Chapter 67 A Growing Rift
After planning the itinerary, Alisha went to discuss with Wilber about going abroad to negotiate the contract.
Wilber let out a sigh and impatiently waved his hand.
“Do whatever you want.”
With the permission granted, Alisha took two days off and went home to carefully plan every detail, ensuring a hundred percent success this time.
The door was pushed open with a creak, and Carlton, slightly drunk, leaned against the door, loosening his collar with his hand.
“Wife, it’s so late, why haven’t you rested”…"
Alisha furrowed her eyebrows, her tone tinged with some reproach, "The company has some things going on, and I've been busy until now. Why did you drink so much?"
Carlton stumbled over and sat in front of her.
"For business, you know. If I don't drink, who would be willing to continue negotiating with you?"
Alisha frowned and got up, pouring him a refreshing glass of lemon water.
After Carlton took a couple of sips, she said, "By the way, there's something that I need your help with."
Without hesitation, Carlton responded, “What my wife says is a command!”
Alisha shyly smiled, "Don't you have a high school classmate working overseas? At Page Group, right?"
“Yeah, what’s up?”
Alisha gently held his arm and leaned weakly against his shoulder.
"The Gilbert Group has recently suffered some significant setbacks. I thought maybe you could help them. No matter what, I've been with this company for several years too. This is a good opportunity to perform well in front of Mr. Gilbert and maybe get promoted. The director just resigned two days ago, and if I could take that position..."
Carlton's expression grew darker, and the drunkenness visibly disappeared, replaced by sobriety. He abruptly shook off Alisha's hand and met her bewildered gaze.
"What do you mean? Are you trying to take advantage of my connections?"
Alisha panicked, trying to come up with a response and grabbed onto him again.
"Honey, you're not being very nice with your words. What do you mean take advantage? Isn't it helpful for you if I have a better job? Don't forget, you've also worked with Mr. Gilbert before."
Carlton's face turned gloomy, as dark as the bottom of a pot, as if Alisha had committed some unforgivable mistake.
“Can you use your brain before you speak and act?”
"If you want my friend to help you, doesn't that mean I'll owe him a favor?"
Alisha's manners cooled instantly.
"I know this situation has put you in a difficult position, but I'm also considering the long-term," Carlton said.
“Don’t be fooled by the current situation of Gilbert Group, there is still a future”…"
"What future?" Carlton interrupted her irritably, "Enough, there's nothing to discuss!"
"I've already told my colleagues, and the tickets are booked! Just waiting for your approval on your end!" Alisha's expression changed drastically. She didn't expect Carlton to reject something as simple as a phone call.
Seeing that she was genuinely angry, Carlton softened his tone.
“Then cancel it if you want to. Gilbert Group is beyond saving, no need to waste energy. Besides, if they really go bankrupt and shut down, you can just stay at home and be a housewife. There's nothing wrong with that. I never wanted you to go out and work in the first place. It's not like I can't support you. Come on, be good."
Alisha gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and remained silent.
"Don't be angry, my dear. I'm doing this for your own good."
After briefly coaxing her, when Alisha still didn’t say a word, Carlton gradually lost his patience.
"I'll go take a shower first."
Alisha watched his back and spoke in a defiant manner.
"Luann will also go on this trip. She seems to care a lot about Mr. Gilbert's company. She even came to ask me for help...”
Carlton abruptly stopped in his tracks. He turned around, his face filled with an unstoppable curiosity and excitement.
"Really?"
Despite the moderate room temperature, Alisha felt a chilling sensation all over her body. The cold air seemed to penetrate through every pore, as if freezing her heart. Alisha forced a bitter smile, trying her best not to appear so miserable. She picked up her phone.
"Yeah, since you don't agree, I'll tell Luann right away."
“No, no, no.” Carlton hurriedly stepped forward, grabbing her hand.
"My dear, don't get so worked up. I've had a lot to drink tonight and I'm feeling dizzy. I spoke without thinking. I've thought about it carefully. What you said makes sense, and after all, I've also collaborated with Wilber before... Forget it, this time I’ll help him out! And, how can I allow you girls to travel around recklessly for an overseas trip? What if you get lost? Here's the deal, I'll go with you all!"
Alisha reluctantly twitched the corner of her lips. This time, she couldn't even force a smile.
“Fine.”
Carlton nodded and tossed his phone to her.
“My dear, help me book a flight ticket!”
After Carlton entered the bathroom, Alisha picked up his phone and purchased a ticket for the same day. At the same time, she called his assistant using her own phone.
...
At the airport, Luann walked towards the security checkpoint with a small suitcase. As she approached, she saw several people happily chatting near the boarding gate. Upon seeing her, they waved and greeted her.
"Finally, Luann is here!"
Luann yawned and glanced at the time.
Alisha, filled with apologies, said, "I'm really sorry, we have a shortage of company funds, so I thought of saving some money by booking the earliest flight. It did inconvenience all of you..."
Everyone immediately reassured, "It's alright, we have a long journey ahead, we can sleep on the plane."
Rumble—
An awkward sound echoed, originating from someone’s stomach.
A male colleague awkwardly said, "Sorry, I woke up late this morning and almost missed the
carpool to the airport, so I didn’t eat breakfast.”
Alisha was about to speak when Luann coolly interjected, "That restaurant just opened, let's go. I'll treat you all to breakfast."
“Thank you!”
Alisha glanced at her, biting her lip.
After having breakfast, everyone boarded the plane one by one.
On the long and boring flight, hushed discussions could be heard.
Luann leaned back, closing her eyes, with earphones hanging from her ears, while her slender fingers tapped rhythmically on her leg.
Alisha turned her head to look at her and suddenly smiled.
"Miss Luann, you really are am extraordinary person."
Luann slightly opened her eyes, her gaze showing traces of drowsiness as she swept over.
"Hmm?"
Alisha’s smile contained no threat.
"We were all shocked when we heard about your piano performance before. Usually, you're a quiet and unassuming employee in the company, yet you were able to perform alongside world-class pianists.
The fee for this performance must be an astronomical sum that ordinary people could never earn in a lifetime... To be honest, I was quite curious why you didn’t leave the company after breaking up with Mr. Gilbert.
If it were any other woman, she would have long gone and never associated with this man again. “Why did you stay with the company? Could it be that you still have feelings for Mr. Gilbert?"
