Chapter 614
Chapter 614:
Her face grew stormier.
Even after all these years, her husband was still pining for that dead woman.
With a frosty demeanor, Lauren signed her name and strode in, her steps regal, like a queen making her entrance.
The secretary escorted Lauren to the lounge and immediately phoned Gabriela. “Miss Haynes, Mrs. Howard is here p>
Gabriela remained unruffled. “Got it p>
The secretary lowered her voice. “Mrs. Howard seems… hostile. Could she be here to stir trouble for the company p>
Trouble, was it?
𝘋𝗈𝗐ո𝘭oаdа𝖻𝗹e 𝗣𝖣F𝘀 о𝗇 g𝘢𝗹𝗻o𝘷е𝘭s.со𝗆
A glint of amusement flashed in Gabriela’s eyes. “Just serve her two cups of that stale coffee p>
The secretary hesitated. “But that batch of coffee beans is nearly expired p>
“I’m aware. Proceed,” Gabriela said smoothly. “Oh, and unplug the air conditioner p>
The secretary broke into a nervous sweat.
Gabriela’s audacity—daring to provoke a Howard—was staggering.
But with Wesley’s backing, she supposed it didn’t matter.
The secretary offered the coffee to Lauren and Cindy, apologizing. “Miss Haynes just stepped out. Addie from GD Fashion Week needed her to finalize next month’s show details. She may not be back until evening. Mrs. Howard, perhaps you could return later p>
“I’ll wait,” Lauren replied.
She wouldn’t leave without answers.
The secretary turned to leave but spotted Brenden.
She smiled. “Hello, Mr. Saunders. What brings you here p>
Brenden grinned. “My company’s quiet today, so I thought I’d drop by to see Gabriela p>
Lately, he’d been worn down. Wesley dragged him into endless projects; Fiona left him bruised or battered.
Only at Gabriela’s side did he find peace—easy on the eyes, free of trouble.
The secretary moved to fetch him water, but Brenden grabbed the coffeepot. “I’ll take this. No need to fuss over me p>
She watched, uneasy, as he took the pot, unable to intervene.
Brenden poured himself a cup and only then noticed the others in the lounge.
“Mrs. Howard?” he said, surprised. “You’re here for Gabriela too p>
Lauren’s brow creased. She held Brenden in low regard.
With divorced parents and shunned by both the Moss and Saunders families, he clung to a mere manager role under Wesley’s wing, with no real prospects. Without Wesley’s protection, he’d be nothing in their circles.
To her, he was just another idle hanger-on.
She gave a cold nod and closed her eyes, dismissing further conversation.
Unfazed by her aloofness, Brenden didn’t press.
He texted Gabriela, then settled in, scrolling on his phone while sipping the coffee.
The lounge, facing west, grew stifling as the afternoon sun blazed.
Lauren, unaccustomed to discomfort, felt her dress cling to her sweat-dampened skin.
Luxury had long insulated her from any form of discomfort.
Cindy, ever attentive, confronted the secretary. “What’s going on? It’s swelteringly unbearable, and the air conditioning’s off p>
The secretary explained quickly, “I’m so sorry. Earlier, a Mr. Howard arranged an air conditioner installation, which triggered a company-wide blackout. The lounge’s unit was damaged in the process p>
Cindy’s temper flared.
They couldn’t even replace a broken air conditioner?
“You let guests roast in this heat?” she demanded.
The secretary hesitated, then reluctantly offered her cherished personal fan to the lounge.
Lauren’s expression soured at the sight of the fan.
In their elite circle, appearances were paramount—perfectly styled hair a must.
That fan’s gusts would ruin her look.