“Precisely because it’s a formality, it shows whether he cares about you or not, Callie. I understand you, and I know what will make you feel secure,” Reuben said, pulling her arm. “Is there something you’re hiding?”
Callie couldn’t say it directly. “No… maybe in a while. He’s been very busy lately.”
If Marilyn saw them holding a wedding, she would kill her.
These matters were no longer just between two people; they involved several powerful factions.
Callie received another message from Jaquan a week later. He told her that his wedding with Karlie was canceled and the billion-dollar hole had been filled.
Callie didn’t know how he managed it.
“I heard you’re free now?” Jaquan’s tone was quite relaxed over the phone.
Callie quickly understood what he meant. “I’m not in a hurry to work.”
“Since I saved you once, could you do me a favor?”
He wanted Callie to help Scott Group secure a project. Ylosea had a new plot of land up for bidding.
“Don’t worry, this time we’re not competing against Oconnor Group,” Jaquan reassured her, half-jokingly.
Callie felt relieved and finally asked, “How did you save Scott Group?”
“Nelson has dirt on me, and I have dirt on him,” Jaquan said coldly, not giving a direct answer. “Callie, he can never overwhelmingly win against me. No matter how many times, it’s always a pyrrhic victory.”
The direct hostility reminded Callie of his father’s incident, but she didn’t ask further.
To return the favor, she worked late every night preparing the bid documents for him.
Suddenly busy, Nelson didn’t ask much. She wasn’t sure if he knew Scott Group was participating in the bid, and she didn’t plan to tell him until he asked.
A few days later, Nelson returned to Paucaster Villa Complex at ten in the evening. He searched the bedroom and study but didn’t find Callie.
He asked the maid, “Has Callie not returned yet?”
“Not yet, she might still be at her father’s place.”
Just as Nelson was about to drive out to look for her, the door of Paucaster Villa Complex opened from the outside. It wasn’t Callie with a pile of documents who returned.
Seeing him, her first reaction was to frown, then she remembered he had called at noon to inform her he’d be back at Paucaster Villa Complex tonight.
She had been too busy and forgot.
He was still wearing his standard suit, indicating he had just returned not long ago.
Callie opened her mouth but before she could speak, the documents in her hand fell to the ground.
A pair of men’s hands appeared in her view. Nelson squatted down to gather the papers and helped her up. “Why bring work home?”
Callie felt a bit nervous. “I’ve been quite busy recently.”
Nelson didn’t press further and let her finish her work quickly.
Callie tried to focus on her work. When she wrote the last word, a bowl of steaming dumplings was placed beside her.
Looking up, she saw Nelson’s commanding gaze. “Eat.”
A maid came over to refill Callie’s teacup.
Nelson watched as Callie ate with a bowl in her hands. She seemed very hungry, her cheeks puffed like a little squirrel, eyes bright.
A faint smile appeared on Nelson’s lips.
The harmonious atmosphere made both feel unreal, as if nothing had happened before and they were just an ordinary couple.