Chapter 493 He’s Asking for Directions
Goldsmith Street spanned across the busiest part of Melrose City’s commercial area, and a new face had silently joined the waves of workers heading to work.
It was Angie. She was striding toward Citron Apparel in a light brown suit, white chiffon blouse, and a pair of nude-colored heels. The sleeves of her blouse were lifted up slightly, revealing her fair arms, making her look exceptionally slender and professional.
As she traversed Goldsmith Street, many young men would sneak a peek at her, and their eyes would light up with flirtatious gleams.
Right then, this version of Angie was exuding a similar aura as Courtney—calm and collected—looking like a queen bee.
Meanwhile, an exceptionally jarring sight occurred amidst the unceasing traffic—a white sedan was crawling by the side of the road. When the driver pulled over next to Angie, he poked his head out.
“Get in. I’ll give you a lift.”
However, Angie didn’t even spare him a glance. She picked up her pace, leaving the car behind in two shakes. Alas, Elijah could only restart the engine and chase after her. Following a few cycles of cat and mouse, Elijah’s face turned grimmer with every rejection. In the end, he resorted to getting out of the car and blocking Angie’s path.
“Let’s talk,” he said as he stood slightly astride. Just as Angie was going to ignore him once more, he grabbed her by the arm, sending warmth from his typically warm palm to her slightly chilly arm. Meanwhile, Angie looked at his slender hand reflexively and tried to break free from it.
“Fine, talk.”
With that, she gazed at him calmly, and it was only then Elijah noticed she had chopped her waist-long hair into a bob, giving her a mature and professional look.
“Let’s talk somewhere else.”
“I still have to go to work.”
Elijah’s gaze turned complicated reflexively, but still, he gave in after a deep sigh. “I’m going back to Manhattan in two days. You should come with me.”
Angie’s heart twinged when she heard Elijah was going back, but then something crossed her mind, and her wavering expression turned cold once more.
“No, I won’t go with you. Courtney needs me now.”
“Are you talking about Citron Apparel?” Elijah asked with slight incredulity. “I’ve already found a lead to their issue this time. You, on the other hand, should follow me back to Manhattan and take up a degree. I’ve already contacted—”
“Yes, I will take up a degree, but not in Manhattan.” Angie swallowed her frustration and interrupted him. With that, she looked into his eyes, but the blazing sun blinded her a little.
“I’ve already received my acceptance letter to Melrose University. So you don’t have to bother yourself with my college stuff.”
Elijah was slightly taken aback. Something didn’t feel right to him, and an inexplicable coldness was creeping up his heart.
“You…”
He nodded, though he had wanted to tell her she was already an adult, and it was her decision whether to go back to Manhattan or which college she went to. However, all that got stuck in her throat, and in the end, all he could say was, “Come back to the manor when you’re available. I’d like to hear about your plan.”
Angie’s eyes turned red-rimmed after she heard his words, but she tried hard to keep composed.
“I’ve got a lot on my hands lately, so no need to bother yourself with this.”
“Angie!”
One would eventually have to yield in a heated argument, and suppressed anger surged beneath Elijah’s eyes while blood drained from his tightly clenched fists.
“I am still legally your father, and it will continue to be until this adoptive relationship ceases.”
However, it made things worse, as her eyes only turned redder after his words.
“Don’t you think this is exactly why I won’t go back to Manhattan or your manor? Do you think I don’t know why Tanya resigned? You threatened and fired her, no? Because she saw and heard what she shouldn’t have. If you’re so afraid of people discovering our relationship, then why still bring a ticking-time-bomb like me wherever you go? Isn’t this your best chance to get rid of me?”
Being an eighteen-year-old maiden, she was basically like an open book, and she showed no signs of cowardliness as she bore into him. She tried searching for something in his gaze, but even the hint of anger that flashed across his eyes was concealed perfectly.
Meanwhile, the surrounding air turned silent. Alas, they didn’t continue the conversation that wasn’t meant for public discussion, and who but themselves to blame for the awkward situation they ended up in.
As Angie shifted her gaze away, she slowly regained her composure, and her voice was much calmer too. “Don’t worry, Elijah. I know what I should do. It’s just that I need some time.” For that, she even forced a smile. “I think Alex from the other day is quite nice. He’s funny and gentlemanly, and we got along quite well.”
At that, he looked up subtly as his fathomless gaze loosened. “I see.”
Once again, he was struck with the revelation that the little girl who clung to him every day and pestered him to tell a story like a five-year-old despite being twelve had now grown up. She had now learned to control her emotions and feelings, and with time, she would no longer need him.
“Hey, Angie!”
Angie was going to bid Elijah farewell when a voice caught her attention. She reflexively looked past the tall, slender man in front of her, right at the young man waving at her not far away.
With a beaming smile, Zeke ran toward Angie. His white T-shirt accentuated his broad figure, and his fair face exuded youthfulness.
Sensing Elijah’s gaze, he looked questioningly at Angie after a slight hesitation. “This is…”
“I’m—”
“He’s asking for directions.”
Angie wasn’t sure how she felt exactly when she interrupted Elijah, but what she knew was that she wasn’t delighted to hear Elijah introducing himself as her father.
“Sir, you’ll find Sunhill Hotel if you go down this road and turn left at the third intersection. I have to go now; we’ve got work to do.”
With that, she dragged Zeke along with her and walked straight toward Citron Apparel without ever looking back.
Upon arriving at the company’s elevator, Zeke, who had been deep in thought all this while, finally spoke out his worries. “Angie, I think you should be mindful of strangers. I mean, mobile GPS is so advanced now. Surely that guy was trying to hit on you.”
It wasn’t until she got well acquainted with Zeke that she realized this seemingly obtuse young man was actually astute. Meanwhile, she nodded absent-mindedly at Zeke’s warning, and as the elevator reached the eighth floor, Zeke stopped her when she was about to step out.
“Why don’t I treat you to breakfast and talk about the investigation you asked me to dig into in the meantime?”
If he had only suggested the former, Angie would’ve likely walked away without hesitation. But because he brought up the investigation, she went back into the elevator after a split second’s hesitation.
Natasha had deliberately hired designers to turn the building’s rooftop into an employee’s cafeteria, and Zeke and Angie sat by the window with soy milk, buns, and scones in front of them. For breakfast, all Angie had was a mouthful of soy milk. With a somewhat grim expression, she said, “Regardless of the credibility of your sources, I’d still have to go.”
Zeke was munching down a bun as Angie spoke, and he choked on it upon hearing her words, taking a long time before he finally could breathe properly. With that, he patted his chest and promised, “Don’t worry. It’s definitely right. It’s just that you can’t go alone. I’ll go with you.”
