“Ms. Stanhope, do you have some time now? Would you like to have high tea with me?”
I did not even bother to consider her offer. Looking at her, I rejected, “I apologize. I don’t have the habit of having high tea.”
“You can always cultivate the habit,” she commented with her eyebrows raised.
“It’s alright.”
With that, I turned and headed into Anthony’s office.
At least the lady knew when to back down because she did not follow me in.
Anthony was a good man, and that was something I knew ever since we got married. He was always loyal to his wife, family, and country. This was something I had to thank George for.
Although the older man never specifically taught Anthony how to love others, he showed the younger man what it meant to love.
Anyhow, I was not blind enough to let the admiration Rachel had for Anthony go unnoticed. Everyone could tell that she was ambitious, and no ordinary man could control her.
Only those who were more successful than her could draw her attention, just like Anthony.
While she admired him, it did not mean she could attain his heart.
To keep myself entertained, I randomly picked up a book to read but unknowingly, I fell asleep after some time.
When I woke up from my nap on the sofa, I found a blanket over my body. The room was dim, as though someone had adjusted the lights.
Scanning the room, I did not spot Anthony. He is probably still in the meeting. For some time, I continued to lie there before I willed myself to sit up. It was chilly, and I wrapped the blanket around my body tightly for more warmth.
While I was still in a daze, someone pushed the door open.
It was Joseph. Seeing that I was awake, he quickly fussed, “Mrs. Featherstone, are you hungry? Do you crave anything? I will order it for you this instant!”
“What’s the time now?” I curiously asked. Looking out of the windows, I noted that it was already dark outside.
He promptly responded, “It’s eight.”
“Is Anthony still in the meeting?” I frowned.
“The international conference ended, but there is still more to discuss over the AI. Mr. Featherstone wants you to have a bite first,” Joseph reported.
“Has he eaten?”
“No.” Joseph shook his head.
With some thought, I requested, “Can you order two sets of steak and two glasses of milk? I would like it to be hot. Additionally, please get one portion of dessert too.”
Then, I paused to look at the man standing by the door. “Mr. Campbell, have you eaten?”
Although he was stunned that I was referring to him, he answered honestly, “No.”
Clicking my tongue, I changed my order. “You poor thing. In that case, please order three sets of steak. If you want anything else, please feel free to order them for yourself. Mr. Featherstone will be paying for it.”
Laughing, he nodded and left.
Following that, I went to the bathroom to wash my face and pick out one of Anthony’s clothes from his closet in the lounge to wear.
By the time I came out, Joseph was already there with the meal boxes.
I glanced at the clock again. It’s getting late, but Anthony is still in the meeting.
Huffing, I decided to make a trip to the conference room.
Joseph followed behind me without the intention of stopping me.
At first, it felt normal, but halfway there, I realized that something was not right.
Turning to look at the man trailing behind me, we exchanged looks, and he meekly chuckled.
Something must be up. “How many people are there in the meeting?” I probed.
“Two!” He chimed.
“Who are the two?”
“Mr. Featherstone and Ms. Zimmer,” he revealed.
“Rachel?” I raised my brows.
Joseph nodded, confirming my guess.
Anthony’s meeting dragged on for so long because he had to meet with Rachel.
Standing before the conference room, Joseph opened the door even before I raised my hand to knock. It caught me off guard.
Soon, I heard the heated discussion that was going on.
“I don’t agree!” Anthony exclaimed.
“Mr. Featherstone, we are using AI to make life easier for humans and to push for the world’s technological progress in this area. If we worry about how it will evolve and pull the plug on it, there is no point in adopting it in the first place,” Rachel protested.
Anthony looked like he had lost his patience. However, when he lifted his gaze and spotted me, his expression eased a little. Without bothering to rebut, he approached me.
Rachel also turned to look in my direction, given the sudden change in his attitude. At the sight of me, a frown appeared on her face.
She was clearly displeased.
Meanwhile, Anthony could not be bothered about the others in the room. He looked at me tiredly and hugged me.
Taking a deep breath, he moaned, “You are finally here. My energy is about to be depleted.”
Looking at Rachel, I hugged him and declared, “Alright, I’m here to help you recharge. Come, let’s go.”
Joseph was quick to pick up on the cue to leave.
On the contrary, Rachel stayed in the conference room, with an unhappy expression plastered on her face. She demanded, “Mr. Featherstone, we are not done with the meeting. How is it alright for Mrs. Featherstone to barge in like that?”
With his arms still around me, Anthony growled, “It is way past the working hours, and it’s time for you to go home. We can look through the things we have yet to settle tomorrow.”
Evidently, she was frustrated and wanted to continue, but Anthony stopped her.
“Ms. Zimmer, I know that you don’t have to worry about your parents or loved ones since you live alone. However, I’m not like you. I have a wife and a child, and I want to spend time with them after work. Thank you for all the effort that you put in at work. Regarding your overtime hours, Joseph will settle all the overtime pay with the Finance Department. You really should head home since it’s getting late.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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