A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )

So it was her beauty that first caught his eye, but as they spent time together, the admiration slowly blossomed into love. Yes, Robin used the word love. He loved her, and that's why he wanted the best for her. Just like now, Eleanor had made it through the ordeal of childbirth, living happily ever after with her husband and son. And Robin, he was genuinely happy for her.

Sure, he might occasionally butt heads with Bernard, but that didn't mean he wanted to wreck Eleanor's home. Because he never even entertained the thought, so his love for her would forever remain unspoken...

Robin buried this love deep in his heart, smiled, and raised his glass to Peterson with a mischievous eyebrow lift, "I've got a thing for the good-looking ones. If you come across anyone even more stunning than Eleanor, be sure to send her my way..."

Robin played it cool, and after scrutinizing him for a moment, Peterson couldn't detect a hint of his true feelings and nodded, "No problem. But with your high standards, it's going to be tough. Still, if I meet someone, you'll be the first to know."

With a chuckle, Robin lifted his glass and clinked it against Peterson's, "And it's not just pretty faces I'm after. Save some good business deals for me too, or else Laurence Group will corner the market, and the Sharps will be left in the dust."

Peterson retorted with a smirk, "Be my guest, if you think you can handle it." But before Robin could reply, the distinct sound of a slap echoed through the restaurant-

A resounding smack sent a woman tumbling to the floor, unable to rise. "Starry, listen up. I'll play with as many women as I want, and if I feel like hitting you, I will. Don't think just because you're a Sharp heiress that you can control me!"

Peterson initially had no interest, but at the mention of Starry's name, he swiftly turned to see her steadying herself on a chair and rising amidst the crowd's stares.

With half her face swollen, she stood tall and reached for her husband Alan's arm, "Let's talk about this at home, not here-it's not good for our image."

But Alan didn't care about image. He shook off her grasp and pointed at her nose, "I'm warning you, stay home and look after the kids. Don't you dare try to control me, or I'll kill you!"

After dropping that threat, Alan stormed off, kicking over a chair. Starry, however, held back her humiliation and, with the help of a waiter, politely waved him off.

Despite the slap and the public humiliation from her own husband, she kept her composure, righted the overturned chair, paid the bill, and prepared to leave. That's when she noticed Peterson sitting in the corner. She knew he was there, having heard him arranging a meet-up with some socialites earlier.

Their eyes met, and it wasn't surprising, although she thought Peterson would lose interest after a mere glance. After all, since she got married, Peterson had barely exchanged ten words with her, always avoiding her presence. Little did she know, he was now intently watching her.

The expression in his eyes, obscured by the dim light, was unclear to Starry. She didn't know what he was thinking, but with her head down and under his gaze, she pushed open the restaurant door and quickly left.

Seeing Peterson's gaze fixed on the woman who had been slapped, Robin couldn't help but gossip, "If you know her, why not go over and help?"

Peterson watched Starry's car speed past the window, then pulled his eyes away from the darkening view and picked up the glass on the table, downing it in one go, "Why on earth should I lift a finger for someone I barely know?"