Chapter 320

Chapter 320

Diana POV

I walked out with my phone.

James had been right. The Carrington family really did come looking for me.

It was Faust calling.

Faust had personally called James many times, trying to arrange a meeting.

James either declined the calls or answered only to refuse.

Now he was calling me directly.

I could have easily refused to see him.

But I decided to go down and meet him anyway.

...

At that moment, Faust sat in the reception area of the Howard Group's first-floor lobby.

His face showed undisguised panic and exhaustion. This situation had clearly worn him out.

I walked over and stood behind him, speaking calmly. "Mr. Carrington, you wanted to see me?"

My tone was cool and polite.

Faust turned and saw me. He immediately stood, forcing a smile. "Ms. York, please, sit."

I didn't sit. "We don't know each other, and I'm working right now. Whatever you need to say, just say it."

Faust took a deep breath and got straight to the point. "I'm here to apologize on behalf of my sister."

"Why?"

I pretended I knew nothing.

Faust seemed to struggle with his words. "A few days ago in the charity gala parking lot, Beth had been drinking... she might not have been thinking clearly... but she calmed down in the end and didn't actually hurt you. So, Ms. York, could you please put in a good word for me with Mr. Howard? Or at least let me see him once?"

I didn't answer immediately.

I looked at Faust.

This was the second time I'd seen him. Like the first time, he appeared refined and cultured, as if he meant me no harm.

But I still saw the shrewdness hidden behind his glasses.

Everyone in the Carrington family was shrewd, weren't they?

I suddenly smiled.

Faust couldn't read my expression. He tried tentatively, "Ms. York?"

I said flatly, "Mr. Carrington, do you remember five years ago when the Carrington Group rejected the York Group's partnership proposal?"

Faust paused slightly.

I knew he'd only gradually taken over the Carrington Group in recent years. He wasn't very familiar with what happened five years ago.

I laughed again. "Five years ago, you hadn't taken over the Carrington Group yet. You weren't the one who made things difficult for Jane, so I can't blame you. In fact, failed partnerships are common in business. If it had been a normal business decision, I'd have nothing to say about your rejection. But you shouldn't have publicly humiliated Jane."

My tone turned sharp on that last sentence.

Several people nearby looked our way.

Faust's expression showed shame. He said solemnly, "Ms. York, I'm sorry."

Me: "You just said Elizabeth came to her senses at the last moment and didn't hurt me. But just because she didn't succeed doesn't mean she didn't try to kill me. Jane did nothing wrong back then, yet you humiliated her. Now Elizabeth has attempted murder, and you're asking me to forgive her. On what grounds?"

My words came unhurried and detached, yet carried a cutting edge.

Faust stood there, unable to respond for a long moment.

Because I wasn't shouting or making a scene—I was simply stating irrefutable facts.

Faust was reasonable. He cared about his reputation.

Me: "I won't accept your apology. Whatever's between you and James, I won't get involved. But I won't kick you while you're down either. That's as merciful as I'll be. Mr. Carrington, don't come looking for me again."

With that, I turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, I walked straight into someone.

I looked up. "James?"

When had he arrived?

I suddenly felt nervous. Had he seen me being harsh?

James saw the tension in my eyes. He reached up and ruffled my hair, then wrapped his warm hand around my cold one.

I felt the warmth of his palm and smiled up at him.

James held my hand as we both turned to face Faust. "Mr. Carrington, the partnership between Howard Group and Carrington Group is business. Coming to bother my wife over business matters isn't appropriate, is it?"

Faust's eyes widened in shock. He stared in disbelief at our joined hands.

His look made me uncomfortable. I tried to pull my hand away.

James glanced down at me. "Check if there's anything on my afternoon schedule we can cancel. I'll make time to have dinner with Mr. Carrington."

"Okay."

I didn't ask questions or show any reluctance.

James patted my head, sending me back upstairs.

As I turned the corner, I glanced back and saw James and Faust sitting down in the lounge area...

...

I returned upstairs.

I reviewed James's schedule for the day, canceled the dinner appointment, cleared the time for him, and made a new restaurant reservation.

Lilith came out of her office carrying a stack of documents, heading toward James's office. Her phone suddenly rang.

I knew those documents needed James's signature.

I walked over and took them from her. "I'll take them to Mr. Howard. You get your call."

"Thanks."

Lilith handed me the documents.

I brought them into James's office and arranged them neatly on his desk.

Just as I was about to leave, something caught my eye. Several travel proposals lay on his desk.

One was open.

I saw the title: Honeymoon Travel Proposal.

This had to be for after our wedding.

I just never expected James would have his elite staff working on this.

And we'd only gotten our marriage certificate last night.

This morning there were already honeymoon plans.

Only one explanation—he'd ordered it overnight.

After I fell asleep last night, how much had he gotten done?

Curious, I picked up the open proposal to look.

What I saw shocked me again.

The destinations he'd had them plan were all places I'd wanted to visit over the years but never managed to.

How did he know?

I stood there puzzled, completely unaware that James had entered.

James closed the office door and walked quietly up behind me, pulling me into his arms.

A warm kiss landed on my ear. "Perfect timing. See which proposal you like."

His low, seductive voice and heart-stopping kiss made me tremble.

I couldn't help but shiver slightly. I turned and pushed him gently. "Don't start. This is the office."

James kept kissing me, murmuring between kisses, "What's wrong with the office? We're legally married now."