Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Subsequently, Avery returned to the design department.
She managed to get away from Zayne downstairs, but she still had to face the man when she returned to work.
Fortunately, their work stations were far apart.
Seeing that Avery had settled down in her seat, Cecelia sighed as she looked in the mirror and grumbled, “We both went on a business trip and stayed up two nights, but why do I have such distinct dark circles while you remain unaffected, Ery?”
“Ery, what brand of eye patch for dark circles do you use?” a female colleague questioned eagerly.
Avery raised her head and admitted in slight embarrassment, “I've never used any.”
“Never?” Shock inundated the female colleague. “Are you a faerie or something? How is it possible that you don't have any dark circles even after staying up all night? In the future, I'll entrust any need for the design department to stay up late and work overtime to you!”
Cecelia put away her mirror and proclaimed jokingly, “All of you are not allowed to bully Ery. After all, she has her boyfriend, Zayne, protecting her!”
At that, envy inexorably swamped everyone.
However, Cecelia then astutely noticed something amiss with both Avery and Zayne's expressions right after she said that.
Later, Avery was so sleepy that she got up with her coffee mug in hand to make some coffee. Cecelia followed her. Shutting the door to the office's pantry, she ascertained no one was outside before going over to Avery and asking, “Are you and Zayne fighting?”
They all went to Hallsbay for a business trip together. After interacting for two days, Avery had a great impression of Cecelia, feeling that she was friendly and welcoming toward newcomers.
“We broke up.”
Taken aback, Cecelia exclaimed, “It's only been a few days since we returned from our business trip. When we were in the car for most of the night then, you both seemed fine to me. Why did you suddenly break up?”
Avery merely stirred her coffee silently.
“Okay, forget about it. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to talk about it.” Embarrassment flooded Cecelia that she was pursuing that subject when Avery was down in the dumps.
“All couples fight. After calming down, the two of you will still be a match made in heaven a few days later,” she consoled her at the side.
Avery shook her head.
At that, Cecelia didn't dare speak further. They hadn't been acquainted for long, after all, so she couldn't ask so many questions about her personal matters.
At noon, she wanted to ask Avery out for lunch together, but Nina was a step ahead of her. Well, this is for the best. Nina is Zayne's sister, so it'll be more convenient for them to talk since they're future sisters-in-law.
On their way to the employee cafeteria, Nina sighed. “I don't know what kind of poison and spell got its hooks into my brother that he believes that b*tch, Milana.”
In response, Avery chuckled. “It's fine.”
Nina, however, felt that she was hurt the more she forced herself to laugh. “Ery, don't give up on my brother so easily. Since that b*tch keeps inserting herself into things, you should just get into it with her!”
Just then, Avery's phone rang.
The caller ID indicated that it was the head of the design department, Yulissa Yantz.
“It's a call from Ms. Yantz,” Avery murmured to Nina.
Nina nodded and gestured for her to take the call.
Avery went to the window to answer the call while Nina proceeded to the cafeteria to order food. As Avery's best friend, she knew Avery's favorite foods by the back of her hand. And so, by the time Avery returned, she was greeted by the sight of two lunch sets on the table.
Taking a seat, she picked up the fork and uttered, “I've got to eat quickly. Ms. Yantz assigned me a
task.”
“What task? A business trip again?” Nina demanded shrilly.
Avery ate a mouthful of pasta. After swallowing, she explained, “This time, it's not a business trip anymore. The daughter of a chief from another town is coming, and the higher-ups attach much emphasis to her reception. Cecelia and I will be responsible for that.”
“Hah! I really don't know what to say.” Nina poked at the pasta with her fork, muttering, “Newcomers really have no right to make a choice. Never mind if Cecelia likes to take on the matters of the administration department and the public relations department, but she even dragged you into it! When she's promoted and her salary hiked, can she also have the same done for you?”
She continued, “Hearing that she's a chief's daughter alone, I can tell that she'll be exceedingly difficult to please!” Knocking her fork against Avery's plate, she warned, “You don't need to act all subservient! If she picks on you, ring me up. I'll rip her to pieces!”
In no time, Avery finished eating her lunch. Putting the lunch box away, she said to Nina, “Enjoy your food. I'm running out of time.” After saying that, she whirled around and trotted off.
“Slow down! Can your stomach take it when you ate in such a hurry?” Nina fretted behind her, but Avery was already gone.
The company sent a car and driver to the airport to pick Zelda Saunders up.
Zelda walked out of the airport, standing at 1.6 meters while wearing high heels of at least twelve centimeters. She wore the season's haute couture from Chanel, paired with a limited-edition handbag
from Hermès.
Adding the various high-end jewelry she was bedecked in, she was dazzling and eye-catching, her entire ensemble worth millions in the least.
At that sight, Cecelia couldn't resist grumbling to Avery, “If Zelda is the second most ostentatious person, no one is worthy of placing first. Her father is the chief of a government department, but she's not at all afraid that she'd cause trouble for him.”
Soon, Zelda reached them.
Stepping forward, Avery greeted her politely without revealing a hint of her thoughts, “Nice to meet you, Ms. Saunders.”
“Nice to meet you!” Zelda greeted blithely. She swept a gaze over Cecelia and Avery's professional attire with a disdainful expression on her face. How destitute! Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
Xavier was the driver, but she treated him very much differently.
It stood to reason that she had made inquiries before coming over to Ackleton and knew that he was someone close to Cayden. Since she was there for the latter, she couldn't possibly be ignorant about the people around him.
During the drive back, Zelda insisted on taking the passenger seat to make it convenient for her to chat with Xavier, who was driving.
Both Cecelia and Avery sat in the back seat quietly without saying anything.
“Mr. Dartsley, I'm really curious about this. Does Mr. Moore have a girlfriend? Why have I never seen any woman around him?”
At her question, Xavier chuckled.
Gah! I can't really answer this question. If I were to say no, I'd probably be opening the door for her to pursue Mr. Moore. But if I were to say yes, what if... what if I ruin Mr. Moore's plan to pursue Ms. Rumpley?
Glancing at Avery from the rearview mirror, he retracted his gaze imperceptibly before replying to Zelda, “I really don't know anything about my employer's private life. Why don't you ask him directly, Ms. Saunders?”
“Oh, I see.” Only when Zelda saw that she couldn't get any information out of him that she relented.
Gazing out the window at the highway that whizzed past, Avery was spacing out when she heard Xavier remarking half-jokingly, “A man like Mr. Moore is actually rather scary. He doesn't fall in love with any woman easily, as far as I know at least. But once he does fall in love, he'll likely never change his mind for the rest of his life. If the other party wants to betray or break up with him, she'd best buy a plot of cemetery first.”
Avery couldn't see Zelda's expression, but she herself was entirely stunned.
Oh my God, It's either love him or die? How strong is his sense of possessiveness? How could a man love a woman in such a twisted and extreme manner?