Chapter 117
Linda looked at me for a few seconds, then cracked a smile. “No worries, I just feel like have a
connection. I’ve met him before, but we don’t know each
other well.”
Her facial expression didn’t match up with someone seeing a stranger.
I didn’t probe further just returned a smile. “Indeed, the world is neither too big nor too small. Those
who are meant to meet will eventually bump into
each other.”
Linda went silent for a bit, then got up to take a bath.
I laid in bed with my phone, pondering whether I should ask Russel about it, but decided against it.
Even if they knew each other, that was their past. It had nothing to do with me. Why would I stick my
nose into their business?
So I reached out to Orlando, filled him in on some issues regarding the cooperation we discussed
today.
Orlando replied: You’re right, these minor issues might seem trivial, but they could cause trouble if you
don’t clearly state them in the contract
I replied Cool, any suggestions? I’ll be talking to Mr. Ferris again in the next couple of days.
Orlando sent a lengthy voice message. After carefully listening to it, I had a pretty good idea.
Just when I was about to doze off, Linda came out of the shower and quietly laid down on the bed next
to me.
I woke up next morning, starving.
The hotel had breakfast service. I quickly got up and went to the restaurant on the second floor for
breakfast.
Surprisingly, Russel was there too, along with a man in his sixties, who I assumed was his mentor.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtRussel was eating a sandwich. He spotted me and his gaze followed me.
On my table, there was a glass of milk, two portions of fried eggs, a serving of sautéed spinach, two
pancakes, and a few cups of orange juice.
He looked a bit surprised. After a few words with his mentor, he came over and sat across from me.
“Why do you eat so much breakfast?” Russel asked, surprised at the sight of all the food on my table.
“I just wanna try everything.” I replied, pouring honey onto the pancake
I was two months pregnant and very hungry
Russel casually put some fried eggs onto my plate with a knife and fork.
I was sipping on my orange juice, munching on the pancakes and occasionally eating some fried eggs.
My mind was on some spicy and salty food, wondering where to go for a good lunch,
“What’s your colleague’s name?” Russel’s question interrupted me.
I looked at him, “Linda”
Russel’s eyebrows furrowed. “What’s her nationality?”
“The same as mine.” I replied. “She also has a permanent resident visa and works there.”
“What’s her real name?” Russel seemed very curious about Linda.
I thought to myself, he wouldn’t have asked me so much if they just didn’t know each other.
I started eating my sandwich and casually replied, “Not sure, I haven’t been with the company for long.
Everyone there calls her Linda, and I never asked about her real name.”
After a while, Russel didn’t say anything and just watched me eat. I was very full, I burped and rubbed
my round belly, feeling very satisfied.
I’m full. I’m gonna go.“I got up to say goodbye to Russel.
“If you have stomach issues, don’t binge eat. If you eat a lot but get hungry very quickly, you should get
it checked out at the hospital. It might not only be a digestive issue, but also a sign of hyperthyroidism,
diabetes, and other diseases.” Russel kindly reminded me.
I was a bit confused. Wasn’t Russel a cardiologist? Why was he meddling with gastroenterology?
But he meant well, so I nodded and said, “Thanks for the heads up. Dr. Russel.”
Then, I went back to my room.
As soon as I got back, my dad called. “Rena, you’re on a business trip in G City, right?”
“Yeah, dad. What’s up?” I asked.
“Kevin is turning sixty tomorrow I was planning to attend his birthday party, but something came up at
work. I can’t go. Your mom is also tied up with work these days and won’t be able to make it. So you’ll
have to go in our place tomorrow” My dad started delegating tasks to me.
I wasn’t sure which Kevin he was referring to
My dad gave me the address in detail, then hung up
I was quite confused. I didn’t expect to attend a birthday party during a business trip.
But Ferris probably won’t contact me in the next couple of days. He needed time to negotiate with the
company, so I’d have time to go to the birthday party for my dad.
-Linda was awake. I told her about the plan for tomorrow, she nodded and said, “Alright, let me know if
there’s any work to be done”
“Okay.“I agreed.
The next day, I planned to rent a car and go to Prosperity Hotel, because that’s where Kevin was
holding his birthday party. He had been a long–term business partner of my dad’s. But I wasn’t too
familiar with the company’s affairs.
My dad told me he had already prepared a gift. All I needed to do was to show up, say a few words,
and liven up the atmosphere
When I arrived at the hotel, I told them who I was. But since I didn’t have an invitation, I had to call my
dad so he could get in touch with Kevin’s people.
My dad might have been busy, he didn’t pick up.
“Trene” I heard Neil’s voice out of nowhere. I turned around to see him walking towards me.
“Neil, what are you doing here?” I asked.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
I’m here for the birthday party.” Neil showed the doorman his invitation and said, “We came together.”
I explained a bit embarrassed, “I’m here to replace my dad. Both him and my mom are busy today and
couldn’t make it. They also didn’t give me an
invitation.”
Neil nodded and said, “Alright, let’s go in.”
Kevin’s name was Kevin Evan. He was kind of a big shot in G City too. His sixtieth birthday naturally
attracted a lot of people. And those without an invitation weren’t allowed in.
At that moment, Kevin was having a lively conversation with a few people. He saw me and Neil come
in, walked over and warmly greeted us, “Mr. Whitmore, you’re here.”
Then he looked at me again, sizing me up. This isn’t… Mr. Finch’s daughter? You rarely show up in
public, but I’ve seen your photo. You’re beautiful!”
I gave a polite grin and responded generously. “Thanks for your compliment. My father had planned to
come and meet you today, but he was suddenly tied up with something. As you know, he is usually
very busy, so I hope you’ll understand.”
“I get it. Mr. Finch already sent me a gift, as long as he was willing to give me a gift, there’s no problem,
hahaha… Kevin joked.
From his words, I could tell he was pretty tight with my dad and Neil.
Through our chat, I found out that Neil had met Kevin through my dad, and they had been working
together for about three years.
Once we started eating, I had a bit of grub but quickly felt a bit off in the stomach, so I excused myself
to the loo halfway through.
After throwing up, I went to the bathroom in the stall, when I heard a young woman’s voice from
outside, “It’s so weird, I heard Neil split up with her, why would they still show up together? How
annoying!”
“Cathie!” Another female voice, evidently older, reprimanded, “Whether Mr. Whitmore and Ms. Finch
are divorced or not, you can’t talk like that. The Finch family has been doing business with your dad for
years, watch your mouth!”