Her eyes, filled with warmth, landed on Gerard. Most men would find it hard to look away from such a gaze.

“Busy day, Gerard? I thought you might be hungry, so I made some food for you," Ruby said softly, her voice full of care.

Although Gerard's demeanor was icy, he was still so captivating. How she wished she could be the one to melt that frosty facade. If she were to wed him, life would be wonderful.

"It's Mr. Harris," Gerard responded, his tone leaving no room for interpretation.

Ruby's face lost some of its color, a shadow of sadness Lingering.

Gerard seemed unaffected, barely acknowledging her presence.

Ruby held back her emotions, forcing a gentle expression. "I understand, Mr. Harris. Let's eat."

"The meal is from Horizon Hotel," Gerard said with a chilling clarity.

A flush of embarrassment tinted Ruby's cheeks. Her ruse had unraveled before Gerard's discerning eyes. Hoping to impress him, she had resorted to this culinary deception. After all, in her world, food often symbolized affection. Though she didn't have the culinary skills, she thought Horizon Hotel's dishes would be the next best thing. She had hoped to present it as her own handiwork, painting an image of the doting wife.

Caught off guard, she offered a timid smile. "I wanted to prepare something myself, but time was against me. Mr. Harris, tell me your favorite dishes, and I promise it'll be homemade next time."

“I don't need that," Gerard stated, eyes chillingly fixed on Ruby.

“Ruby, I thought our last conversation made my stance clear."

A while back, Ruby had shown up with a paternity test, declaring she was Jerrold's mother and hoping to reclaim her son.

Gerard stood his ground. Tears streaming down her face, Ruby contended that she deserved to be with Jerrold and that he needed a whole family.

Gerard's resolve didn't falter. He had given Ruby a check; a staggering one hundred million dollars, in hopes she'd disappear from their lives.

Yet, here she was, ignoring his earlier demand.

Ruby, eyes blurred with tears, spoke up. “Mr. Harris, Jerrold's absence has left a void in my heart. Every day, every night, he's all I've thought of. I was weak in the past, but now I'm successful and have the courage to be a part of his life. I'm not asking for us to be together, Mr. Harris. Just let me be near Jerrold. I promise not to disrupt your life."

Gerard's gaze was icy, making Ruby feel a chill. “After leaving Jerrold for years, you think you have any right? Stay away, just like before."

Ruby persisted, "Mr. Harris..."

"You don't want to give up your career in the entertainment industry, do you?" he interjected sharply.

The implication hurt; she'd faced countless challenges to reach her current status.

Taking a moment to find her words, Ruby finally whispered, "Jerrold is everything."

“Leave, now."

That was the last straw for Gerard. She exited, biting back her frustration. By the time she reached her car, her emotions had swelled into a storm. She hadn't anticipated such resistance from Gerard.