When they returned to City N, Conrad had Andrew keep an eye on Jasmine. The little girl was fast asleep, her chubby face squished, completely unaware of what had happened.
He got out of the car to help her move.
Ethan’s car hadn’t arrived yet, and Conrad didn’t want to run into them.
While Lillian went upstairs to pack, he waited downstairs.
She only had a small suitcase.
“Is that all you have?”
“I just got back to the country, and I didn’t plan on staying long.”
“Then you’re planning to settle down soon. City N is your home, and it always has been. That won’t change.” Conrad took the suitcase from her.
The two of them got into the elevator and stood side by side.
“Have you grown taller again?”
“I’m 33 now. How much taller can I get?”
“Then you’ve just lost weight.”
“Now you’re finally looking at me properly?”
“I didn’t want to before.”
Even though he had prepared himself, her words still stung a bit, especially with the recent thaw in their relationship.
“Because I was afraid that if I looked, I’d still be unable to stop paying attention to you.”
He suddenly looked at her.
In the next moment, she was pressed against the elevator wall.
He stared at her intently. “So, I’m still your type, right?”
“People’s preferences for the opposite sex usually stay the same, unless something unexpected happens. “Besides, Mr. Conrad, you’ve remained quite the catch-all these years.”
Conrad felt like she had teased him a bit.
The elevator doors opened.
Conrad was nudged by her. “We’ve arrived.”
He stepped aside and turned to face Ethan and his family.
Ethan glanced at the suitcase on the floor. “Are you all packed?”
“There wasn’t much to pack.”
Phyllis didn’t understand the silent exchange going on between them. From her perspective, poor Ethan had been dumped again.
“You’ll regret this,” she said. “Leaving with this unpredictable man, who knows when he’ll start abusing you.”
Conrad almost wanted to shut Phyllis up.
Who could tell him why a face that looked like a refined, artsy young woman always seemed to hit all his sensitive spots?
He grabbed the suitcase and pulled Lillian along.
“Quincy, if you miss me tomorrow, remember to call Mr. Conrad. He’ll take you out to play with Jasmine.”
“Okay.”
But just as Lillian walked a few steps, Quincy broke free from Ethan’s hand and ran toward her.
“Mom Lillian!”
She was immediately hugged and couldn’t help but hug Quincy back. After all, this was the child she had raised from a young age.
Quincy, with teary eyes, choked up. “Mom Lillian, will you still remember me?”
“Good boy, Mom isn’t going anywhere. I’ll come see you often.” As long as it didn’t interfere with Ethan and his wife.
Conrad also crouched beside Lillian and ruffled Quincy’s hair. “The door at my house will always be open for you. Just call me whenever you want to come. I’ll send someone to pick you up, anywhere in the world.”
Quincy wiped her tears and hugged Lillian again. “Mom Lillian, Quincy loves you, and I love Dad and Mom too.”
“I love you too, Quincy.”
Ethan walked over and took Quincy’s hand. “Not everyone gets a second chance. Please cherish this opportunity.”
“This time, I’m speaking as your ‘older brother.'” He said this to Conrad.
This time, Conrad didn’t scoff at Ethan. “I’ll try.”
“Mom will video call you tomorrow. Make sure the watch is set to receive it.”
Conrad had given him the same watch as Jasmine’s, which could connect for video calls.
“Okay! I’ll wait for Mom’s call.”
Phyllis watched as Lillian and Conrad got in the car. Quincy was still standing there, wiping her tears, feeling a deep, indescribable sadness in her heart.
“Let’s go upstairs. Tonight, you’ll sleep with Quincy.” Phyllis said.
Ethan turned back. Quincy instinctively grabbed Phyllis’s hand, his eyes full of tears as he looked up at her.
Phyllis immediately scooped him up, and then looked at Ethan. “She’s gone. Won’t you be sad?”
“We’ll give each other our blessings,” Ethan replied. “If she leaves with another man, I’ll wish them happiness. But for you, I can’t do that.” Ethan pressed the button for the elevator.
Phyllis looked at him, stunned.
Ethan had always been the perfect example.
Excellent grades, a flawless resume, gentle and steady, everything had gone smoothly for him.
No one would ever associate him with negative words.
And yet, he just said he couldn’t wish her happiness with another man.
******
One Day After Returning to City N
“Let’s go home together?” Conrad gazed at Lillian with deep affection.
“No need,” she replied. “I brought my laptop, and I promised Jasmine I’d be the first to pick her up from school this afternoon. If I go back to Hillside Villa first, I might not make it in time. I’ll just find a spot at a cafe near the school.”
Conrad opened the car door. “Brown Family Group is close to the kindergarten, and we have plenty of space. Director Lillian, would you like to come inspect the premises?”
Lillian looked surprised. “I’m not ready to meet your company’s people yet.”
“So, you’re considering it?” Conrad leaned in slightly. “Besides, last time you were in my office playing with Jasmine, everyone saw you. They also know I have a five- or six-year-old daughter now. Even if you want to distance yourself from me, I’m afraid it’s too late.”
“Are you playing dirty now?” Lillian crossed her arms, eyeing him.
Conrad gestured for her to get in. “Director Lillian, I’m inviting you to pick up our daughter together today.”
The way Conrad was speaking so smoothly was a little unsettling. After getting in the car, Lillian raised an eyebrow. “Fine, but listen-I’ll be using one of your small meeting rooms. You’re not allowed to interrupt me. I’m in a terrible mood when I work.”
“Don’t worry, hit me, scold me, whatever you want. Does inviting you to lunch count as interrupting?”
Lillian hesitated.
Conrad started the car. “Even if you hit me, you’re still eating. Let’s go.”
Some things he could compromise on. This wasn’t one of them.
When they arrived at Brown Family Group, they took the VIP elevator. Conrad personally opened the door to a small meeting room for her and called in a senior employee to take care of her needs.
“Don’t bring coffee too frequently,” he instructed. “If you notice she needs anything, be quick and step in immediately.”
Whether Lillian would return in the future depended entirely on how well his people performed.
Meanwhile, Ford had the entire office on high alert. He strictly warned everyone not to act surprised if they saw her, to maintain a calm demeanor, and-most importantly-to keep their mouths shut. If any gossip was overheard in the break room or restroom, he wouldn’t be able to save them from losing their jobs.
With such a warning, who dared to say anything?
All they could do was internally scream: Is Mr. Conrad… humbly trying to win her back?
Lillian wasted no time getting to work, analyzing the character profiles and breaking down the storyline and storyboards.
Conrad, on the other hand, kept glancing at the meeting room while reviewing reports. And when he did, the employee bringing him the reports couldn’t help but look too.
Lillian, fully immersed in her work, didn’t notice any of it.
“Mr. Conrad, who is she?” someone finally asked.
“My wife,” Conrad said matter-of-factly.
After dropping that bomb, he shot the person a look. “This project is approved. You can leave now.”
His expression clearly said: Don’t stand here getting in the way of me admiring my wife.
“Understood, Mr. Conrad.” As long as my project gets approved, I’ll get lost as far as possible.
Conrad had everything timed down to the minute.
At exactly 11:30, he got up, walked to the meeting room door, knocked, and asked, “Lunch?”