Chapter 47: Sudden Changes in Rental
At my age?
My expression shifted slightly, then quickly returned to normal as a meaningful smile played at the corners of my mouth. "Lila, some advice from someone who's been there - you just graduated and don't understand how society works yet. I'm only three years older than you. You're twenty-four, I'm twenty-seven. Three years older and that makes me 'this age'? Most of the firm's employees will be around my age or even older. Are you going to look down on all of them too?"
In an instant, Lila was at a loss for words, too embarrassed to meet my eyes.
I picked up my phone and scanned the ordering code on the table, then asked, "What do you like to eat? This meal's on me - I'm a member here."
As it happened, Jasper loved the desserts at this shop, so I'd gotten a membership. When Tyler found out, he went all out and invested in the place.
In other words, I was sort of a shareholder.
At this, Lila's eyes widened, seemingly unsure what to say.
"How about Basque cheesecake? Do you like it?" I asked again.
Lila pressed her lips together and could only say awkwardly, "Whatever's fine."
"Okay, then I'll order you a matcha Basque and a milkshake."
Until the desserts arrived, Lila didn't say another word to me. I ate my dessert on my own, quietly observing her expression. I could tell she didn't look happy.
After just a few bites, she grabbed her bag. "I have something to do, I'm leaving. I'll pay the bill. Take your time."
I smiled. "No need to pay. My husband is a shareholder in this dessert shop. I'll mention it to the manager - you can come eat whenever you want, free of charge."
Clearly, I saw Lila's expression turn to surprise. She tried hard to act like she didn't care, but unfortunately her expression gave her away. She forced a smile, then quickly left the shop.
Through the glass window, I watched her retreating figure, my expression turning cold again.
Sure enough, life never goes smoothly all the time.
I had a feeling Lila was up to no good.
-
While eating my dessert, I sent Zachary a message letting him know I'd met with Lila.
Shortly after sending it, his call came through.
"How did it go?"
I smiled helplessly. "Probably just youthful arrogance. But having ambition is a good thing."
Zachary paused, seeming to understand. His tone was gentle. "Yeah, we were full of ambition when we first graduated too. But don't worry about any of that. Lila's just joining as a regular lawyer. She's a fresh graduate - we won't give her any management position."
"Her family's pretty well-off. She said her father's in business, something to do with interior design."
"I think so, but that's all irrelevant to our work. The higher-ups only care about ability, not that stuff."
Zachary's words put my mind at ease. "Even though I'm only three years older than Lila, after talking with her, I feel like I've gotten old."
At this, Zachary was curious. "What happened? What did she say?"
I didn't want to hold it against Lila or talk badly about her behind her back, so I said lightly, "Nothing much, just worried I couldn't balance work and family well."
"A young girl worrying about quite a lot. Don't listen to her. You'll meet all kinds of people at work."
"Of course."
"Are you free tomorrow? Want to have dinner together? I'm heading back in a few days."
"Yes, I'll pick the place."
"Hahaha, sounds good."
After hanging up, my mood improved considerably. Zachary always had this magic about him - every time I talked with him, I felt much more relaxed.
When I got home, as soon as I walked in, I heard Liliana's voice. "Isla, a classmate of mine is back in the country too. We're meeting for dinner tonight, so I won't be eating at home."
Isla laughed. "Okay, then I'll ask Tyler if he wants to take Jasper out to eat."
"Are you taking Sophia too?"
"Take her for what? She does nothing all day. I'd be embarrassed to bring her out."
Hearing this, my heart filled with bitterness and anger, like layers of dark clouds on an overcast day, so oppressive I could barely breathe.
So I walked straight into the living room. The two people chatting at the bar counter froze instantly, and the atmosphere became silent.
The corners of Liliana's mouth lifted slightly with a subtle smugness and mockery. "Sophia, you're back. Where did you go?"
My expression was calm. "Nowhere special."
"Did you go out with friends? Sophia, you don't have a job, so going out to have fun every day is good. Otherwise staying home all the time will drive you crazy."
I lifted my eyelids, my tone flat. "Then Liliana, you should find a job quickly too. Foreign degrees aren't necessarily recognized here, but it's fine - worst case you can just work at Tyler's company."
Instantly, Liliana's expression turned ugly, and she looked at me with vicious eyes.
"No need for you to worry, Sophia. But I really am going to work at Tyler's company. Gray talked to Tyler and they're arranging a cushy management position for me."
I shrugged. "Good for you."
With that, I went straight upstairs, not wanting to waste another word on these two.
-
After putting Jasper to sleep that night, I checked the time - it was already past ten, and Tyler still wasn't back. I figured he wasn't coming home tonight.
But that was fine. I could have some peace and quiet.
Originally Tyler and I had agreed to sleep in the same room while Isla and Gray were temporarily staying with us, but now I thought it was completely unnecessary.
So taking advantage of Tyler's absence tonight, I moved my bedding and everything back to my own room.
After getting settled, I went to the study to continue refining my plan for developing the branch office. Since I was going to focus on my career, I had to make something of it.
I absolutely would not become a laughingstock in other people's eyes.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye. Every few days I'd go check on the renovation progress, which was faster than I'd imagined. Chris said it was because the basic construction was already done - they just needed to implement my layout plan for the space.
I figured if progress continued like this, the opening would be much earlier than planned.
Thinking this way, my anticipation grew each day, though I also felt more nervous inside. After all, I hadn't worked since graduation, and everything ahead was unknown.
Just when I thought everything would continue smoothly, something unpredictable happened.
One afternoon, after dropping Jasper off at piano lessons, I'd just walked out of the tutoring center when I got a call from Chris with news that hit me like a bolt from the blue.
"Ms. Brown, we can't rent the space to you anymore."