Chapter 44
Gideon could tell at a glance what Edith was pondering.
He said indifferently, “You don’t need to
pay.
“You now represent the Peterson Group, and there will be many more banquets to attend in the future. I don’t want to hear people gossiping about the Peterson Group’s employees looking shabby.”
As Gideon finished speaking, he casually put the black card back into his suit pocket.
“I don’t look shabby,” Edith muttered with displeasure and thought, ‘I just dress very plainly.
The sales associate had already packed the clothes up and stood respectfully, ready to help them carry the items to the car.
People around Edith looked at her, envious and jealous that she was purchasing so
of the season’s limited editions in one go.
many
One of them even thought, “Why can’t I meet such an amazing man!”
Edith felt uncomfortable under their stares.
“Let’s go, let’s go!” she urged the sales associate to follow them to the parking lot.
Edith intentionally walked past the previous store, wishing they saw how smug she
looked.
She pondered mockingly, ‘Ha! Even if I had money, I wouldn’t buy from your store. Now, you get to watch me flaunting my purchases from elsewhere just to annoy you!”
The manager and sales associate from the other store, having missed a huge sale, were fuming, their faces a mix of anger and jealousy.
Edith felt a triumphant satisfaction, and even Gideon seemed more pleasant to her right now.
She mused happily, ‘He really does come through at the most crucial moments!”
Looking at the car trunk filled with clothes and then at Edith’s cheerful face, Gideon asked, “So happy?”
He wondered to himself, ‘It’s just buying a few clothes. I used to have Ray send piles of them to the house before, and she didn’t even bat an eye.
Edith nodded. “Of course, which woman wouldn’t be happy to see all these clothes?”
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A smile spread across her usually cool face, adding a touch of gentleness. Even in her unassuming work attire, she was particularly captivating.
Edith was the epitome of a woman who was unaware of her own beauty.
Gideon instinctively moved closer to her, cornering her against the car door.
They were so close that their breaths mingled.
Gideon could smell the faint scent of laboratory chemicals on Edith.
It was not overpowering but subtly refreshing, much like her personality.
“What…what are you doing?” Edith kept shrinking back and avoiding his gaze, but her body trembled uncontrollably.
“Is she really that scared?‘ Gideon thought and chuckled lightly, “So, Shane never bought you clothes?”
He pondered, ‘Otherwise, why would she be shopping alone?”
Edith instantly frowned after hearing him, feeling frustrated.
She mustered all her strength, pushed Gideon away, and said coldly, “Mr. Peterson, it’s not very appropriate for you to pry into your employees‘ private lives, is it?
“Considering how you were paying for those clothes, you must have bought plenty for Ms. Hayes, right?”
Edith retorted sharply but immediately regretted it.
She thought, I’ve already accepted quite a few favors from Gideon today. I should have let this small matter slide…
Unexpectedly, Gideon didn’t get angry. Instead, he laughed.
“You seem quite bothered about my relationship with Danika.”
He said suggestively with an undercurrent of ambiguity that neither of them noticed.
“I couldn’t care less. Don’t flatter yourself,” Edith responded, though even she herself found her words lacking in conviction.
She mused, ‘How could I possibly not care…
Edith quickly got into the car, fleeing from him in haste.
When Edith returned home, she had to make several trips just to unload her purchases.
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Danika, who had just returned from a walk with Joyce, approached Edith to say hello.
“Ms. Jones, you bought so many clothes?”
Danika asked with envy.
Edith chuckled awkwardly, “Oh, it’s just a few…”
“I remember that this packaging is only for new arrivals, right?” Danika stared at the bags in Edith’s hands. She casually mentioned, “I’ve been wanting to shop for new clothes recently, but Joyce’s dad has been too busy with work. The company’s really busy, isn’t it?”
This mention of “too busy” was quite telling.
Edith didn’t dare to say she had just finished shopping with Gideon.
She chuckled awkwardly again, “Yeah, I rushed to the mall right after work, thinking of getting everything at once so I wouldn’t need to buy clothes again.”
Standing in a draft, Danika’s hair was tousled by the wind, but it didn’t diminish her charm.
She casually tucked her hair behind her ear and helped Edith with the clothes.
Danika muttered, “I like that store too. Seems like we have something in common. Shall we go shopping together when you’re free? I don’t really have many friends.”
She said this with a faint, helpless smile and a touch of melancholy in her demeanor.
Edith felt increasingly guilty as she observed Danika’s candid demeanor.
Edith mused, ‘She really wants to be friends with me, yet here I am, getting entangled. with Gideon. Honestly, Danika is quite nice. If it weren’t for Gideon, we could probably be good friends.
Edith sighed inwardly but still remained composed. “Sure, if I have time.”
She was careful not to overcommit.
Danika’s face lit up with a smile, replying, “That’s wonderful! Make sure to contact me when you’re off work!”
After moving all the clothes into the house and seeing Edith looking tired, Danika wished her good night and left with Joyce.
Holding her mother’s hand, Joyce walked forward with small, hesitant steps.
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She frowned and asked, “I don’t like them, Mom. Why do you want to be friends with her?”
Danika lowered her head, looked down at Joyce, and spoke softly. “Because I feel lonely, and you should make more friends, too.”
“I have Mom and Dad, that’s enough!” Joyce said, her expression suddenly turned grim.
She murmured, “I haven’t seen Dad in a long time. Why doesn’t he come to see us? Why can’t we live together? Other kids live with their moms and dads.”
This had been troubling Joyce for a long time now.
She thought. “Ever since I can remember, Dad has never lived with me. He always comes and goes, and my parents aren’t affectionate like other kids‘ parents..
Danika then stopped walking, crouched down, and looked at Joyce.
“Why don’t you call him and ask him to come see you?”
Gideon never refused whenever Joyce reached out to him.
Joyce nodded immediately. “Okay, I’ll call Dad right now!”
The call connected.
Joyce said in a crisp voice, “Dad, I miss you. Can you come and be with me?”
At that moment, Gideon was busy with work.
He paused for two seconds before replying, “I’m busy today. How about tomorrow?”
“No, I want you now, Dad,” Joyce said, tears instantly brimming in her eyes.
She said it in a tearful, childish voice, wanting Gideon to come right away.
Gideon, feeling compelled, had no choice but to agree.
“Alright, I’ll be there soon. Can you hand the phone to your mom?”
Joyce then tearfully handed the phone back to Danika.
Danika held the phone for a minute before speaking anxiously. “I was busy just now, and Joyce wanted to play with the phone, so I gave it to her. Giddy. I hope she didn’t disturb you.”
Gideon didn’t blame her but simply instructed, “Try to get Joyce to sleep first.”
He wasn’t sure when he would be done with work. Gideon had only promised to come
17:25 Thu, 22 Feb G GG
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to stop Joyce from crying continuously.
Danika felt disheartened upon sensing what Gideon meant.
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She gritted her teeth and pinched Joyce’s arm, causing Joyce, who had just stopped crying, to burst into tears again.
Danika said into the phone, “I’ll try my best, but Joyce really misses you. She’s been crying all day, and nothing seems to console her now.”
Gideon didn’t feel good hearing Joyce’s heart–wrenching sobs.
As the meeting on his computer started, he said firmly, “I’ll try to finish up as soon as possible. I’ll hang up now.”
