Chapter 101 Too Young to Falter?
Paige glanced at Paige's gaze shifted to the satellite phone that Pearl handed had extended towards her and walked briskly. With a swift stride, she made her way towards the mansion.
Once back, the phone clutched tightly in her hand.Upon entering the study, Paige finally answered the call.
succumbed to the persistent ringing of the phone."Hello... yes... alright... I understand, I'll be careful."
," she responded curtly, her words concise and to the point.After a few short responsesending the call, Paige hung up. She leaned onfound herself leaning against the desk, phone still in hand. Her mind seemed to drift away, lost in thought for a while.
sea of contemplation.It wasn't until Pearl knocked on the doorsound of Pearl's knock echoed through the room that Paige snappedwas jolted back to reality and. "Come in," she beckoned, "Come in."
She placedplacing the phone on the desk and turnedturning to letallow Pearl putto return it back where it belonged before she sat down atto its rightful place. She then took a seat behind the desk.
Pearl brought in , her posture composed and dignified.Pearl entered, carrying a tray of freshly brewed coffee and set it in front ofwhich she placed before Paige. "Xanthe, tomorrow is the Hawke Corporation's anniversary celebration. Although Hawke Corporation has expanded quite a fewDespite the corporation's numerous overseas operations, they've never dealtinteracted with the Universe Group. Now, because ofdue to your relationshipassociation with Raymond, the two companies have started collaborating.begun to collaborate. Once everyone knows your identity is revealed at tomorrow's event, there could be repercussions..."
Paige replied in a matter-of-factlyfact tone, "We'll play it by ear."
Pearl nodded in agreement.
Then Paige, accepting Paige's decision.Paige then added, "KeepMaintain a low profile, no need for my business cards – just use yours. I'll try to minimize my presence tomorrow. If the gown stands outis too muchconspicuous, switch it for something more understated."
Pearl appeared to beseemed taken aback by Paige's decision.
instructions. Her eyes widened in surprise, "Even more low profile?" They were already being as discreet to the extreme.as possible. Any more low-profile and they would become invisible.
Pearl took a deep breath, "Xanthe, boss... This is really the most low-key dress we could find. It's a luxury custom design, sure, but it's definitely not a runway piece, nor is it something that hotshot actresses are scrambling to get their hands on. You have no idea how extravagant the socialite circles in Northwind can be with their attire at various soirees."
Paige was indeed familiar with the extent of luxury that the women in Northwind's socialite circles chased after with such fervor. But now, she just wanted to keep a low profile. She knew all too well that drawing attention when someone was out to get you was akin to asking for trouble — it would be no one's fault but her own if she ended up being the target.
Therefore, Paige was extremely cautious. She nodded, "Alright, I got it. By the way, the information on tThe Wren family I asked you to look up yesterday, do you have it?"
Pearl immediately grabbed her laptop and sent the organized files to Paige's email. "It's in your inbox now. The Wren family isn't considered a traditional powerhouse in Northwind. They suddenly came into wealth about twenty to thirty years ago. They might not have the status of the old money families, but in terms of wealth, they're several levels above tThe Sackler family. However, unfortunately, they just can't seem to elevate their actual standing. You know, Northwind is a city that cares a lot about the origin of one's status. Having money can get you into the circle of the wealthy, but it can't buy the kind of respect and position that comes from a long-standing reputation."
As Paige listened to this, she smiled faintly, "No wonder they're eyeing Louis."
Pearl had roughly heard about the incident from the night before, after Paige returned and briefly mentioned it while stashing away her needle kit.
Pearl laughed, "The Carnegie family's money and status are both unmatched in Northwind. Being a top-tier family isn't just lip service. If tThe Wren family could manage to forge a marriage alliance with The Carnegie family, their status would naturally rise with the tide."
With Pearl's words, Paige suddenly understood something. Isadora's drugging incident and The Wren family's swift and exhaustive apologies were unparalleled! It was as if the entire family had jumped into action.
It seemed that it wasn't just Isadora acting alone in this matter.
A smile slowly spread across Paige's face.
.Pearl, curious, said, "Xanthe, what are you smiling about?"
Paige mused, "You see, the Wren family suddenly struck it rich; they aren’t old Northwind money. And what's more, it looks like the Wrens are keen on marrying into the Carnegie family. Interesting, very interesting indeed..."
Pearl replied, "I didn't quite catch that."
Paige explained, "Yesterday's disaster that befell Louis, it was caused by two different love poisons. Sure, they managed to save his life, but he's going to need some time to recuperate. Now, if it had just been Isadora acting alone, the Wrens could have taken the hit and moved on. But from the Wrens' reaction, it looks like the whole family had a hand in this. And if that's the case, they're well aware of the dosages and the body's reactions to these substances.."
The waymanner in which Xena shovedbrazenly cast all the blameculpability onto the Wrens, I'd wager suggested to Paige that the Wrens have already figured out what's really going on. Now thishad likely d iscerned the true nature of the situation. "This is getting interesting!"
As becoming rather intriguing," she mused to herself.Just as Paige was relishingsavoring the thoughtprospect of more drama unfolding, an unidentifiedunfamiliar phone number flashedflickered across her phone screen. A quick glance toldconfirmed her suspicion; it was Louis. TakingInhaling deeply, she composed her features into a deep breath, she put on a serious facemask of seriousness and answeredaccepted the call, gesturingsignaling for Pearl to step outexit the room as she did so.
After takingOnce Pearl had left, Paige took a sip of her coffee, Paige listened and turned her attention to the voice on the other end.
of the line."Paige, you've finally answered my call," came Louis's voice.
echoed in her ear.Paige swallowed a mouthful of coffee, retorting sharply, "Mr. Louis Hawthorne, pleaseeither address me by my full name, or refer to me as Aunt Paige, if you must!"
Her sharp retortbiting response was likeakin to a knifeblade twisting in Louis's heart, then being pulled out only to plungebe withdrawn and thrust back in again.
After a briefmoment of silence, Paige pressed, "If on, "Unless there's noa specific reason for this call, I'm hanging up."
ending it."Louis quickly saidhastily replied, "Don't hang up. I wanted to thank you for last night."
Paige responded flatlyin a flat tone, "A healer's duty is to save lives; that’s the first lesson my grandpagrandfather, Dr. Bradley, taught me, not to stand idly by in the face of death."
"Grandpa?" Louis echoed the title, realization dawning that the Grandpagrandfather Paige referred to was her childhood guardian, Dr. Bradley from her hometown. Dr. Bradley, who had passed away some years back. In the village, Bradley’s medical skills ago, had been highly regarded, although to everyone else, he was just a humble country doctor.
, yet his medical skills were highly esteemed in the village.With a forced chuckle, Louis admittedconfessed, "Last night, you saw me at my worst."
Paige wasn't at all surprisedwas unfazed by the attention:his admission, "You're the scionheir of the Carnegie family and the master p3of Hawke Corporation, not to mention you're handsome to boot.your good looks. It's no wonder women have their eyes on are drawn to you.
However, you should be a bitexercise more carefulcaution in the future; consuming too much of that wolf's bane can be harmful, you know.detrimental. One day, it might just knock you out.
be your downfall. Such a shamewaste for such a young guyman," she added with a tsk-tsk.
Louis was a bitslightly embarrassed by Paige's teasing.
Feeling the need to changeshift the subjectconversation, he said, "There's something, I was hoping to ask of you."
Paige was confused:taken aback, "Asking me for help? Did the greatillustrious Louis dial the wrong number or mistakenly reach out to the wrong person by mistake?"
?"What could Louis possibly needwant from her?
His tone turned more sincere:earnest, "Paige, I'm truly coming to you forgenuinely seeking your help."
Paige let out a cold laugh:, "Not only do you, a young man, face certain...risks, but it seems your memory isn't too greatsharp either.
You've forgotten about what happenedtranspired five years ago, but I surecertainly haven't!"
She, Paige, was only human after all.
Not holding To not hold a grudge? Impossible.
Unthinkable.Louis found himself at a loss for words, but he knew that if he was the first to hang upend the call, Paige might not takeentertain his calls anymore.
Bitingin the bulletfuture.Summoning his courage, Louis spoke up: "I'm sorry about, "I apologize for what happened five years ago, you can hold it against me however you likewish in the future. RightBut right now, I'm asking for your help."
Paige was settled, seated comfortably in her executive chair, one hand holdingheld the phone to her ear, with one hand, while the other cradlingcradled a coffee cup,. She was the epitomevery picture of ease.
She spoke calmly:, "Let's hear what you have to say then?"."
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