Chapter 38 Maybe You Should Start Dating
<Chapter>Chapter 38 Maybe You Should Start Dating </Chapter>
With Raymond having spoken, Bradley felt the need to chime in.
Bradley said, “Business is time demanding, but it’s not like Louis has to do everything himself. Priorities should not be sidelined, and marriage is certainly a priority.”
His words seemed to bring a touch of joy to the faces of both Margaret and Xena. Catching Bradley’s look, Raymond understood immediately.
After a brief exchange with Margaret about the wedding, Bradley swiftly turned the conversation.
Contemplatively, Bradley mused, “If I recall, Xena is the second child; she has an older sister, right?”
The sudden mention changed Margaret and Xena’s expressions.
Xena glanced at Margaret, who was clearly the right person to address this subject.
With a sigh, Margaret bemoaned, “Please don’t remind me, it’s been a misfortune for our family. That girl...such a rebel, we couldn’t raise her right. Always a troublemaker, we exhausted ourselves trying to discipline her. In the end, we had no choice but to send her to the countryside for relatives to look after. And believe it or not, when she came back, she even went so far as to put her own mother in danger.”
Bradley cast a subdued glance at Raymond, his expression far from pleasant.
The Paige he knew was a truly remarkable kid, someone who had helped him out without even knowing him. From the moment he met her, he liked her immediately, feeling an inexplicable kinship.
He had arranged for Paige to marry Raymond because, upon seeing her, he just knew that a child as wonderful as her should be part of their family!
But the Paige described by Margaret was someone Bradley simply couldn't recognize.
Bradley, Unable to read Raymond's expression, chimed, "Is that so? If the kid's that hard to handle, did you ever consider sending her abroad? Maybe a change of scenery would do her good. Country life could be a hindrance to her development."
Margaret's face betrayed a hint of embarrassment.
Rebellious behavior wasn't uncommon among the children of wealthy families, typically indulged in the best life had to offer.
But sending a child to the country? That was a new one for Bradley. The Sacklers could certainly afford to send Paige abroad, but the old woman detested her and would never send her to enjoy the finer things of life. Banishing her to the country was like wishing her dead.
Ironically, Paige was tough as nails!
Margaret was still grappling with a response when Francesca returned with Louis. Her unwavering smile blooming even further. After taking her seat, she said, "Let's set a suitable wedding date for our families, shall we."
Margaret's mood lifted instantly. "Oh, that would be wonderful."
Laughter and chatter once again filled the dispirited room.
After dinner, when the others had left and Raymond showed no signs of leaving, Bradley guessed he wanted to talk about Paige and sat down opposite him.
Bradley asserted confidently, "The Sackler family's words are just one side of the story. Paige is definitely a good kid. Could I possibly be mistaken in judging character?"
After a long silence, Raymond finally spoke, "But what if you were wrong?"
Bradley stood up immediately, surprise etched on his face, "Did you have a fight?"
Raymond pressed, "Just tell me, what if you were wrong?"
Bradley swore with conviction, "Impossible! I haven't lived all these years for nothing. Paige has the compassionate heart of a healer, she's certainly no bad seed. And if you're bothered by whatever's between her and Louis, then you shouldn't be. This kid, she's got integrity. If Paige ever did anything wrong, you can bet she was pushed into a corner!"
Raymond was somewhat taken aback by Bradley’s undeterred support for Paige. He lifted his head to regard Bradley, and left without further discussion, stating only, "Got it. She's waiting for me at home. I better get going."
On those evenings Raymond claimed to be 'working late,' Paige seldom headed home to cook. Overwhelmed with her duties at Universe Group, working overtime had become her norm.
At that moment, Paige stretched lazily, her gaze inadvertently falling on the row of clocks in front of her. Yes, an entire row showcasing the time in various countries, all hanging there for reference.
Her stretch didn't go unnoticed by Pearl South, "Xanthe, don’t tell me you're thinking of clocking out already? There’s still so much work..."
Paige inhaled deeply, lighting a cigarette and blowing out a perfect smoke ring, her body casually leaning back in her executive chair with an air of nonchalance as she fixed her eyes on Pearl South.
Paige sat quietly, observing Pearl in a manner that was questioning. She wondered why Pearl always expected her to work overtime. Even the hardest working employees get a break but Pearl seemed to demand her attention around the clock!
Pearl, still clutching papers in her hands, felt somewhat uneasy under the scrutiny of Paige's smoky gaze.
Though Paige hadn't been back in her position for long, her presence had grown increasingly sharp. Pearl lowered her head slightly, "Xanthe, I'm not used to you staring at me like that."
Paige didn't get many chances to smoke during the day. Taking another deep drag, she exhaled, veiling her vision in a haze of smoke.
It was then that Paige spoke up, "Pearl, are you in love?"
Pearl, caught off guard, stammered, "What?"
"Maybe you should start dating,” Paige suggested casually.
Pearl was even more bewildered, "Xanthe, what did I do wrong?"
Pearl, who commanded respect everywhere else, now looked like an obedient schoolgirl in Paige's presence, a spectacle that would surely astound anyone at Universe Group.
Paige stubbed out her almost-done smoked cigarette in the ashtray before rising assertively. She grabbed her $50 bag purchased from a local boutique off her multimillion-dollar desk, slinging it effortlessly over her shoulder, exuding an unintentional aura reminiscent of a supermodel.
She strode past Pearl, dismissing the pile of pending work in Pearl's arms with her confident steps and a commanding presence. It wasn't until she had brushed past Pearl that she spoke.
"When you're in love, you'll understand why I need to go home now instead of staying late at work!"
Paige stepped into the elevator, maintaining a smile of subtle superiority until the doors slowly slid and closed.
Pearl only snapped to her senses once the elevator doors had sealed shut, her body shivering with realization.
It had become clear to her why, out of the five disciples trained under the same master, it was Paige who had secured their coveted position, not any of the four of them.
Julian drove Paige to the vicinity of the apartment complex and dropped her off. She stepped out of the car and walked the rest of the way.
As she entered the elevator of her building, Paige suddenly remembered that she had been smoking earlier.
In a moment, the poised and powerful demeanor of Xanthe collapsed, and she crouched in the elevator, frantically rummaging through her bag.
At the bottom, she found a small bottle of mouthwash and a citrus-scented breath spray.
As the elevator doors opened, Paige, having meticulously rinse and swish her mouth with the mouthwash spat out into a conveniently placed trash bin. Stepping out, she sprayed her mouth with the refreshing scent of citrus. All traces of the assertive Xanthe were gone. In a hurry, she quickly breathed into her palm and gave it a sniff to ensure the scent was undetected.
Paige was so focused on concealing the smell that she didn't notice someone approaching from behind.
Suddenly, a voice spoke from directly behind her...
