Chapter 282
Well, since Neil had put it that way, there was no room for negotiation
We were talking big shots from Rosemont Making a fool of yourself in front of them? Heavy consequences.
Gloria’s face turned ugly, all her usual grace and dignity was gone She was looking at Bonnie, her eyes full of disappointment.
The host whispered to Bonnie, “Ms Tueley, please return to your seat.”
“Okay. “Bonnie responded with a downcast head, placed her speech on the podium, and quickly exited the stage.
I picked up her discarded speech, gave it a once-over, and tossed it into the nearby trash. Then, I continued where Bonnie had left off.
I was pretty pleased with Bonnie’s performance. It got my gears turning: my delivery was light but powerful.
About ten minutes later, my talk was over The room burst into applause.
I knew I did good that day
Bonnie, on the other hand, was a mess. From the moment she returned to her seat to the end of the summit, she had kept her head down, staring at the table. Her mind clearly elsewhere.
“Ms. Finch, hold up.” Everyone else had left, but Gloria stopped me. She brought Bonnie over. This was Bonnie’s fault today. She shouldn’t have taken your speech.”
Bonnie glanced at me, but I didn’t see any regret in her eyes.
I simply gave a cold laugh without saying a word and left.
On the way back, I had someone look into the mysterious phone number to see who called me. It might have given the cops a lead.
All I could do then was to wait for the investigation to bear fruit or for the caller to contact me again.
When I got back to Sterling Estates, I couldn’t help but think of the ring Neil tossed. It had been a few days: I wondered if anyone found it.
I headed out alone, in the direction Neil tossed the ring. If I was not mistaken, it should have been somewhere in the green space.
But the recent snowfall had made the ground a thin layer of white, making the search difficult. Soon enough, my hands were freezing.
“What are you doing?” Neil’s voice suddenly came from behind me. I was startled and turned quickly
He was still in his suit from the meeting, but then hed gotten a black coat on top, adding a touch of elegance to his cold demeanor.
Against the snow and black clothes, Neil’s skin had a soft glow. He didn’t look like he was in his thirties.
I rubbed my hands together and said, “Nothing. I heard a puppy whining. I was afraid it might freeze to death, so I came to look.”
“A puppy?” Neil rolled his eyes at the snow I’ve disturbed.
“Aren’t you looking for the engagement ring Russel Dawson gave you?”
Talking to him was exhausting. He made lying hard.
But I was getting better at acting, so I just brushed off my hands and said, “Am I crazy? Do I need more trouble from you?”
“Hum, good to know! Neil’s gaze fell on my red, cold hands. He took off his leather gloves, “Put these on and let’s go home.”
I put on his gloves. They were soft inside, still warm from his hands, and suddenly my hands felt warm again.
Nel took my hand and led me back towards the mansion.
Winter days were short, and nights were long.
By four or five in the afternoon, the sky had darkened. The wind howled.
Neil led me along the damp path, his tall frame and long strides keeping him ahead. I could see his profile and the slope of his shoulders.
It started to snow again. Small flakes lightly dusted our shoulders.
“Mr. Whitmore, Ms. Finch, you’re back! The moment we entered the mansion, the housekeeper greeted us. “Would you like dinner prepared earlier today? “Hum”Neil responded. So, the housekeeper got busy with dinner.
The living room was warm I no longer felt cold, so I took off the gloves and placed them on the table. The housekeeper poured us two cups of hot milk.
Ned didn’t drink, he just sat on the couch checking his phone. He was really busy. The fact that he made time to argue with me was a miracle.
I was not as busy so quietly drank my milk.
“Your Speech was good today” Neil put down his phone and told me. He seemed to be genuinely complimenting me.
“I thought so too” I responded casually, still drinking my milk.
“There’s a gift coming later. Remember to answer the door. I’m going to take a shower” With that, Neil went upstairs.
I was a bit puzzled A gift?
About half an hour later, sure enough, someone knocked on the door, bringing a big box. The person left the box at the door and left.
I was confused and unsure of what was in the box. Then, I heard a pitiful sound, “Whumper…”
Was that a puppy?
I opened the box in shock. A pure white Tibetan Mastiff puppy was inside. He looked chubby and was looking at me with timid, watery eyes!
Before I could react, Neil’s voice came from behind me, “Do you like it?”
“Why would you give me a dog?” I was confused.
“Do you want to keep looking for dogs in the snow?” Neil countered.
I thought, “Well, no. I was just looking for an excuse”
I couldn’t deny it, so I just picked up the little white dog. The puppy smelled milky and felt like a ball of fur in my hands. “Why a Tibetan Mastiff? Aren’t they extremely ferocious?”
“When he grows up, he can be your bodyguard.” Neil reached out to gently touch the puppy’s nose with his fingertip. “Give him a name.”
I stroked the puppy’s head, thought it over, then answered, “How about Neilson?”
“Hum?” Neil seems confused. He frowns “Isn’t that name a bit odd?”
“How about Neily, then? I casually suggested another name.
Neil contemplated for a few seconds, then his face turned serious. He said sternly. “Irene, are you making a joke of my name?”
I didn’t respond to Neil; I just sat there on the couch, holding the puppy and playing with it. “Which name do you like better?”
Neil took a deep breath, his eyes filled with patience. He walked over, grabbed the back of the puppy’s neck, and was ready to toss it aside.
The puppy let out a pitiful whine, looking at me with its sad eyes.
“Let go of him!” I quickly took the pup from Neil’s grasp, hugging it tightly. “He’s still so small, you’re going to scare the hell out of him.”
ter
