Chapter 423 Paige and Marcus, A Warm Encounter
"That looks really painful!" Frederick grimaced, standing inside The Smith Corporation with Simon, Amelia, and Paige, watching the scene unfold.
Leroy whipped a belt, causing Barry to jump in pain each time, shouting, "Dad, stop hitting me. Dad, I know I was wrong."
Leroy retorted, "You know you were wrong? You know nothing! Do you know that our family, the Myers, is bankrupt? You let your lust ruin everything, destroying our family business for a woman. You scoundrel, you never learned any of the good values I taught you. Now look, we're facing bankruptcy."
Watching this farce, Paige closed her eyes briefly. "Get them out of here. If Barry needs a lesson, do it at home. Who are they performing for here?"
Paige had no interest in watching Leroy discipline Barry in public; it could have a significant impact on her unborn child.
Simon glanced at the security guard, who quickly went over to negotiate with Leroy.
Leroy and Barry soon got into their car and left.
Paige also stepped out, needing to rest after a long day.
Pearl accompanied Paige to the car, leaving the remaining tasks to the subordinates.
Everything was already arranged, and in about a week, the Myers family's assets would be completely taken over.
How to handle the Myers Group's assets afterward would be up to the Smith family.
As soon as Paige sat in the car, the driver, Marcus Graham, cheerfully said, "Please fasten your seatbelt."
Paige was taken aback. The streetlights outside cast long shadows of the trees, and with Marcus's cheerful voice, she felt a moment of disorientation.
Paige glanced at Pearl and then at the driver.
She asked, "Did I change drivers? Why does the driver's voice sound both unfamiliar and familiar?"
Pearl smiled slightly but didn't immediately reveal the answer.
However, Marcus, hearing Paige's voice, turned around to look at her.
After staring at Paige for a few moments, Marcus suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt and excitedly said, "It's really you. Do you remember me? That night, you were crying alone by the roadside. It's me, the taxi driver who gave you the sandwich I bought for my daughter. Do you remember now?"
Marcus's enthusiasm and cheerful voice seemed to be free of any worries.
Paige finally remembered.
It was the night she learned about her true identity and didn't know that she and Raymond were not blood-related.
She had a car accident, found out she was pregnant, and couldn't handle it all, so she ran out of the hospital with nowhere to go.
Crying by the roadside in pain, a late-night taxi driver passed by, gave her a ride, didn't charge her, and even gave her a warm sandwich.
That was the best sandwich Paige had ever had in her memory.
Even though she had no appetite at the time, that sandwich filled her stomach.
It gave her the strength to carry on.
Paige was surprised. "So it was you."
Marcus was equally surprised. "Yes, it's me. You know Ms. Southern too?"
Paige smiled; of course, she knew Ms. Southern.
Paige roughly understood why Marcus was here.
After reuniting with Pearl and others, Paige had instructed Pearl on the flight to Arcadia to arrange a way to thank Marcus.
Unexpectedly, Pearl's arrangement surprised her.
Maybe this was what they called fate.
Because of a kind act, they met again.
Paige smiled but didn't answer, while Marcus happily continued, "You don't know, ever since I gave you that ride, I've been incredibly lucky. After my rental car lease ended, I applied to be a driver for the Universe Group, and I got the job without even an interview. As soon as I started, my boss said there was an employee event, and my daughter got into a middle school sponsored by the Universe Group. You have no idea how hard it is to get into that school."
Marcus's cheerful personality made Paige genuinely happy listening to these trivial matters.
She also glanced at Pearl.
She knew it was all Pearl's arrangement.
Pearl had made the warmth she encountered during her lowest point in life even more meaningful.
Paige fastened her seatbelt and smiled. "Really? How is your daughter doing in her new school? Is she adjusting well?"
Marcus quickly buckled his seatbelt and started driving.
Just like that night, he talked while Paige listened from the back seat.
Only this time, the circumstances and her state of mind were different.
Marcus was even more cheerful, and Paige felt her mood lift.
Marcus said, "She's doing great. My daughter is a good student. But my wife and I have limited abilities; she couldn't get into a good school on her own. But now, she's lucky, she met me, and finally got into the middle school she wanted."
Paige listened, her smile growing deeper.
Marcus's optimism was truly infectious.
Paige thought his daughter must be very happy.
Marcus chatted with Paige the whole way, and all the tension from her day's work melted away.
Pearl noticed that Paige's smile never faded during the entire ride, knowing that her arrangement was indeed the right one.
Giving Marcus some cab fare and money for the sandwich was easy, but it wasn't enough to repay him for lighting up the cold and despairing night Paige experienced.
Maybe for Marcus, it was just a casual act of kindness, but good deeds should have beautiful outcomes!
It wasn't until Marcus dropped Paige off at Willow Crest Estate that he seemed to remember something more important.
After the car stopped, he got out to help Pearl open the car door. Pearl got out, then walked around the front of the car to help Paige with her door.
Marcus then asked, "By the way, how do you know Ms. Southern?"
Marcus thought, 'Ms. Southern is a high-ranking executive in the company, and even the mid-level managers walk behind her, not daring to overtake her. Why is she opening the door for Paige?"
Paige smiled but didn't answer. Pearl, noticing Paige's expression, explained with a smile. "Mr. Graham, this is our CEO of the Universe Group, Xanthe Ellison, Ms. Ellison."
Marcus, upon hearing that Paige was the CEO of the Universe Group, almost collapsed in shock.
Fortunately, Paige quickly caught him. "Mr. Graham, just think of me as the same girl you met that night."
Under the moonlight, Marcus looked at Paige, thinking she was even more beautiful than his daughter. "Ms. Ellison, I really had no idea. I thought it was my own ability, but it turns out you've been helping me all along."
Paige was unpretentious. "Mr. Graham, you deserve it. You drive very steadily, and I enjoy listening to your stories about everyday life. But Pearl, try to schedule Mr. Graham's work during normal hours so he can go home early to be with his daughter."
Before Pearl could respond, Marcus laughed and said, "My usual work is during the day; tonight was the first time. It turns out Ms. Southern specifically arranged for me to meet Ms. Ellison. I never expected that."
Paige looked at Pearl. "Thank you, today was perfect."
After chatting outside the car for a while, Marcus finally drove home.
Paige watched the car drive away and softly said, "He really is a naturally optimistic person. Pearl, can you imagine that kind of peaceful and ordinary life?"
Pearl shook her head, "Ms. Ellison, that kind of life is far from us. But seeing others live that way makes me feel quite happy."
Paige nodded, "I feel like I've found new meaning. Remember? Joshua and the others said, 'Welcome to the world of money, welcome to the world of the ruthless rich.' If I were to enter that ruthless world to exploit countless ordinary people and families like Mr. Graham, I'd rather destroy it."
Pearl asked, "So, Ms. Ellison, what do you mean?"
Paige still looked in the direction of Marcus's departing car. "After a chance encounter, we can shield Mr. Graham from the storm. Since we can't live that peaceful and ordinary life, let's help more people achieve it."
Pearl looked at Paige.
The streetlight cast a long shadow behind Paige, and her face was filled with hope.
Pearl smiled and nodded firmly. "It's an honor to know you, Ms. Ellison!"
As Paige turned to smile at Pearl, her phone rang.
It was a call from Raymond.
Despite the time difference between the two countries, Raymond had timed his call perfectly for when she got home.
As Paige and Pearl talked about their ideals, Raymond's call seemed destined to be part of Paige's vision.
It was as if the call signified that he was also part of Paige's mission.
They had only been apart for a short time, but their video call was filled with so much affection that the single Pearl couldn't bear to listen and excused herself.
On her way back to her room, Pearl heard light footsteps behind her.
She was familiar with the footsteps of her household members.
Unable to identify the sound, Pearl turned around.
She saw Selene standing ghost-like about ten steps behind her.
Yes, Selene was now also part of Paige's security detail.
Although Julian was Paige's primary bodyguard, being a man, there were many places he couldn't follow her.
Pearl knew Selene was a woman of few words, very capable but not talkative.
However, the last time Paige insisted she not wear a mask, which earned her absolute loyalty.
Pearl walked a few steps toward Selene. "In our own home, you can be more relaxed. I'm your friend, don't act like you're stalking an enemy. Do you have something to tell me?"
Selene avoided Pearl's gaze and nodded.
Pearl said, "Come on, let's talk in my room."
Following her quietly meant she didn't want to alert Paige.
Once inside Pearl's room, Selene spoke, "Someone has been following Ms. Ellison these past few days. They're very cautious, keeping a distance. If we weren't constantly monitoring, it would be hard to confirm they were tailing you."
Pearl asked in surprise. "Since when?"
Selene replied, "Since the funeral started!"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
