Estimated
“What’s wrong, Farrah?”
Kurt’s voice caused Farrah to shift her gaze to her husband. Consciously, she knew she had been staring at the spot where Ariel had disappeared from view. She shook her head. “Nothing.” Farrah replied.
Kurt glanced at his wife briefly before returning his gaze to the phone. He sighed deeply.
“Ever since Ariel left earlier, you seem to be thinking about something,” Kurt said. “What’s going on?”
Unaware that her husband was actually watching her, Farrah remained silent for a moment. Uncertain whether to answer her husband’s question or vice versa. She hadn’t answered the question because something had occurred to her.
“Ariel’s behavior seems different than usual.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
As she said this, Farrah’s forehead seemed to wrinkle slightly. Her hand rested on the dining table, fingers rubbing together. She seemed lost in thought.
“Different than usual?” Kurt asked, confused. “What do you mean, Farrah?”
“I mean…” Farrah blinked once. She looked back at the door. As if Ariel was still there. “… Ariel seems to be hiding something from me.”
Farrah’s words managed to get Kurt’s attention. He put his phone down on the table and turned his eyes to his wife.
“Something?”
Farrah nodded.
“What?”
Farrah shook her head lazily. “How would I know? But I am sure it has something to do with Elice.”
Kurt remained silent. When it came to this one name, he chose not to speak. Who knew. But Kurt felt that Farrah’s dislike for Elice was really beyond normal limits.
“Anyway, whatever it is, I will make sure that Elice will never be with Ariel. I will never allow Elice to go near Ariel again.”
A snort escaped Kurt’s nose. He seemed to shake his head for a moment. “Elice is married to Garrett, Farrah. It’s impossible for Elice to be with Ariel. We live in a country that doesn’t allow polyandry,” he said at length. “And even if it were allowed, I am not sure Garrett is the kind of man who would want to share his wife. Especially with his own cousin.”
Farrah sighed irritably at her husband’s words. But she decided to remain silent. Saying nothing as she muttered in her heart.
I know what’s on your mind, Ariel. You’ll definitely insist on getting Elice. That’s for sure after you get rid of Garrett, isn’t it?
Farrah guessed so easily. Because she wouldn’t forget the look in Ariel’s eyes when he saw Elice and Garrett at the wedding. There was jealousy.
But I assure you that will not happen.
Armed with that determination, Farrah began to brainstorm. It seemed she needed to arrange a meeting between Ariel and Emily soon.
*
“Why did you tell Mr. Garrett that? You see? This is the result.”
Nelson looked grimly amused. The cup of coffee that was already at his lips suddenly stopped moving. It lingered in the air for a moment before returning to its saucer. His intention to sip the latte was momentarily interrupted.
“It wasn’t my intention to tell him. He forced me to.”
Amber obviously didn’t believe Nelson’s words. In her eyes, the accusation against the Morales family lawyer was blatantly accusatory.
“Impossible,” Amber shook her head. “Mr. Garrett couldn’t have pressured you if he didn’t know anything. And as we know, Mr. Garrett has been clueless all along.”
This time, Amber’s accusations didn’t stop Nelson from sipping his drink. Before the milk coffee cooled and he lost its pleasurable sensation.
A sigh escaped Nelson’s throat. Amber, seeing this, could only give him a sharp look as a sign of her displeasure.
“I don’t know where he could have found out about it, either. All of a sudden he was asking about what happened between Madam and Farrah.”
Nelson set down his cup of coffee, accompanied by a long exhale. He looked at Amber.
“Besides, I’m sure Garrett is not a stupid man. He can clearly see the oddities while living in this house.”
Amber looked down at her untouched cup of tea. She just stared at the golden-brown drink with her mind drawn back.
“Maybe we didn’t need to push Mr. Garrett to accept the inheritance in the first place. The Morales fortune is clearly a bloodline inheritance from generation to generation. From the late Mr. Harlan to Mr. Allan. I really don’t want Mr. Garrett to be the next victim.”
Amber’s words made Nelson swallow hard. Between the horrible memories of the past and the looming possibility of the future. He didn’t want bad things to happen again. But…
“Then allow such a large sum of money to be controlled by someone who shouldn’t?”
Amber didn’t answer when Nelson immediately shook his head.
“They abuse their power even if they’re not that rich, but what if they actually have control? Can you imagine what will happen to Garrett and his mother?”
Amber remained silent. Her shoulders seemed to rise as she took a deep breath. “I think they won’t bother Mr. Garrett anymore if they already have all that wealth.”
“Who knows,” Nelson replied, shrugging briefly. “Even after they’ve acquired that wealth, they’ll still be worried as long as Garrett is alive. That one day Garrett will come and claim his rights.”
This was indeed a reasonable possibility. Whether she liked it or not, Amber nodded weakly.
“People like them…” Nelson’s hand rose. Pointing somewhere unknown. “… will never stop until they have everything and ensure that no one else can threaten them.”
Reluctantly, Amber found herself agreeing with what Nelson had said. Some people are indeed born with such a greedy nature. They would go to great lengths to fulfill their obsessions.
“So… what should we do?” Amber finally asked. “Should we help Mr. Garrett?”
Nelson took another sip of his sweet beverage. He exhaled and looked at Amber.
“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing all along? At least…” Pausing briefly to finish his cup, Nelson looked melancholy. “… it’s a promise we made to the late Mr. Adi.”
*
“I didn’t see you at the table earlier.”
Garrett glanced at Amber who was walking slightly behind him. They were on their way to the main meeting room. There was a meeting at two in the afternoon. A choice of time that Garrett didn’t particularly like.
“I had lunch outside, sir. Catched up with an old friend, too.”
“Oh.”
A short sigh escaped Garrett’s lips. They waited for the elevator doors to open and entered together. There were five floors to go before they reached the floor of the meeting room they were going to. A long time for a conversation.
“I don’t have any plans for Saturday, do I?”
“Considering you just got back from your honeymoon…” Amber began her answer. “… I deliberately cleared your weekend. I thought you needed some rest.”
Garrett nodded. “Good. Because I have a non-work obligation that day.”
Amber tilted her head slightly. She looked at Garrett.
“Nana invited us as a family to a charity event.”
“Oh,” Amber murmured. “The Mendoza family’s annual event. The Morales family always attends the charity events organized by that family.”
Garrett nodded weakly. He rubbed his chin lightly. When the elevator finally stopped, he stepped out.
“I’ve learned about this family. It seems they often work with Pasific?”
Amber behind him confirmed Garrett’s question. “In fact, Pasific has hired them to build several factories. This good relationship is not only in business, but also in family ties.”
Nodding once, Garrett noticed some employees gathering across the room, waiting for the meeting.
“Is our relationship with them that close?”
“Yes, sir.”
Garrett nodded. “It seems I should take the time to greet them.”
“Greet them?” Amber asked, confused. “What do you mean, sir?”
Garrett paused for a moment. He looked at Amber and smiled. “Nothing. Just what you said about these two families having a good relationship.”
Amber looked at Garrett. His expression seemed normal. Just like any other day. Nothing seemed different.
“And I…” Garrett sighed. “As the heir, it seems I should get closer to them to make sure the relationship stays good. Isn’t that right?”
Amber could only nod once. An answer that was met with a smile from Garrett before he resumed his steps. Leaving Amber wondering.
Who knows. But ever since Amber received the unusual order from Garrett to investigate those involved in the deaths of Mr. Harlan and Mr. Allan, she sensed a change in Garrett. Especially after his meeting with Nelson earlier, Amber became wary of every move Garrett made. A wariness she hoped would never become reality.
Honestly. If she could refuse, Amber would refuse Garrett’s orders regarding the deaths of his grandfather and father. Just for a hope. She didn’t want Garrett’s curiosity to lead him to the same fate as Allan.
*