Marilyn went back to her room to change clothes. During this break, Nelson and Sienna exchanged pleasantries. She hid the complex feelings in her eyes, “Nelson, Marilyn is willful, thank you for your trouble.”
Nelson understood the meaning behind her words and also knew why she hadn’t dared to see him all these years.
“You flatter me, it’s my duty.”
Jaquan had been standing on one side and finally spoke, half-joking, “Nelson, you seemed quite kind to that assistant just now. I didn’t know you were so chivalrous before.”
Nelson raised an eyebrow and looked at Sienna as he replied, “Are you referring to Marilyn as the one in need of chivalry? To prevent her from being criticized, I naturally had to step in.”
He smoothly deflected the conversation.
Jaquan chuckled softly and said no more.
Nelson raised his glass and clinked it with Jaquan’s, “I heard Scott Group secured the city’s project. Congratulations.”
Jaquan’s expression was playful, “Nelson, you’re well-informed.”
“It will be even faster in the future.” Nelson downed his drink in one go.
At ten o’clock in the evening, Callie was already asleep.
For the past two months, she had developed a habit of going to bed early.
Suddenly, a rapid ringing woke her up. She frowned and picked up her phone, seeing it was Regan calling.
Her frown deepened. A call at this hour must be work-related. She answered, “Hello.”
Unexpectedly, she heard Regan’s heart-wrenching sobs on the other end.
Heart-wrenching, as if the whole world had collapsed, beyond what one could bear.
Callie sat up in shock, “Regan!?”
“Callie… I’m so scared…” Regan cried, repeating the same words.
“Regan, don’t panic. Where are you now?” Callie quickly guessed the situation. She swept her hair back and asked urgently, “Tell me the address. I’ll come over right away, okay? Don’t panic.”
But Regan didn’t listen. She had lost her sanity and was just crying.
Callie felt a pang in her heart. She got out of bed quickly, dressed hastily, slipped on a pair of cotton slippers, and rushed out. All the while, she kept questioning Regan on the phone.
Finally, under her persistent questioning, Regan said, “Callie, don’t come. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
Callie stopped in her tracks, on the verge of anger, “Where are you? Do you want to die?”
There was silence on the other end, only the sound of breathing.
“You’re at the Ellison family residence, right?” Callie asked firmly.
There was still silence.
Callie understood. She hurried downstairs in her slippers, “I’m coming over right now.”
“Don’t come,” came a weak voice from the other end. “Today is Marilyn’s birthday.”
Callie’s steps halted abruptly. She stood still for three seconds, “Leave it to me.”
She hung up the phone and hailed a cab using her phone. She browsed online and saw photos from Marilyn’s birthday party.
“The Ellison family? Miss, are you going to the Ellison family?” The driver asked in surprise.
Callie gripped her phone tightly, “Yes.”
The randomly hailed Buick Verano stood out among the luxury cars. Inside the high gates, melodious music and conversations floated out, as if from another world.
Callie paid the fare and got out of the car. She stared at her shoes and regretted infinitely.
Just then, a man in a delivery uniform ran over. Callie quickly waved him down, “Hello, my delivery.”
The man handed her the package and was about to leave but was stopped by Callie, “Um, can I buy your uniform?”
The delivery guy’s mouth dropped open in disbelief, “What?”
“I’ll pay three times the price!”