Calista sighed softly, wearing an expression of concern on her face as she said, “Mrs. Burns, a woman at the age of twenty-five is at the best age to have a child. I’m sure you’ve noticed that there are many women in our company, and even more outstanding single women. Naturally, there are quite a few who would like to climb into Mr. Burns’ bed. If you don’t have a child by your side now, I’m afraid another woman might seize the opportunity. You might end up at a loss, don’t you think?”
Elisa managed to keep a relatively calm expression, but she couldn’t help but frown at the latter part, feeling a wave of nausea rising in her stomach.
In this day and age, how could anyone still speak of “using a child to secure a position”?
Elisa propped her chin up, watching Calista perform alone. She pondered for a long time, unable to figure out Calista’s reasoning behind advising her to have a child.
“Do you want to get on Hamish’s bed?” she finally asked.
“Mrs. Burns, you’ve misunderstood. I’m just Mr. Burns’ secretary. I’m telling you all this because I hope you and Mr. Burns can live well. After all, you’ve been married for so many years without a child, and we don’t know if there’s a reason behind it. But, Mrs. Burns, you don’t look well and you’re taking so much medication. You should go to the hospital for a check-up,” Calista explained, though her face displayed a nervous and coy demeanor, prompting speculation.
In this world, some people would use the guise of “it’s for your own good” to say all sorts of things to you. They seem caring on the outside, but inside, they can’t wait to see you fall into the mud.
In this age of advanced networking, such people are generally referred to as “holier-than-thou.” Lila was one, and so was Calista, but Lila’s techniques were even more sophisticated and carried a hint of cunning.
Elisa put aside her spectator’s mindset. “My affairs do not need the concern of an outsider. Moreover, I know that what’s mine cannot be taken away by others. Keeping what isn’t mine is pointless. However, what you said about there being many people with ulterior motives in this company is true. It’s about time to clean them up.”
“Clean them up,” Elisa’s tone inadvertently carried a hint of severity. However, Calista didn’t seem to mind. Could a mere housewife like Elisa really manage the affairs of the Burns Group? Besides, she hadn’t said anything other than words of concern.
At that moment, there was a commotion outside. Calista turned to look and her expression froze. “Mr. Burns.”
“Why did you come today?” Hamish appeared somewhat weary, but his fatigue couldn’t overshadow the delight at the corners of his mouth.
Upon hearing that Elisa had specially brought him lunch, he immediately suspended the meeting and returned with great excitement.
Ignoring the presence of another person in the office, Hamish approached Elisa, his tone carrying a sense of surprise.
Like a stone dropping into water, Elisa pointed to the insulated lunchbox on the side. “Hurry and eat. If I don’t bring you lunch, you’ll surely forget again. Going hungry for long periods will only lead to stomach problems. Don’t tell me you want to end up like me?”
Elisa had stomach cancer. She had been suffering these past few days, unable to eat and vomiting. Even when the doctor came to the villa to administer intravenous fluids, it barely alleviated her stomach pain. She had even vomited blood. The doctor’s examination revealed a severe stomach condition with bleeding and ulcers. If she hadn’t seen the test results, she would have thought she was dying from stomach cancer.
Knowing the agony of stomach illness, she didn’t want Hamish to suffer as she did.
The light in Hamish’s eyes seemed to dim as if obscured by something, and his hand, even in the summer, felt icy when he held Elisa’s.
“Could you bring lunch every day? If you bring lunch, I promise to eat well.” Then they could go home together in the afternoon. How wonderful that would be.
“You’re dreaming.” Elisa cast a sidelong glance at him, but the corner of her mouth curled up.
Seeing her expression, Hamish knew the matter was settled.
“We’ll go home together in the afternoon.”
“Alright.”
Hamish opened the lunchbox, and the steamy soup wafted up, still piping hot. He took a sip.
“Where’s Tobias?” Elisa asked.
“He went to handle some matters.” Thinking about what Tobias had just told him, a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes as he gazed at Calista, who was still standingthere. “What are you doing standing here?”
Calista quickly shook her head, knowing that staying here at this moment would not be in her favor. She said to Elisa, “Mrs. Burns, I’ll leave now. If you need anything, you can call me.”
Her words seemed faultless and proper. Elisa nodded, propping up her chin as she watched Calista leave, her gaze lingering until Calista’s figure disappeared behind the wall.
She pondered over the things Calista had said to her-about children, pregnancy, and going to the hospital for a check-up. Around these three points, it was unlikely that Calista would suddenly bring these up. Moreover, her intervention seemed too abrupt, as if she were eager to finish a task.
What was her objective?
Hamish had eaten a few spoonfuls of food and noticed that Elisa was still staring outside, her thoughts completely elsewhere, not on him.
“What are you looking at?” he asked.
“I’m just observing the attire of the female employees in your company. I’m wondering if I’d have to dress like Secretary Sun if I worked in your company.”
“What’s she wearing…”
“…”
Both fell silent. Hamish was usually busy with work and hardly paid attention to anyone’s attire or appearance. Those who were not on his mind, he didn’t bother to remember, be it their clothes or even their looks.
After thinking for a while, he finally had a faint impression. Calista was wearing a professional suit, more like a short skirt; it was more of a seductive uniform than professional attire.
Hamish, being so astute, immediately understood that Elisa was feeling jealous. His tail was practically wagging in delight at her concern.
But then he remembered something, and his expression became serious. Could Elisa have misunderstood and thought that he was having an affair with his secretary?
Keeping a neutral face, he replied to Elisa, “If you really want to dress up, it should be for my benefit. As for the people in the company, I will straighten them out.”
After speaking, Hamish started eating heartily. His phone on the table kept flashing with messages. Elisa glanced at it before returning her gaze to Hamish.
The office was air-conditioned, and Hamish, in his white dress shirt, had rolled up his sleeves, revealing his sturdy forearms. Even his manner of eating was dignified, making him a delightful sight to behold.
On the other side, in the assistant’s office, Qian was reviewing the footage from the front desk’s surveillance camera. The screen showed Elisa entering with the insulated lunchbox while the receptionist, Beatrix, casually engaged her in conversation, her eyes betraying clear disdain.
Combined with Beatrix’s words, Tobias edited the video and forwarded it to the HR manager. “Dismiss her.”
Initially puzzled, the HR manager couldn’t understand why Tobias would need to personally dismiss a mere receptionist. However, after watching the video, especially hearing Tobias’ final words, “the Madam,” a chill ran down the HR manager’s spine. He personally went to the front desk to dismiss Beatrix.
Beatrix felt uneasy at the front desk, hoping for some leniency. What she had looked down upon in Elisa before, she now revered, hoping that Elisa, as a person of high status, would pardon her.
However, she couldn’t escape the order for dismissal. Beatrix felt regret, resentment, and overwhelming jealousy. She regretted her impulsive actions and felt ashamed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, “Mr. Banasiewicz, I didn’t know she was the president’s wife. I was wrong. Can I have another chance if I apologize to her?”
Mr. Banasiewicz furrowed his brow. “It seems you still don’t understand where you went wrong. You drove away someone who was visiting Burns Group. What if the person you turned away was here to discuss a business project with Burns Group? Do you know how much even a single project with Burns Group is worth?”
Beatrix tightened her lips, knowing she had made a big mistake.
“You are the front desk hired through an interview, not the CEO. You have no right to dismiss people with such an attitude. Being fired is the lightest consequence for you.”
Being fired by the company would be the lighter consequence; being blacklisted by the industry could severely jeopardize her future. Beatrix’s face alternated between pale and flushed.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“I…” Beatrix, anxious and guilty, teared up with watery eyes, holding back her tears, feeling deeply wronged. Ultimately, she lowered her head, resigned to her fate.
“Go to HR and collect your salary for this month.”
“Okay.” Beatrix choked back a sob, tidied up her things on the desk in a disheveled manner, and left.
…
Elisa was still unaware of what had happened at the front desk. She roamed around the CEO’s office, observing the simple and spacious decor, dominated by a cold, pale gray color scheme.
There was a large French window; Elisa walked over to it and gazed at the people moving about like ants below. Directly under the window was a fountain pool, its rippling surface shimmering in the sunlight.
After lunch, Hamish resumed work in the quiet office. The only sound was the typing on the keyboard. After a while, Hamish stopped, took off his glasses, and rubbed his brow. He worked with 200% of his energy, but even with his good endurance, prolonged work took its toll.
Suddenly, a gentle hand lightly pressed against his temple, easing his weariness. Hamish let out a sigh.
“Are your hands okay?”
“They’re fine.” Elisa answered as she massaged him.
Hamish closed his eyes to rest. After just five minutes, his energy returned. He glanced at his phone; it was half past two in the afternoon on the 15th of May.
He suddenly realized that Elisa’s birthday was in six days. He had never celebrated her birthday with her before, and this time, he was determined to do it right. But what could he give her? He knew very little about Elisa’s preferences. She had quite a few living things, like furry pets. She already had a cat, so that was out of the question.
As for jewelry, he had only bought her a ring before, but now with her fingers disabled, wearing a ring was inconvenient.
What about a necklace? Hamish looked at Elisa’s smooth neck. She dressed conservatively, not even revealing her collarbones.
Hamish couldn’t help but remember that video, the sharp blade piercing her collarbone, followed by the chain looping around her neck like a necklace. He pursed his lips, his face turning somewhat pale.