Bartlett knew Theo well. The guy was as sharp as a tack and could spot problems from a mile away.
Without wasting a second, he was on his feet, grabbing his coat, and striding out of the office. He needed to pick up Ellinor himself to be at ease.
Ellinor replied to Bartlettâs message and put her phone down to continue eating.
âNever force yourself to eat something you donât like.â Theo seemed to be hinting at something.
Ellinor froze mid-bite as she looked up at Theo. He was watching her with that intense gaze again.
âI donât dislike any food! I chose all of this myself, so why wouldnât I like it?â Ellinor replied, a smile playing on her scarred face.
Theo chuckled darkly under his breath.
Sophia changed the subject. âMoon, you mentioned that your inspiration for the Blanchet Building was love. But it seems like it didnât end well. Can I ask why you and your lover broke up?â
Ellinor frowned at the question. âThatâs my personal business. Is it really necessary to discuss it?â
Sophia leaned her cheek against her hand with a curious look on her face. âIâm just curious! What kind of man inspired such a grand and unique building like the Blanchet Building? I bet he was a real hunk, huh?â
Ellinor didnât deny it. âYes, he was good-looking. But looks arenât everything.â
Sophia blinked. âSounds like youâre holding a grudge against your ex. Did he betray you? Broke your heart?â
Ellinor put down her utensils. âMs. Sophia, do you always enjoy prying into other peopleâs private lives?
Is that a hobby of yours?â
Sophia shook her head. âOf course not! Iâm just curious about you. I want to know why the man who inspired so much in you ended up splitting up with you.â
Ellinor gave her a cold smile. âWe broke up. Whatâs so strange about that? Ms. Sophia, you canât be that naive, right? Canât you understand something as simple as that there is no such thing as eternal love.â
Sophia agreed solemnly. âYouâre right. Thereâs no such thing as eternal love. When you love someone, itâs real. When you donât, itâs also real. Someone always falls out of love first.â
Ellinor grabbed her lemon water and finished her meal. She was done and couldnât eat another bite.
As soon as the car Bartlett had sent arrived, she was out of there.
Sophiaâs eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched her go. âSo who fell out of love first? You or your ex?â
Ellinor looked at her seriously. âDoes it matter?â
Sophia smiled. âIâm just curious! Can you tell me? Since you guys have broken up, can you talk about what was wrong with your ex?â
âThereâs nothing to talk about.â
âOh, so youâre so disgusted with him that you donât even want to mention him?â
Ellinor replied with a poker face. âSure, you could say that.â
Sophia was usually good at reading the room, but she didnât stop now. She continued, âSo he must have betrayed you; thatâs why youâre so disgusted with him, right?â Ellinor looked irritated. âMs. Sophia, has anyone ever told you that being too curious isnât always a good thing?â
Sophia shrugged. âNo worries! Iâm always curious. If I donât get answers, it keeps me up at night. Can you tell me?â