“Secondly, Smith Co. lacks this type of industry. We have also evaluated that the Heidelberg Family is suitable for Smith Co.. In addition, the Heidelberg Family owes us a favor. Paul Heidelberg won’t say no if we asked.”
Irvin spoke eloquently and his reasoning made sense. However, Alexander put down his knife and fork and crossed his arms across his chest. He then stared at Irvin with bright eyes. “Tell us the truth.”
Knowing that he couldn’t hide it from Alexander, the boy shrugged and explained, “Their laboratory is complete. It will best satisfy my requirement for creating drugs.”
Elise could tell that he wanted them to buy him a laboratory. “Son, are you trying to make a profit with zero investment?”
“It’ll be mutually beneficial.” Irvin then added with a calm expression, “I have developed a new drug that can also be supplied to Daddy’s organization. We won’t have to worry about the Hellen Family or anyone else by then.”
The gullible Elise was persuaded just like that. She turned to Alexander. “Darling, what do you say?”
“You’re good at talking, but it is a pity. We’re a little too late.” Alexander picked up the knife and fork again to slowly cut a sausage. “Paul has already accepted someone else’s financing. I don’t want to interfere.”
“Who? They sure are fast.” Elise was surprised. Paul should still have his hands full with reorganizing the leadership team as it hadn’t been long since Gale stepped down. That was why Elise was surprised by how quickly the joint venture was established without making it to the news.
“Our old acquaintance.” Alexander deliberately paused and looked up at her meaningfully. He then enunciated carefully, “Owen Morgan.”
“Who’s that?” Alexia found her chance to join in the conversation. “The husband your god grandpa picked for Mommy,” Alexander muttered, the jealousy evident in his voice.
“I never agreed to it,” Elise quickly explained to prove her innocence while rolling her eyes at him. “Nothing even happened and that was so many years ago. How are you still jealous over it?”
She smoothly changed the topic. “The Morgan Family’s business has nothing to do with this industry. Why is he suddenly interested in investing in a pharmaceutical company?”
“Is it strange? I think it’s normal.” Alexander took a spoon and stirred his bowl of soup leisurely. Elise couldn’t help thinking he meant more than he was saying. “Did you find out something and didn’t tell me?”
The corners of Alexander’s lips curled into a small smile. “I’m sure my intelligent wife can make a rough guess of who it is that truly wants the company.”
“Are you saying that Owen and Wendy are…”
Working together on this?
She didn’t dare say it out loud in front of the children. Hearing her words, Alexander nodded, his gaze confirming her guess.
She involuntarily sat up straight as though she was about to face a formidable opponent. Too many people would be involved if Owen was a member of Wendy’s organization.
One of them was the Fassbender Family. Quentin admired Owen a lot. At that thought, Elise couldn’t help but wonder if their relationship would be affected. Alexander must have known what Elise was thinking about, as he also had a tense expression on his face.
Now that Irvin had failed to get what he wanted and had to see his parents acting all lovey- dovey in front of him, the boy raised his hand and protested, “Daddy! Mommy! Can you both be more straightforward, please? You’re always either too straightforward or you keep speaking in riddles. That’s not child-friendly at all!”
At that, Elise and Alexander exchanged a knowing look and smiled. After lunch, Elise was having tea in the backyard when Narissa came without informing her beforehand.
“Why are you here by yourself? Where are my godson and goddaughter?” After putting her purse aside, Narissa made herself comfortable by pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“They’re taking their nap.” Elise sat up from the recliner. “What’s a newlywed like you doing here?”
Elise’s phone went off as soon as she asked that. She took a glance at the screen of her phone, only to see that it was a call from Jamie. She cast a brief, strange look at Narissa before pressing a button and placing the phone next to her ear.
“Boss, is my wife with you?”
“Yup. What’s wrong? Miss her already-”
Before she finished speaking, Narissa snatched the phone and yelled into it angrily, “Listen up, Jamie Keller! If you don’t report to duty at my father’s company today, don’t even think about getting into my bed tonight!”
She abruptly cut the call after shouting all that..
“Oh my.” Grinning, Elise looked as nosy as could be. “I think I might have overheard something incredible.”
Narissa’s cheeks immediately grew warm out of embarrassment. “If only you knew how different Jamie is now compared to before. He’s like a rabbit! The only time I get to eat my meals these days is when he’s out cold.”
“Wow, that sounds intense…” Even a married woman like Elise was slightly tongue-tied upon hearing that.
“Exactly! I’m sore everywhere! This is even more tiring than my training in the mountains. I would have fallen apart if I hadn’t come to seek refuge at your place!”
“Pfft! Hahaha!”
Narissa got more embarrassed when she saw Elise couldn’t hold back from laughing. “Geez, stop laughing and help me think of a way! Are all men like this? Am I making a fuss over nothing?”
“Uh…”
Elise gave it a thought. Back when she and Alexander had just gotten together, there were too many things they had to worry about that they couldn’t pay much attention to ‘that’..
But now… Alexander would do it with Elise regardless of the time and whenever he was free, but it wasn’t to the point where he would forget to eat and rest.
“It’s probably because you’re too charming,” Elise teased. Knowing that Elise was only making fun of her, Narissa waved her off and promptly changed the topic. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about that.. Anyway, I can relax today. Let’s go shopping.”
Elise happened to want to buy something for the children, so she happily tagged along. Narissa started behaving differently after she got engaged. In the past, only cool clothes for men could attract her attention when they went shopping.
But now, she didn’t seem uncomfortable in the women’s clothing store. After making a round in the store, Narissa took a fancy to black suspenders. She then reached out to touch the material, which was silky and soft under her fingertips.
Just the thought of Jamie’s reaction when he saw her in them put a bashful smile on her face. Elise called out to her from the counter then. “Narissa, I’m going to pay now! Are you getting anything? We’re going to the next store if you’re not.”
“Coming!”
She took off the suspenders and another two from the side. After she slipped the suspenders behind the other two items, she ran to the counter and stuffed her purchase at the cashier. “I want all of these!”
She thought that the lady would check out the bill after seeing the price tags. Unfortunately for her, the woman separated each of the items before she counted the total.
Narissa immediately started to comb her fingers through her hair and acted nonchalantly. It didn’t take long before the cashier took out the suspenders.
Elise took a look at it and glanced at Narissa before she looked like she had been hit by a revelation. “Seems like it’s Jamie’s lucky night tonight!”
The two ladies at the counter let out an understanding smile at that. Narissa was too embarrassed to stay still at this point. Face flushed, she scurried out of the store while squeaking, “Nuff talk. I’m going to the washroom. You can go ahead and pay the bill. We’ll meet at the cafe in front later!”
Elise smilingly shook her head and paid the bill. After that, she walked to the cafe with bags of all sizes in her hands and ordered two cups of coffee before she went to sit at a table.
