Callie was confused and cautiously reached for his hand. “Wh… what’s wrong?”
Nelson glanced at the woman beside him. Her eyes were like clear streams, innocent and unworldly.
With silent violence, he said, “From now on, don’t talk to me.”
Callie withdrew her hand in fear at his attitude, grievance welling up in her eyes.
A large group of people followed in his footsteps.
Anthony couldn’t bear it and pulled Callie aside. “Madam, don’t blame Mr. Oconnor. If anyone else had done what you just did today, even if it were me, I wouldn’t be in this world anymore.”
Callie blinked. “Is it that serious?”
Out of courtesy, Nelson escorted Jamir to the door.
The weather was still very cold. Jamir took a scarf from his assistant and politely said, “Mr. Oconnor, we’ll take our leave now. See you next time.”
Nelson’s impatience was evident. He turned to leave but suddenly stopped, staring at the scarf in Jamir’s hand. In a flash, anger surged.
The signature on the scarf bore the letter C.
Jamir paused. “Does Mr. Oconnor have an opinion about my scarf? I’m afraid I can’t give it to you. It’s a gift from an old friend.”
The two men stared at each other with palpable hostility.
“Jamir, you’re overthinking it. I don’t like outdated things. I only like what’s current.”
Jamir turned away. “Old things have their own charm.”
Callie, having been briefed by Anthony on the situation, felt her toes curl.
Nelson had brought her to this event to assert her status, but she had caused a huge problem for the Oconnor Group.
It was her fault; she shouldn’t have let Jamir affect her emotions.
The ensuing public pressure would fall directly on Nelson.
She pushed open the door to the CEO’s office. The light inside was dim, and the room was filled with smoke. Nelson stood against the light, tall and imposing, with an air of grandeur.
His slender fingers held a smoldering cigarette.
Callie walked silently across the soft carpet. Nelson didn’t seem surprised.
She spoke softly, “I’m sorry, Nelson. I didn’t expect this thoughtless act to have such consequences.”
She hadn’t intended to help Jamir; she just wanted Nelson to go easier on him. But she forgot one thing: with so many media present, they could fabricate something out of nothing.
And she had given Jamir a fatal loophole to exploit.
Nelson remained silent for a long time. After finishing his cigarette, he extinguished it and finally looked up. “Were you feeling sorry for Jamir just now?”
The previously suppressed conflict resurfaced, and fear of this man welled up in Callie’s eyes. “I really didn’t mean that… Besides, why would I feel sorry for him? I don’t even know him.”
She wanted to deny it immediately. She thought at least Nelson wouldn’t find out about Jamir’s identity so quickly.
The next second, Callie was almost thrown against the floor-to-ceiling window. Nelson grabbed her wrist and pinned it above her head, his coldness pressing down on her. “Don’t know him? The scarf he had just now was embroidered with the letter C. Are you sure you don’t know him?”
Callie’s wrist hurt. “Nelson…”
What scarf? She couldn’t remember.
Anthony received orders to bribe the media present, asking them not to expose the scene where Mrs. Oconnor pleaded for Jamir. Otherwise, the focus would be on their gossip.
They only needed to write: Nelson attended the meeting with his wife. That would be perfect.