Chapter 302 Playing By Her Own Rules
Alyssa's joy was infectious, and it lifted Reese's spirits. "It's satisfying to succeed on your own merit, isn't it? To be free of that mental burden?" Reese asked, her voice soft with understanding.
Alyssa, now completely at ease, radiated optimism about her future. Her excitement bubbled over, and she wrapped Reese in a tight hug. Reese, who had once been uncomfortable with such displays of affection, had grown accustomed to Alyssa's touch. Perhaps it was because she had come to understand the kind of person Alyssa was - straightforward, honest, and di rect. Reese admired these qualities, preferring them to the duplicity and scheming of others.
Alyssa nodded enthusiastically. "If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have asked for your help. But if I had known you had professionals like King at your disposal, you should've informed me sooner." She was certain that with this knowledge, she could have elevated her game much earlier without any complications.
Reese was not one to interfere in others' affairs, so her assistance was a significant gesture. She had never considered herself a warm-hearted person. Alyssa, not icing Reese's silence, quickly returned to reality. Her face stiffened, and she withdrew her hand, offering an awkward smile. "Sorry, Reese, I forgot you’re not into the whole touching thing. But really, I can't thank you enough—you've restored my dignity. Let's see who dares to question my skills now."
Reese knew Alyssa's issue was resolved, and it was time to attend to her own matters. "I might be away for a few days. If you run into any trouble, reach out to Malcolm. He'll sort it out for you." She said this to prepare Alyssa, knowing that her absence might cause a fuss.
Alyssa's eyes widened in surprise at Reese's plans. "Where are you going? Is it a trip? Can I come with you?" Reese hadn't taken a leisure trip in a while, mainly because she hadn't found people who shared her interests. "I have to run a couple of errands for Malcolm," Reese said with a sigh. Alyssa pouted, "Understood, that's okay then."
Leaving Alyssa's room, Reese sought out Malcolm, who was busy in his home office. "Why didn't you go into the office today?" she asked. He looked up, "You're leaving in a couple of days, and I wanted to make the most of our time together at home before you go." He was worried about her upcoming departure, and the risk it posed.
Malcolm had asked Justin to gather some information and was growing increasingly anxious as there had been no update yet. He had considered stopping her but knew Reese well enough to understand that interfering with her decisions would only irritate her, and then she would be sure to keep him in the dark about her future activities. He couldn't take that risk.
Reese was touched by his concern. She never imagined he'd sacrifice a day at the office for her sake. Just then, Justin entered, "Mr. Flynn, we've received an invitation from GlobalMacro Group. It's for their founders' 50th anniversary party, and they have extended a special invitation to the Flynn Group."
Malcolm took the invitation, noting it was for that night. Reese wasn't leaving until the day after tomorrow, so there was time, but he wanted her input. He tenderly touched Reese's wrist, his warm fingertips softly caressing the back of her hand. "Honey, do you want to come with me?" Her frown conveyed her reluctance.
"Do we have to go?" Reese asked. "I understand if you don't want to," he said, softly ruffling her hair. "I'll never insist on you doing anything you dislike." "But if you don't go, wouldn't it look bad?" she questioned. "I definitely need to attend," Malcolm admitted candidly, "but if you're not coming, I'll have to ask someone else."
Justin, overhearing this, barely contained his laughter. Mr. Flynn's subtle strategy was clever – while not overtly pressuring Reese, he hinted that he would take someone else if she declined, effectively leaving the choice to her. Reese's eyes sparked a different kind of gleam as she realized the play at hand. It wasn't that he didn't want to go, he apparently just wanted someone else's company.
But Reese was her own brand of woman – different from the rest. Especially when it came to affairs of the heart, she never clung to a man; she was more of a let-fate-decide kind of gal. If a relationship was meant to last, great; if not, then it just wasn't meant to be.
She wasn't blind to Malcolm's game, and her favorite thing was to counter move by move. A sly smile suddenly played across Reese's face, leaving both Justin and Malcolm on edge, uncertain of the smile's true meaning.
"Well then, who do you want to bring along? I'll give you my two cents. Judging by the lady friend here, Everly's your best match. Shirley's been hit hard financially recently, and considering past events, I doubt she's your ideal choice. Why don't you just take Everly? She's your sister, after all. It'll save face, and keep the tabloids guessing," she suggested, with an almost analytical coolness.
Her rational breakdown of the situation made her sound like a supportive partner in the eyes of anyone else. Justin listened anxiously, wondering whether Reese was too carefree or simply indifferent about Mr. Flynn's feelings. It was no secret that Miss Everly had a soft spot for Mr. Flynn, eager for any chance to be close to him.
Weren't love rivals supposed to be green with envy? Yet here was Reese, rewriting the rules. Malcolm was beside himself with frustration. He'd hoped to make Reese jealous, counting on her emotional response to object to his plan. And there was Reese – logically picking apart the situation for what she perceived was his benefit.
Noticing Malcolm's silence, Reese prodded further, "What's wrong, honey? Not satisfied? Should I help you pick out someone else?"
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