Chapter 58 Battle of Subtleties
Elliot, who was standing near the couch, immediately interjected, "Mom, if there's something that needs discussing, I don't think Audrey needs to be involved. She has other, more important work."
However, Rebecca just waved her hand, dismissing her son's protest. "Oh, it's fine. It's not confidential. Besides, I'm sure Audrey can offer her professional opinion on this."
Catherine, who had been observing the whole time, finally spoke up. "But, Aunt... this is a matter of very large-scale business."
Audrey had initially wanted to suggest Stu to help Rebecca. However, the man seemed to have left the room while she was busy looking for her scarf.
What bothered her the most was the way Catherine said the sentence and looked at her with a slightly dismissive gaze, which made Audrey even more determined to assert herself.
"Well, of course, you always handle big business, Miss Catherine. The Fairmont family are certainly capable businesspeople," Audrey said with a kind, genuinely warm smile. "If I can help you, then I'm lucky again, especially after I was also fortunate enough to assist Mr. Harrington during negotiations with important clients, the board of directors, and the mega-projects MGC has handled over the last two years. But, well... perhaps my experience is meaningless compared to yours, Miss."
Although Audrey sounded self-deprecating, Catherine was quite sure that Elliot's secretary was doing the exact opposite.
In fact, Rebecca seemed enthusiastic hearing it. "Ah, yes, that's right!" The woman smiled even wider. "I often saw how Audrey works with Elliot when I visited the house a few times."
The young miss from Farimont could only force a fake smile, even though both her hands were clenched behind her back. "Of course, Auntie, anything you say must be good." She turned to Audrey. "It seems it will be pleasant discussing with you and Elliot."
Unfortunately, Elliot did not share Catherine's interest. The man was busy glaring resentfully at his mother, who was smiling triumphantly.
Audrey glanced at Elliot, seeking a sign of whether she was permitted to stay or not. However, the man only looked at her with an inscrutable gaze before finally letting out a long sigh.
"Fine," Elliot finally said. "But make sure this doesn't take long."
Rebecca smiled with satisfaction, then sat on the couch nearby. She glanced at Catherine, gesturing for the woman to sit beside her. Then she turned to Audrey. "You too."
Surprised, Audrey immediately shook her head politely. "No, no, Ma'am. I'm already used to standing—"
"Used to standing?" The middle-aged woman looked surprised, then turned to her son with a protesting look. "Elliot! How can you make a woman stand all day?"
Elliot sighed softly, rubbing his temple with a motion that showed a hint of frustration. "Mom, I often stand too—"
"I don't care about you!" Rebecca interrupted, increasingly annoyed by Elliot's slightly indifferent attitude. "Audrey is a woman too, not just your employee!"
While Elliot could only restrain himself with a long sigh, Audrey tried to ease the tension. "Ma'am, I truly don't mind. Besides, this will only be for a moment."
"No buts!" Rebecca patted the empty space beside her. "Sit here. Consider it an order."
Audrey looked at Elliot hesitantly, but the man just shrugged and signaled with his eyes for Audrey to follow Rebecca's request.
Reluctantly, Audrey finally stepped slowly and sat on the edge of the couch, trying to keep a distance from Catherine, who was now looking at her with a meaningful faint smile.
"Now, that's better, isn't it?" Rebecca smiled contentedly, then returned to an annoyed expression toward her son. "Don't treat your secretary like that!"
"Yes," Elliot replied, not wanting to prolong the issue, while observing the scene in front of him with a flat, hard-to-read expression.
Seeing the two women he cared about sitting side-by-side brought a strange yet pleasant feeling within him. Unconsciously, his lips curved into a very faint, almost invisible smile.
"Elliot!"
Rebecca's rather loud voice startled him. With full expertise, the man immediately controlled himself. His mother was looking at him with astonishment, while Audrey seemed to be warning him with her eyes to mind his behavior.
Elliot cleared his throat briefly. "So, what exactly do you want to discuss, Mother?" he asked in a flat tone, putting his hands in his pants pockets.
The person asked immediately smiled, her eyes slightly sparkling. "Earlier, I was discussing with Catherine, and she told me about her new beauty business."
Rebecca suddenly turned toward Audrey. "Audrey, MGC has plans to venture into that area, right?"
Being asked suddenly surprised Elliot's secretary slightly. She glanced briefly at Elliot, who was looking at her in a way that made her feel more pressured. "Ah, yes. As far as I recall, MGC is still in the R&D phase."
"Well!" Rebecca smiled widely, then turned back to Elliot. "Why don't we just invest in Catherine's business?"