chapter 51
I shook my head before addressing Lukas. “I believe there’s no necessity for further action, Mr Strakovski. While Hugo may have temporarily diverted public attention, the stain on Trifleming Jewelry’s reputation lingers, and he’s garnered a notoriety that’s hard to shake. In order to reinvigorate the company, they’d likely need a fresh CEO.
“However, given his disposition, I surmise he won’t readily relinquish his hard earned gains. Thus, Trifleming Jewelry appears destined for a stagnant existence, unable to advance within the industry. Trankly, that might be the most fitting retribution he could face.”
kas’s eyes flickered. “You seem to possess a perceptive understanding of the matter.”
“Thank you for your acknowledgment, Mr Strakovski.” I responded with a modest nod.
A fleeting chill seemed to taint the atmosphere, and Lukas subtly cleared his throat, ending the moment. “Unless there’s anything else, you’re welcome to return to the design department.”
I nodded, “Very well, then I shall take my leave.”
My steps carried me closer to the exit, but Lukas’s voice halted my progression. “Oh, and before I forget, you needn’t wait for a ride after work. I have some personal matters to attend to.”
Piecing together that I had used Lukas’s vehicle for my commute that morning, I nodded gracefully “Certainly, I’ll make my own arrangements.”
With my departure from the meeting room, a sense of relief washed over me.
Lukas’s words from moments ago resonated in my mind, prompting a faint tug at the corner of my lips. In the past two days, I had indeed crossed the line a bit.
Ava’s earlier suggestion that Lukas’s assistance was possibly motivated by more profound sentiments now took on a new perspective.
No wonder Lukas was often described as distant and ruthless, his demeanor anything but
accommodating.
I mused on my own naivety over the past few days, acknowledging that my initial perception of Lukas was overly simplistic. The man was nowhere near amicable nor easy–going!
Perhaps, my attempt to seek consolation from elsewhere after being hurt by Hugo seemed a touch misguided in the aftermath. Such stupid things could not happen again in the future.
Unspoken Farewell at 31,000 feet
Funny how I joked about making Bella pay for a stupidity tax. Now it bore an ironic twist, and the joke was on me.
As the workday drew to a close, Ava called and asked me to have dinner together.
Ava, who was usually immersed in her computer’s glow, displayed an unusual curiosity upon sighting me.
“Your husband seems rather smitten with you. He treats you quite generously.”
My mind conjured the recent vivid scene in the meeting room, my expression briefly tensing and I shook my head, “You might be reading too much into it. Our relationship is based on mutual gain. His actions are primarily geared towards the betterment of the company and bear no personal
ntiment.”
Ava’s brows knitted slightly. “Are you absolutely sure?”
Following our dinner, Ava guided me to bought painting brushes that used for design draft.
I discerned the implied meaning–that man’s birthday loomed ahead.
For these past few years, Ava has made it a yearly tradition to purchase a set of paintbrushes. Yet each year, she fails to give them away, for the person she intended to gift them to cannot be found.
Ava’s temperament was cold and indifferent, ever since I got to know her, she only showed interests
in two things.
One is laptop, the other is Cole.
I accompanied her around the mall and bought a paintbrush.
We walked outside the men’s luxury store, and Ava suddenly spoke: “Sophia, would you like to h
Lukas a gift as well?”
I was taken aback by the suggestion, “Why would I get him a gift?”
Ava turned her gaze towards me. “To repay him for saving your neck. Yes, his intervention served
the company’s interests, but he truly saved you last night!”
I recalled how I had confided in Ava about what had happened last night during our meal, and how Ava’s usually cool demeanor had turned ashen with anger.
Truly, yesterday’s events had been a lifesaver, for had it not been for the intervention, I would have surely been left with a fate worse than death at the hands of that scum Gerald.
Unspoken Farewell) ar 30,000 Feet
35.2%
I deliberated Ava’s suggestion, finding a degree of resonance within it.
Moreover, Ava adhered to the principle of repaying kindness. Her own affection for Cole had stemmed from his rescue of her from a perilous situation and was hospitalized after a car accident.
And besides, since I was going to clearly distinguish myself from Lukas in the future.
Therefore, I had to be clear about grievances, repay kindness with kindness, Lukas saved me, and I couldn’t help but express gratitude.
With these thoughts in mind, I agreed. “Fine, Let’s go inside.”
I spun around, finally settling on a pair of deep–sea blue cuffs, restrained yet luxurious in their
nderstated elegance, which I felt suited Lukas perfectly.
We made our purchases, and Ava escorted me to hail a taxi.
But as we exited the mall, Ava suddenly let go of me and crazily gave chase, apparently having spotted something she couldn’t resist.
I was stunned and quickly caught up with her.
Ava led us to a nearby bar called Old Barrel, where she finally felt my grasp on her arm. “Ava,
what’s going on?”
Breathless, Ava clung tightly to my hand, her voice urgent to the point of hysteria. “I saw Cole, Sophia. I saw him just now!
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