Chapter 213:
“I really don’t want to do it, Kristian. Every time I step into that room, it’s like I’m back there—abroad, suffering through those endless treatments,” she choked out between sobs, her voice cracking under the weight of her memories.
Kristian’s response was a soft touch, a reassuring pat on her shoulder. He murmured with a soothing calmness,
“If it’s too much for you right now, we don’t have to proceed. Let’s focus on the other tests first, okay?”
Ashley’s crying didn’t cease; it shook her slender frame, making her words almost inaudible.
A couple more hours dragged by before her tests were finally finished. Kristian managed her discharge with efficient care and drove her home. As they arrived, he reminded her with a concerned tone,
“I’ll arrange for someone to come by and help out with meals tomorrow. After your recent miscarriage, you should really take it easy.”
“Please, don’t bother!” Ashley responded quickly, her voice a mix of independence and slight panic, before softening her tone.
“I’m used to being on my own.”
Upon hearing this, Kristian didn’t press further. He lingered just long enough to see her ascend the staircase, then he got into his car and drove toward the office.
Upon his arrival, Gerard immediately came up to him, offering a polite nod.
“How is the investigation progressing?” Kristian inquired, his voice steady as he continued towards his desk.
A flicker of confusion crossed Gerard’s face. Which investigation was his boss referring to?
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Noticing Gerard’s befuddled expression, Kristian halted, his piercing dark eyes narrowing slightly. In a measured tone, he remarked,
“Have you forgotten?”
Gerard couldn’t bring himself to confess his lapse in memory. He quickly regained his composure, his thoughts whirling until the early morning phone call from his boss snapped back into focus.
With a newfound calm, he responded,
“No, sir. I’ve been preoccupied with coordinating efforts with our partner companies this morning and haven’t yet had the opportunity to delve into it.”
He knew, deep down, it wasn’t entirely his fault.
Kristian’s words often drifted into oblivion whenever Gerard was half-asleep, only to be forgotten by dawn.
This particular instance, however, clung to his memory, fueled by the promise of a ten thousand dollar bonus.
“Reassign your ongoing projects to the secretarial team,” Kristian ordered, his voice devoid of emotion, showing no interest in exposing Gerard’s momentary forgetfulness.
“Concentrate solely on the assignment I’ve given you.”
“Right away,” Gerard responded promptly, eager to comply.
Right before he could submit his work, Kristian summoned him into the office.
He entered to find Kristian, his suit jacket casually thrown over a chair, clad in just a crisp white shirt that lent him an almost stoic air of detachment.
“I need the…”
.
.
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