Chapter 48 Oscar's Displeasure
Pearl's words were measured, neither too close nor too distant. If they divorced in the future, it would prevent others from spreading rumors.
But Oscar felt that Pearl was being too cautious. While he had helped her, he also feared becoming the subject of gossip. He was afraid of others finding out about their relationship.
Suddenly, his expression turned cold, leaving only iciness and detachment.
"Are you that scared?" he asked.
Pearl noticed his displeasure and explained diplomatically, "I'm worried about bringing negative attention to President Oscar. After a future divorce, I wouldn't want people to talk about any supposed involvement with me. I believe President Oscar wouldn't want to hear such rumors at that time, either. Besides, my reputation is already not very good, and I don't want to drag you down with me."
Oscar frowned and spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "Secretary Pearl, you're calculating things this strictly, even worried about a bad reputation?"
His tone caught her off guard.
Was she wrong to be careful?
People were already calling her his mistress, something he should least want to hear and also avoid.
She reminded him to protect his reputation.
She also thought ahead to the future, to a time after divorce, wanting to avoid bringing up any unnecessary old issues.
Her intent to keep a respectful distance and give a friendly reminder was being taken as her being too calculating.
Pearl pursed her lips, somewhat puzzled by his thought, "If my reputation is already like this, then I'll just stop caring. I'm considering your well-being, not wanting you to be impacted by my presence."
The more Oscar listened to her, the less comfortable he felt until he almost burst out laughing, "You're quite thoughtful of me, having had such a hard time these past few years."
Her response left Pearl momentarily startled, but she still humored him, "It's not hard at all. Everything is for President Oscar and for the Brown Group. It's my duty."
Watching Pearl's respectful and obedient demeanor, Oscar's lips formed a straight line, but his eyes held a cold glint. He tugged his tie in annoyance and said coldly, "Secretary Pearl is really understanding!"
Pearl looked at him, his face impassive, but his words seemed like a compliment, so inscrutable that she couldn't tell if he was pleased or angry.
She had grown accustomed to guessing his thoughts, not missing any minute detail on his face.
But she must be right, shouldn't she?
Logically speaking, everything she said and did was correct.
"Thank you, President Oscar, for the compliment."
Oscar's mood soured even further, his face an icy mask of displeasure, making it clear he had no desire to engage with her anymore.
Seeing him preoccupied with work and unwilling to talk, Pearl didn't want to disrupt his workflow and thus left the office.
But something felt off to her.
Was Oscar upset?
It seemed like he was, but she couldn't pinpoint what she had said wrong.
If that was the case, it wasn't her problem.
"Pearl, Pearl."
Queenie called out to Pearl as soon as she stepped out as if she had stumbled upon some breaking news.
Pearl asked, "What's up?"
"You just came from President Oscar's office, so you must have missed the news."
Queenie looked as if she had discovered a new continent.
"What news?"
"Haley has been discharged from the hospital and is attending an event; a lot of journalists are interviewing her."
Pearl didn't see the big deal, "So she's attending an event. How is that big news?"
"Normally, Haley is dismissive toward journalists, hardly ever speaking out, but today she's actually giving interviews. Do you know what she's saying? On the surface, nothing much, but her words seem to be giving herself a standing. Just the other day, I was saying that even though there were rumors about President Oscar and Haley, without any proof, it was just gossip. But this time, it's no longer just gossip!"
This caught Pearl's attention.
She quickly checked out the interviews.
There was Haley, wearing that white dress to the event.
You should know that, like a celebrity attending a significant occasion, a dress would only be worn once.
Yet, she wore it for the second time without hesitation.
If she were photographed, she'd undoubtedly be the butt of jokes, and she couldn't imagine what the reports would say about her.
But she was completely unconcerned.
Haley, who had slimmed down considerably from her ordeal and appeared much more fragile, still faced the cameras and flashes fearlessly, her smile radiating charm.
The journalists started by asking her about her recent brush with death.
In front of them, Haley played up her ordeal, sharing her experience and also painting herself as having a positive and sunny disposition, vowing not to have a similar experience again.
She noticed the live cast, where viewers were expressing sympathy for Haley.
They acknowledged her challenging journey.
Still, the journalists were after a scoop, bringing up her wearing the same dress twice.
Haley responded generously, "I feel like stepping in front of the camera again has given me a new lease on life. This dress means a lot to me; when I put it on, I feel alive and ready to face any challenge! I cherish all the beautiful things in life."
The journalist followed up, "It seems someone gave you the dress. Could you reveal who it was? Could it be your fiancé?"
Haley smiled sweetly and didn't answer directly, "It came from someone very important in my life, someone who gave me the courage to live and is my motivation to keep going."
After she spoke, her assistant helped her leave the scene.
The journalist was curious and kept asking, but Haley didn't want to answer anymore.
These weren't the main points, but the journalists and netizens were not to be underestimated.
Once they knew the dress had significant meaning to Haley, the speculation about who gave it to her began.
Everyone wondered about the man who had such an impact on Haley.
It was soon discovered that Oscar was the one who had given Haley the dress.
This revelation exploded on the hot search lists.
Oscar's status as Haley's fiancé was all but confirmed.
The leading lady hadn't said a word, yet fans and followers were already thrilled, spreading rumors of Haley marrying into the high society.
Queenie commented, "This Haley is no pushover. She hasn't said a single word, letting the netizens do the talking. She pretends to be out of the fray, but she's clearly set her sights on marrying President Oscar, using this opportunity to seal the deal. Even if President Oscar has reasons to keep their relationship private, isn't she forcing his hand by doing this? And nothing is set in stone yet. It's smart how she's trying to secure her way into a wealthy family!"
Suddenly, Queenie remembered, "That's right, the Brown Group's annual charity auction is in a few days. It will be packed. Haley suggesting these things to the media now... man, she's cunning! She'll be there, and it will be like an unofficial acknowledgment!"
Queenie, clearly indignant about the situation, was not usually so talkative about these things. When Pearl asked, "Why are you suddenly so interested in her business?"
Queenie scoffed at Pearl, "Don't you care? Her playing these games in front of the media is just too much."
"Do I need to be concerned?"
Pearl knew what was going on. The dress Haley mentioned was a pricey gift from Oscar.
She was well aware of Oscar's intentions; their being together was just a matter of time.
But she realized something else.
Previously, Haley had kept a low profile regarding her relationship with Oscar because of her status.
Now, she couldn't wait any longer.
She was no longer content with a secret romance; she wanted recognition.
Queenie noticed that Pearl remained silent, showing no apparent emotion, which wasn't even as much as anger, and she continued, "After that incident, President Oscar was so worried about you, and today, he defended you so fiercely. He's just different when it comes to you. A man like President Oscar has never been embroiled in scandal, except for that one rumor started by Haley, which obviously isn't true. Pearl, you can't give up!"
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