Chapter 42
At the Sherwood Group headquarters.
Kingsley was about to enter his office when his secretary approached, whispering, “Mr. Sherwood, Dr. Sterling is waiting for you inside p>
Kingsley gave a slight nod, his stride unbroken as he pushed open the door.
Ethan was lounging on the sofa, looking entirely too relaxed, as if he were in his own living room.
“What are you doing here?” Kingsley’s tone was flat, betraying no emotion.
“Why did you blacklist me? How did I offend you?” Ethan started with a grievance, standing up and closing the distance. “Did I say anything wrong? Joyce looked so thin, like she’s being mistreated. Even the stray cats outside have more meat on their bones than she does p>
He had rushed over immediately after getting off the plane, filled with pent-up frustration.
Kingsley looked up, his gaze icy. “Finished? You can leave now p>
Ethan ignored him, pulling out the chair across from the desk and sitting down, deciding to be shameless. “Unblock me, and I’ll leave immediately p>
“No way p>
Kingsley picked up his checkbook. His pen moved swiftly across the paper. He tore off the check and slapped it onto the desk. “Take this and get out. Consider it the investment for your anti-cancer drug project p>
Ethan glanced at the amount and scoffed. “Ten million? Kingsley, are you tipping a beggar p>
“Take it or leave it.” Kingsley held an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his brow furrowed with impatience.
Seeing this, Ethan immediately retracted his temper. He snatched the check and stuffed it into his pocket, smiling sheepishly. “I’ll take it! Why wouldn’t I? A little something is better than nothing p>
Changing his tune, he leaned in to ingratiate himself. “Actually, it’s worth investing more. The more you invest, the higher the return. Thurston put in a hundred million, you know p>
Kingsley shot him a cold glance. “You’re only worth ten million. One more word of nonsense, and you won’t even get that p>
Knowing Kingsley meant what he said, Ethan didn’t dare push his luck. He stood up quickly. “Fine, I’ll shut up! Just remember to unblock me. I’m leaving p>
He clutched the check and hurried out of the office.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Kingsley fit the cigarette. The ember glowed in the quiet room. He took only two drags before snubbing it out in the ashtray, the faint scent of tobacco lingering on his fingers.
He picked up a document, his focus returning to the work that had been interrupted.
Meanwhile, Lucy returned to her
hotel and didn’t rest for a moment.
She opened her laptop and focused on revising her designs based
Sean’s feedback from that morning, the
her fingers dancing beta mingis
keyboard and the drawing tablet.
She worked for over two hours. It wasn’t until her phone rang—Jane calling to invite
her to a lounge bar-that Lucy saved her files and closed her computer.
She sent a message to Emma,
inviting her along, and then changed her clothes. She chose a simple white halter top that accentuated her shoulder and neck lines, paired with straight-leg linen trousers ch and sophisticated. Content Belongs
Looking in the mirror, she applied a refined, natural makeup look. Her long, slightly curled hair was left loose over her shoulders, adding a touch of effortless laziness.
Lucy walked across the hall and knocked on Emma’s door.
Emma opened it quickly. Her eyes lit up when she saw Lucy. “Lucy! Your figure is incredible. No one would ever guess you’ve had a baby p>
Lucy smiled at the compliment, her fingers lightly touching her lower abdomen. “There’s still a scar right here, you know p>