"In a few days, I will be going abroad with Lance for about a week. I've already asked Mr. Grant to look after the lab and the research institute, but I'll need your help to keep an eye on both places."
"Miss, please go ahead with your plans. I will take good care of everything here."
Brent lowered his head slightly as he promised, hiding the gleam in his eyes.
Deanna didn't notice anything unusual about him.
A few minutes later, Shannon and Nightingale returned.
Deanna looked at them and asked, "How did the inspection go?"
"Miss, there were no anomalies," Nightingale replied respectfully.
Shannon also shook her head at Deanna, "We didn't find any issues."
Hearing this, Deanna breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good to hear. Thank you for your hard work. Please sit down and rest for a while."
She then turned to Brent and praised, "Brent, you truly make me feel at ease. With you here, I can go abroad without any worries."
Brent responded humbly, "Miss, you flatter me."
After talking for a while longer, Deanna left the research institute with Shannon and Nightingale.
Over the next two days, Deanna stayed at home to spend time with her grandmother and two children while also checking on Julia's condition.
Julia had been experiencing the challenges of motherhood. Since her last bout of morning sickness, her pregnancy symptoms had been severe, and she couldn't stand even the slightest smell of cooking oil. As a result, she hadn't had a proper meal in days.
Seeing her friend frowning over a bowl of porridge in the dining room, Deanna felt worried.
"After I leave tomorrow, why don't you come to my house? We have a chef who can cook whatever you want, and since you don't want your parents to know about your pregnancy, my grandmother can look after you a bit. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone in your apartment."
"No, thanks. Your grandmother doesn't know about my pregnancy either. If I go to your place, I'll have to explain everything to her and make her worry too," Julia refused without hesitation.
Resting her chin on her hand, Julia looked at Deanna and said, "Maybe I'll make up my mind while you're abroad."
Seeing Julia's determination, Deanna didn't push further and simply reminded her, "Just take good care of yourself while I'm gone."
"I know, I know. It's just pregnancy. You're starting to sound like my mom-so naggy," Julia said with a wrinkled nose.
Deanna was both amused and exasperated. "Who's naggy?!"
"Uh, I meant I'm naggy," Julia quickly corrected herself.
After some more laughter and chatter, Deanna left.
The next morning, the two children clung to their parents, knowing they were going abroad.
"Daddy and Mommy, come back soon. My brother and I will miss you," they said.
"Daddy, take good care of Mommy and don't let anyone bully her," Gregory advised Lance seriously.
Lance smiled at his son's mature demeanor and nodded. "I know. You take care of Great-Grandma and your sister while I'm gone. You're the man of the house now."
"I will take good care of them," Gregory replied responsibly with his chest puffed out.
Listening to their conversation, Deanna felt both proud and warm inside. After some final reminders to the children, she waved them off to kindergarten.
With the children gone, Lance and Deanna headed to the airport.
After a long day and night of flying, they finally arrived at Espuenia's capital airport the next afternoon.
"Mr. Mercer, the people arranged to pick us up are already here. We can head straight out," Xavier reported respectfully as soon as they disembarked.
Lance nodded and led Deanna out quickly.
Despite their haste, many people noticed them, showing expressions of admiration. Some women were particularly bold and open, giving Lance heated looks.
One particularly striking foreign woman approached Lance with a business card in hand, flipping her hair seductively. "Sir, how about making a new friend?" she said with a flirtatious wink.
Deanna's face darkened instantly. "Sorry, my fiance doesn't need any new friends. You can keep your card," she snapped before dragging Lance away in a huff.
Seeing Deanna's jealousy, Lance couldn't help but smile as he followed her out of the airport.
Noticing Lance's mischievous smile outside the airport only made Deanna more annoyed. "What's so funny? Are you happy about flirting around?" she fumed before getting into the car.
Realizing he had upset her, Lance felt a pang of regret and got into the car as well. "Are you mad?"
"Why would I be mad? Mr. Nelson, let's drive," Deanna retorted with a glare.