Chapter 39 Listen to the Wife's Arrangements
Frederick hung up and saw Xandra looking at him. He reassured her, "Don't worry. Grandpa's old friend has a great relationship with him. The kids will be fine staying there for a few days."
Xandra wasn't really worried about safety—it was just that the three children had never been away from her since birth, so she felt a bit unsettled.
Philip chimed in from the side, "He's making room for you two lovebirds to have some alone time."
His tone was loaded with meaning, and Xandra immediately caught on, her cheeks flushing pink.
Frederick shot him a look that clearly said "knock it off."
"Let's eat."
Philip raised an eyebrow and gestured for Xandra to take a seat.
Though only three people sat at the table, it was laden with over a dozen dishes—barbecue ribs, cheesy scalloped potatoes, Caesar salad, grilled corn, steak, garlic butter shrimp, and several plates of elegant desserts.
"Ray, make sure Xandra eats plenty. Don't hold back." Philip played the gracious host.
Frederick glanced at him and put on the appropriate assistant attitude. "Thank you for your generous hospitality, Mr. Russell."
"No problem. Just keep working hard for me."
Frederick stayed silent.
The three began eating.
Seeing how politely the couple ate, Philip decided to boss Frederick around some more. "Oh, there's a car show this afternoon. Bugatti released a limited edition supercar—only ten made worldwide. Ray, go order one for me."
Was he seriously treating him like a real assistant?
Frederick's movements paused slightly as he looked up at Philip.
Philip flashed him a wicked grin—he was technically his subordinate now, so he wouldn't dare refuse, right?
Childish.
That was the only word that popped into Frederick's mind.
Seeing Xandra look over, he was afraid of blowing their cover and could only respond, "Yes."
Xandra's long lashes fluttered as she asked quietly, "Could I maybe catch a ride with you?"
"You want to see the car show?" Frederick asked.
Xandra made a vague sound of agreement. She didn't actually want to see the car show—she wanted to pick out a car for her flash-marriage husband. But her money was limited, and since he was used to driving his CEO's luxury cars, she wasn't sure if he'd look down on whatever ordinary car she could afford.
"Ray, since you and Xandra are married, have you bought her a car?" Philip asked.
"No."
Frederick did want to buy one, but given his current identity as a broke assistant, having already given his flash-marriage wife a fifty-thousand-dollar bride price, buying a car would break character.
"Pick one out at the car show—consider it my wedding gift to you both." Philip made the generous offer.
Xandra's eyes widened. The CEO wanted to give them a car? That was incredibly generous!
Frederick raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Russell."
For once, this childish guy had done something useful.
Xandra kept saying they couldn't use company resources for personal matters, and he'd been wanting to get a car that looked cheaper on the outside anyway, so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
"Mr. Russell, isn't a wedding gift like that too expensive?" Xandra felt a bit embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it." Philip waved his hand dismissively and winked at Frederick. "Ray is my right-hand man. He handles so much for me—I'm definitely getting the better deal."
Frederick said nothing, continuing to watch his performance.
Xandra felt grateful—her flash-marriage husband must be really talented for the CEO to be so generous.
After lunch, Philip had Frederick take Xandra to the car show.
Once they left the executive office, Xandra mused, "Mr. Russell is really good at winning people over."
Frederick glanced at her. "Is that so? Sounds like your favorability rating for him keeps going up?"
There was a hint of jealousy in his tone.
Xandra's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Not at all! It's my favorability rating for you that's skyrocketing!"
Frederick hadn't expected her to say that. "Why?"
"Think about it—Mr. Russell is trying so hard to keep you around because he's afraid you'll leave. That means you're really skilled at what you do!"
Frederick fell silent. Well said.
"So your favorability rating for me is going up?"
Frederick's gaze was as deep and dark as an ancient well, the kind you could easily fall into if you weren't careful.
Xandra's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, not daring to meet his eyes.
"By the way, that executive office should belong to Frederick Russell, the head of the Russell Group, right? How come Philip was working there?"
She quickly changed the subject.
Frederick's eyes flashed, and he smoothly lied, "The big boss is overseas. Philip is handling company affairs while he's gone."
Xandra believed him completely.
They drove to the car show at the Seaside City International Trade Tower. The first floor was brilliantly lit with crowds milling about.
In the exhibition area, cars gleamed under spotlights with their metallic finish, flanked by models in sequined gowns. The combination of luxury cars and beautiful women was definitely eye-catching.
Xandra felt a bit overwhelmed by the display, then suddenly thought of something. "Ray, I don't think Mr. Russell mentioned what price range he had in mind!"
Frederick said casually, "Pick whichever one you like, don't worry about the price. Mr. Russell has money, and I'm his right-hand man. He can't give us something too cheap—it would make him look bad."
Xandra thought about it. "He deliberately didn't mention a price range because he's testing you, to see if you're greedy."
Frederick stayed quiet—Philip probably just expected him to use his own judgment.
"So what price range do you think we should look at?" Frederick asked.
"Would something in the two hundred thousand range work?" Xandra suggested tentatively.
Frederick fell silent. Him, the head of the Russell Group, driving a two-hundred-thousand-dollar car?
"You saw what Mr. Russell drives—cars worth millions. I'm his assistant. Don't you think having me drive a two-hundred-thousand-dollar compact would be kind of embarrassing for him?"
Xandra blurted out, "How about this—I'll chip in another two hundred thousand. We can get something in the four to five hundred thousand range. That won't look cheap."
Frederick hadn't expected her to offer that.
"You'd contribute two hundred thousand?"
"Yeah, you gave me a fifty-thousand-dollar bride price, so I should contribute a dowry too. I just won two hundred thousand in prize money—I'll use it to buy you a car."
Frederick wasn't short on money, and he'd received plenty of expensive gifts over the years. But having his flash-marriage wife willing to use her prize money to buy him a car sent an inexplicable flutter through his chest.
Xandra before him had delicate features, smooth skin, and eyes that sparkled like stars—she really was an endearing little woman.
Frederick's lips curved upward unconsciously, though his words were still sharp. "Already thinking of splurging your prize money? Aren't you being a bit of a spendthrift?"
Xandra bit her lower lip lightly. "Don't we still have Mr. Russell's wedding gift as backup? Plus I'll be starting work at Russell Jewelry soon. Their custom design services cater to high-end clients—if I land just one deal, there's a generous commission. I'll work hard on my designs and definitely earn more money!"
She had it all figured out.
Frederick's lips quirked slightly. "Alright, I'll follow my wife's lead."