Chapter 169 Happy Birthday

Chapter 169 Happy Birthday

Ella drove away from the company because today was her birthday, and Briar said he would cook something delicious for her.

But she wanted to go somewhere else first, so she didn't head straight home.

Meanwhile, Austin glanced at the time, took out a gift box he had prepared from the drawer, and a smile curved at the corner of his mouth. Then he turned to ask Zara.

"Did you order the flowers I asked you to get?"

"Mr. Raymond, I've ordered them for you. They're in your trunk," Zara said with a smile.

Austin nodded, picked up the gift box, and happily left the company.

After a mental struggle and a good scolding from Karen, he had finally made up his mind to win Ella back.

All along the way, he kept going over and over his opening lines, thinking about how exactly he should admit his mistakes to Ella and get her to forgive him.

Looking back on all these years, he had never properly celebrated Ella's birthday. He was really an unqualified husband.

Yet every time it was Judith's birthday, he would prepare gifts very elaborately and throw parties for her.

The more Austin thought about it, the more guilty he felt. For the rest of his life, he had to make it up to Ella. As long as Ella forgave him, he would never miss another one of her birthdays.

Soon, he arrived at the residential area where Ella lived. Austin told the driver to park the car next to the community.

He held the flowers and carried the gift he had prepared - a diamond necklace he had won at an auction a few days ago.

When he saw it, he felt this necklace perfectly matched Ella's temperament.

It had a kind of noble and elegant beauty. He was really looking forward to putting this necklace on Ella himself.

He straightened his suit and glanced at his watch. The bodyguard he had sent to follow Ella said that Ella had driven away from the company a few minutes ago.

Austin felt a bit nervous. Would Ella reject him like before?

Even if Ella rejected him today, he would persist and never give up.

Thinking of this, Austin clenched his fists tightly, cheering himself on!

As time ticked by. Austin muttered quietly to himself.

"Ella, happy birthday!"

"Can you give me a chance to take care of you for the rest of our lives?"

"I know I was a jerk before, didn't know how to cherish you. I know I was wrong now, please forgive me."

"No, no, this won't work!"

"Ella, happy birthday!"

...

Austin rehearsed over and over, always feeling unsatisfied.

All these years, he had been successful in business. As the head of the Raymond family, he had always been calm and collected, able to face anything with composure.

But today, just thinking about seeing Ella made him inexplicably nervous; his palms were sweating.

It was like being a student who did something wrong, afraid of being called to the teacher's office, and feeling uneasy.

Austin himself wondered what was wrong with him. How could he be so pathetic? Like a teenager experiencing first love, even feeling a bit shy?

Just then, his phone notification suddenly rang. Austin quickly took out his phone and looked at it.

It was from the bodyguard, saying that Ella wasn't heading home but had left the city instead.

Austin found this strange and told the bodyguard to keep following. Austin's tense nerves relaxed a bit, and he went back to the car with the flowers to wait.

He wondered what Ella was doing, leaving the city at this time.

Ella drove past a flower shop, stopped the car, and went inside.

Ella walked around the flower shop, chose a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, and asked the clerk to wrap them.

Ella waited patiently on the side. Actually, she wanted to go to the cemetery.

They say birthdays are bittersweet—a day of joy born from a mother's pain. She really wanted to visit Janice at the cemetery.

Thinking of Janice, Ella felt especially sad. Although Ella's memories of Janice were only vague, she still loved Janice.

For some reason, she had been wanting to visit her grandfather and grandmother lately.

She hadn't seen them in a long time. How were they doing now?

If they knew about what happened to John and Carol, they would definitely feel vindicated, right?

Ella got in the car holding the flowers.

At this moment, she was driving on the highway outside the city, feeling especially heavy-hearted.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Ella quickly pressed her Bluetooth earpiece, and Sarah's apologetic voice came through.

"Ella, I'm sorry, I really apologize. I had already bought a gift and wanted to surprise you, but now I can't come."

"Sarah, did something happen?" Ella asked curiously.

"I was suddenly told I have to go on a business trip."

When Ella heard Sarah had to go on a business trip, she became even more curious, because Sarah was a clerk and rarely traveled for work.

"Did your job change? I've never heard of you going on business trips before."

"Actually," Sarah's tone was a bit hesitant.

"Our company got a new boss these past few days. He's thirty years old, six feet tall, really handsome, and I heard he's even a rich second-generation."

"I fell for him at first sight. I haven't had this feeling of being attracted to someone in a long time."

Hearing Sarah say this, Ella's worried heart finally relaxed.

"Sounds like Sarah, you've fallen in love? I didn't expect this! You were shouting about being single. How did you change so quickly?" Ella teased.

"When you know, you know! I think he's interested in me too. He directly made me his secretary, and he even said he wants me to go on this business trip with him. Don't you think this is a good opportunity?"

"Indeed, Sarah, then I'll wish you success in advance. Go for it!" Ella blessed her sincerely.

"Absolutely! I've decided, I'm going to win him over on this business trip. Wait for my good news!" Sarah said confidently.

"I believe in you!"

"Ella, you must wait for my good news. When I get back, I'll make up your birthday celebration."

"Okay, Sarah, I'll wait for you to come back. You must be happy!"

"That's for sure! Actually, speaking of which, what are you thinking? Jason confessed to you last time. Why haven't you answered him yet?"

"I think Jason is a very reliable man. You two know each other well. He's gentle and considerate. I think you two are quite suitable."

"Don't talk about me. Let's just let some things happen naturally!" Ella didn't want to continue this topic.

"Alright, some things really can't be forced. Anyway, I'll always support you!"

"Thank you, Sarah!"

"Why be polite? Oh, then let me wish you a happy birthday! May the rest of your life be peaceful and smooth!"