Chapter 136
Just as I was frowning with worry, Nola walked into my office.
"Well, Ms. Ember, not too busy today? Rarely see you on your phone," Nola teased.
I pursed my lips, thinking about how to reply to Elliot.
"Looking at my phone is work too. I'm not addicted to it."
These past few years, all my time has gone to family and kids. I usually only get to check my phone after the children go to school. I like growing flowers and plants, which also takes up a lot of time.
"What's wrong? Something bothering you?" Nola asked with concern.
"Not really a problem. Elliot said his boss wants to meet with me, something about learning and exchanging experiences."
Nola was speechless. "That's ridiculous. Sure, our company is decent, but compared to WR, we're not on the same scale. What experience could we exchange? It would purely be us learning from them."
"Yeah."
"You don't want to go?"
I nodded. "No."
"Then just say no. Tell them you have family matters to deal with."
I really can't leave right now. With Levi not home, Faye is the only one who can handle things, and she's still just a kid who often gets caught up playing and doesn't come home.
"Don't worry so much. You haven't been looking well lately. Did you and Levi have another fight?"
"No, I told you the other day, he's on a business trip. How can we fight when he's not even here?"
I hid my unease. Before Levi left on his trip, he said he'd come back when I admitted I was wrong, but I'm not wrong, so I won't admit it.
"Anyway, you're not someone who drags things out. If you don't want to go, just refuse. Use any excuse."
After Nola said this, her phone rang and she went out to take the call.
The office fell quiet again. I opened my phone and replied to Elliot, declining the meeting.
I wasn't refusing because Heartstrings Jewelry didn't need them, but because I wanted to keep some distance from him. Even though there's nothing between us, I'm worried about people with bad intentions making something out of nothing.
The good news about Nola's pregnancy seems to be widely known now. Her phone kept ringing, and after sending me a message, she left work early. I checked the time - I still had another hour to go.
Pregnancy probably makes you tired easily. I fell asleep at my desk for over an hour, and when I woke up, only the overtime workers were left in the company.
I got in my car absentmindedly, complaining to myself, "I'm just being stubborn, insisting on driving to and from work myself. Hmph, I won't use Levi's resources."
Speaking of Levi, my nose started tingling. Is he really going to wait for me to contact him first before coming home? Last time when I was angry and stayed at the office, he came with our daughter to find me. I won't use our daughter to make him come home.
I won't admit to things I didn't do wrong.
I'm just stubbornly living alone, with two babies in my belly right now.
"Blair, you're really something."
Feeling sad on one hand, but proud of myself on the other, encouraging myself to stay strong.
The public holiday is coming soon, and the streets are already decorated with colorful lights. Through the neon glow, you can feel the holiday joy. I rolled down the window - it seems like spring is already in the air.
"If you don't come home now, you won't get to know you're going to be a father again."
I stepped on the gas and drove forward quickly, leaving all the unhappiness behind.
The atmosphere at home was fully set up too, with the lights Levi had arranged twinkling in the night.
I pulled my clothes tighter and took a deep breath. I need to show everyone my happy side, especially make Celestia think I'm happy.
Indigo stood at the door to greet me, breaking into a smile when she saw me.
"Mrs. Morgan, dinner is ready. They've all washed their hands and are just waiting for you."
I smiled. "Has he come back?"
"Uh, Mr. Morgan hasn't come back yet."
Indigo followed behind me. "Should I call him? I'll tell him the gift thing was a misunderstanding - we haven't received any more since then."
"No need."
I don't want to force anyone. If he doesn't want to come home, it means he still has emotions he hasn't processed.
"Alright then."
Indigo quickly walked ahead. "I'll go serve the dishes. Mrs. Morgan, go wash your hands."
After putting my things away, I went to the bathroom.
I looked a bit worn out in the mirror. All day, I'd barely eaten anything.
"Blair, smile."
I forced a smile at the mirror, then turned and pushed the door open, putting on an even bigger smile.
"Blair, you came home a bit late today." Faye put down her phone.
"Yeah, worked overtime."
Celestia set out the utensils. "Mom, come eat."
"Okay."
I sat down. The whole table was filled with light dishes.
I figured Indigo must have noticed my poor appetite, so she didn't make any greasy food, but the three of them might not like eating this.
"Indigo, tomorrow I'd like sweet and sour pork ribs, and make the flavors stronger."
Indigo looked embarrassed. "Mrs. Morgan, I noticed you've been feeling nauseous lately, so I made these dishes on purpose. You want something sweet and sour?"
"Yeah."
"Alright then, should I go add a dish now?"
"Tomorrow is fine."
I wasn't trying to make things difficult for her. I just didn't want everyone accommodating me.
"Okay, everyone enjoy your meal."
I glanced at Sophia. She seemed like she had something to say, looking at me several times.
"Sophia, are you comfortable staying here? Don't be shy, if you need anything, just tell Faye."
"It's great, I'm just imposing on you."
I kept my eyes on the food, afraid that paying too much attention to her would make her uncomfortable.
"That's good. If you want to eat anything, you can tell Indigo too."
Sophia put down her utensils. "Everything is great. I'm really lucky to be staying at Mr. Morgan's house thanks to Faye. Never thought I'd get this chance."
Every mention of Levi made my heart tighten.
"By the way, Blair, a new president was parachuted into the company today. Everyone's gossiping about her background."
A new president?
The Morgan Group's leadership structure hasn't changed in a long time, especially the department presidents who are all Levi's trusted assistants.
Sophia looked at me and said carefully, "It's a female president. She said all company matters will be handled by her for now."
What authority. No wonder people are gossiping - replacing Levi in managing affairs is quite impressive.
"My brother's on a business trip and brings in a female president? What's he doing?"
"He has his own arrangements."
I couldn't continue this topic. I didn't know what Levi was up to either. He found a woman to replace him - is he planning not to come home for a long time?
I could guess what Sophia hadn't finished saying. Since colleagues were gossiping, they must be speculating that this woman has an unusual relationship with Levi. Levi has always been cautious and wouldn't easily hand over power to someone else.
I could only wait and see. If she really is someone Levi values, I'll have the same attitude as always. After all, I've long been prepared for divorce. Whatever Levi does, I'll go along with it - which is also a way of letting myself go.