Chapter 896 - 469: An Old Photograph (2)
"I suspect, Avery, are you secretly in a relationship with someone from our top floor?" Emma pondered for a long time before using the term "relationship." What she really meant was, "Are you being supported by Joshua Hughes? Otherwise, who would wear a $15,000 shirt to work, right?"
"No... It’s not... Ah, let’s not talk about it. There’s really so much work to do." Avery fumbled with her words, her head lowered as she looked at the pile of documents on her desk that had to be sorted out today. She started working.
"I knew it, Avery, it’s definitely him. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. Tell us, is he any good?" The girls at the company were always filled with curiosity and admiration for the bosses on the top floor.
"I said there’s nothing." Avery didn’t dare to lift her head. She didn’t like lying, but right now she really couldn’t say anything. She enjoyed this hidden marriage status. If the news were to be made public, she didn’t know how her life would change, let alone being able to continue working in the company. She loved her job; it suited her, and it made her life fulfilling.
Time always flew by quickly, especially since she had arrived an hour late. By noon, the girls left in groups to find food.
Sometimes she would have lunch with Joshua in the office, sometimes she would join everyone else, but ever since she got back from vacation, Joshua mentioned there always seemed to be reporters following her, so she rarely went out with them anymore.
The small restaurant was modest and located on a side street where rent was relatively cheaper. The owners, a friendly couple, greeted them as Emma expertly ordered, "Boss, we want the braised pork intestine, stir-fried pork, spicy chicken, steamed ribs, and tomato egg soup. Pick a fresh vegetable for us." A few girls sat around the table, chatting and not noticing the young man sitting nearby.
Brian Yates stood a long way from the entrance of Hughes Corp, hoping to find someone he was looking for among thousands or even tens of thousands of people. The chances were slim, about one in ten thousand. Yet at noon, he saw her come out with a few girls. She always stood out in a crowd, easily noticeable. She remained graceful and beautiful, but now with a touch of femininity, charming and alluring, exuding an irresistible charm.
Sitting so close, he dared not greet her, because among those girls, there was one with short hair, her eyes vigilant. He thought she must be a bodyguard. When dealing with business, some wealthy individuals liked hiring female bodyguards. He had seen a few, so he could recognize them. However, Avery had briefly made eye contact with him, but it was as if she didn’t recognize him at all. This puzzled him. Could it be that since she was with Joshua Hughes, she intended to completely sever ties with the Yates Family? Were they really pretending not to know each other?
Soon the dishes were served, filling the air with a delightful aroma. Lucas Yates watched as everyone at the table ate with gusto. Avery still preferred a bit of spice but wasn’t too daring in trying it. She would take a bite and follow it with a few sips of soup, often sticking her tongue out and blowing on it. She was still the Avery he knew, yet something seemed different. Her gaze was as clear as ever but felt unfamiliar. What had happened to her? Brian Yates couldn’t believe Avery was someone materialistic, nor that she would be so heartless as to pretend not to know him. That kind of unrecognizable gaze can’t be faked. Had she forgotten the past? People say the wealthy have ways like hypnosis. Did Joshua Hughes do something to make her forget the past?
This thought, like wild grass, grew uncontrollably in his mind. He needed to find a way to talk to Avery alone. He was desperate to know what had happened to her. And the Yates Family, now in a dire situation... If she remembered what her brother said, she wouldn’t stand by without helping.
After lunch, the girls slowly got up, each grabbing their bags. Avery also took her bag, unzipped it, and took out her wallet, heading to the counter to pay. Joshua Hughes always kept a thick stack of cash in her wallet since sometimes card payments were inconvenient.
"Hello, the total is $205. We’ll call it $200 for you," the owner said with a smile as he rang up Avery’s bill, still smiling at her.
"Sir, yours is $68." Many come here to dine alone. This young man seemed interested in the location frequented by these white-collar workers. But his dish was barely touched. Was it not to his taste? No, his place had a good reputation around here.
The pouch’s zipper was wide open. Brian Yates secretly slipped a photo inside, unnoticed due to his coat concealing the action. He put down a hundred-dollar bill and walked out.
Avery handed $200 to the owner, who took it and shouted after the person who had already left, "Sir, you forgot your change... you forgot your change..."
That person couldn’t hear and continued walking further away.
The owner looked at the untouched food on the table, sighed, pondering why this young man came here. It seemed he wasn’t there to eat but to quietly watch other girls dine. Yet he didn’t look like a pervert or kleptomaniac, appearing polite and refined. The owner really couldn’t figure out what he was up to.