Chapter 330 Meeting the Parents
Damian's call cut off after a minute, but Hendrix's video invite kept buzzing like an annoying alarm clock.
Ashley switched to voice mode, "Mr. Long."
Hendrix waited a while before hearing Ashley's voice and snapped, "No work reports, no email replies, and you don't answer calls. Are you planning a strike? A revolt?"
Hannah wisely zipped her lips and slipped out of the office. Clearly, this was not her battle to fight; for her own safety, it was best to make a quick exit.
Since her escape from Hendrix's house last time, all work had been handled online. Ashley avoided Hendrix unless absolutely necessary, fearing he might get the wrong idea. Hearing him grit his teeth with every word, she stayed calm and said, "After reviewing Mr. Long's email case files, I'll summarize them and have Hannah do it. It should be on your desk by tomorrow. If you need it urgently, I'll have her work overtime to finish it."
"You think I called for this?" Hendrix asked.
"What else?" Ashley replied.
Hendrix's bad mood was practically oozing through the screen, like he could throw his anger through the wireless signal. "Why don't you come to see me? I'm seriously injured, my leg almost crippled. As a subordinate or a friend, shouldn't you visit?"
Ashley dreaded these conversations with Hendrix. Trying to change the topic was pointless, so she reluctantly said, "Mr. Long, you misunderstand. I've been busy with Robert's case these past few days and haven't had a moment to spare..."
Hendrix cut her off eagerly, "The case is over. Come over tonight. Last time you left in a hurry, my parents didn't get to meet you. They're waiting at home today; come for dinner."
The sudden invite made Ashley's scalp tingle. She helplessly ran her fingers through her hair, tugging at the roots. "Mr. Long, why should I meet your parents? There's no clause in the employee contract about getting along with the boss's parents. Frankly, it's inappropriate."
Hendrix snorted, "Tonight, you're a friend, not an employee. After dinner, we'll discuss the Quantum Innovations Tech issue. Also, my Aunt Linda will be there. She's the head of Infinity Enterprises Group and is overseeing the details and direction of this case. You get my drift."
Would Linda be there too?
Meeting with the involved parties was necessary, but the location was inappropriate.
Ashley struggled internally for a while. "Mr. Long, it's better to discuss work in an office environment. If it's inconvenient for you, I can arrange it. I'll meet with Ms. Long..."
Hendrix righteously said, "My leg is injured; I can't go out. Where else can we meet but at home? You don't expect me to wheel myself to the office, do you?"
Ashley had no choice but to agree, "I'll be there on time."
On his end, Hendrix put down the phone, humming a tune contentedly. He turned to his mother on the couch and said, "Weren't you curious about the woman I like? You'll see her soon."
Hendrix's mother, Nola Skye, wasn't very enthusiastic. She had never approved of Hendrix's taste. She was also dissatisfied with the last one, Lynn, and couldn't understand what spell Hendrix was under to date her for over two years. She even doubted Hendrix would ever choose a good wife, having essentially made up her mind.
"If your taste were half as good as your father's, we wouldn't worry so much." While belittling Hendrix, Nola praised herself and her husband, which made her husband, Brian, sitting nearby, feel pleased and justified. "We don't have high demands for a future daughter-in-law, just one thing: she shouldn't be a lawyer."
Hendrix scratched a lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. "You guys are biased against the profession. What's wrong with lawyers? They're smart and logical, and they share common topics with me. They can be both work partners and soulmates."
Nola rolled her eyes. "You think I don't know? Women in your field are full of schemes. They make simple things sound incomprehensible. If you marry one, just wait; she'll drain you dry."
Brian nodded in agreement, his eyes filled with prejudice and resistance towards the legal profession.
They had never supported Hendrix's entering the legal field. They hoped he would return home to take on the family business and lighten their burden, allowing them to retire early.
Leaning comfortably against the wheelchair's backrest, Hendrix declared, "Today, I'll completely overturn your prejudices against lawyers! Is Aunt Linda almost here?"
Nola replied, "She said she was delayed by something. It might be rush hour traffic."
Meanwhile.
Feeling it was inappropriate to go to Hendrix's house empty-handed, Ashley stopped by a nearby flower shop after work to buy a large bouquet and some nutritional supplements for the elders.
A family like Hendrix's wouldn't care about gifts; she was merely showing her goodwill. Whether they used them or threw them away wasn't her concern.
After buying the items, Ashley was startled when she opened her car door. Her car had been scratched.
A seven-inch scratch was left behind.
The white Range Rover parked next to her had a black paint scratch at the same height on one of its rear doors, clearly caused by the owner while backing into the spot.
This was a work car provided by the law firm, and Ashley wasn't sure if she could get insurance coverage. Since it was entirely the other party's fault, she had to negotiate with the owner.
There was no contact information on the Range Rover's windshield, only the license plate number.
She waited in her car for nearly twenty minutes, but the owner didn't show up, and the time for her appointment with Hendrix was approaching.
Leaving now would be a loss.
However, being late for her first meeting with Linda seemed even more inappropriate.
Reluctantly, she wrote a note and placed it under the Range Rover's wiper, hoping the owner would contact her.
Less than five minutes after she left, Linda hurried out of the mall and immediately saw the note on the wiper.
The handwriting was neat and pretty, likely from a woman, with a phone number at the end.
She walked to the back of the car and saw the black scratch. Feeling unlucky, she called her assistant to bring another car.
Switching to a Cayenne, Linda called Hendrix, "A little accident happened. I'll be late. You guys start without me."
When Ashley arrived at Hendrix's house, her mood was entirely different from last time. The maid who greeted her was as enthusiastic as ever, taking her gift box with both hands and politely saying, "Miss Astor, please come in. Mr. Long and the others are in the living room."
This excessive enthusiasm put a lot of pressure on Ashley. Glancing past the foyer, she vaguely saw a few figures and heard cheerful conversation coming from that direction.
The pressure increased instantly.
Hearing the maid announce the guest's arrival, Hendrix eagerly wheeled himself out to greet her. As he saw her elegant and beautiful figure, his eyes lit up. "Why didn't you call me in advance?"
Ashley forced a smile, "Mr. Long, you're so busy. How could I dare disturb you?"
Hendrix showed no trace of his earlier anger on the phone, his face beaming with a smile. "What am I busy with as a patient? Feel free to disturb me; I'm just afraid you won't."
Ashley was speechless.
Following Hendrix, she walked past the decorative shelves towards the living room. At that moment, Ashley felt like she was meeting her future in-laws, and she felt somewhat anxious and uneasy.
Summoning her courage, she nodded and smiled, "Mr. Long, Mrs. Long, hello."