Chapter 83 Health Supplements
Rachel snapped, "No need," and spun around to leave. "Send these back to Smith Corporation."
"Smith Corporation?" Lily mumbled, eyes wide. So, it was a gift from Michael. No wonder Rachel didn't want it.
"Lily, why does Mr. Smith keep sending health supplements to Ms. Williams? This isn't the first time, right?" the receptionist asked, leaning in with curiosity. "Is there something going on between them?"
"How would I know!" Lily huffed, putting the health supplements back. "Alright, enough gossip about Ms. Williams. Just send them over."
"Got it," the receptionist nodded quickly.
Lily rushed to catch up with Rachel, who was already back in her office, angrily dialing Michael's number.
"What's the deal with this?" Rachel demanded as soon as the call connected, her voice sharp.
"What do you mean?" Michael, on his way back to his office after a meeting, sounded puzzled.
Rachel took a deep breath, her irritation clear. "Those health supplements were your idea, right?" He had mentioned last night he wanted to send her health supplements, even though she had clearly refused. Yet, he still went ahead.
"Yeah, it was my idea," Michael admitted, his voice steady.
Rachel let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Smith, didn't I say I didn't want them? Why did you still send them?"
Was she questioning him? Michael's face darkened, his grip tightening on his phone. "You know very well you got injured at my hotel. I have an obligation to take responsibility."
"Responsibility?" Rachel laughed sarcastically. "Mr. Smith, when you were my husband, you never took any responsibility. Now that we're divorced, you're suddenly eager to take responsibility. Don't you find that ridiculous?"
Michael heard the sarcasm in her voice and lowered his eyes, staying silent. Even he couldn't explain why he felt the need to take responsibility for her.
"I've already sent the health supplements back. Don't send them again. I don't need them!" Rachel declared before hanging up decisively.
Michael stopped in his tracks, staring at his phone with a complex expression.
David noticed and stopped too. "Mr. Smith?"
"What is wrong with me?" Michael suddenly asked, frustration in his voice. Why was he so concerned about Rachel?
David looked confused. "Mr. Smith, what do you mean?"
Just as Michael was about to respond, Mandy walked out of the office and took his arm affectionately. "Michael, is the meeting over?" she asked sweetly.
A hint of surprise flashed in Michael's eyes. "Mandy, why haven't you left yet?"
Mandy pouted slightly, looking a bit displeased. "I've been waiting for you, and you're asking me that?"
"Sorry, I thought you had left," Michael apologized, ruffling her hair gently.
Mandy checked her phone and suggested, "Michael, how about we go to your place tonight? Mrs. Smith just messaged me saying she bought my favorite dishes."
"Okay," Michael nodded, trying to push his earlier conversation with Rachel out of his mind.
Mandy beamed, her eyes sparkling.
At that moment, a security guard walked out of the elevator holding a box. "Mr. Smith, this is..."
Before the guard could finish, Michael immediately interrupted, "Since it's here, just leave it." It was the health supplements Rachel had returned. If Mandy found out, she would probably get upset.
The guard left the box and hurried off.
Mandy curiously looked at the box on the floor. "Michael, what's this?"
"Health supplements," Michael said flatly, trying to sound casual.
David suddenly understood why Michael had interrupted the guard.
"What kind of health supplements?" Mandy asked as she stepped forward and opened the box, her eyes lighting up. "These are hard to get. My dad couldn't even get them when he tried to order. Michael, you bought so many."
"Have someone send them to Mr. Brown later," Michael said.
Mandy leaned back against him, satisfied. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Michael smiled slightly, trying to suppress the conflicting emotions inside him. Rachel was right. Now that they were divorced, there shouldn't be any more interactions. His gut told him that keeping in touch would only complicate things.
Pushing his feelings aside, Michael took Mandy's hand and said gently, "Let's go home."
"Okay," Mandy nodded with a smile, her grip tightening on his hand.
After arranging for David to send the health supplements to the Brown villa, the two left, heading to the Smith Manor. Half an hour later, they arrived. Emily, having heard the car pull up, came out to greet them with a tray of snacks in her hands.
As Mandy stepped out of the car, Emily's face lit up and she hurried over, reaching out to take Mandy's hand. "Mandy, you're here!" she greeted with joy.
"Mrs. Smith," Mandy responded softly, her gaze dropping to notice the food residue on Emily's hand. A flicker of discomfort crossed her face, and she subtly withdrew her hand, trying not to offend Emily.
Michael parked the car and joined them, noticing the two women standing outside. "Why are you both still out here?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "Let's head inside."
"Waiting for you," Mandy said, moving closer to Michael and distancing herself from Emily, holding his arm.
Emily smiled. "Michael, Mandy is really attached to you. You have to treat her well."
"Got it, Mom. Let's go inside," Michael said as he led Mandy into the house.
Their return instantly made the empty living room lively.
Mandy let go of Michael's hand. "Michael, I'm going to the bathroom," she said, eager to wash off the residue.
"Go ahead," Michael thought she needed to use the restroom and nodded.
Mandy quickly walked to the bathroom, her steps hurried.
Michael took off his coat and asked, "Mom, where's James?"
"Upstairs," Emily said with a look of dissatisfaction.
Michael looked at her inquiringly. "What's wrong?"
"James is being disobedient. I advised him to quit the basketball team and focus on his exams, but he refused. Now he's sulking and locked himself in his room," Emily complained while eating snacks.
Michael rubbed his temples. "I'll go talk to him."
"Don't bother. He just likes being alone. Let him be," Emily grumbled, but didn't stop Michael from going upstairs. After all, James was her son. A mother could never truly be harsh.
Michael knew this well. Without another word, he headed upstairs.
"James, open the door. Let's talk," Michael said, standing in front of James's room and gently knocking.
The door slowly opened. James's eyes were slightly red as he looked at him and softly called, "Michael."
"Crying?" Michael raised an eyebrow, his tone light.
James raised his arm and wiped his eyes roughly, denying it. "No, I'm not."
Michael's lips curved slightly, not exposing him. "Can I come in and talk?"
"Come in," James said, stepping aside to let him in.
Michael walked into the room, glancing around.
James followed and closed the door. He said anxiously, "Michael, didn't you promise to help convince Mom to let me focus on basketball? Now she's constantly pushing me to quit the team and won't even let me go to practice. There's an away game the day after tomorrow, and I haven't trained. The coach is getting anxious."
The coach had even called earlier, warning that if he didn't attend practice, he would be disqualified. James had worked hard to get into the basketball team. How could he be kicked out so easily?
Michael felt helpless too. He replied, "Mom did agree before to let you play basketball. I don't know why she changed her mind. Don't worry, I'll talk to her again."
"What's the point? Even if she agrees now, she might change her mind again later," James said angrily, sitting on the edge of the bed, his frustration palpable.
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