Well, what he had said actually makes sense...
She could not ruin their act just like this!
But this also meant that she could only give in and had nothing else to rebuke his words at all!
"..."
Seeing that she has unwillingly submitted to him, Javier Zhong displayed a sly smile on his face.
In fact, he is extremely satisfied that Stephanie Ruan actually fell for that!
Come on, is this your first day knowing this guy??
Do you think he truly cares about the rumours of their fake relationship or his family uncovering the truth about this relationship??
What a complete joke!!
Throughout all these years, he is well-known to be someone who lives his life according to his own set of rules and does not bother about what other people think of him!
In that case... why did he go through all the trouble just to trick her into believing his words??
To be honest...
He truly enjoyed the way Stephanie Ruan treated him at the Zhong Residence earlier and he simply wanted to experience it all over again!
It could be said that this is the first time Javier Zhong did not feel any disgust at all when he is around a woman.
The feeling of being taken care of in such a considerate manner is just beyond words...
Little did he know... he is slowly becoming addicted to the love and attention that she is unintentionally showering him with...
...
"Follow me." Javier Zhong led her towards the first row of stores.
Wow! The back view of the couple walking together is purely a majestic scene!
The subordinates following behind them could not help but look at them in awe.
Could there be a more perfect-looking couple than them??
It is as though they have both become a 'walking artwork' that no one could take their eyes away from!
But no one would ever expect their real conversation at the front to go something like this...
"Hiss..." Javier Zhong threw her a cold glare when she pressed her long nails into the skin of his hand.
"!!..."
However, with an 'innocent' look on her face, Stephanie Ruan showed him the most dazzling smile. "Oh, sorry Chairman Zhong, I'm not used to holding someone else's hand. Please don't mind me."
However, in the next second, she dug her fingernails in again at the exact same spots!
"!!!..."
"Are you doing this on purpose?!" Javier Zhong stopped abruptly and both of them stood still in the middle of the walkway.
With a shocked expression, Stephanie Ruan hurriedly responded, "On purpose?? How would I dare to do that?..."
"Chairman Zhong, how about this, why not I cling onto your arm instead? This way, both of us will feel more comfortable."
Without waiting for his reply, she immediately took action and held onto his arm.
As they continued with their stroll, Stephanie Ruan noticed his obvious unhappiness and she secretly smiled to herself!
Humph! Serve him right! Who asked him to be so brazen earlier and held her hand without asking for permission?!
Doesn't he have any basic courtesy at all??
Furthermore, they are just acting like a couple! It is not as if he is really her fiancé... So was there actually a need for him to touch her so affectionately?
To be honest, that little bit of pain is nothing compared to the grievances in her heart.
She is a virtuous woman and she would definitely not allow anyone, especially a rogue like him, to touch her whenever he likes to!
...
The well-lighted displays at each storefront have never failed to attract her attention.
One could easily notice that every single piece of clothing has its own unique features and each is painstakingly designed and made by its designers.
Well, all thanks to her hectic work schedule, it is considered a luxury to be walking aimlessly around the mall.
But of all people, why does she have to do this with Javier Zhong?!
Such days are so hard to come by and she just had to waste it like this...
"Argh!! How annoying!..." Stephanie Ruan rolled her eyes once again as she thought to herself in a depressed mood.
But her low spirit is short-lived as she is quickly distracted by a beautiful piece of gown displayed at one of the most established high-end brands in the world!
"Hmm??..." Her footsteps paused in front of the large boutique store as she took a closer look at the gown through the glass windows.
"I'll go in and have a look." Stephanie Ruan spoke to Javier Zhong, in which he nodded in agreement.
Within the next second, he immediately shot Isaac Wen with a look before walking in with her.
Of course, this meant that the executives are not invited to enter the store together with them and they have no choice but to wait outside until they are done.
Without any hesitation, Isaac Wen efficiently relayed this message to the team before entering the store by himself.
"Good afternoon Chairman Zhong! Good afternoon Miss! I am the store manager, please allow me to assist both of you today."
The store manager politely brought them around and introduced the latest designs in the store.
Within a short five minutes, Stephanie Ruan has decisively picked out a couple of evening gowns that she would like to try on.
The manager then led them to a private fitting area on the second floor of the store.
It is a large room consisting of a luxurious three-seater linen sofa and a marble coffee table situated about 5 metres away from the fitting room.
"Chairman Zhong, if you are busy, you can make a move first. I can try them on by my..."
"I will stay here." Javier Zhong interrupted her words with an indifferent look.
Upon hearing that, Stephanie Ruan nodded her head and plastered a fake smile on her face, "Fine! As you wish!"
With that, she proceeded to try on gowns after gowns, with the help of the manager and sales assistants.
Although Stephanie Ruan would stand on the elevated platform back-facing Javier Zhong each time the curtains are open, the mirror in front of her is large enough for him to see the front design.
It is said that Stephanie Ruan is a woman who is very clear on what she wants and what she does not want, which is why she would not bother to ask Javier Zhong for his feedback.
Furthermore, he isn't even her husband! Why should she care about whether he likes to see her in a particular gown or not?...
"The train for this red gown is very long. It may be too grand for the event."
"Maybe not this either, the slit might be a little too high especially when I take a seat..."
"This dress is beautiful, but I do not have the time to alter the sleeves."
To be honest, with Stephanie Ruan's perfect figure, she is able to effortlessly pull off any of the gowns in the store.
However, since this is an important event, she wants to make sure to choose the most suitable gown as she stands alongside with Javier Zhong.
"Alright, I shall go with this then!" After trying on several more gowns, she has finally decided to get the Sequin Mermaid Gown in Champagne Gold.
Upon confirming it with the store manager, Stephanie Ruan turned around and caught Javier Zhong looking at her in a slight daze.
Puzzled by his unusual expression, she questioned him, "Is there something wrong with the gown?"