Love's Redemption

Redmption 287



"It was a huge hickey, too! Mr. Howell's girlfriend sure knows how to leave a mark!” said one of the two ladies.

“Or it could be that Mr. Howell just really turns her on, her friend supplied.

I stared at them speechlessly. They seemed rather wall acquainted with bedroom matters. I laughed dryly

as I commented, "You two must be very observant,"

"It wasn't so much observing as Mr. Howell parading in front of us. I mean, he had his top two buttons undone. It was hard to miss!" One lady nudged "Yes! We weren't the only ones who saw it. Even the married ladies, newbies in the other departments, and the janitor ladies saw it, too!"Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

I fell silent once more,

"Mr. Howell has always been a private person. He never leaves his post from the moment he shows

up at work. Don't you think it was unusual of him to pace around today?" one of them asked.

"You're right. Maybe he was trying to show off his hickey," her friend suggested.

"It's possible, but maybe he was..." the other trailed off pensively.

Her companion understood what she was implying and concluded, "No, he was definitely trying to tell he's taken!"

Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but admire how quick-witted and emotionally intelligent women were. I was also impressed with how shameless Brandon was, going around and showing everyone he was off

the market.

My nose prickled at the thought. You could tell a lot about a man's love for you by the way he behaved, and Brandon had as good as sworn his loyalty "Gosh, he's such an angel. I think I might be even more in love with him now," said one of the ladies.

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"Right? He must really love his girlfriend."

I smiled, a warm feeling coursing through me as I listened to the women gushing over Brandon.

After getting into my car, I followed

the address Eden had sent me and drove toward the industrial zone. Sure enough, I came across the congratulatory banners that celebrated the start of a new business.

Only then did I realize I had another problem. Even if I'd found the place, would Arthur even grant me an audience?

However, I was already here and wasn't about to back down just because of a small obstacle.

I had no idea what Finchworth

Investment dabbled in. However, the

owner had to be someone important enough for Arthur, who hardly

BUT

partook in societal affairs, to leave the Sanatorium to celebrate the company's initiation ceremony.

I figured anyone who could make Arthur go to such lengths must be on good terms with Zack. I was reluctant to pull strings, but I didn't have a choice. I would be foolish not to use any connection I had to my advantage.

With that in mind, I stopped before the front desk and gave them Zack's name. The receptionist checked the records and let me through without quest Gaining entry to the place was not my priority. My main concern

was to see Arthur in person. "I'd like to see Mr. Griffins. Which room is he in?" I asked outright

The receptionist assessed me, but I did not offer any explanation and merely welcomed her appraising gaze. A few seconds later, she smiled and resp I did not so much as thank the receptionist and only nodded as I left.

Manners mattered, but thank-

yous were not needed all the time. It was an unspoken rule of socializing. After all, there was a fine line between polite acknowledgment and outright p pleasing.

I walked into a hall teeming with guests, and even then, I knew Arthur was

not among them. Knowing him, he would not appear in crowds, which was why I had asked the receptionist for his room number.

I stopped a passing worker and had him show me to Arthur's room.

Taking several deep breaths, I mustered enough courage to knock on the door. Before long, someone answered.

A tall man surveyed me through the gap in the door and said warily, "State your business." here to see Mr. G

"I'm Zack Gildon's family."

I answered matter-of-factly. After a pause, I added for good measure, "I'm

A bright baritone sounded from within the room. "Let her in!

My heart skipped a beat. The voice must belong to Arthur. In other words, he agreed to see me.