Chapter 635 I Always Keep Personal and Professional Matters Separate
During dinner, Jesse was the only one having a good time. Amara ate quietly, not kicking Maurice out but not exactly rolling out the red carpet either.
Maurice wasn't clueless; he wrapped up his meal and said his goodbyes. Before he left, he gave Jesse a kiss. Jesse, being the sweet kid he was, let him, his eyes twinkling like a sky full of stars.
Maurice lingered for a moment, taking in Jesse's face, which had Amara's vibe but the Hawkins family's looks. It reminded Maurice of a love he missed out on when he was younger. Maybe that was why he adored Jesse so much.
"Next time, I'll come see you," Maurice said, grabbing his coat.
To his surprise, Amara stood up and said, "I'll walk you out."
Maurice was a bit taken aback but not entirely shocked.
Downstairs, Amara adjusted her coat lightly.
Maurice's car was waiting, and the driver was about to open the door. Maurice signaled him to wait and turned to Amara, saying, "Jesse is really cute."
He hesitated before adding, "The family's doing better now, but we still don't have a proper heir. I know things are rough between you and Kingsley, but he'll get married eventually. What happens to Jesse then?"
Amara's face went pale.
Maurice spoke gently, "I know you can't stand Zachary and aren't fond of the Hughes Family, but you and Jesse both have Hughes blood. For Jesse's future, I hope you'll think about it."
"No need!" Amara shot back, hugging herself lightly. "Mr. Hughes, I appreciate what you did three years ago. I know you didn't have to! But my answer is the same as it was back then. My last name isn't Hughes. Those tough times are behind me, so why complicate things now?"
Maurice blurted out, "Don't you want to keep your dignity in front of the Hawkins Family?"
Amara smiled faintly. "I want to live for myself. Mr. Hughes, please don't come again."
She made her point clear, nodded slightly, and walked away.
The dim hallway light cast shadows, making her look both slender and strong.
Maurice watched her for a long time.
Just then, the car door opened, and an older man stepped out. Maurice called out, "Zachary."
Zachary looked up and sighed. "She still won't forgive me! She really doesn't want to talk about feelings at all."
Maurice pulled out a pack of cigarettes, shook out two, and after a moment, lit one up. He smiled calmly. "Amara's never even met you! You never cared for her, and she got through her hardest times alone. How do you expect her to talk about feelings with you? Besides, she's doing pretty well now."
Zachary squinted slightly. "I won't give up!"
The Hughes Family had no one to lean on. Sarah was once amazing, but after Gavin punished her, she was completely ruined. Her situation only got worse after she got married.
When Amara got home, Hailey came up, carrying Jesse on her back, and asked, "Do you have a grudge against Maurice?"
Amara looked down, changing her shoes. "Not really! But it's best to keep our distance."
Hailey nodded but couldn't help saying, "He looks pretty good for his age and seems very dignified. He seems to care a lot about Jesse."
Amara said softly, "He probably won't come again."
She was busy with work but still made time for Jesse, playing with him until nine and putting him to bed before diving into her documents.
Hailey brought her a late-night snack, looking concerned. "Look at it tomorrow. Your eyes are going to get strained."
Amara took the bowl, had a bite, and said, "I make good money, so I should help Landon out! It'll be fine once I get through this rough patch."
She had a plan to turn the Carter Group around in six months and make it profitable within a year. So, she had to hustle.
Hailey felt reassured. "If Billy had half your drive, I'd have no worries in life."
Amara smiled lightly. "Billy's doing pretty well now! Naomi told me he bought her a whole set of jewelry for New Year's."
Hearing that Billy and Naomi were doing well, Hailey's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Alright, you get busy, but don't stay up too late."
Amara nodded and watched her leave.
The desk lamp cast a soft glow as Amara propped her head up, flipping through the mountain of documents. Before she knew it, it was already one in the morning.
Just as she was about to go to bed, Kingsley messaged: [How's Jesse?]
Amara looked at it for a moment and replied: [He's in good spirits today.]
A minute later, Kingsley didn't reply.So, Amara put down her phone and went to take a shower. When she came back, there was a new message. She opened it and saw: [I can help with the Carter Group's branch financing.]
How could Amara dare to let him help?
If it weren't for Kingsley, the Carter Group's branch wouldn't be in such a mess.
She didn't want to offend him, so after thinking it over, she only replied: [Thanks!]
On the other end, Kingsley pondered over this message for a long time, unable to figure out Amara's meaning.
The door opened, and Frederick walked in.
Frederick glanced at him and sat down on the opposite sofa, snorting lightly, "Still not asleep at this hour! Is it true that people without wives are more prone to insomnia?"
Kingsley leaned back on the sofa, scrolling through his phone nonchalantly. "Dad, you have a wife, and you're not asleep either."
Frederick chuckled. "I'm too happy to sleep! Your mom is so considerate of me."
Kingsley looked up at him.
Frederick spoke earnestly, "I heard you played golf with a female celebrity today? Back in the day, my love story with your mom also started on a golf course, but we don't accept female celebrities who issue press releases."
Kingsley didn't care much. "She was invited by the group's vice president as a spokesperson. The contract hasn't been finalized yet. If you don't like her, just reject it."
After he finished speaking, Frederick sneered. "You clearly don't like her but don't want to offend the company's shareholders, so you're using my connections to deal with them! Others might not know your intentions, but I do."
Kingsley wasn't annoyed at having his intentions exposed.
Frederick then got to the main point. "By the way, why didn't you tell us that Jesse was sick? You should either talk to Amara about bringing Jesse over to stay for a few days, or we can go stay with Amara for a few days! Hailey is efficient, but it's tough for one person to take care of Jesse."
Kingsley looked up. "There's no room at Amara's place."
Frederick's eyes widened. "Then get them a bigger house! Jesse is the eldest grandson of the Hawkins Family. How can you let him squeeze into a small house? Your bedroom is bigger than Amara's apartment. She gave you a son, and you don't treat them well. Don't you feel guilty?"
After saying that, Frederick stormed off.
Kingsley couldn't be bothered to argue, but he did start to think deeply.
He actually wanted to take care of them, but Amara wouldn't let him. She was different now; she could live well without him. Moving to a new house was just a matter of time.
Two days later, it was the biggest auction of the year in Syeattel.
Amara made thorough preparations to bid on an antique bowl for Floyd as a gesture of goodwill. At 8 PM, she arrived with her secretary to find the place quite full.
She had pulled some strings to get a seat right next to Floyd.
When Amara sat down, Floyd graciously said, "Ms. Butler! I've heard Landon mention you. I didn't expect you to get promoted so quickly. Truly impressive."
Amara naturally exchanged pleasantries. "Mr. Palmer, you're too kind!"
She knew Floyd's interests and personality well, so they had some common topics to talk about and got along quite well.
At the celebration party, Amara presented the antique to Floyd.
Floyd chuckled. "How can I accept this? We've just met, and you're already spending money on me!"
However, business was like that; if there was a willingness to cooperate, one would always accept the other's goodwill. After a few polite refusals, Floyd had his secretary accept the gift. He leaned in and whispered, "I'm optimistic about that project! The company will evaluate it and get back to you."
Amara held her wine glass and smiled slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Palmer."
Seeing her demeanor, Floyd couldn't help but feel moved and started making plans.
Floyd had a son named Rufus Palmer, who was in his early thirties and quite accomplished. However, his wife had passed away in an accident a few years ago, and he currently didn't have a suitable partner.
High-society ladies generally had reservations about second marriages.
Floyd had looked at several divorced women but wasn't satisfied.
Now, looking at Amara, he was increasingly pleased. Not only was she capable, but she was also very attractive and had a gentle and resilient personality. He was very satisfied and thought she would be suitable for Rufus.
With this thought, Floyd became even more enthusiastic and talked a lot with Amara, from business to personal interests. Amara frowned slightly, feeling that the conversation was getting a bit too personal. But she was happy that the financing issue could be resolved.
Floyd left early. Amara drank half a glass of champagne and went to freshen up before leaving, but she ran into Kingsley in the restroom. She was taken aback, having not seen him earlier!
Kingsley turned off the faucet and looked at her in the mirror. After a while, he said, "You're planning to cooperate with Floyd and let him invest in the Carter Group's project? Why not consider me?"
Amara walked over to him and turned on the faucet.
Amid the sound of running water, she retorted, "Do you think that's appropriate?"
Kingsley turned his head, his expression serious, and asked, "Why not? Amara, in business, there are no permanent enemies, only people you can use!"
Amara just looked down and said softly, "I want to keep business and personal matters separate."
Kingsley paused and then said, "Floyd is a friend of my mother's! His biggest flaw is mixing business with personal matters, limiting his success."
There was a hidden meaning in his words.
Amara lowered her eyes, then looked up and said softly, "So, Floyd should seek advice from you?"
She was about to leave when Kingsley grabbed her arm. "My dad wants to see Jesse. When would be convenient for you? He thinks you living there is me mistreating you."
Amara said softly, "I'll bring Jesse over on Saturday! I'll explain about the house."
Her attitude was good, making her the best ex one could ask for.
But Kingsley didn't feel happy about it.
When Amara left, he seemed to want to say something more to her but couldn't find the words. When they left, they ran into each other again in the parking lot.
Amara got into the company car.
Kingsley's car had a young, beautiful woman in it, the daughter of an elder.
Amara saw this and just turned her face away indifferently.
She thought, 'Kingsley claims to separate business from personal, but he doesn't.'
On the way back, she opened the car window to clear her mind.
The driver, knowing their situation, coughed lightly and comforted her. "Ms. Butler, don't take it too hard! Being part of a wealthy family isn't easy. You have a career and a child now; you lack nothing."
Amara smiled faintly. "I'm not bothered."
She was just bothered by the fact that even though they had broken up, they kept running into each other in this big city of Syeattel, constantly reminding her of the past she wanted to forget but couldn't.
Kingsley got into his car.
The elder's daughter leaned over, wanting to talk to him, but he didn't look pleased.
She had her own intentions.
She had forced her way into his car by pretending her car was broken, and because of family connections, Kingsley didn't refuse. But he hadn't expected Amara to see them. Even though he and Amara had broken up, he still felt bothered.
After Amara's car left, he got out of his car.
He instructed the driver to take the girl home. The girl felt a bit aggrieved and couldn't help but get out of the car. "Is it because of her?"
Kingsley, dressed in a black suit, looked dignified.
In the underground parking lot, he lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and said, "Which her?"
"Amara! The president of the Carter Group's branch. I heard she got to that position with Mr. Carter's support. If there wasn't something fishy, how could she have been promoted so quickly? Is it because of her that you're rejecting me? I don't believe you can't see that I'm pursuing you. Is it worth it for someone like her?" she said aggressively.
Kingsley stubbed out his cigarette, opened the car door, and the girl tried to get in, but he stopped her.
Kingsley, expressionless, said, "Amara is the mother of my child! And you are nothing. What makes you think you can say these things in front of me?"
After saying that, he closed the car door and instructed Jared. "Drive!"
Jared had heard everything and was quite amused, but he said reluctantly, "This isn't very nice! Leaving her here, what if she runs into trouble?"
"Don't worry!" Kingsley looked at the woman in the rearview mirror, who was stomping her feet in frustration.
Jared grinned. "It's not her fault; it's your charm! Even with a child, you still have many girls chasing you. If I were Amara, I'd be mad too. By the way, where are we going now?"
Kingsley didn't like hearing this.
He played with his phone for a while and arranged to have a drink with Jimmy. On a cold night, Jimmy crawled out of bed and complained, "Mr. Hawkins, you're single, but I have a wife and kids to take care of! If it weren't for the business you give me, I wouldn't come out in the middle of the night to drink with you! So, did Amara upset you again? Not to be rude, but as a grown man, why can't you just go for it? Pin her down and ask if she still loves you!"
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