“A visit,” said Lucia, glancing at the flowers on the bookcase.
Arthur looked into Lucia’s eyes, and when he saw the lily again, he smiled and said,
“He knows you like lilies.”
“Yes,” muttered Lucia, “He knows I like lilies…”
Arthur’s eyes darkened, and he raised a lock of Lucia’s hair.
“Did he say something wrong just now?”
Lucia, sensing a hint of jealousy, winked mischievously,
“What do you think?”
Tickled by the light in Lucia’s eyes, Arthur leaned over, and the two were close.
“Don’t ever see him alone again, and don’t make too much contact.”
Arthur’s breath tickled her cheek. Lucia, with a ticklish movement, obediently agreed,
“I get it. I’ve already taken a beating from Spencer for not listening to you before.”
“So you’ll have to listen to me from now on, eh?” Lucia was tempted by Arthur, who was no match for the sweet smell in her voice.
“Okay…” Lucia indulged in Arthur’s half overbearing and half gentle look in, and replied completely out of instinct.
At this time in Chicago, Shawn discussed with his father about Spencer while his mother Esmae was attending a tea party. Chris was furious and confirmed it with his eldest son.
“Dad, this is what I found out. Feel free to check with one of them,” Shawn said as he handed the information to his father.
“I did see Spencer in touch with Louis the other night after I kicked his ass, but I had no idea… he’s so bold!” Chris’ face reddened with anger and he was about to hit the table.
“Dad, this is between you and mom, and if we do, she might wonder why we’re doing this..”
“I understand. I’ll talk to your mother when I’m sure.”
In the evening, Chris, who had not socialized for a long time, arrived at a private dinner party of one of his closest friends. He found his longtime partner and friend Derek. Unexpectedly, he wsa quite cold when greeting him at first.
“Derek, did I do something to upset you?” Chris had known something, but he was still warm and kind on the surface.
Derek gave him the cold shoulder. Seeing Chris smile at him, he said,
“How dare you say that? Chris, I think we have a good relationship. Apart from business contacts, we’ve also been good friends in private for so many years. Don’t you agree with that?”
“Of course.”
“Then why did you sell me out?” Derek said.
Chirs’ eyes flickered, but he didn’t budge. “Where did that come from?” He asked, smiling.
Derek was a snake, too. Chris’ tone was wrong, so he asked him back,
“Didn’t you push my business out?”
“Of course not. That’s why I’m here today to ask you why you haven’t worked with me in the past few months.” Chris said.
Derek looked into Chris’ eyes for a moment, then quickly started talking about the “cold shoulder” he’d been getting over the last few months,
“A few months ago, Esmae gave Spencer a deal that I thought was temporary, but Spencer told me that your relationship with me was over and that he would take over from now on. I was already upset, but I was even more confused by what happened after that, because he introduced me directly to Louis, and I’ve worked with him a couple of times since…”
“Why didn’t you come to me?” Chris confirmed Spencer’s ploy in Derek’s words, but he also wondered why none of the partners came to him for advice.
“Chris, how many years have we known each other? We’ve been working together since we were young, and we’ve been getting along so well for so many years. I’m already upset that you’re suddenly throwing me at Spencer. And because of who he is, I’m just going to take his word for it. I’m not going to go looking for you.” Derek’s face went red. Obviously, he was very angry.
“What did he say?” Chris asked with a smile, but his eyes, which had always been warm and kind, had a hint of anger in them.
“He told me privately that your family needs to breathe new life into it. Esmae and you have long planned to replace us this batch of antiques. You know how difficult business is. Over the years, there have been new shipping companies taking shape, and we are at our peril. After hearing what he said, I confirmed it with a few other old friends. I didn’t expect them to say the same thing, so I just have doubts and didn’t question it. However, from your tone today… Chris, did Spencer betray you?”
“Do you have to ask?” The smile on Chris’ face faded and his voice was icy cold. He had always known Spencer to be a smooth talker, but he had never expected him to go behind his and his wife’s backs and even help his enemies poach their business partners.
“Keep this between us. I’ll figure it out, Derek. Just know that Esmae and I didn’t mean it.”
“Chris, I believe you. You say the word, and I’ll break up with the Louis Group.”
“Thank you.” Chris tapped Derek on the shoulder, grateful.
Late at night, Chris came home, and since his eldest son started in business, he’d been doing most of the socializing, so… he rarely came home until close to midnight. Esmae was so worried that she waited for him in the living room.
“Chris, you’re home at last. Is something wrong? Why are you so late?” Esmae asked as she greeted her husband personally and took off his coat.
Looking at his wife’s worried face, Chris was about to open his mouth, but he held it in.
To speak out would injure his wife’s self-esteem. Chris, unlike his children, not only respected his wife, but also took pity on her as her husband.
But if he didn’t, what about the kids?
Chris knew, of course, why Shawn and Helena were so eager to investigate the case, or else Spencer would have been exposed by now, given the way their kids had acted.
“Chris?” Esmae wondered as her husband stared at her without saying anything.
“Come and sit down. I have something to tell you.” Chris sighed slightly and put his arm around his wife’s waist as he led her to the sofa and sat down.