Callie was shocked. Her joy vanished, and the contract in her hand felt like a hot potato. “This…”
Being discovered would be a grave offense.
Jaquan was indifferent. “If something goes wrong, Karlie will speak on our behalf.”
… Manipulation.
Callie was stunned for a long time. “She seems to genuinely like you.”
Jaquan showed no reaction as he closed his pen. “The one I like is not her.”
Callie didn’t ask further. “It seems I have no choice but to take a desperate gamble, even if it’s for one billion dollars.”
A long silence ensued-
The study door was knocked, and Karlie gently called out, “Are you done? The mousse is ready.”
Jaquan smiled lightly and invited Callie, “Stay and eat before you leave.”
Callie almost missed the fleeting change in his expression. It was too fast, shifting from sinister to tender in just a second.
She then began to take in the room’s decor. It was well-kept and clean, with meticulous arrangements and girlish items everywhere, all in pink… Miss Sherman from the Sherman family seemed quite adorable.
After signing the contract, Shamar was very surprised and asked Callie where the money came from. She told the truth without hiding anything.
Only then did Shamar’s suspicions fade. “Callie, how did you and Jaquan meet?”
“… Because of some accidents.”
Seeing that she didn’t want to elaborate, Shamar didn’t press further. “Were those meals and flowers sent by him?”
Callie’s gaze fell on the freshly delivered bouquet of vibrant roses today, and a wave of irritation surged within her.
She walked over to throw the flowers into the trash can while saying, “There’s been a lot of talk recently about Jaquan’s upcoming marriage with the heiress of Faithview Group. You’re overthinking it.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she vaguely saw a card tucked among the flowers. For a moment, she hesitated but suppressed the urge to pick it up and read it.
In her haste to leave Paucaster Villa Complex, Callie forgot to bring her computer, which contained many of her design works.
She kept thinking about it and checked the time, figuring Nelson should still be in a meeting at Oconnor Group planning against Scott Group. She borrowed a car from Shamar and drove towards Paucaster Villa Complex herself.
The security in that area was tight. The guards almost stopped her car but were surprised when they saw the window roll down to reveal Callie. “Oh, it’s Madam…”
Callie parked the car in Paucaster Villa Complex’s garage as discreetly as possible but was still noticed.
The autumn dusk felt desolate, giving rise to an inexplicable sense of loneliness.
Callie handed the car keys to a servant who came to check and stood by the stairs leading inside Paucaster Villa Complex.
She was unguarded. “Can I go upstairs to get something?”
The servant was stunned and said dumbly, “Madam, you don’t need to ask me…”
She was the mistress of this house after all.
Callie smiled bitterly and quickly went upstairs. Everything in the master bedroom remained unchanged. The potted plants on the balcony seemed to have been neglected for a long time; the soil was dry, and the plants were on the verge of wilting.
Callie glanced around and went straight to find her computer, but it wasn’t in its usual place. After searching for a while without success, she decided to go downstairs to look for it. Halfway down, she stopped. “Why does Mrs. Oconnor feel like a thief returning home?”
A deep voice, calm yet authoritative, responded.
Callie froze in place and slowly looked up to see the man who should have been at Oconnor Group sitting on the sofa downstairs, looking up at her with an amused expression and a cold smile at the corner of his mouth.
Callie felt a chill; it was unexpected fear mixed with embarrassment.
Had he witnessed everything just now?