Chapter 30: It Was Breathtaking
“So, Ms. Grande, you’re saying that as long as I pay you enough, you’ll get your former mother–in–law to accept Davina?”
I didn’t know if it was my imagination, but it seemed like Fletcher raised his voice by a couple of decibels when he said that.
I spoke frankly, “It depends on how much you’re willing to offer.””
If the money was enough, then my pride didn’t really matter.
There was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line. “Charlene, you’d better follow through on that.”
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He was probably doubting the loyalty of his business partner.
I thought for a few seconds before shamelessly asking, “How much are you planning to offer?”
There was a sudden silence on the other end.
I thought the call had dropped, but when I glanced at the phone screen, it was still connected.
I figured the golden goose was likely calculating his profits and losses, so I wasn’t in a hurry. In fact, I felt even more composed.
After a long pause, I heard Fletcher say, “If you can get the Lynton family to accept Davina, I’ll give you a large sum of money!”
2/14
“Will it be enough for me to buy a house in Myslana?” I replied without hesitation.
Fletcher probably didn’t expect me to be so thick–skinned. After a few seconds of hesitation, he responded, “Alright, a house it is.”
With that, he abruptly ended the call.
I sighed in relief, though a bit regretful for not discussing the deposit with Fletcher earlier.
Maybe the years of interaction between us had given us some tacit understanding. Moments later, I received a transfer of fifty thousand.
“Deposit.”
I immediately transferred the money to Sabrina.
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By then, it was already 10 PM, and within two minutes, Sabrina called.
“Lena, why did you suddenly send so much money?”
I gave a vague response, “Just closed a deal.”
“You can’t just send it all to us,” Sabrina’s voice sounded tired, “Leila’s doing much better, and she hasn’t been sick for a while. You should keep some money for yourself.”
Leila had asthma, and during the fall and winter, her attacks could be frequent. Last year, she had a couple of close calls, so Sabrina’s words were meant to comfort me.
Saving money never hurt.
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I suppressed the bitterness in my chest, offering an excuse to end the call.
On Saturday, as usual, I stayed late at work, but unexpectedly, Winston showed up.
He closed my laptop and stared at my wrist.
I awkwardly glanced at him and asked, “Is there something you need, Winston?”
“You’re still pushing yourself despite your wrist injury. What if it becomes a chronic issue?”
I let out a small sigh, “It’s just a scratch. Nothing serious.”
Winston seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
I guessed he had something on his mind, so
5/14
I stopped working and asked, “What’s going
on?”
Winston scratched his head and asked in a tentative tone, “There’s a gathering tomorrow night, and I need a female companion. Do you have time?”
Before I could answer, my phone on the desk buzzed twice.
It was a message from Kaitlyn.
“Has Professor Fleming arrived?”
It was clear that Kaitlyn had spilled the gossip about my injured wrist to Winston.
I wasn’t sure if they had also discussed tomorrow night’s event.
I found myself at a loss for an excuse.
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Winston probably sensed my hesitation and, with understanding, said, “If you’re busy, it’s fine.”
I felt a little guilty, so I asked, “Is there anything I should pay attention to?”
“Huh?”
“Like, what to wear, gifts, that sort of thing?”
Winston smiled brightly, “No need, just show up, that’s all.”
He made it sound so simple, but I couldn’t be too careless. I had heard plenty about the elite circles in Myslana, and one wrong move could cause embarrassment–not just for me, but for Professor Fleming too.
After thinking for a while, I took out the
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cheongsam from the old tailor’s shop and paired it with a matching cashmere shawl before heading out.
The venue was at the Vienna Hotel.
As I entered the venue, Winston immediately approached, his eyes filled with sparkles as they landed on me.
“Is it inappropriate?” I asked, unsure of his reaction.
Winston’s voice dropped, “No… it’s just… breathtaking.”
Kaitlyn had once praised me as the cold beauty type, but it was all just surface–level, really.
“Professor Fleming, no wonder you’ve been distracted. Turns out you have an
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appointment with a beauty,” one of the young gentlemen said as they approached to greet
- us.
Winston quickly dismissed them with a few words and led me towards the elevator. Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, Fletcher was escorting Davina.
We met at the elevator.
Davina was dressed in a soft pink lace–edged dress, the epitome of sweet, girly beauty.
“Professor Fleming, Charlene, what a coincidence,” she greeted us cheerfully.
Winston looked at Fletcher and said, “Bringing Ms. Bates to Elliott’s birthday party?”
Fletcher didn’t answer directly but instead
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asked, “Is the Fleming family hosting an event tonight too?”
“Yes, my cousin’s baby’s hundred–day celebration.”
Fletcher gave a slight nod, offering no further
comment.
Both parties were on the third floor, one east, one west. After stepping off the elevator, we parted ways towards our respective destinations.
The relatives from the Fleming family were more humble and polite than I had anticipated. Besides a few simple greetings, the conversations were brief and to the point.
Except for Winston’s cousin, Henry Fleming.
10/14
“Ms. Grande, your demeanor is remarkable. I’m sure your parents have been quite attentive to you,” he said, subtly probing about my family background.
I wasn’t surprised. I excused myself to the bathroom.
Having worked with Kaitlyn for so long, I had slowly come to realize that in upper class, education and ability were merely the smallest tickets to enter. What truly mattered was background.
In the eyes of those in power, just a few mentions of one’s social status and background, and they could mark you accordingly.
It was harsh and real, but I had grown used to it.
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After steadying my emotions, I left the restroom, only to feel a gaze directed at me.
When I looked up, I found Fletcher leaning against a wall, staring at me.
His gaze was rude, almost invasive.
I quickly looked away and took a couple of steps forward, but suddenly, a shadow loomed, blocking my path.
It was Fletcher.
As he got closer, I noticed his pupils were unfocused, his eyes hazy and misty.
“You’re using the cheongsam I gave you to please Winston,” he said in a low, cold voice, his tone laced with ice, “Charlene, I can’t believe you’d do something like that.”
12/14
In front of everyone, Fletcher trapped me right in front of the lounge.
He was being unreasonable.
I steadied myself, then patiently explained, “Mr. Lynton, you know that was a gift. Once something is given, I don’t think I need to report to you on how I use it, do I?”
He was the CEO of Lynton Group. How could he be so petty?
“Was this deliberate?”
A soft scoff brushed my ear, and for some reason, I felt irritated. I looked up at Fletcher and said, “Even if it was, do you want to ask for the cheongsam back?”
It was just childish behavior, wasn’t it? I could do that, too.
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Fletcher frowned, his voice defiant. “Yeah, I will take it back.”
Clearly, he’d had too much to drink.
I didn’t want to waste my energy arguing with him. Sighing, I said, “Well, if it’s really a problem, I’ll just buy it.”
I attempted to walk past him, but before I could take a step, Fletcher grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the lounge.
I panicked, quickly trying to grab the doorknob, but Fletcher slammed me against
the door.
