Chapter 34
The headquarters leadership of WR Company wanted to meet with me. Elliot had absolute authority over domestic affairs, and he casually mentioned on the phone that he happened to be going back for a work report.
Nola drove me to the airport. After reminding me to stay safe, she went home. Her family had arranged another blind date for her tonight.
My unfortunate marriage seemed to have affected her views on marriage, too. Since all the marriages she saw and heard about were unhappy, she decided to just stay single.
I had originally planned to return to the Morgan mansion tonight, but Celestia seemed a bit down when she heard I'd be away on a business trip for two days.
"Sorry, Ms. Ember, for the sudden notice."
Elliot came in with his assistant, who put down his briefcase and left.
"It's fine."
I pulled myself together and rubbed my cheeks.
"It's hot, have some."
He had bought hot coffee beforehand. He still remembered the details from our first meeting. What a thoughtful man.
"Thanks."
Some coffee would be good - I was really feeling a bit sleepy now.
"There's something I need to tell you. The executive who wants to meet you has a daughter getting engaged, and he's been very busy lately, so he's arranged the meeting at the engagement party. You don't mind, right?"
I shook my head. "I don't mind."
If someone's willing to provide financing for the company when I'm in a tough spot, I'd go not just to an engagement party, but even to a funeral.
"Um, also about the timing - we'll have to go straight there after we land, no time to rest." Elliot looked apologetic; the schedule was indeed tight.
"That's fine."
I raised my coffee cup. "I'll buy you one after we land."
"Haha, you're funny."
We each looked at our phones without saying much more. Several times I caught him in my peripheral vision seeming like he wanted to say something but held back.
I'm not the type who's naturally friendly with people. Maybe I was like that as a kid, but ever since my mom passed away, I've protected myself around others first, and over time, my personality has changed quite a bit.
It was an exhausting journey.
When the plane landed, it was already daytime - late afternoon, to be specific.
Engagement parties abroad are very open affairs, like big parties without too many rules or formalities. Everyone just has a great time.
The hotel where Elliot and I were staying was near his boss's garden villa.
Since he'd notified me late, I hadn't prepared any formal dress at all. This time, I'd only brought two casual outfits for everyday wear.
Knock knock!
Hearing the knock, I went to open the door.
Elliot handed me a large gift box. "I don't know if the size is right. Try it on. If it doesn't fit, we can exchange it."
I guessed it was a formal dress. I'd try it first and deal with everything else afterward.
The dress fit well and was beautiful. Elliot had pretty good taste.
I did some simple makeup and followed him to the party venue.
The evening sunset was beautiful, its glow spilling over the garden like a mysterious oil painting.
Melodious music played, and people moved to the rhythm.
We arrived a bit late. Elliot said it had already reached the free mingling stage.
He handed me a glass of red wine and led me to meet his boss.
The man was just as I'd imagined - an uncle with a full beard. But he had an extraordinary presence, like royalty.
Elliot greeted him first, and they exchanged a few pleasantries in Lumarian. I understood it - I'd studied Lumarian in school.
The other person said "hello" to me in broken Novarian.
I politely responded with a hello in Lumarian.
Then, under Elliot's surprised gaze, his boss and I had over ten minutes of smooth conversation.
"Levi, isn't that your secretary? I thought you came alone this time?"
"She seems to know the host. She's impressive - speaks the language too. You've got capable people working for you."
I vaguely heard Levi's friend's voice. Our conversation had just ended, so after a hug, I turned around.
Then I saw Levi walking toward me...
Elliot hadn't expected us to run into Levi here either. He'd witnessed the drama with Jessa before and knew a bit about my situation.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
I just hadn't expected to run into Levi in a foreign country. He'd said he was on a business trip, and no one knew his whereabouts, yet here I was meeting him.
"Levi, it really is her."
Levi's friend Magnus Callahan was there too. We'd met a few times - he was one of Levi's better friends, and they occasionally got together.
"Blair, what are you doing here? Don't tell me Levi forgot something again and made you travel all this way to bring it to him."
Magnus started teasing me right away.
"No."
"Levi, I never realized - your secretary cleans up really well, she's like a different person."
Magnus was impressed by my appearance. I'd indeed never attended such a high-end event so formally dressed before.
Levi looked me over but said nothing.
We'd purely run into each other by chance.
"Mr. Callahan is joking. I need to clarify something - I don't work at the Morgan Group anymore." I explained calmly.
Magnus glanced at Levi, then turned back. "Oh, you found a better position."
That phrase "found a better position" made my heart skip a beat. From the corner of my eye, I saw Levi's expression darken.
Elliot, beside me, quickly replayed our conversation in his mind. He'd figured out that I used to be Levi's secretary.
But based on Magnus's words, Elliot sensed that the other person had mistaken me for his secretary.
"Mr. Callahan might be mistak—"
"What a coincidence, running into you here."
I cut off Elliot's words. One second later, he might have revealed that I was the CEO of Heartstrings Jewelry.
"Yeah, I thought Levi brought you along."
Fortunately, Magnus didn't notice anything. Levi's eyes kept looking elsewhere - he didn't care about anything concerning me.
We exchanged a few polite words and then separated. I was too tired and was about to head back to the hotel. Elliot still had things to do, so we went our separate ways.
Just as I was opening my door, suddenly someone followed me in from behind.
I turned around in panic, and only when Levi's face gradually came into focus did I calm down a bit.
I didn't scream. I covered my chest, breathing heavily.
"Did I scare you?" Levi stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wardrobe nearby.
"I'm fine."
I had no time to think about why he'd come. I was still immersed in the fear from moments ago.
Levi pulled out a stack of money from his pocket and placed it on the round table nearby. "You'll need this."
When did he become so thoughtful? He'd had a dark expression when he saw me earlier, and now he was warmly bringing me money. How did he know I hadn't exchanged currency in advance?
"A haute couture dress - looks like he values you highly."
There was some mockery in Levi's words, and maybe a hint of... sourness?
That was probably my imagination. Why would he care about me?
"I don't know about these things. It's just what's needed for formal occasions."