“Ms. White, her salary should be deducted, right?” Carole’s tone was aggressive.
Helen responded in a professional manner, “According to the company’s policy, yes.”
“I didn’t intend to make a scene over such a small matter, but she was clearly late and still insists that she took a leave of absence. A person who tells such lies must have a…” Carole’s words were cut off by a low voice.
Carole paused, thinking she might have misheard. Would Mr. Nelson personally involve himself in such an issue?
That seemed highly unlikely.
“The person who lies and arrives late is undoubtedly of questionable character. Such individuals shouldn’t be allowed to stay in the company.”
“I had approved her leave request. Do I need to repeat myself?” Matthew’s tone grew more severe. He spoke slowly and deliberately, creating an atmosphere of oppressive questioning.
Carole could hear him clearly this time. It couldn’t be a hallucination; it was the second time she had heard it.
She found it hard to believe.
Shouldn’t Ms. White handle this matter? Why was the boss personally getting involved?
What was the relationship between this woman and Mr. Nelson?
Twice already…
“Well, get back to work, everyone,” Helen tried to sound nonchalant.
But inwardly, she was anxious and panicked.
Dolores inadvertently caught a glimpse of Helen’s feigned calmness. A thought crossed her mind. She wanted to prove to Carole’s words that Matthew didn’t love Helen and that there was another reason for their relationship.
The reason had something to do with their trip to Country A.
Initially, she thought it might be a coincidence.
However, Carole and Sampson’s words today made her take them seriously.
Her child truly needed a father.
Helen followed Matthew into his office. After providing all the details of his schedule, she closed the list and asked tentatively, “Are you planning to invite Ms. Flores to accompany you to the banquet tonight?”
Matthew seemed a bit weary as he closed his eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he replied, “You’ll accompany me.”
Helen breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll go out now and attend to my tasks.”
After closing the door, Helen turned around and saw Dolores standing behind her. Helen paused in her tracks.
“Ms. White, I have something to ask you. Can we have a conversation?” Dolores requested.
Helen was surprised that Dolores took the initiative to approach her.
Curious to know what she wanted to say, Helen responded, “Sure, let’s go to the caf? downstairs.”
They took the elevator and reached the quiet caf? on the first floor.
Once seated, neither of them spoke. After some time had passed and their coffees had arrived, Dolores finally broke the silence. “Ms. White, it seems you hold a great animosity towards me.”
“Matthew and I are a couple. We were forced apart. If you were in my position, what would you do?” Helen asked.
Dolores pinched the spoon, gently stirring her coffee, and felt that Helen was exceptionally skilled at crafting a flawless story.
“You know very well that Mr. Nelson and I are simply fulfilling a marriage contract. It won’t last long, but it seems that Ms. White is eager to put an end to it and is afraid of me,” Dolores raised her eyes slowly.
“Why do you say that?” Helen smiled and took a sip of her coffee.
“I know, and you know. Spreading news of my pregnancy in my neighborhood, orchestrating people to slander me, and provoking my mother. I believe Ms. White is well aware of the reasons behind these actions.” Helen could disguise herself well, but Dolores had an even greater ability. It was as if she had everything under control.
“I can’t quite grasp what Ms. Flores is insinuating. All I’ve done is express my dissatisfaction with the marriage between you and Matthew. If Ms. Flores wants to complain to Matthew, go ahead, I don’t care. Matthew will understand me. I’m just a woman, a woman in love, a woman whose rightful place was taken by someone else. It’s only natural that I would do something out of the ordinary.” Dolores smiled faintly and looked at Helen. “However, your decision to take the initiative and ask me for a conversation suggests that you might be losing your composure.”
Dolores smiled, remaining silent. Her inscrutable expression sent shivers down Helen’s spine.
A chilling voice broke the silence, “Why are you laughing?”
“I heard something amusing. Would Ms. White be interested in hearing it?”
“What is it?”
“I heard that Ms. White had been pursuing Mr. Nelson for a long time, but he never fell in love with her. The reason he suddenly gave her the status of his girlfriend was because…” Dolores deliberately paused, observing Helen’s reaction.
As expected, her expression changed. Despite trying to maintain composure, Dolores could still detect the shift.
“Because of what?” Helen’s calm facade began to crack.
“I only overheard some gossip, so you don’t need to take it too seriously,” Dolores replied, intentionally withholding the rest of the information to keep Helen in suspense. She wanted to leave her guessing.
“Matthew and I genuinely love each other. Naturally, there will be people who are unhappy and envious, spreading rumors. If Ms. Flores wishes to take it seriously, I can’t stop her.” Helen stood up and added, “There’s still half a month left. The position that rightfully belongs to me will always be mine.”
She glanced at Dolores and walked away.
“How did Ms. White know that I’m two months pregnant?” Dolores also stood up.
“I told you; it was a guess.”
Dolores approached, “My belly isn’t visibly pregnant. It’s impossible to determine the duration of my pregnancy just by looking at it. But you were able to guess immediately. I doubt even women with childbirth experience possess the same ability as Ms. White, right?”
“Maybe it’s just a coincidence? Perhaps I’m lucky to have this kind of talent?” Helen finished speaking and headed towards the elevator.
The elevator door slowly closed, leaving Dolores and Helen staring at each other.
Although Helen’s words seemed flawless, Dolores knew she had discovered something.
Otherwise, Dolores wouldn’t have sought her out today to test the waters.
Helen had no idea how much Dolores knew.
The moment the elevator door closed fully; Dolores felt her strength drain from her body.
Several signs pointed to the possibility that her guess was correct.
But she couldn’t grasp the details.
If it truly involved Matthew, why did the woman who introduced her to the business that day give her money?
Why did Matthew…
Was it simply to fulfill his desire for physical intimacy?
She couldn’t make sense of it. It felt like a mystery with a hidden conspiracy.
And she had no clues to unravel it.
After work, she returned home as usual.
“You’re back alone?” Coral poked her head out from behind Dolores.
Dolores nodded with a tinge of disappointment. When she finished work, she saw Helen, dressed impeccably, getting into his car.
Her confidence in her guess wavered. Perhaps Matthew truly loved Helen sincerely?
Maybe his lack of love for her before was simply due to his own lack of awareness.
She felt confused.
“Why didn’t you come back with the young master? You should spend more time together to strengthen your bond,” Coral remarked.
“He went out with Ms. White.” Dolores couldn’t help but feel disheartened. Her perception of Matthew had changed since her speculation.
Coral sighed, “You have to put in more effort.”
Dolores smiled wistfully, deliberately changing the subject, “I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll take a nap.”
Coral sensed that she was in a somber mood. “Rest up. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
Dolores acknowledged and retreated to her room.
She lay on the bed, feeling utterly drained. Slowly closing her eyes, she yearned for some rest. As she was dozing off, her phone rang.
She reached for her phone and answered the call.
“Lola, can you do me a favor?”
That voice…
Dolores instantly felt wide awake, sitting up. “Go ahead, tell me.”
“I need to attend an event, and I want you to accompany me.”
After a few seconds of silence, Dolores replied, “Okay.”
“Send me your location, and I’ll come pick you up.”