Chapter 288
I was engrossed in the news on my phone and had completely last track of time. When Neil stepped out of the shower, I was still awake.
“What are you so engrossed in?” He asked, still smelling of my favorite shower gel as he walked over.
I quickly hid my phone under the pillow, pretending to sleep, “Just watching some sleep-aid videos. I was having trouble sleeping.”
Neil climbed into bed from the other side and cuddled me, “What’s on your mind?”
Thoughts of Russel were swirling in my mind, but I couldn’t tell him.
“Nothing much. Just thinking about my dad and Oscar and when my mom might wake up.” I made up some believable excuses to deflect Neil’s question.
“Everything will be alright.” Neil comforted me, his voice was soft and caring.
“Mm-hmm. I responded.
I gradually fell asleep in Neil’s arms.
Hannah was an early riser. In the morning, I was awakened by the sound of her descending the stairs; she seemed to be on a rather urgent phone call.
I opened my eyes groggily.
Neil, noticing that I was awake, spoke up with a voice that was lazy and husky from sleep. “Up so early?”
I answered, “Sounds like Hannah’s downstairs.”
Neil immediately frowned, “I told you we should’ve asked her to leave. Now you see why, right?”
“Aren’t you going to the office today? I was planning to get up early for work.” I untangled myself from Neil’s hold, got up, and started getting dressed.
Neil glanced at his phone and furrowed his brows. “This early? What are you going to the office for?”
I didn’t answer Neil and quickly finished dressing, then headed to the bathroom to freshen up and put on makeup.
While I was doing my makeup. Neil got up. He walked into the walk-in closet shirtless and came out all dressed up. He had transformed from a sexy hunk to a suave gentleman.
Even though I got up before Neil, he made it downstairs before me.
Breakfast was ready in the dining room, but Hannah was nowhere to be seen. I asked the housemaid, “Where’s Hannah?”
“She went out. She didn’t say where or when she’d be back. The maid replied.
“She’s an adult, she won’t get lost.” Neil, sitting at the dining table and enjoying his breakfast, didn’t seem worried about Hannah at all.
Sterling Estates was a massive property. If Hannah did venture outside, there was a good chance she could get lost.
But she had my contact. If she ran into trouble, she’d likely reach out to me.
After breakfast, I headed to the office. As I was leaving Sterling Estates, there was still no sign of Hannah.
I was a bit worried, but I couldn’t meddle too much.
It was the end of the year, and the company was nearing holiday closure, so I had a lot of work to wrap up. I didn’t have time to think about anything else the moment I stepped into the office.
“Ms. Gloria and Ms. Tueley from StarGlow Enterprises are here to see you.” My assistant informed me just before the end of the workday
“Tell them I’m unavailable.” I didn’t hesitate to decline.
“They say they have important matters to discuss with you.” My assistant reported.
I didn’t believe they had anything truly important to discuss with me. So | Instructed my assistant to send them away.
I thought Gloria and Bonnie would leave after being turned down, but they waited for me outside the office.
Gloria’s car was blocking mine. She asked me, “Ms. Finch, would you be interested in collaborating with us?”
“Not interested I answered coldly.
“After the holidays, my company will receive a big order, but I can’t handle it alone. I hope our two companies can work together. What do you think?” Gloria asked again.
“As I’ve said, I’m not interested. If you can’t handle the order, then don’t accept it.” I found their attitudes repulsive; even a single word spent on them felt like a waste of time.
“You should separate work from personal matters. Irene, how can you run a company if you’re going to be petty?” Bonnie tried to provoke me, “If your mother were in charge, she would definitely consider working with us. Your company could use the order, no?”
But I wasn’t going to be swayed by their words.
Gloria and Bonnie were the ones who couldn’t separate business from personal matters, so trying to convince me otherwise was futile.
I quickly reversed my car and drove off.
*Irene! Bonnie yelled out in anger
I saw Gloria’s car following me in the rear-view mirror. I wasn’t sure what they were up to
I stepped on the gas to try and lose them. I thought once I got back to Sterling Estates, they wouldn’t be able to follow me
But then I saw Hannah near Sterling Estates. She looked upset.
Had she not gone home all day? I immediately pulled over.
Gloria and Bonnie also stopped. Bonnie got out of the car and walked towards me. When she reached me, she suddenly froze and had a look of panic on her face.
Hannah’s gaze shifted from me to Bonnie, “Bonnie?”
“Hannah Bonnie quickly hid her panic and smiled, “Long time no see.”
Hannah glared at Bonnie with eyes filled with resentment.
“Who’s she?” Her gaze landed on Gloria, her voice full of sarcasm, “Is she your new mom?”
Gloria didn’t respond.
Bonnie nodded, “Yes. My biological parents died in a car crash. She’s my godmother.”
“Oh, you’re living the high life now. Breaking up with Oscar was a good move. How else could you be living so well?” Hannah’s words were quite harsh, but understandable.
Seeing her brother’s ex-girlfriend living a good life must’ve been hard for her.
A look of embarrassment flashed across Bonnie’s face. She seemed a bit scared and uneasy in front of Hannah.
There were only two possibilities, either Oscar’s death had something to do with her, or Hannah had some dirt on her.
Otherwise, there was no way she’d be acting so timid.
“Hannah, what are you doing here? Bonnie tried to change the subject.
“I’m here to take care of Oscar’s affairs. Ms. Finch has been a great help. Didn’t you go to see him?” Hannah challenged
Bonnie.
Bonnie avoided Hannah’s gaze, “I’ve been super busy lately… Plus, Oscar and I have been done for a long time. I only heard about his accident from mutual friends…”
“Really?” Hannah wasn’t entirely convinced. But she knew it was pointless to argue with Bonnie. They had indeed broken up a long time ago, so she couldn’t exactly guilt-trip Bonnie about it.
