Chapter 54
Brian's pupils contracted slightly, then he slowly let out a heavy breath.
He opened his mouth, staying silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "I understand. It won't happen again."
With Brian's assurance, I didn't say anything more.
Honestly, I wasn't really angry.
When I realized Brian had lied to me, all I felt was helplessness.
Today's meeting was important. I never expected Brian to pull something like this on such an occasion.
If I just saw him as my boss, there was no need to get angry.
The meeting was about to start.
Everyone gradually took their seats in the conference room.
I focused intently on recording the meeting content, not noticing the silent eye contact between Jason and Brian.
The afternoon meeting lasted three hours.
When I finally walked out of the conference room, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Meetings were truly exhausting.
Down in the underground parking garage, I got in the driver's seat, dutifully serving as Brian's driver.
The car slowly pulled out of the garage.
Brian sat in the back seat and suddenly spoke, "I'm sorry, Ms. Wilson. I didn't think I'd cause you so much trouble."
Through the rearview mirror, I met Brian's somewhat uneasy gaze, but looked away after just a glance.
"Mr. Ethan, you don't need to apologize. I'm your subordinate. Doing these things is my responsibility."
I thought what I said was perfectly reasonable, but Brian's expression grew increasingly grim.
I withdrew my thoughts and focused on driving, not intending to guess what Brian was thinking.
That wasn't part of my job.
Underground parking garage.
Jason had just gotten in his car, ready to leave, when his gaze fell on a few people standing nearby smoking.
Normally, he wouldn't pay attention to these people.
But they were talking about Sue.
"Ms. Wilson really has it. She's got Mr. Ethan completely smitten."
Jason released his hand from the ignition, narrowed his eyes, and observed these people discreetly.
His gaze swept over their ID badges.
DT Corp employees.
Jason's eyes darkened as he quietly listened.
"Right? You guys know what? Mr. Ethan had a huge fight with Mr. Terry Ethan in the office over Ms. Wilson, saying he wanted to marry her."
"Has Mr. Ethan lost his mind? Going against Mr. Terry Ethan for Ms. Wilson?"
"Why else do you think Mr. Terry Ethan suddenly arranged blind dates for Mr. Ethan? Isn't it to make Mr. Ethan settle down and give up on Ms. Wilson completely?"
Someone lit a cigarette.
Through the swirling smoke, someone spoke up first, "If you ask me, Ms. Wilson really knows what she's doing. Even a seasoned player in love like our Mr. Ethan is wrapped around her finger."
"Everyone knows Mr. Ethan changes female assistants like he changes clothes. How has Ms. Wilson managed to stay by Mr. Ethan's side for a whole year? It's pretty obvious how!"
A round of suggestive laughter immediately spread through the group.
Just as one of them was about to say something more, a car door suddenly swung open behind him, hitting him hard on the back of the head!
"Who's that! Can't you be more careful opening your door!"
The man clutched his head, turning around impatiently.
Jason's expression was dark as he stared coldly at the group, his thin lips spitting out a single word, "Scram."
The man who had been furious instantly lowered his head.
He didn't dare complain about Jason slamming the car door into his head. He apologized and scrambled away.
Jason leaned against the car door, growing more irritated the more he thought about what they'd said.
Brian and I had just returned to the office when Brian waved me off, "It's quitting time anyway. You can head home. I'll go report to Mr. Terry Ethan myself."
I had no reason to refuse getting out of work on time.
I immediately packed up my things and left the office.
I drove to the supermarket to buy groceries, then went home to cook.
After sharing a warm dinner with Jessica, she went to her bedroom to paint while I took the trash downstairs.
Just as I'd thrown away the trash and turned around, I got quite a shock.
Jason was leaning against the wall, head down, silently smoking.
I had no idea how long he'd been standing there. Cigarette butts were scattered all over the ground at his feet.
Jason still held a cigarette between his fingers, the smoke making it hard to see his expression.
Five years ago, Kean didn't smoke.
He used to say he needed to take care of his health so he could look after me for a lifetime.
But now Jason was chain-smoking.
I stood at a distance, hesitation churning in my heart.
Should I do something about this?
Standing there like that, he was really conspicuous.
I couldn't help feeling relieved.
It was already late, and there weren't many people outside.
Otherwise, if neighbors saw Jason like this, who knows what rumors might spread.
After thinking for a moment, I finally bit my lip and stepped forward.
"Smoking is bad for your health," I said softly.
Jason paused, lowering the cigarette from his lips.
He looked up, staring straight into my eyes, "You're worried about me."
It was a statement, not a question.
I avoided his gaze, trying to sound calm, "I'm just thinking about my neighbors. You smoking here is making everyone breathe secondhand smoke."
"It's late now. There aren't that many people outside." Jason casually stubbed out his cigarette and approached me with long strides.
His voice was hoarse, with an indescribable sense of dejection that was strangely compelling, "The whole time I've been here, you're the only person I've seen."
My whole body tensed, my heartbeat unconsciously quickening.
I didn't understand why he'd suddenly appeared in front of me like this.
"That's not the point."
Before I could say more, Jason suddenly pulled me into his embrace.
His arms wrapped tightly around me.
Jason's familiar scent mixed with tobacco surrounded me, and in my ear was the fierce beating of his heart beneath his solid chest.
"Sue, you were just worried about me. You have feelings for me." Jason's certain voice traveled through his chest, reaching straight to my heart.
I pressed my lips together. Worried?
Maybe a little, but what I cared about more was that Jessica needed a father.
My relationship with Jason had reached its end five years ago.
And I didn't plan to continue it.
"I just thought you smoking here looked bad."
I reached up to push Jason away, trying to step out of his embrace.
But Jason only held me tighter.
Helpless, I could only let him hold me like this for now.
The night wind was cool, making Jason's embrace feel even warmer.
I sighed inwardly.
Fine, let him hold me for a bit.
It wasn't the first time he'd held me like this anyway.
Time passed minute by minute. Just as I felt my body growing stiff, Jason suddenly whispered in my ear, "Sue, don't leave me. Don't say yes to anyone else."
I froze, looking up at him in confusion.
Jason looked down at me, "Did Brian confess to you?"
I looked at him in surprise.
Not many people knew about this. How had the news reached Jason's ears?
Was this why he was acting so strange, smoking downstairs at my place?
Meeting Jason's intense gaze, I still nodded, admitting frankly, "Yes, that did happen."