Chapter 257
After a while, Kitty sent an emoji expressing her gratitude. Our conversation ended there.
I rubbed my aching neck, then began to pack up and get ready to knock off.
“Rena, come over for some seafood” Stella called just as I was leaving the office.
“Sure” I agreed. Going home didn’t appeal much to me right now I felt the aura of loneliness permeating my empty house.
Whenever I had spare time, I would hang out with Stella and the others. That was much better than being alone at home with my thoughts.
By the time I arrived at Stella, Barbara, Alicia, and their boyfriends were already there.
Alicia had recently confirmed her relationship with Sean. Barbara was about to get married. Stella’s family was warm and harmonious. All three of them were full of happiness, while I felt a bit bleak..
“Where’s Mitch? I greeted everyone but noticed that Mitch wasn’t around, so I asked.
“He was called away by Neil. No idea why” Stella replied, puzzled. He was asking about Russel’s whereabouts last night, and then this morning he received news that Russel had made it home safely
Neil had just gone to StarGlow Enterprises today and had called Mitch away. What could it be about?
1
I couldn’t help but worry. I was afraid that if something went wrong with StarGlow Enterprises, it could affect my company
Just as Stella finished speaking. Mitch rushed in, muttering. “Neil, it must be a hoax…”
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw everyone at the table.
Neil followed shortly after, looking rather upset. When he saw us, his eyes were filled with irritation.
Mitch didn’t continue his sentence but instead took off his coat and smiled at us, “You’re all here? My wife didn’t tell me.”
Stella glanced at me, then at Neil, and whispered to me, I didn’t know Neil was coming.
I had been in contact with Neil quite a bit lately, so having dinner with him was nothing unusual. I needed to accept the reality that, as long as we were alive and in the same circle, we couldn’t avoid each other.
I smiled at Stella and said, “It’s fine
Mitch found a seat with Neil. Soon, the table was loaded with all sorts of seafood, making our mouths water.
Although I said I didn’t mind Neil’s presence, I lost my appetite as soon as our eyes met.
I even feared he would ask to borrow my car again.
“You guys go ahead,” Neil got up and left after only a few bites. Through the glass window, I watched him smoke outside.
Alicia whispered to me. “Is his family going bankrupt? He looks quite worried”
I doubted it. I believed that Mitch’s unfinished sentence was the key point.
What could be troubling Nell so much? Could the rumor about the illegitimate child be true?
I frightened myself with this horrid thought, then immediately shook my head, telling myself not to overthink it. Neil’s parents had a good relationship There couldnt be such dramatic conflicts in their family.
Suddenly, my phone rang It was a call from the hospital. I had been so busy lately that I had forgotten to make my payments on time, so I needed to go to the hospital to handle the fees.
‘Stella, I need to handle something.” I wiped the corner of my mouth and stood up to tell everyone.
“What’s so urgent?” Stella asked.
“I need to make a payment at the hospital. I might have to work overtime tomorrow, so I can only go tonight. Bye.” I said while grabbing my bag.
When I walked into the yard, I noticed that Neil was no longer there.
I walked out to the front yard and saw him smoking by the road
In the damp and cold evening, the street lights illuminated the road.
Neil stood there, making the scene look even more desolate. He pointed at the car beside him, ‘Are you going back? Give me a lift”
I was speechless
I was in a hurry to get to the hospital, so I didnt want to waste time with Neil Plus, it wasn’t the first time he had hitched a nde with me.
Neil looked a bit surprised when I didn’t object this time.
Along the way, Neil’s phone rang several times, but he didn’t answer or reply to any of them. He just sat there, looking Increasingly upset.
“Why aren’t we going back to Sapphire River Community?” Neil frowned as we reached the hospital.
“Who said I was going home?” I got out of the car with my bag, retorting coldly
Neil followed me out of the car, trailing behind me. There weren’t many people in the hospital. I didn’t have to worry about attracting attention, so I let him tag along
After making the payment, I went to my mom’s room
Nel stayed outside this time, not following me in
“Ms. Finch, he’s the gentleman who’s been here many times before.” The nurse whispered to me.
“Yeah, I know I know him.” I nodded.
I had no idea what Neil was doing outside while I was talking to my mom. By the time I walked out, he was gone.
Perhaps someone else had called him, so he had to go.
I drove home alone.
Then Neil disappeared for a while. At least I didn’t see him each time I went out.
Until Alicia called me, telling me some horrible news
“Has Neil gone mad? He’s planning to collaborate with StarGlow Enterprises? Alicia’s voice was filled with shock and anger.
I was also taken aback. Whitmore Co’s business and StarGlow Enterprises’ main business were different. Besides, Whitmore Co. didn’t need to collaborate with StarGlow Enterprises in terms of scale.
Not long ago, Neil had ridden in my car to StarGlow Enterprises. What had he discussed with Gloria that day?
“Rena, be careful. That madman, Neil, might be trying to get back at you because you rejected him!” Alicia suggested the worst possibility.
“I know, I’ll be careful.” I replied, feeling all over the place inside. Just when things at my family’s company had started to get stable, this bombshell dropped on me.
This was a piece of information Alicia had learned from someone else. Neither Whitmore Co. nor StarGlow Enterprises had made any official announcements about their collaboration yet, but if there were already rumors swirling around, this news was likely true.
After hanging up the phone, I drove home. As I passed Neil’s place, I spotted a familiar Lincoln car.
Gloria and Bonnie were chatting in the yard. After seeing me pull up, they exchanged a glance before coming over.
I quickly drove to my own driveway and got out.
“Ms. Finch, so you and Mr. Whitmore are neighbors now!” Gloria called out to me while wearing a smile as phony as a three-dollar bill.
Jealousy was written all over Bonnie’s face. She bit her lip, then said, “Irene, you haven’t gotten over Neil yet, have you?”
I coolly looked at the mother-daughter duo.
This house was bought by my parents almost twenty years ago. Neil’s the one who recently moved here, so maybe you should ask him instead.”
hapter
