Chapter 41 Embrace
Aria happened to be hungry too, so she put away her phone and headed downstairs via the staff elevator.
There were a few young employees chatting in the elevator. When they saw her enter, they immediately fell silent.
It would have been fine if they just stopped talking, but they kept exchanging glances with each other, which looked really weird.
Standing in the elevator, Aria also felt somewhat awkward.
She pressed the floor button and deliberately moved further back, trying to minimize her presence, staring at the floor numbers.
The elevator stopped on the tenth floor, and two more people got in.
Neither of them noticed her and came in laughing and chatting.
"I heard Director Smith worked overtime until midnight again yesterday," one of them said.
"Tell me about it. She and Mr. Grant stayed late together. This morning I saw her coming out of his office with red eyes."
"I heard Director Smith signed a major contract for Mr. Grant while he was away. Good thing Director Smith was there to help."
"If you ask me, Mr. Grant should just hurry up and get divorced and be with Director Smith. They're such a perfect match!"
"Exactly! It's just that some people shamelessly cling to their position and won't let go..."
The elevator reached the seventh floor, where the cafeteria was. Everyone got out together, and wouldn't you know it, they turned around and saw Aria standing in the corner.
Instantly, the awkwardness was simply beyond words.
"Mrs. Grant..."
Aria glanced at them without saying anything and walked straight out of the elevator.
She walked quickly, the hem of her trench coat fluttering behind her.
There weren't many people in the cafeteria. Aria grabbed a tray and randomly picked some food from the buffet area. Just as she sat down, she heard someone whispering behind her.
"...I really don't know what she's thinking, still not getting divorced even in this situation."
"It's about the money, obviously. The Grant family has such a huge fortune—imagine how much she could get in a divorce?"
"True, I wouldn't divorce either if I were her."
Aria's fingers turned white as she gripped her fork.
The sweet and sour chicken was crispy and sweet, exactly the flavor she used to love, but after hearing those words, the chicken had no taste at all as she chewed.
She lowered her head and ate her meal bite by bite, ignoring the gossip.
Halfway through her meal, someone suddenly sat down across from her.
Aria instinctively looked up and saw Arthur sitting down with his own tray.
He must have just come from a meeting room—his shirt sleeves were rolled up, his tie loosened, looking quite casual.
"My assistant said you came by. Looking for me about something?" he asked.
"Looking for you to settle the final payment." Aria put down her fork. "I sent you all the photos from the site. If there are no issues, please transfer the payment as soon as possible."
This business-like tone inexplicably irritated Arthur.
He deliberately avoided the topic and pointed at her tray. "That's all you're eating?"
"Not hungry."
"I remember you used to love the sweet and sour chicken didn't you?" Arthur frowned. "Did the chef not make it well?"
Aria forced a smile. "I used to like it. Don't feel like it now."
Arthur frowned.
He glanced around, and those employees who had been sneaking peeks quickly lowered their heads.
"What do you want to eat? I'll have someone buy it for you. It's too noisy here—come upstairs with me," he said.
"No need, I'll leave after I finish eating." Aria picked up her chopsticks again. "Just settle the payment."
"Do you have to talk to me like this?" Arthur's face was practically screaming annoyance.
Aria really couldn't understand where his temper was coming from.
"Then what? How does Mr. Grant want me to talk?"
Arthur felt even more uncomfortable. He leaned back and scanned the surroundings, noticing quite a few employees looking their way.
Arthur's voice suddenly rose, "Sophie and I are getting married soon."
"Six months at most. I want to make it grand, to make up for the three years she's waited for me."
"Oh." Aria's expression was indifferent. "Congratulations."
"Haven't decided on the venue yet." Arthur stared at her face. "I saw your flower exhibition was pretty good. I want you to do this job. Budget is 500,000. What do you think?"
"Mr. Grant has the wrong person." Aria put down her fork. "My studio only does floral and landscape design. We don't do wedding planning."
"Then make an exception." Arthur spread his hands, acting very generous. "Name your price."
Aria smiled, a faint smile. "I don't need your money. Mr. Grant should find a professional, so I don't mess something up and end up letting Miss Smith down."
Seeing her face full of impatience, practically rolling her eyes, Arthur actually laughed.
"Really? Afraid of messing up? I thought Ms. Hall was jealous. After all, our wedding back then was pretty shabby—just vows at a church and that was it. Didn't cost much at all."
Aria stood up directly. "Mr. Grant has quite the imagination. You take your time eating. I'll wait for you in the meeting room."
"Instead of showing off about some sky-high wedding planning budget, Mr. Grant should hurry up and settle my final payment, so I don't start thinking Mr. Grant can't afford it and wants to back out."
She left in a hurry and didn't watch her step.
The cleaning staff had just mopped the floor, and there were still water stains on the tiles. Her shoe slipped, and she fell sideways with a cry, about to hit the ground.
Arthur's breath caught in his throat. He practically jumped up, grabbed her arm with one hand, and wrapped his other arm around her waist.
He moved too fast, too urgently, and knocked over a nearby chair with a loud crash.
Instantly, the entire cafeteria went quiet, everyone looking their way.
Both of them were in awkward positions, but at least Aria was caught firmly in his arms before hitting the ground.
His arms were locked around her so tightly it felt like he might break her waist.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" His voice was tense.
"No." Aria struggled a bit. "But you're hurting me. Let go first."
Only then did Arthur release his grip, but he still held her arm: "Walk slowly, the floor is slippery."
Aria shook off his hand and steadied herself.
The tray had fallen to the ground, food spilled everywhere.
"Thank you," she said stiffly. "I'll head upstairs now. Won't disturb Mr. Grant's meal."
This time she walked very carefully—after all, she couldn't be sure the baby in her belly could handle a fall like that.
Arthur stood there, watching her retreating figure.
His fingers curled at his side, still carrying the scent of her perfume. He slowly raised his hand and sniffed it.
Pain suddenly shot through his waist, making him hiss.
He must have hit something hard when he caught Aria. The pain was spreading down his lower body.
"Mr. Grant, are you okay?" someone asked with concern.
His face darkened as he watched Aria's retreating figure.
Seriously, she didn't even look back. Didn't she care about him at all?!