Chapter 234
Clicking his tongue, Alan added, “Our president seriously needs somed
meone to teach him some emotional intelligence. And Madam’s the best person for the job. If we stay there like third wheels, wouldn’t that just make things even more awkward for her? It’s better if we give them some space.”
Ottis, who had never been married and was already getting on in years, found Alan’s confident tone quite convincing. He nodded approvingly. “Alan, you have a point.”
“Of course! This is all hard–earned experience. Stick with me, and you’ll learn a lot. Alan felt incredibly pleased with himself, so much so that he mentally struck a victorious pose.
But Rosalie didn’t stay in the lobby like Alan had expected. The moment Alan and Ottis left, she walked to the hotel entrance and hailed a cab.
When Julian came out of the restroom, he saw Rosalie getting into a taxi and leaving. His steps faltered slightly, and his eyes darkened.
A moment later, he let out a soft, self–deprecating laugh, tinged with loneliness.
He thought, ‘How can I have expected that woman to still have even the slightest bit of affection for me? She won’t even give me the chance to take her home.
When Alan arrived in Ottis’s car, he was startled to see Julian standing alone outside the hotel.
He thought, ‘Wait–Madam actually leaves? She doesn’t wait for the president to drive her home? Tch! Looks like Madam’s temper is really flaring up this time. No way she’s forgiving the president so easily.
‘Well, makes sense. She’s been ignored for a whole year and then handed a divorce agreement like it’s nothing. Anyone with a shred of dignity wouldn’t forgive that so quickly.’
Alan studied Julian’s gloomy face, feeling both sympathetic and like he deserved it. He thought, ‘He has such a great wife, but he doesn’t cherish her when he has the chance. Now he’s suffering? Well, too bad. Madam doesn’t know, and even if she did, she wouldn’t care.
“President.” Alan walked up to Julian, and to avoid becoming collateral damage, he wisely refrained from mentioning Rosalie.
Julian looked at Alan, and the sight of his face instantly reminded him of how warmly Rosalie had looked at Alan during dinner. The jealousy made his stomach churn. He thought, ‘That woman never even looked at me like that!‘
Alan suddenly felt like Julian’s gaze held a mix of jealousy and murderous intent. He thought, ‘Wait… what now? It’s not my fault Madam left! You brought this on yourself! Don’t take it out on me!‘
But Julian didn’t hear Alan’s internal protests. He just coldly said, “Your bonus for this month is canceled.”
Alan said, “President, what did I do wrong? Just tell me, and I’ll fix it.”
“There’s a project in a far–away island that would suit you. I think you should go.”
“President, I was wrong!”
Whatever it was, if Julian was in a bad mood, admitting fault was the safest bet for Alan.
As Ottis, who had just gotten out of the car and opened the door for Julian, exchanged a sympathetic glance with Alan, thinking Alan still ended up being dragged into this mess.
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