Chapter 180 Are They My Children?
"I'll take you home first," Brady Hall said, gesturing for Linda to drive.
As they drove, Violet Devereux was focused with comforting Nicole and had not thought about the fake address she had given him, while Brady considered her emotional state and chose not to press the matter.
They rode in silence.
It wasn't until Brady Hall's car stopped in front of Hellen Apartments that Violet realized, belatedly, that he knew where she lived.
But she didn't dwell on it, and as soon as the car came to a halt, she swiftly opened the door and got out, fearing Brady would keep her from leaving.
But Brady didn't.
He just followed her out of the car.
And there was Hellen, holding Henry, waiting at the apartment entrance.
Violet Devereux was prepping Nicole for a meet-up with Hellen when Brady Hall finally broke the silence. "Violet Devereux, I need to talk to you."
It was inevitable; he had found out her real address, after all.
After a moment of thought, she handed Nicole over to Hellen and turned to Brady. "Mr. Hall, I appreciate what you did today."
Brady Hall's gaze lowered to her, his lips slightly curling. "You know what I want to discuss?"
Violet replied calmly, "The child's situation has nothing to do with you. If there's nothing else, I should be going. Nicole is shaken up; I need to call my cousin."
She was ready to walk away, having said what needed to be said, aware that anything more might reveal too much. But Brady wasn't about to let her go that easily. His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and pinning her against the car. Leaning in, his deep voice and warm breath cascading over her tender skin felt almost scorching, as if he intended to devour her. "I'll remember today's incident. If that child is truly mine, you know what I'll do to you, right?"
Brady's words were not a threat, nor were they meant to intimidate. It was simply a declaration of inevitable submission.
Yet Violet had long since mastered the art of keeping her composure. "I understand, but the child isn't yours, Mr. Hall."
He released her without another word, letting her leave.
After the child-snatching ordeal, Violet was consumed with guilt for a long time. The plans for entertaining guests had to be postponed.
The incident had taught her never to be careless again, keeping a vigilant eye on her child at all times, even when simply descending the stairs.
When Monday arrived, Violet made it to her office on time, focused on the task ahead. She was to finish the decorations for Loraine Plahn's wedding dress. Once the fabric embellishments were done, it would be ready for delivery to Loraine, crossing off another item on her to-do list.
As for the job for Mrs. Devereux, Violet projected she could complete the design draft within the week, setting the stage for her smooth resignation by the end of the month. It was too risky to stay, given Brady Hall's lingering suspicions.
Settling into her seat with a relaxed spirit after weighing her options, it wasn't long before a staff member from the president's office brazenly approached her desk and handed Violet a small box, declaring with a sly smile, "Compliments of Mr. Hall."
The staff member left quickly after speaking, not daring to linger, swiftly heading back upstairs.
No sooner had he left than the office buzz, including the chatter of the receptionists, came to life again, "Did you see who that was? Someone from the executive office."
"Violet Devereux is really something, isn't she? First Mr. Green, then Mr. White, and now an exec is courting her?"
"How can you be so sure it's an employee and not Mr. Hall himself?"
"Come on, Mr. Hall, interested in her? It's definitely one of his staff."
"Indeed."
"That's exactly why I say beauty is an advantage. All these men flocking around her like flies, it's enviable."
"Enviable? It's all about being someone's conquest."
The disdainful gossip continued, but Violet Devereux didn't hear it. She was too stunned by the box that Brady Hall had sent.
Brady Hall was the kind of man who made it clear he wouldn't mix business with pleasure at the office.
He didn't want to be the exception.
Even his hints were discreet, never meant for the office crowd to suspect.
But today, what was he thinking?
Sending this to her?
Violet eyed the unsealed box, presuming Brady had intentionally left it open out of fear she might refuse it. What was he trying to say?
She set the box aside, planning to return it to him later.
As she did, her hand slipped, and the box tumbled down, spilling out a pink strap-like object.
It looked like a rope.
Here she was, expecting a luxurious gift, and it turned out to be a rope.
Now, she was a bit curious. Picking it up, it took her a moment to figure it out from the manual inside the box—it was a child's anti-lost safety leash.
Violet felt a fleeting warmth in her heart from the gesture, but it wouldn't change her determination to keep her distance.
She hurriedly stuffed the safety leash back into the box when her phone beeped with a text from Brady Hall, "Got the package?"
Violet replied, "Thank you, Mr. Hall."
Brady sent back, "Have lunch with me today to handle some business."
She didn't respond.
She wasn't part of the executive staff or public relations, so why was he including her in these affairs?
Turning toward her phone, she typed a message, "Mr. Hall, I'm a designer at JK, and I have to spend the day at the factory. I don't have time, but thank you for the invitation."
Brady Hall had a hunch she would say no, slowly typing out the message, "Dior's Fall/Winter Haute Couture show kicks off at 1 PM. Don't you want to check it out?"
The Dior Haute Couture show was the dream of every fashion designer.
And, of course, Violet Devereux wanted to go.
But with Brady Hall involved, she declined.
After turning him down, Violet didn't bother replying anymore. She started to gather her things, ready to report to Mr. Green and then headed to the factory to put the finishing touches on Loraine Plahn's wedding dress.
Just as she stood up from her desk, Mrs. Devereux from the Devereux family, who hadn't made an appearance since the last threat, suddenly graced JK with her presence.
And she was heading straight for Violet.
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