Chapter 161
The warmth between us could end at any moment because of a single sentence.
Levi looked at me. His silence annoyed me.
"My company is growing right now. I can't just take time off."
"You're a secretary. How would taking a break affect the company?"
Was Levi still testing me? I didn't believe he didn't know my real identity. After he bought my Star series design, he should have known I was at least a designer at Heartstrings Jewelry.
I just never told him I was the CEO of Heartstrings Jewelry.
When he mentioned "secretary," he just wanted me to admit my identity.
"You're so well-connected, you naturally know I'm the CEO of Heartstrings Jewelry. With John spilling the beans, I don't believe you didn't know."
"We're husband and wife, why hide things from each other?"
When Levi said "husband and wife" to me, I gave a bitter smile.
"Since you brought up being married, why don't you tell me what's going on with this female CEO who suddenly appeared at the Morgan Group?"
He lowered his eyes, not looking directly at me.
"All the company gossip has reached my ears. My husband keeps finding himself scandal girlfriends. Jessa left, and now there's Ava. Mr. Morgan never lacks women around him, and they're all top quality."
I couldn't control my emotions. Before, I didn't bother talking to him about these things. I felt that every time I brought up other women, I was just hurting myself again.
"It's not what you think."
Did he expect me to understand him with such a flimsy explanation?
It's not what I think—is it what I saw then? When Ava showed off his photo to me, did he know how much it hurt?
"Who you like has nothing to do with me. Just be honest with me, and I'll let you go."
I looked at the bulging veins on the back of his hand. He must be angry again.
"But you always suddenly put other people's women by your side, and you go out together, appearing openly in front of everyone. I'm a living, breathing person. I can see and hear. I know what people are saying. I can't just lie to myself and say it's all just for show, can I?"
"It is just for show."
Levi was about to speak, but I didn't want to hear it.
"Are you talking about Jessa or Ava?"
I clutched my chest. "Jessa is still hostile toward me. She buried Chase in the same cemetery as my mother. And Ava? She showed me your photo and said she's going to marry you."
"You two met?"
"Not only did we meet, she wants to be good friends with me."
Compared to going out with Levi, Ava wouldn't mention becoming friends. I sensed Levi's surprise, but his expression didn't change.
"I'm going to check the room and see how bad the fire damage is. There are some things in there—I don't know if they're still there."
Levi held me back. "Rest first. Your things weren't burned. It was mainly the area near the window that got destroyed."
"There are important documents in the room."
"They're all still there."
Did he know what documents I was talking about?
"Aren't you with Ava? Shouldn't you go explain things to her?"
I didn't want to be with him right now. My mind was a mess. I needed to be alone.
"No need."
"It's a workday. Ava can't handle company matters. You should go."
The corners of Levi's mouth turned up. "Are you that eager to have me work for you?"
"Huh?"
I couldn't read his smile.
"Grandpa gave you all the shares. I don't even have as many shares as you do. My say at the Morgan Group is actually less than yours. Aren't I just working for you?"
Levi smiled lazily. "The documents you mentioned—aren't they the share transfer agreement?"
He was too thorough, actually knowing what I cared about.
"The Morgan Group is yours. I only temporarily agreed for Grandpa's sake, so he wouldn't worry about this."
I knew I wasn't qualified to inherit the shares. Aiden treated me like his own granddaughter, but Aiden and I aren't blood-related. The Morgan family has Cleo, has Levi—it's not my place to inherit.
"Grandpa gave them to you because he trusts you."
Levi wrapped my hand in his palm, and a warmth instantly made me let down my guard.
"A lot has happened recently. It's my fault for not taking better care of you. I suggested you not work only because I hope you'll take care of your health for now."
He'd never been this patient in talking to me this much. When I was pregnant with Celestia, he was never this gentle.
"You and Nola can take turns working. You're both pregnant, so find someone capable. I can send one of my people to your company."
"Mr. Morgan, trying to get your hands into my company so soon—is it because your position at the Morgan Group is being threatened?"
"I'm happy to work for you. Sending someone to help you isn't the same as acquiring your company. What are you afraid of?"
I shrugged. "Naturally I'm not afraid, but I have my own plans."
Not interfering with each other is the proper distance for adults, especially regarding our respective companies.
Levi pressed his lips together. "Then let's go public."
"Huh?"
"Make our relationship public. I know you want to work because you don't feel secure. After we go public, you should feel comfortable letting my people assist you, right?"
I took a deep breath. "You've got it wrong. These are two different things."
He was the reason I felt insecure, but it had nothing to do with my work. Initially, I worked because I felt these years I'd neglected myself for the family, but Heartstrings Jewelry had been around for a while. Even though Nola helped me for several years, I'd still put a lot of effort into it.
"We still need to go public. Grandpa gave the order."
"So you want to go public because of pressure from Grandpa?"
My mood darkened again. I thought it was his own idea.
"No."
The phone vibrated on the table, breaking the stalemate between us. I didn't want to hear his clumsy excuses. He said no, but he wouldn't explain further.
Over these years, I'd come to understand him. A person doesn't suddenly change completely.
Levi was cold, but he wasn't heartless. Now that I was pregnant, for both emotional and practical reasons, he should be good to me. A few nice words—I'd just consider it him being generous.
I answered the phone. It was Levi's mom.
"Blair, I heard there was a fire at home. Are you okay?"
"Uma, I'm fine."
"I just chatted with Levi for a bit. He said you hadn't woken up yet. Faye sent a message saying you woke up safely, and that's when I felt relieved."
I forced a smile. "Don't worry, everyone. I'm fine."
"Levi is busy with work. You need to understand him more. I told him not to go on business trips recently, and to come straight home after work to keep you company."
"Okay."
"Celestia is having a great time here with me. Faye also told me you're pregnant again. This is the biggest happy news for our family. You must take good care of yourself. I'll transfer some money to you later—you must accept it. It's our way of showing we care."
"Okay."
I knew I couldn't refuse their kindness. If I refused, I really would seem ungrateful.
Before, they cared about Levi's feelings, but gradually, they really had become better to me.