---- Chapter 148 On a winter day off, Tara was about to head out for a walk, but the sharp chill hit her the moment she stepped outside. She decided to go back inside for a scarf. Strolling past a well-known flower shop in Naoundbury, she was drawn in by the flowers on display and found herself walking inside. Just then, a luxury car pulled up to the curb. Noah stepped out from the passenger seat and hurried into the shop. Tara finished paying and turned around.

She caught sight of Noah in his sharp business attire. He looked familiar , but she couldn't quite remember where she had seen him before. Without overthinking it, she cradled the bouquet in her arms and stepped outside. Just as she reached the door, a gust of wind loosened her scarf. She paused and adjusted it back into place. In the nearby car, the man in the back seat slowly looked up and glanced out the window. The woman standing outside the flower shop wore a brown trench coat and a scarf.

Her black hair fell smoothly , and her gentle presence was captivating . Her delicate profile made it impossible to look away. ---- Jonah's handsome face was expressionless as his gaze lingered on her for a few seconds, then shifted past Tara to Noah, who was coming out holding a bouquet. Tara had no idea that Jonah sat in the car that was parked just a few feet away. She crossed the street to a food stand and bought a corn dog.

As she turned, she saw someone taking down Lance's poster from the bus stop. She glanced at it for a moment before looking away. Just ten days earlier, Jonah and the others had announced they were leaving the entertainment industry , but they didn't go into detail about the reason. This was something that never happened in the original story. Tara didn't bother to pay much attention to the male leads anymore. After all, they had nothing to do with her now.

Walking down the food street, she spotted a small stand selling hot apple cider. It was a rare find around here. She bought a cup, feeling its comforting warmth in her hands. She drank it all in one go, then placed the cinnamon stick in her mouth. The customers nearby were completely stunned. They stared at her like she was some kind of daredevil. After eating and drinking her fill, she hurried home and ---- put the flowers in a vase. Two months had passed, and the year was coming to an end.

Tomorrow was the company's annual gala, so today Tara was taking the high-speed train with her coworkers to Sorrentia for the event. She had tried to opt out, but her manager, David Hawkins , wouldn't allow any absences since it was the company's biggest event of the year. "You might even get a bonus, and it's not a small amount, "he said. Tara knew there was no way out. If she skipped this year, she'd have to face it again next year.

The only way to avoid it was to quit the company, but she was happy with her job and had no intention of leaving. With so many people attending, Tara doubted Jonah would even notice her. And if he did, it wouldn't make a difference . The online gossip had long since died down, and Jonah probably didn't even bother to glance her way. Although that was what she thought, she still deliberately chose her least flattering outfit before setting off.

She planned to sit quietly in the corner throughout the gala. The next afternoon , Tara arrived at a large conference hall in a well-known hotel in Sorrentia. She was surprised ---- that out of so many branches, her company's seats were so close to the front. Tara had no choice but to sit with David and her coworkers in the second row on the right. Jonah's seat was right in front of her, at the center of the first row. Some companies had to perform at the event.

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Thankfully, hers wasn't one of them this year. The conference hall fell silent for a moment as the crowd's attention shifted toward the entrance. Tara instinctively followed their gaze. Jonah walked in with long, confident strides. His sharply defined features and calm composure, paired witha commanding presence, made people avert their eyes. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and settled into the center seat in the front row. With his arrival, the chatter in the room faded at once.

When Tara saw Jonah, a wave of shameful memories from the original host's past surfaced in her mind. She had bent over in front of Jonah on purpose, deliberately brushed against his hand, and pulled all sorts of tricks just to get his attention. It only stopped when Jonah lost his temper and snapped at her. After that, she moved on to flirting with Lance and Soren instead. ---- There were far more memories now than when Tara first transmigrated.

Once again, she couldn't help but admire the original host's guts. That woman really had no fear. The host they hired was a well-known personality who quickly energized the crowd. Before long, the room was buzzing with excitement. As the event moved into the awards segment, the host Jimmy Hill announced the winners one by one. "Tara Thayer from Naoundbury's South District branch has won the Outstanding Employee Award of the Branch Office." Tara blinked in disbelief.

Her coworkers immediately nudged her. "Tara, go get your award!" David shot her a meaningful look and said, "Make a good impression." As Tara stood up, she felt what it truly meant to be the center of attention. Bracing herself, she made her way to the stage as she heard several gasps ripple through the crowd. She quickly accepted the trophy and the thick envelope handed to her. Jimmy's eyes lit up as he saw her. "Ms.

Thayer, could you tell us about some of your accomplishments this year?" ---- The microphone was positioned right at the center of the stage. It was directly in front of Jonah, who was seated in the middle of the front row. The moment Tara looked up, her eyes met his. Jonah sat with one leg crossed over the other. He was poised and relaxed. The lights from the stage cast a glow over his striking features. He quietly watched Tara on stage. Tara quickly looked away and tried to act natural.

In front of everyone , she thanked David and the kind colleagues who had supported her without hesitation . Her sincere words moved many, bringing tears to a few eyes. David, however, grew visibly anxious. He half-rose from his seat and darted looks toward Jonah, then back at Tara, almost begging her to acknowledge him. Taking a deep breath, Tara finally gathered her courage." And lastly , I want to thank Mr. Pearson.

Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today." She didn't dare glance toward the center of the front row again, afraid of meeting Jonah's eyes. David stood up, overwhelmed with pride and excitement. He clapped enthusiastically and gave Tara a thumbs-up. Jimmy jumped in. "Well said. Ms. Thayer, you're so beautiful. Do you have a boyfriend?" ---- Tara hesitated . She was unsure if she should be honest.

She didn't want anyone sending her flowers or gifts to try to pursue her, but if she lied, everyone at her company already knew she kept to herself and didn't have a boyfriend. Jimmy wasn't letting it go and looked ready to volunteer himself. Jonah frowned as his expression turned cold and serious, signaling for Jimmy to move on to the next segment. Jimmy quickly let Tara step down and moved on to the next award.