Chapter 53
After leaving the Brown Group's factory, Aaron handed me the contract: "Ms. Wilson, Mr. Johnson specifically instructed that everyone from our company will fully cooperate with you. I was wondering when you might have time to hold a meeting with everyone, get to know each other, and familiarize yourself with the company's business scope?"
I smiled and nodded at him: "Let's do it in the next few days. The end of the month is coming up, and there's a shareholders' meeting. Just send me the scheduled time. Actually, for operations, just keep doing things as usual. I'm really busy lately."
Aaron personally opened the car door for me and saw me into the car: "Alright, I'll send you a message when it's arranged."
I stepped on the gas, and the car quickly drove off. Through the rearview mirror, the somewhat aged-looking factory building grew more and more distant. Of course, I couldn't see Charles in the second-floor office, his eyes darkening as he watched me leave.
When I got back to the Lopez Manor, Oscar surprisingly still wasn't home. I took out my phone and sent him a caring message: [You're not off work yet?]
I set my phone aside, took out the contract, and looked through it for a bit. When I checked my phone again, it still just showed the message I'd sent earlier—he hadn't replied.
[Are you that busy? Have you eaten?] I sent another one.
Still no reply.
He must be busy running around with the western Emerald City project these days. I didn't see him when he left this morning, and now it was so late, and he still wasn't back.
"Emily, you're back?" Robert knocked on the door from outside.
I opened the door and walked out: "Mr. Robert Lopez, Oscar isn't back yet?"
Robert smiled: "He said he has a dinner gathering today, might be back very late. Come down and eat something."
I hummed in acknowledgement: "Have you eaten?"
Robert looked at me with a gentle smile: "Not yet. I just wasn't hungry at dinnertime. We can eat together."
Sitting at the dining table, Robert chatted casually with me: "Oscar told me you've been really busy lately too. No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat on time."
"Yes, thank you." I smiled at him. Regardless of whatever misunderstanding existed between him and Oscar, I still had the respect for him that I should have.
Robert served me a piece of steak: "You're too thin, eat more meat. Young people these days are always talking about losing weight, but you can't do that."
After a pause, he spoke again in a slower tone: "Actually, I'm very pleased that Oscar found a girlfriend like you—beautiful and capable. It's just that you two are both so busy now. Here's what I'm thinking: Oscar said you've been dating for two years already. If your relationship is stable, it would be more appropriate to get married first. What do you think?"
Why was he suddenly bringing up marriage with me?
Actually, it wasn't that sudden—he'd mentioned it before, more than once.
I smiled awkwardly: "Mr. Lopez, marriage... isn't that a bit hasty?"
Robert wasn't in a hurry. He thoughtfully served me a bowl of sweet soup: "When people settle down, they become more responsible. Oscar said you're the only one in your family, with no elders to look after you. I just think that once you're married, at least the Lopez family can look after you. Besides, marriage is something a man should be pursuing anyway. Emily, from the first time I met you, I felt we really clicked. There's this inexplicable sense of familiarity—you're destined to be our family's daughter-in-law."
I bit into a chicken wing, not knowing whether to swallow it or spit it out. If I told him now that Oscar and I were fake, it would mess up all of Oscar's plans. But Robert seemed about to force me to make a decision right now, and Oscar wasn't even here.
I could only smile awkwardly again: "About this matter, maybe I should discuss it with Oscar ourselves. At least we should wait until we're done with this busy period."
Robert didn't quite understand my reason for refusing: "There's always work to be done. You and Oscar can just take some time and get married. Or do you have other concerns? After you two get married, the villa next door will be your wedding home. I won't live with you, and William's family doesn't come over often. If it's because of Gregory's initial rudeness... you must understand him. He had too much to drink that day, and your silhouette looked too much like Emma's."
Was he insisting I give him an answer right now?
I could only decline tactfully: "Mr. Lopez, marriage is a big deal. Even though I'm alone, I still need to think carefully. I promise you, when Oscar comes back, we'll discuss it properly. Don't worry about it."
Robert brightened up and served me a portion of sea fish: "Alright, as long as you keep it in mind. You discuss it with Oscar. I've been waiting for so many years—our family can finally have something to celebrate. I'll be honest with you, Emily, it's not that I'm anxious, it's that I really can't wait any longer."
"What do you mean?" I asked casually. It was just getting married—Robert waiting a few more years shouldn't be a problem, right?
Robert's expression carried an indescribable desolation: "I've never told you this, but three years ago, I was diagnosed with a very serious illness. At that time, my only regret was Gregory—I hadn't seen him get married with my own eyes. The doctor told me that even if I had surgery, if everything went smoothly, I could only extend my life by about five years at most. My surgery was very successful, but I still haven't seen Gregory get married. Now there's Oscar too. He's my son, and I feel even more guilty toward him. If I can't see him get married, I won't rest in peace even when I die. That's why when I first met you, I decided to give you the family heirloom bracelet."
Ever since accepting that bracelet, I'd kept it in the jewelry box in my closet, never thinking of wearing it. I always felt it didn't belong to me.
"Mr. Lopez..." I didn't know how to comfort him, and I couldn't really empathize with his current feelings.
"I understand what you're thinking, but the marriage matter really does need to be discussed between Oscar and me. Since you said the surgery was very successful, that means things will get better. You're still very young, don't worry."
Seeing he couldn't persuade me, Robert could only sigh and wave his hand: "Alright then. I've said what I needed to say. You two can decide what to do. Young people these days all have strong opinions. You're both good kids. I hope I can see you get married and have children."
Apart from the marriage topic, I had a fairly pleasant dinner. My phone seemed to buzz once, but because I was talking with Robert, I didn't notice.
When I finished eating and opened my phone, I saw a voice message from Oscar, his voice muffled and urgent:
"I've been set up. I sent you the address. Come quickly."
His breathing was so heavy it almost pierced through the phone, his voice hoarse and low—something was clearly very wrong.
Without any hesitation, I grabbed my bag, took the keys without another word, and headed out.