Chapter 49
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ve already taken care of things with Miss Claire.”
“Alright.”
“May, please prepare my bedroom for Claire. She shouldn’t be staying in the storage room any longer.”
May paused momentarily on the other end of the line, then responded cheerfully. “Sure thing, sir. I’ll get right on it. Miss Claire has been through a lot lately, she deserves a better place to stay.”
Ethan acknowledged with a soft “Alright” before ending the call.
He was her elder brother, and despite her sometimes immature behavior, the bond of family was unbreakable.
Surely Claire would feel his concem now, wouldn’t she?
Ethan could already picture Claire’s surprised and touched expression when she moved into his room. A warm feeling surged through him, and he couldn’t help but look forward to her reaction upon returning home. He even found himself hoping that, once her mood Improved, she might resume bringing him lunch at the office, just like old times.
A faint smile crept across his face, and the shadows that had clouded his expression began to lift
Finally, the end of the workday arrived. Employees clocked out, their footsteps and conversations gradually fading in the hallway.
Quinn knocked softly before entering, placing a file on Ethan’s desk. “Mr. Harper, it’s the end of the day. Aren’t you going to have dinner?” Ethan’s smile was subtle, yet content. “My sister’s bringing me dinner soon.”
“Having a sister to spoil you sounds wonderful. I wish I had that kind of luck, Quinn teased lightly before leaving.X
Ethan’s grin nearly stretched from ear to ear
As time ticked by and the start of the next workday approached, employees began clocking back in, yet there was still no sign of Claire.
What if something had happened to her on the way??
Ethan quickly grabbed his phone and dialed the number for home.
The phone rang several times before May answered. Ethan wasted no time, “May, how long ago did Claire leave the house?”
May sounded puzzled. “Sir, Miss Claire hasn’t left the house. She’s been here the whole time.”
Ethan’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.
She hadn’t left the house?
She hadn’t brought him lunch?..
She used to love surprising him with meals
Why wasn’t she doing it now??
Despite everything, he had made concessions and even reached out with kindness, Why was she still being so difficult?
It dawned on him then that all his expectations had been nothing more than wishful thinking.
How had he been so sure that Claire would easily forgive him and resume her thoughtful gestures?!
May, noticing the silence on the line, hesitantly asked, “Sir, do you need me to get Miss Claire to the phone?
Ethan snapped back to reality and declined, “No, that’s not necessary.”
After hanging up, he was left feeling thoroughly disheartened.
Just then, Quinn entered, unknowingly walking into a minefield. “Mr. Harper, what did Miss Claire bring you today?”
Looking around for the food box, he added, “Where’s the meal?“%
Ethan glared at him, his eyes as cold as a winter’s blade, sending a chill down Quinn’s spino.
Quinn laughed awkwardly, realizing his blunder, and quickly changed the subject. “Mr Harper, here are the documents you asked me to prepare about the Eastborough property. Reliable sources say that it will be up for auction in a couple of weeks.”
“Alright, leave it there.”1⁄2
After Quinn left, Ethan sat in a daze for some time before finally turning back to his work
The
government plans to develop the Eastborough area into a commercial hub. As long as the policy remains unchanged, acquining that land could be a highly lucrative investment.X
