Chapter 84 How Did You Come to My House?
Chapter 84 How Did You Come to My House?
Elsie was worried that Kenna would find out about her suspension, so after leaving the Wilson Group, she didn't go straight home. Instead, she found a café and sat there all afternoon.
The café where she had sat with Katya last time was located a thousand feet away from the Wilson Group.
It was a high-end café, naturally quite expensive.
To save money, Elsie only ordered one cup, but even that coffee cost several dozen dollars.
Fortunately, after she and Katya had reviewed the coffee last time, the café owner recognized her. He took out some freshly arrived coffee beans to share, asking Elsie to taste them and advise on how to bring out their aroma.
Elsie felt a bit embarrassed and honestly said the coffee was too expensive—she had just started working and couldn't afford such pricey coffee.
The owner was hospitable and said generously that many people drink coffee, but few truly understand it. This time the coffee was on him, and from now on, she'd get half price at the café.
He warmly introduced himself as Irvin Hays, the owner of the café.
Elsie introduced herself too and mentioned she worked at the Wilson Group.
Irvin praised her highly, saying only capable people work at the Wilson Group, and they exchanged contact information.
Elsie could clearly sense that Irvin had some interest in her, but he was very gentlemanly about it. So she didn't deliberately reject him, just kept an appropriate distance.
After chatting for a while, Irvin didn't linger. He told her to sit as long as she liked and instructed the server to bring her another coffee when she finished, plus a small dessert.
Elsie thanked him repeatedly, then took out her phone and messaged Katya:
[Katya, I did it! I got the chance to go to the Morgan Group!]
[Unbelievable! Mr. Wilson actually has a soft side. I'm going to tease him about this later!]
Katya replied super fast.
[What?]
Elsie didn't understand what she meant.
[Haha, you don't know? Mr. Wilson called Otto several times this morning, and he didn't pick up. I bet he was really anxious, worried the Diaz family would beat him to it. That's why he's letting you try with the Morgan family!]
Before Elsie could respond, another message from Katya came through, showing how happy she was.
[How should I put it—while I totally get his anxiety, seeing him frustrated is kind of satisfying, haha. After all, it's not often we get to see that.]
Elsie smiled. Katya said that, but the real reason she was happy was that there was now a way to solve this problem. So Elsie jokingly added a mischievous emoji and replied:
[Aren't you worried I'll show this chat to Mr. Wilson~]
[Betraying me! You meanie!]
[Just kidding, Katya. Thanks for helping me today. I'll treat you to coffee sometime.]
She sent over photos of the coffee and dessert with a happy emoji.
[It's a deal! Oh, let me send you the Morgan Group's address. And Rhett's phone number too!]
[Elsie, I hope you succeed and land this client. I'm asking on behalf of Mr. Wilson!]
[Okay!]
Katya didn't reply after that—probably got busy.
That made sense. She had so much to do every day. Taking time to reply was already quite rare.
Elsie checked the time. It was almost quitting time. Going to the Wilson Group now might be too late, so she decided to go tomorrow instead.
Before leaving, she left $30 on the table.
That was exactly the cost of the two coffees and the dessert.
She appreciated Irvin's kindness, but she couldn't accept his show of interest. She couldn't owe anyone. Elsie understood that basic social principle.
Although this month's salary hadn't been paid yet, and $300 was painful given her current situation, Elsie felt the pinch.
Still, avoiding a misunderstanding was worth it.
After leaving the café, Elsie took the bus home.
The bus stop was still some distance from her small house.
Walking along the road, Elsie thought about how to negotiate at the Wilson Group tomorrow and what to say when she met Rhett.
Although Rhett was the project manager, the final decision still rested with Otto. Otto had the final say.
But that didn't mean Rhett wasn't strategically important. The challenge was how to convince Rhett and indirectly influence his father.
Elsie was also puzzled about Rhett.
She couldn't figure out why Rhett showed her such goodwill. She certainly wouldn't take it for granted that just because she was pretty, all men should revolve around her.
Besides, she could sense that Rhett looked at her differently than Irvin had.
Irvin's gaze showed romantic interest, while Rhett's seemed more like respect and admiration.
Like... a student looking at a teacher, or a younger brother looking at an older sister.
This was strange, considering they had just met for the first time.
Lost in thought, Kenna called urgently: "Hello, Elsie, where are you? Are you almost home?"
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Elsie was worried, thinking the two kids might be sick.
Kenna sounded excited on the other end, and Elsie could hear her talking to someone. She said hurriedly:
"Nothing's wrong, nothing! We just have a visitor at home. Come back quickly!"
Then she hung up.
A visitor at home?
Who?
Since returning to Emerald City, no one else had visited this house.
Now that the Moore family had gone bankrupt, logically, even fewer people should be visiting.
Elsie quickened her pace home. Outside the yard, a Mercedes sports car was parked.
Pushing open the yard gate, she saw Jasper and Faye at the second-floor balcony window, smiling and waving at her.
Seeing that the two kids were fine, Elsie's anxiety eased halfway.
Jasper pointed downstairs, meaning there was a visitor below.
This was a family agreement. To protect Jasper and Faye, the family had agreed long ago that whenever visitors came, the two kids would stay in the second-floor bedroom, out of sight. Even if outsiders saw them, they'd say they were Kenna's children, not Elsie's.
Elsie nodded, made an OK gesture, and blew kisses to the two kids.
Then she pushed open the front door. The person in the living room really startled her.
Rhett.
How did he find this place?