Chapter 387
I quickly explained, "Guys, seriously. You two are stunning, and taking you out would make me look great, but today’s event is just not the right place for you. It’s too chaotic, not a good scene for kids!"
"Be home by ten, or don’t come back at all," Linda said flatly.
In the afternoon, after getting Linda and Stella to take a nap, I finally managed to sneak out.
When I got to Riverfront Estates, even though it was not the heart of Greenvale City, it was still a bustling commercial area with a lot of big-name companies headquartered here.
After deciding to set up a branch office, I wanted to get everything sorted out as soon as possible.
The rent was no joke, with daily rates over thirty bucks per square foot. It was kinda scary to think about. But if I could run a company here, I was sure I could make that back easily.
In the end, I picked an 8000 square foot spot that was fully furnished, so I just needed to get some office supplies.
After signing the contract, I paid two quarters' rent upfront, and just like that, a few million dollars were gone. But that was nothing to me now because Crafted Ales Collective already sent the second payment, and my bank account balance was over 170 million dollars.
Just WY Media Company alone brought in over five million dollars a month, and that was pure profit after all costs.
I hired a specialized recruitment company to help me find talent. I thought, 'The Greenvale City branch of WY Media Company can’t just have one vice president. I trust Marlow, but I need more than just him.'
At 7 PM, at Bella Vita Ristorante in Greenvale City.
This place was super fancy, with each private room being its own little courtyard. The water flew gently, and fish swam around looking for food. Even if I didn’t eat, just chilling here would be relaxing.
But right now, I wasn’t feeling relaxed at all. Wendy stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at me. "Look at what you’ve done to Abigail."
I looked at Abigail, feeling pretty shocked.
Before, Abigail always seemed gentle but had a hint of sadness in her eyes. Now, she looked even more frail, her big eyes slightly sunken, and the sadness in her eyes was almost overwhelming.
I thought, 'Is she really feeling this bad?'
Nothing had happened, yet I felt like a jerk.
"Wendy, it’s my poor appetite, it has nothing to do with John," Abigail smiled. "John, don’t listen to her nonsense. It’s hot, and it’s normal for me to have no appetite."
"What are you talking about, Abigail?" Wendy wouldn’t let it go, "John, I’m telling you, if you make Abigail unhappy, I’ll make sure you suffer."
I smiled wryly and shook my head. "I wouldn’t dare."
Wendy snorted, "Alright then, I’ll give you a chance to make things right. For the next month, your only job is to stay by Abigail’s side and make her happy."
I thought, 'What? A month?'
"Wendy, aren’t you making things difficult for him?" Abigail frowned. "Besides, I’m very healthy, why does he need to accompany me?"
"Abigail, don’t you like him? What’s there to be shy about? It’s the modern age, and it’s rare to find someone you like," Wendy said boldly. "If you don’t dare to say it, I’ll say it for you."
"John, Abigail has never liked anyone else. You’re the only one. I know you have a girlfriend, but Abigail is the best girl in the world. You two would be perfect together."
"Wendy!" Abigail was a bit embarrassed and annoyed.
I thought, 'Wendy is being so ridiculous. Besides, can feelings really be forced?'
With Abigail’s personality, I really didn’t dare to say anything directly. If I made her angry, I’d be in big trouble. I couldn’t afford to offend her.
I thought, 'She’s someone Quinlan likes, and I don’t want to get involved in this mess. Neither of those brothers is a good person. And I’ve already got a lot of women in my life. I really can’t handle any more.'
Wendy said, "Abigail, if you don’t speak up, he’s gonna leave. Do you really want to end up with someone you don’t even like?"
Abigail lowered her head, her face turning a bit red, and didn’t say anything, making things super awkward.
I didn’t know if I should say something or just stay quiet.
"Let’s eat first, we can talk after we’re full." I tried to break the tension, but Wendy wasn’t having it.
She raised an eyebrow at me. "I’ll give you a choice: either be with Abigail or date Abigail. You pick."
"Is there a difference between the two?"
"Nope, so you don’t really have a choice!" Wendy snorted.
"What, you don’t want to? You think Abigail isn’t good enough for you?"
"No, Ms. Kingsley is beautiful, and her family background is great. It’s me who’s not worthy."
"At least you know that." Wendy nodded. "Honestly, I wasn’t too keen on you two being together either. Your family background is pretty poor. Even though you have money, our family doesn’t really care about that. But you seem like a good person, and I see potential in you. So, reluctantly, I’ll let you be with Abigail."
I sighed inwardly, 'If it’s so reluctant, why not just let me go?'
"We can talk about this later. Let’s eat first."
"It’s better to clear things up before eating." Wendy said, "John, you’re a grown man. Is it so hard to say yes or no?"
I put down my utensils, my brain working overtime. I glanced at Abigail, who was also looking at me, her emotions all over the place.
I thought, 'If she gets rejected again, with her personality, she might really be heartbroken. But if I agree, I have to consider the series of chain reactions that will follow.'
"Say something!" Wendy pressed on.
The disappointment in Abigail’s eyes grew.
I took a deep breath. "Alright, I agree!"
Upon hearing this, the disappointment in Abigail’s eyes vanished, and Wendy nodded. "At least you still act like a man."
"But, I have one more thing to say." I looked at Abigail and said sincerely, "Ms. Kingsley, it’s an honor to have your affection. I’m willing to give it a try with you, but before we officially date, let’s try it out first!"
Abigail looked confused. "What does that mean?"
"John, are you trying to date Abigail without taking responsibility?" Wendy was furious.
"You misunderstand." I interrupted her, "Do you know what kind of person I am? Do you know my temperament? Do you know my interests and hobbies? Just like I don’t know what Abigail likes. How can we be together as a couple without knowing anything about each other?"
Wendy frowned. "Can’t you get to know each other after being together?"
I didn’t respond to her but looked at Abigail. "During this period, I won’t do anything inappropriate. We have enough time to get to know each other. If by then, you still like me and I like you, then we’ll be together."
I couldn’t think of any other solution, so I proposed this, "Of course, if one of us doesn’t like the other, we can just be friends. Being friends is better than getting together and then breaking up because we find out we’re not compatible. That way, neither of us will be too hurt. What do you think?"
Abigail nodded. "Alright, let’s try it your way."
I sighed in relief, fearing she wouldn’t agree. I thought, 'This way, there’s more room to maneuver. As long as I behave poorly in front of her, how could she possibly like me? I'm a genius!'
"Come on, let’s eat!"
After dinner, we took a walk around Crystal Falls Sanctuary.
I checked the time. "It’s getting late, you should head back."
"It’s still early, why are you in such a hurry?" Wendy checked the time. "Are you trying to run away?"
"Run away? Where could I run to?" I touched my nose.
"Don’t listen to her, you can go back. Message me when you get home," Abigail said with a smile.
"Okay." I turned and left, trying my best not to look like a gentleman.
At ten o’clock in the evening, I got back to the apartment to find Linda and Stella sitting on the couch with a big tub of ice cream, watching TV.
Seeing me return, Linda said flatly, "Go make me a midnight snack, I’m hungry!"
I felt helpless. If I had known this would happen, it would have been better to stay a few more days at Crystal Nation.
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