Chapter 41 I’ve Never Forced Anyone
“Married?” Anna frowned and snorted. “When was she ever married? She still has her identification at home! She didn’t even graduate college when she left, and she’s only twenty-four this year.”
Britney tried to pry more information out of Anna as she hinted, “Did she fall in love with somebody? Why did she leave the country all of a sudden? Didn’t you say that she did not even finish college? Could she have followed her boyfriend overseas?”
Anna’s face took on a look of contempt when she spoke of Courtney’s past. “Her boyfriend at that time? You probably know him—he’s Isaac Graham, the Young Master of Graham Enterprise. He had gotten together with her best friend for ages, and they couldn’t wait to let the whole world know about it. She was the only one who had no clue about it—how brainless!”
“Is that so? Issac Graham?” Britney made some calculations—it seemed as though Anna was not aware that her sister had a child.
Six years ago, Courtney was still in Melrose City and had only left five years ago, so the child was probably born here. In that case, the father of the child was probably someone in Melrose City, and it wouldn’t have been Isaac. As she left the golf course in her MPV, Britney felt that something just wasn’t adding up.
“Jason, is there a way to find out someone’s hidden past from five or six years ago?”
Jason turned back from the passenger seat and pondered for a moment. “Yeah, just get a private investigator.”
“I want to look into someone.”
“Who?”
“The other Young Lady of the Hunter Family, Courtney Hunter. If I’m not mistaken, she only left the country five years ago after giving birth in Melrose City. I want to know who the father of the child is.”
Alexander’s attitude toward Courtney is simply too strange. Just because she saved Jordan once doesn’t mean that Alexander should treat her so differently. I don’t care if this makes me an overly suspicious person, but I will only be at ease if she doesn’t have anything to do with Alexander.
Meanwhile, Anna had just returned home. Susan, who was Anna’s mother, greeted the latter as soon as she came back. “You’re back, Anna! Why are you back so late? You didn’t make it back in time for dinner.”
Anna leaned against her mother’s arm and said affectionately, “I went to the golf course with my friend today and chatted for a while. It was Britney; you mentioned that you liked her TV series, so I asked her for a photograph.”
“You’ve always been this thoughtful, Anna.”
Susan praised her as she glanced toward the sofa and raised her voice. “Although I didn’t give birth to a son, you can’t find anyone more thoughtful than Anna in this world.”
“Okay, Mom—how can you praise yourself?” Anna laughed and diligently brought some tea to the sofa. “Have some tea, Dad.”
Lucian was sitting on the sofa as he read the newspaper. Then, he put down the newspaper and glanced at Anna with a loving look as he warned her and said, “You’re back so late. Go and quickly wash up—young girls shouldn’t stay up so late.”
“All right.” Anna nodded obediently. “I know, Dad. You should take care of your health too.”
“By the way,” Lucian took a sip of the tea and raised his head. “You mentioned that the last time you saw your sister was at the mall. Do you know where your sister is living now?”
When Anna heard that, the smile on her face stiffened as she tried to mask her displeasure. “How would I know? I tried to talk to her that day, but she looked so busy and refused to talk to me. If we hadn’t met at the mall, we wouldn’t have known that she returned to the country.”
Lucian sighed. “This girl—it must be tough living alone in the outside world. If you have time, ask around and find out where she is living. I’ll go take a look and try to persuade her. I’ll only stop worrying about her when she comes back home.”
Anna frowned and was about to say something when a cough came from behind her. Susan gave her daughter a pointed look and came forward with a smile. “I understand your logic; it’s not safe for a girl to live outside alone. Since Melrose City isn’t that big, I’ll ask around—it shouldn’t be too hard to find her.”
“All right.” Lucian picked up the newspaper.
When she got back to the bedroom, Anna sat on the bed with a huff as she scowled. “Mom, why did you promise Dad that you would find her? Also, I told you that I saw the b*tch last time, yet you told Dad about it—aren’t you looking for trouble?”
Susan locked the door and turned around calmly. “She’d still come back whether you tell your father or not. Since she has returned to the country, it’s impossible for her not to come home; instead of being unprepared when she comes back herself, why don’t we take the initiative to tell your father? That way, he would think that we mean well.”
“Is it useful for him to think that we mean well? If she comes back, Dad will reconsider the position of the company’s heir again.”
Susan frowned in response as her expression darkened. She huffed. “If it wasn’t for my useless belly that couldn’t give birth to a son, it wouldn’t be so hard for him to choose between you and that brat. Well, lucky for us—after all those years that brat has been in the wild, there is no way she has achieved anything outstanding. As long as you marry into a wealthy family, you will definitely be the heir to this company.”
Anna’s expression softened as she scoffed. “That’s for sure. Who knows what kind of man she’s been fooling around with all those years living abroad? I think she’s just afraid to come home because she’s ashamed.”
After the weekend was over, Courtney dropped Tina off at the kindergarten on Monday morning and went to work. After the meeting at the headquarters in the morning, she called out to Alexander in the corridor.
“Wait a minute, President Duncan.”
Alexander and his assistant, Josh, turned around at the same time. “Is there something wrong?” Alexander asked.
“Are you going to the hospital at noon?”
“Yes.”
Courtney sighed in relief and handed over a thermos bucket. “I boiled this soup overnight. The thermos bucket is of special quality, so it will stay warm until noon. Please give it to Jordan.”
Alexander nodded and personally took over the thermos bucket from Courtney’s hands.
Meanwhile, Josh was dumbfounded. This is not the first time! Is Miss Hunter’s relationship with President Ducan this special? She even manages Jordan’s hospitalization? And President Duncan lets her do it too!
“Oh, right! There’s also this.” Courtney handed over a small palm-sized book. “I’ve also written down the detailed method and steps of making the soup, so just pass it over to your cook. I may not have the time to cook for Jordan lately because I can’t afford to delay the project—sorry for that.”
Alexander took it and replied, “It’s fine.”
“In that case, I’ll be going back to the hotel first.” Courtney nodded and smiled as she walked toward the elevator.
“Courtney.”
Suddenly, Alexander’s voice called out from behind her, making Courtney stop in her tracks. She then turned back in confusion. “Is there anything else, President Duncan?”
“I’ll have someone come pick you and Tina up this Saturday; Jordan wants you to come over the house.”
“Huh?” Courtney was stunned. “Y-Your house?”
“Do you have something planned?”
“Uh… N-Nothing but the project.”
“You can bring it over and work on it there. I will pay you overtime.” Alexander’s tone sounded commanding and irrefusable. “Is there a problem? I’ve never forced anyone, so you can just forget about it if you don’t want to.”
“N-No problem.” Courtney stuttered.
What does he mean by ‘I’ve never forced anyone’? This is just so unfair! The bet is still ongoing and the contract hasn’t even been signed yet! One word from him and I’d have to leave, so who would dare to go against their boss’ word?
