Chapter 323 Replica
Outside the CEO's office, the secretarial pool was buzzing with gossip as usual.
"Did I just see things, or was that Carter who walked by?"
"I saw him too! Even with the mask and sunglasses, that build and those eyes—definitely Carter!"
"Yeah, I think so too. After all, he did say Ms. Jones was his ideal girlfriend!"
"If Carter and Ms. Jones are together, does that mean we'll see him more often?"
"Don't get too excited. Wasn't that Mr. Thomas from Stellar Enterprises who stormed out just now? Maybe Carter's the third wheel. He came to see Ms. Jones, got caught by Mr. Thomas, and then they had a huge fight in the office. Why else would he be so angry?"
"Stop making things up and get back to work. Elizabeth is single; she can date whoever she wants."
The group fell silent as Dean appeared, standing there with a stern look.
Dean knocked on the CEO's office door.
"Elizabeth, you in there?"
Without waiting for a response, he pushed the door open and walked in.
His eyes widened as he quickly moved towards Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, what's wrong? You okay?"
Elizabeth was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees. She heard Dean and replied in a muffled voice, "Dean, I'm fine. Just close the door."
"The door's closed."
"Alright, help me up. My legs are numb."
Dean helped her to the couch and started massaging her calves.
"Did you and Michael have another fight?"
Elizabeth looked exhausted. "Isn't that normal?"
Dean's eyes were filled with concern. "But I've never seen you this devastated."
"I yelled at him and told him to find another woman."
Dean looked at her. "And if he really does? Will that make you happy? Satisfied?"
Elizabeth turned her head away, annoyed. "I was furious. He yelled at me first."
Dean asked softly, "So, does this mean you two are breaking up?"
Elizabeth sighed. "What breakup? Normal couples break up. What do we have? To him, I'm just a surrogate, a vessel for his child."
Dean's heart ached seeing her so heartbroken. "Elizabeth, I hope you can figure out what you really want."
Elizabeth looked at him. "I want Pearl and Nolan to be healthy and safe with me. I want you to find true love." She gazed at Dean.
Dean hesitated. "And what about you? Your love? I can see you still have feelings for Michael."
Elizabeth collapsed onto the couch, facing away as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Love is a knife; it hurts too much. I don't want it anymore."
Michael stormed out of The Jones Group building, and his driver quickly opened the car door for him.
Michael raised the partition and sat in the back, trying to calm down.
His phone rang, but he ignored it. The persistent ringing continued until he finally picked it up, seeing Margaret's name on the screen. He answered reluctantly.
"Margaret, this better be important."
Margaret, unfazed by his tone, spoke gently. "Michael, my cousin Octavia Harper just graduated and returned home. She needs an internship, and I was hoping she could join Stellar Enterprises. She wants to take me out to dinner. Would you join us?"
Her voice was soft, ignoring Michael's harshness.
Margaret didn't expect much from the call, knowing Michael usually refused such requests. But she had time and patience.
To her surprise, Michael replied slowly, "Alright, send me the details."
Margaret was overjoyed. "Great, I'll send it right away."
Elizabeth called Sarah to meet for dinner.
Sarah arrived early and took a seat by the window.
When Elizabeth entered the restaurant, Sarah waved. "Elizabeth, over here."
Some patrons looked up at the sound, and Elizabeth froze when she met their gaze.
Sarah noticed and walked over to her. Following Elizabeth's gaze, she saw a young woman who looked strikingly similar to Elizabeth, wearing a white dress.
Sarah was stunned. 'Can there really be two people who look so alike without being related?'
Elizabeth nudged Sarah. "Let's go."
Sarah snapped out of it and led Elizabeth to their table.
As they were ordering, the young woman called out, "Margaret, over here."
Elizabeth and Sarah turned to see Margaret walking in, arm-in-arm with a man.
Margaret's long hair flowed over her shoulders, and she wore a seductive deep red mermaid dress.
The man beside her, in a sharp suit, had a stern expression.
It was Michael.
Sarah glanced at Elizabeth unconsciously.
Elizabeth had already torn the tissue in her hand into shreds.
Sarah gently held her hand. "Elizabeth, don't let a jerk ruin your mood. He's not worth it."
Elizabeth continued to order. "You're right, he's not."
Sarah, still fuming, added, "Nolan calling him a jerk wasn't wrong! Isn't he still living with Eloise? And now he's flaunting Margaret around?"
Elizabeth sighed. "Sarah, you just told me to move on."
Sarah shook her head. "I can't believe I used to admire him! I thought he was an idol. Who knew he was such a jerk? What a waste of my feelings!"
Elizabeth handed the menu to the waiter.
"Sarah, let's leave the past behind and look forward."
Sarah looked at Elizabeth, then towards Margaret. "Elizabeth, did you see that woman in white? She looks just like you! Did she get surgery to look like you?"
Elizabeth said nothing.
Sarah was indignant. "Margaret is disgusting! Bringing Michael to meet this woman is a direct challenge to you!"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
