant and continue refining the translation.
Asher had been out of the hospital for a week.
During this time, Kimberly had been monitoring his diet closely, ensuring he ate only mild, easily digestible foods.
Initially, he hadn’t minded, but after days of bland meals, he was growing weary of the
restrictions.
12:27
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
33.5%
the mood persiar or his part onderry had Sally greed to improve is moder
The restaurant Cimberly had chosen was Cls More based in the duething heart of
MARY MAR
Nhment often case
wild woh is sizgant ambiance and moden Hanger had dinot the
casins she her new run
women
turns in the ble det dober and Kinderh underdy
Being the dinner hour, the main dining area with is tomous blown armed conserv was campborde full with a long queue of people wasting ourside for a chance at a table
Kimberly had made a ration in avanen They were about to follow the host inside
after chesting in when someone called out to ber
Kimberle Muson shouted
Kimberly zuned around seeing Mason first
Then she made standing beside him
Kimberly’s drone Sermoneod
Wthat was the dring here?
He was like a persistent ghost that wouldn’t be exorcised.
Drake and Mason walked up to them.
Masin greeted her warmly. “Hey, long time no see, Kimberly. I had no idea you were from landan esginally. How come you never mentioned it?”
A few days earlier, Mason had only heard from Drake that Kimberly was a London native and about to get engaged, but knew nothing else.
Be didn’t know she was the Jordan heiress, nor did he recognize the man beside her as the CBO of Blackwood Industries.
Wither Sienna and Rachel had falsely accused Kimberly of theft at the Sterling party,
Chapter 78
resulting in her public humiKimmytion, they had been too embarrassed to spread the story.
Consequently, people in their social circle still remained unaware of Kimberly’s true background.
Mason was one of the few people in Drake’s circle with solid principles, who had never looked down on “poor little Kimberly.”
Sometimes he had even helped her out.
Kimberly had always thought well of him, so she responded politely now: “Indeed, it has been quite a while.”
“And who’s this?” Mason asked, feigning ignorance.
Kimberly smiled as she made the introduction: “This is my fiancé, Asher Blackwood.”
“Asher Blackwood!” Mason was genuinely shocked, his eyes widening. “You’re… you’re that Asher Blackwood?”
He had never met Asher in person, and there were few interviews or reports about him online.
But the name Asher Blackwood was instantly recognizable.
Almost everyone in their social circle knew that name.
This was Asher Blackwood, the heir to the Blackwood empire!
Asher’s face was cold, his jaw tense, his gaze like a drawn blade, fixed intently on Drake as if he wanted to eviscerate him. “Is there something you require?”
Mason couldn’t help but shiver.”
This Asher Blackwood had an incredibly powerful presence, truly befitting the Blackwood heir.
The innate authority and commanding aura he projected was something that privileged playboys like themselves‘ could never emulate.
12:27
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
Chapter 78
Mason awkwardly scratched his head. “I was just wondering if we could maybe join you guys for dinner?”
2 50
Kimberly had been very busy at lunch, only managing to eat a sandwich, and was now starving. All she wanted was to get inside and order.
“You may join us,” she said, pointing at Drake, “but he cannot.”
Drake’s expression grew complicated.
I’ll continue translating this chapter, maintaining the established characterization and adapting the dialogue to reflect each character’s distinct speaking style.
Chapter 79
