James sighed-he was not supposed to go full hands-off with the man, especially when Zachary had worked as a doctor for most of his career.
Zachary was still too much of a novice in both business and relationships.
They were close enough to call each other friends, and no matter how dumb Zachary could be, James could not just stand aside and watch him mess up repeatedly.
As he got into his car, he texted Zachary.
[Appeal to her emotionally.]
It was a nicer way to say ‘deceive her’, and he just hoped that Zachary understood.
Zachary’s phone soon jingled and he whipped it out for a look, glancing James’s way when he saw that it was a text from James even as he drove off.
“What is it, Zachary?” Ember was glancing between Zachary and the departing car.
Her voice brought Zachary to his senses, and he stared at her just then, seemingly understanding what James meant.
Hence, despite his frustration, he became much more gentle with Ember just then. “Sorry, I think I was in a bad mood. Did I scare you?”
Ember was speechless in confusion. She had come to Zachary hoping to explain herself, but Zachary somehow gave in.
“…N-Nol I understand how you feel,” she said, keeping her face lowered to hide her expression, because she did not know what Zachary wanted just then.
After all the time she spent with him, she knew that Zachary was a simple, down-to-earth man.
How he felt would always show on his face, and he never minced his words.
“I was getting paranoid because Lulu went missing, but now that I thought about it, that’s just it-l was just being paranoid. She must be hiding out of guilt after what she did to you, and I should never have doubted you. You just lost our child…”
Ember handily threw herself into his arms. “I knew you’d understand, Zachary.”
As Zachary looked at her, however, there was no warmth in his eyes at all, but he said, “Yeah. I believe you. Let’s go home.”
Even if Zachary did not like the idea, both Diarmuid and James were too busy to help.He could only count on himself to find Lulu-dead or alive!
On the other hand, Ember was at once delighted and doubtful because Zachary had never been this kind to her.
As if afraid that she was dreaming, she pinched herself in the arm.
It hurt-she felt actual pain.
She was not dreaming! Zachary was actually being nice to her!
Holding his gaze, she said, “Thank you for believing me, Zachary. I promise
I don’t know anything about Lulu, and I didn’t put up those banners…”
“That’s enough-you don’t have to say anything. I’d just let my frustrations get the better of me, so don’t take it to heart,” Zachary told her, gesturing for her to get into his car.
“You can tell your chauffeur to drive home first.”
“Okay!” Ember nodded enthusiastically, sneaking glances at Zachary as she did.
She was certainly obsessed with his good looks, so much so that she was crazy about him!
Zachary could sense her gaze, and almost asked about Lulu again out of impulse.
However, he was rational enough to restrain himself-he knew that now was not the time for that.
Asking it now would just make Ember wary, and without anyone there to help, he must endure and wait.
On the other hand, Ember was already getting ahead of herself.
She started to sneak a hand to Zachary’s side.
He was not happy about it, but he only said, “I’m driving.”
However, the fact that he was not shaking her off already left Ember beside herself with joy.
Aside from the time they slept together because Mrs. Slate drugged them, they did not share much intimacy even though they were married.
But now, Zachary was not pushing her away.
It was obvious that he was slowly accepting her!
She thought then that killing Lulu was the smart choice-he would not be so accepting of her otherwise.
“Thanks for believing me, Zachary,” she said, and leaned against his arm.
Zachary kept his eyes on the road as he drove without reacting at all.
After James left, he headed to Diarmuid’s home and arranged a protection detail for Tommy and Sheryl.
He also informed Sheryl that Diarmuid and Abigail had both gone abroad since there was something important to attend to at the Remy headquarters.
Sheryl was used to Diarmuid leaving on short notice and did not doubt it, but was actually puzzled by Abigail’s departure. She just came back-she would be eager to spend more time with Tommy.
Why did she have to leave as well?
“Mr. Althoff insisted that she went with him,” James explained, and Sheryl showed a look of understanding right then.
They had been apart for so long they would yearn for each other more than newlyweds, and they certainly would want to spend more time together.
Tell them they have nothing to worry about,” she told James. “I’ll take good care of Tommy.”
James heaved a sigh of relief at her words-there was one good thing to report to Diarmuid now, at least. He then headed to Twinrise.
Stan Hill was holding the fort at the Remy headquarters, but James needed Debbie the secretary’s help for something here.
She was not at her desk when he arrived, however, and he had to ask around to find out that she was at the conference room.
It left James perplexed-what was she doing there when there was no meeting? He headed over and pushed open the thick, wooden doors and saw her just then…
Debbie had a diamond necklace around her neck-the very same necklace Diarmuid told James to bring.
‘What are you doing?” James frowned.
Startled, Debbie quickly turned away, clearly flustered by James’s sudden appearance.
Even as she struggled to explain herself, James strode in and saw that the entire set of diamond jewelry in the red velvet box had clearly been touched.
He did not need imagination to know that it was all Debbie.
‘This set of jewelry costs a fortune, but Mr. Althoff procured it by coincidence and has always kept it in his safe. I was just coming to get it for Abigail Bernstein-how could you put it on yourself?”
James always thought that Debbie was competent and experienced, and yet…
Finally composing herself, Debbie replied, ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Complain all you want-1 just couldn’t resist it.”
She had no other explanation since she was caught red-handed and her only option was to avoid embarrassing herself further.
James stared at her for seconds, exhaled audibly, and said, “Put it back now.”
She did so immediately, while James shut the box and sighed. “Mr.
Althoff was prepared to marry Ms. Bernstein, but something came up again. I might be heading to Minerva, so call me if anything comes up over here.”
Debbie was naturally dying from jealousy to find out that Abigail was alive and returned to Diarmuid, but she would never show it because Abigail had somehow caught on to her schemes already.
If she wanted to keep her job as Diarmuid’s secretary, she must keep her lust for Diarmuid hidden in the depths of her heart and not let it show at all… or the days of her easy life would be numbered.
‘Okay… Wait, why is Ms. Bernstein returning to Minerva already?” Debbie asked.
“There’s a situation,” James replied.
“ Mr. Althoff has to be there for her too.” Debbie felt an inward thrill. “Is she in trouble?”
“Yeah,” James said, though he noticed her fidgeting and studied her. “What is this schadenfreude I’ve been sensing from you for a while now?’
“What are you talking about?!” Debbie snapped, pretending to pout just then. “What do you take me for? Am I really that kind of person to you, after all the years we worked together? Yeah, you caught me when I got a little too eager, but so what?”
She added a grumble toward the end, because she knew that would quell James’s suspicion.
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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