Carissa shook her head, then nodded, leaving Brett puzzled. "Can't you confide in me about anything?" he asked.After crying for a while, Carissa eventually composed herself, wiping away her tears and clearing her nose."Since that incident, my colleagues at work have been making things difficult for me. They talk behind my back and spread rumors about me!" she complained bitterly. Having always been a confident advocate for others since her youth, Carissa now found herself the subject of gossip and schemes. It was no wonder she felt so distressed and on the brink of breaking down.Brett empathized with his niece and handed her some tissues to dry her tears. "Would you like me to step in and set them straight?" he offered.Carissa immediately shook her head. "No, it's not necessary. They're just talking. Uncle, you are so capable; there's no need to get involved. Besides, if you were to confront them and they ended up resigning, wouldn't it be a significant loss for the company?"
Upon noticing the shift in Xavier's demeanor, Alexia let out a sigh of relief and moved closer to him, wrapping her arm around his waist and leaning on him tenderly like a cat. "Xavier, why is she here? I'm so scared," she whispered. Alexia's vulnerable appearance immediately triggered Xavier's protective instincts. "Don't worry, I'm here for you. She's just a woman, she can't harm us." he embraced her. Witnessing this display, Carissa stifled an eye roll, baffled by Kathy's apparent lack of discernment. She found herself in a complex emotional state."Mr. Harvard, although we are yet to be acquainted, that will change soon. I have made a reservation for three at Downtown Bistro. How about we have a conversation over dinner?"At the mention of Downtown Bistro, Alexia's heart skipped a beat.Xavier scrutinized Carissa intently for a moment before smirking. "Miss Carissa, what could be the topic of our discussion? Our companies are not engaged in any business together, rather we h
Xavier sliced a portion of grilled salmon and savored it slowly while observing Carissa's reaction. "Miss Carissa, you mentioned earlier that you invited me to dinner to acquaint myself with this promising young talent. However, your demeanor seemed to freeze as soon as I uttered some words. Is there something amiss?"Carissa discerned the sarcasm in Xavier's grin. Despite his company teetering on the edge of collapse, Xavier was intent on showcasing himself.Briefly, Carissa contemplated leaving by grabbing her bag. Dining with Xavier seemed to compromise her principles! Nevertheless, recalling Kathy's previous admiration for Xavier, she contained her vexation and took a deep breath. Calmly, she gazed at Xavier and smirked. "Could you elaborate on that?"Shrugging nonchalantly and arching his eyebrows, Xavier believed he was maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor. "There's no particular reason. After all, Kathy was once my colleague. Though she may have wronged me, I cannot reciprocat
Upon seeing Dominic's bright smile, Kathy suddenly felt uneasy, unable to bring the spoon to her mouth. "Did you tamper with this food to harm me and then go see Carissa?" she questioned hesitantly.Dominic's cheerful expression faded at the mention of Carissa, casting a heavy silence in the room once more. Kathy's appetite waned as she observed Dominic's reaction.Staring at Kathy intently for a moment, Dominic sighed deeply. "I have no romantic feelings for Carissa. Please don't mention her again, ever. I don't want her to come between us," Dominic uttered bitterly, clenching his jaw.Feeling a pang of sadness, Kathy thought for a short while before nodding in understanding. In the end, she found herself unable to finish the meal, tension lingering in the air between them."It's important to take care of yourself these days. If you're not comfortable staying in the ward, you can go home. I'll drive you there and back every day." Dominic broke the silence with a reassuring tone."I
"Xavier's behavior is so audacious! Asking a woman for money! Sometimes I just feel like... Ugh! But if I back out now, wouldn't I be giving up everything I've invested so far?" Alexia pondered for a moment, displaying visible disgust. "Fine, I'll transfer it to you immediately. Xavier, once I send this thousand, I'll be completely broke," Alexia's voice carried a tone of resentment, leaving Xavier feeling uneasy. Did she spend less when she was with him before? Now, a thousand talents felt like a huge demand. If it weren't for her fake merchandise, he wouldn't have stooped to the level of seeking collaboration with Carissa. Asking for a thousand talents was already a favor to her. After ending the call, Xavier's phone beeped with a notification of the transfer.Upon returning to the coffee shop, Xavier felt more at ease as he held the menu in his hands. "Sir, may I take your order?" The server greeted him with a cheerful smile. Xavier placed the menu down and replied, "Could you gi
Bringing up Carissa once again, Kathy ruefully smacked her forehead, realizing she had promised Dominic not to mention her. Witnessing Kathy's reaction, Dominic sighed, setting aside his work, rubbing his weary eyes, and slowly making his way over to her."In my view, your well-being is of utmost importance."Upon hearing Dominic's enigmatic statement, Kathy's heart quivered. She acknowledged that she had lingered in her comfort zone for too long and had possibly lost touch with reality."Please, Dominic, you don't need to pick me up from work anymore."At Kathy's words, Dominic's left eyebrow twitched slightly, but he composed himself and smiled calmly. "Although the office isn't far, there is still some distance to cover. If I don't pick you up, would you prefer taking the bus to work?"Kathy appeared to anticipate his response, so she brought up the excuse she had meticulously devised a few days earlier."Dominic, we're not a couple. Don't you think our behavior is overly…you know
Dominic's demeanor was a unique blend of playfulness and sincerity, not veering toward either indifference or bitterness. Yet, to Kathy, it felt as though her emotions were on unsteady ground."How could I possibly claim to educate you on business matters? I merely offered a few modest suggestions, hoping you might find them beneficial," Kathy composed herself, managing a hollow smile that mirrored Dominic's inquisitive gaze."I am well-acquainted with the dynamics of those two companies; I've been monitoring them closely. I was simply taken aback by your proposal for collaboration at this particular juncture.""At this juncture?" Kathy found herself puzzled by Dominic's statement. The essence of successful business dealings lies in timing, circumstances, and partnerships. With the timing now opportune, would her previous interactions with these companies be misconstrued as having hidden agendas?Dominic's words seemed to insinuate that Kathy harbored ulterior motives."Sir, I'm not q
"So it seems it's Miss Alexia."Carissa was briefly stunned, but then let out a light chuckle and remarked. "What do you mean? You're the Miss, your entire family are Misses!" Alexia seethed with anger.What had this woman just said? Was it about the previous agreement? Could it be that Xavier was involved with someone else once more?As she gazed at the man peacefully sleeping beside her, Alexia felt a surge of anger and even considered tossing her phone on the floor."Miss Alexia, please mind your language," Carissa interjected.Upon hearing Alexia's sharp and grating tone, Carissa's eyebrows knitted together. Her voice turned noticeably colder, carrying a hint of warning."I know your voice!" Alexia abruptly shielded Xavier's phone and strode towards the balcony, speaking in a lowered voice. "You're Carissa!"Sensing the shift in the conversation, Carissa was unwilling to continue dealing with this foolish woman any longer. "I'm trying to reach Xavier. If I'm delayed, he won't be