Nelson took a drag of his cigarette, gazing through the smoke at the woman inside.
She seemed nervous, though she maintained a polite smile while speaking through the screen, first apologizing and then explaining.
“Your investigation is too shallow. Find out who in the design department holds a grudge against Callie,” he said, glancing sideways. “I remember the new director seems to dislike her.”
Cora’s heart skipped a beat. “She… she’s already the director. There’s no need for that.”
“Greed knows no bounds. I appointed Callie as the lead designer on the project; she might be resentful.”
“Then I’ll check her recent calls.” Cora understood that this matter needed a resolution.
Nelson gave a faint acknowledgment, his gaze still fixed. Cora followed his line of sight and couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Oconnor… may I speak freely?”
He nodded.
“Why Callie?” She bit her lip, voicing the question that had been on her mind for days. She never believed Nelson could truly fall for Callie.
A bit of ash fell to the ground. Nelson seemed unsurprised and simply said, “She’s suitable.”
Cora didn’t press further. As an assistant, probing into her boss’s private affairs was inappropriate. His answer made her relax slightly; it was just suitability, not love.
She stood still for a moment before Nelson stubbed out his cigarette. “Anything else?”
“No, I’ll be going now, Mr. Oconnor.”
Callie’s design plans were approved smoothly. She shut down her computer, was pleased, and smiled when he walked in. “You didn’t pull any strings, did you?”
“Do you have so little confidence in your design?”
“That’s not what I meant. Do you know what the leader just praised me for?” Callie wanted to laugh but winced from the pain of her facial injury. “He said my design was unique.”
She looked like a schoolgirl who had aced a test and was seeking praise.
Nelson chuckled lightly. “Do you want to stay in the hospital to recuperate or go home?”
Callie seriously considered it. “Does everyone at the company know I was in a car accident?”
“Not only do they know, but they also know I handled it. You have quite the influence, Miss Marsh.”
She could already imagine the rumors. “Great, now everyone will think there’s something between us,” she said, unwilling to face the truth behind those rumors. “I’d rather go home; staying in the hospital is boring.”
Suddenly, she remembered something. “What about my dad? I have a fracture; no one will be there to massage him.”
“There are caregivers,” Nelson pondered. “I’ll have Bridger bring Joaquin over to take care of your father.”
Right, Joaquin. Callie felt relieved. Maybe having his son by his bedside to repent would be more effective.
“Oh, Nelson,” Callie suddenly recalled something. “Did my mom… come looking for you?”
Last time at the beauty salon, she had threatened to find Nelson. It had been days without any sign of her; it wasn’t like her to be so quiet.
Nelson averted his gaze and answered calmly, “No.”
Good.
The next day, Callie was discharged and returned to Paucaster Villa Complex. Halfway there, Nelson received a call. “Nelson, what’s going on? Callie was in a car accident?”
Grandpa’s voice was strong and clear. Nelson held the phone away slightly and frowned. “How did you find out, Grandpa?”
Callie looked up, equally puzzled.
“It was reported in the Ylosea Evening News! They said there was an accident in front of Oconnor Group’s headquarters and even posted photos!”