Chapter 97 Will You Come over Tonight?
Ray, hands on his hips, pointed at the door and snapped, "Isabella, get out."
"Fine, I'm leaving," Isabella shot back, thinking, 'Not admitting he's George is one thing, but ignoring me after I had his kid? That's just cold.'
"Wait," Ray called out just as Isabella reached the door.
She turned around, glaring at him. "What now?"
Ray pointed at his dirty suit. "Get this cleaned."
Isabella grabbed the suit angrily and stormed out, nearly colliding with Susan at the door.
"In such a rush? You almost knocked me over," Susan said with a sneer.
"Sorry," Isabella muttered.
Susan's eyes scanned Isabella, finally landing on the suit. "What happened to the suit?"
"It's dirty. She needs to get it cleaned," Ray explained.
Susan took the suit from Isabella. "This can't be cleaned just anywhere. I'll have someone from the brand store pick it up."
Ray stayed silent. Isabella, now empty-handed, stood there awkwardly.
"Ray, got any business dinners tonight? You haven't spent time with me in ages. I even changed the bed at home. Will you come over tonight?" Susan asked.
Ray didn't respond. He glanced at Isabella, who took the hint and left the office.
Standing outside, Isabella felt crushed.
She wanted to barge back in and slap Ray, feeling so wronged.
Susan continued, "You know I can't sleep well at your place. How about you stay at mine from now on?"
Ray didn't say anything, but Isabella guessed he nodded.
"Ray, my dad said after his birthday, he'll arrange our engagement. Any objections?" Susan added.
Ray still didn't say anything, and Isabella guessed he shook his head.
"Also, I need to go back to Pariz tomorrow. Remember to come early. My dad thinks highly of you. Don't disappoint him. I'm leaving now. Will you miss me?" Susan continued.
Ray still didn't say anything, but this time Susan insisted, "Say it, will you miss me?"
"Yes," Ray replied.
Susan kissed him on the cheek. "I'll miss you too. I'll be waiting for you."
Hearing Susan's high heels, Isabella quickly hid in her small office.
Resting her chin on her hand, she thought a lot. 'Maybe I should just go back to Riverside City. Maybe it's time to move on. We got together by chance, so maybe we should split the same way. That will be fine.'
There was a knock on the door.
Joshua walked in with a piece of paper. "This is the penalty notice from the company for your last phone call."
Isabella took it. It read: [Three days' pay docked, no bonus at the end of the month]
"I accept," she said.
"Be more careful in the future. As a single mom, it's not easy to make money," Joshua said with a hint of pity.
Isabella accepted his kindness. "I know."
"It's time to eat. Let's go together," Joshua invited her to lunch for the first time.
Isabella didn't refuse. "Let's go."
They ordered a simple meal and sat across from each other.
Joshua looked at her several times before smiling. "Actually, you don't need to take the fine too seriously."
Isabella glanced at him and said indifferently, "I'm not taking it seriously. If they dock my pay, so be it."
"Actually, Ray won't be at this branch for long. He's getting engaged soon and will head back to headquarters to take charge," Joshua said.
Isabella knew about the engagement but kept quiet.
Joshua went on, "If we get a new president, he might be even tougher to deal with."
"Joshua, what's Ray's background?" Isabella asked.
"I don't know, he's pretty mysterious," Joshua replied in a low voice.
"Haven't you been working with him all this time?"
"I only started a few months ago, so I don't know much about him," Joshua said, raising an eyebrow.
Isabella felt a wave of frustration and blurted out, "Honestly, I really want to quit."
"You're thinking of quitting over this? Every company has its issues. EX Corporation offers great benefits and salary, and you were specially recruited. You should appreciate the opportunity," Joshua said, shaking his head.
"I just feel really stifled," Isabella admitted.
"Then tough it out, like me," Joshua said, pointing to himself.
After finishing his meal, Joshua was about to get up but then sat back down. "Actually, I know it's not appropriate, but I think it's an opportunity."
"What?" Isabella looked up, curious.
"Ray is going on a business trip for two days. Do you want to go with him?" Joshua asked.
Isabella replied, "No."
"Don't you want to change Ray's impression of you?"
Isabella said, with no interest, "No need."
"Alright then."
After work, Keith came to pick Isabella up as usual. Watching her walk down the steps, Ray and Joshua stopped.
"Isn't she single?" Ray asked.
"I often see this guy picking her up. They seem close. He might be her boyfriend," Joshua said truthfully.
"Boyfriend?" Ray asked.
"He seems to own the gallery up front," Joshua said.
"A single pregnant woman has a tough life. Finding a man is understandable," Ray's lips curled slightly, making it hard to tell if he was being disdainful or just indifferent.
Joshua didn't know whether to agree with Ray or explain that Isabella actually had it pretty tough. After thinking it over, he decided not to say anything.
After Isabella got into the car, Keith turned the wheel and headed to his gallery.
"A client is coming to see some paintings. You'll have to stay at the gallery with me for a while," Keith said apologetically.
Isabella smiled gently, "I don't have anything else to do anyway. I might as well take the opportunity to paint a bit."
"As an apology, I'll treat you to dinner later," Keith said.
"Sure."
The client was a bit late, arriving half an hour later.
"Susan, I can't make sense of this painting. Choose this one; it looks classy," the young woman said, lighting a cigarette.
Keith walked over and politely reminded her, "Miss, you can't smoke here."
"So many rules," the young woman rolled her eyes at Keith but still put out the cigarette.
Susan didn't understand art either. To elevate her taste, she planned to pick a painting for Nicholas.
"This one is nice too. I bet Nicholas will like it," Susan said, stroking her chin as she looked at the painting.
"I heard Ray knows about art. Why didn't you bring him to choose?" her companion asked as they walked around.
"He's busy. He was supposed to come with me, but he has to go on a business trip. I'm leaving tomorrow, so there's no time. I'll just pick one myself. Nicholas can't appreciate it," Susan said.