Chapter Forty Four

Today Stephen was delighted because of the wonderful time he had to spend with Brielle yesterday night. He couldn't help to smile the whole morning, thinking about last night. "Alex, our CEO seems very happy today. Look, he is constantly smiling in the office. Do you have any clue what's making him so happy? Did something special happen yesterday night?" Scott elbowed Alex who was sitting beside him and whispered to him.

Alex turned his head and stared at Scott in contempt. 'If you want to know the answer, why don't you ask for yourself?' How could I know what the CEO did yesterday night? I don't live with him. Besides, I'm not a Peeping Tom who likes to poke his nose into other people's private lives.' Alex thought.

Alex's stare embarrassed Scott, and he touched his handsome nose in regret. 'I am being despised by Alex yet again. but Stephen is acting very suspiciously. I have never seen him in such a good mood as today, especially during a meeting. He even ignored the blunders made by the planning department! He is always in an aggressive and daunting mood just like a tiger. it's unusual that he is acting as easygoing as a cat today.' Scott thought.

"Mr. Scott, please let us know about your proposal for the S Financial Group." Asked Stephen, Stephen noticed that Scott was prying into his private affairs during the meeting. he could make out from Scott's dubious expression that the was lost in his thoughts.

Scott felt flustered! He suddenly remembered the saying "What goes around comes around." It applied to him now. And he knew his boss wouldn't let it pass. he realized that he has already earned his punishment for his blabbering.

Scott shot an intrusive look to Stephen and reluctantly opened the report in front of him. He began to discuss the plan. he immediately conceded that Stephen was still a tiger in the disguise of a cat. he considered himself into believing that Stephen would not catch his words. Other colleagues in the meeting were wise to keep silent. Only he was dumb enough to bring up this sensitive topic. No wonder that Alex overlooked him moments ago.

Stephen was still smiling coolly, in a playful way. he ignored Scott's worried look and laid back in his chair, smiling cunningly at him. 'Ha! I was trying to help you with your work. You need to plan what has to be done by you in the next stage of this program. You will be too stressed if you are not well prepared. But you seem ungrateful towards my benevolence, and you dared to stare at me.' Stephen thought about Scott.

'Huh! Stephen, you are extremely good at finding excuses for your lewd behavior. You are a cunning man! but you pretend that you are good to me. Your brazenness is second to none! Too bad your plan was not successful. I can very well handle the report.' thought Scott.

When Scott finished his report, he felt that his throat went dry. He sighed and said in his heart, 'I finally know how it feels to abuse the help! I'm experiencing it, now that Stephen is abusing me! It's clear that I was set up by him. Sly Stephen!'

If Stephen had known what was in Scott's mind now, he would have become angry and defended himself, 'What? How shameless you call yourself cheap labor? Will anyone believe what you said? Who can imagine cheap laborers have a monthly salary of 1 million? And which cheap labor could enjoy the abundant year-end share dividend?'

In fact, Stephen was doing it on purpose. Since Scott had a big mouth, Stephen liked to give him a chance to speak as long as he wanted. It was an effective way to prevent him from gossiping about his private life next time during the meeting.

"Tonight? I will call her later to check with her." Stephen paused and replied. He picked up the files from the table and gracefully stood up. He thought it was a good idea to introduce Brielle to his friends. She went too quiet when she was alone.

"No, she much comes. I have heard that Chloe is back. Ask Thomas to bring her. I haven't seen her for many years; she must have changed a lot!" Scott suggested. When Stephen heard him talking about Chloe, he remembered that yesterday Brielle was pissed off because of her. he was worried that he might lose Brielle of this.

"Okay! Share the address of the place when you've decided where we are going to meet." After he finished his words, he walked out of the meeting room. He thought that this was an excellent opportunity to let Brielle understand how she had wronged him yesterday. So she wouldn't leave him next time without realizing what had transpired.

"Perfect! I will find a place now." Scott was delighted. He had been curious to know more about Brielle. He wondered why such a beautiful and elegant woman was present in that messy place that day. And why she was wearing such flashy clothes and heavy makeup.

Brielle's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the ringtone of her cellphone. She was in the middle of writing a report on the arms dealer. If she discontinued writing it, she would miss the deadline. She was supposed to submit it to the commander in a few days. Although she knew that the commander was very nice to her. But this has also attracted envy from some vicious people. She tried her best to do everything in order and on time so that no one could find fault with her. She didn't want others to get the wrong idea about her. She worried that they'd assume that all her achievements were a result of a personal relationship.

"Hello, this is Brielle." Brielle connected the call without noticing who was calling. She replied while placing the phone between her ear and shoulder. She was still gazing at the screen of the computer, her hands continually tapping the keyboard.

"Honey, what are you doing?" asked Stephen. he was standing by the window, overlooking the hustle and bustle on the street. As he is the high-rise building, the cars and people on the road seemed like little dots to him.

"Um! I am writing a report. What's up?" Brielle didn't expect that Stephen would call her. She was a little surprised. She paused and lifted her hands from the keyboard to hold the phone. "Well, Scott suggested that we hang out together tonight, and he wants you to come. What do you say?" Asked Stephen. he could imagine that she must be feeling confused because he knew that she didn't like the idea of so many people buzzing with excitement.

"How many people are coming?" Brielle frowned and asked. Just as Stephen had expected, she was a little annoyed. "Not too many, just some intimate friends." Stephen didn't tell him that Chloe would also join in, he feared that she would feel abashed.

"Okay, you decide. I'm fine either way." Since she had decided that she would become a good wife, she thought that it was necessary for her to fit into his life and his social circle. "Okay! I will pick you up after work." Stephen said with a gentle smile. he wondered how she would react when she met Chloe there. It would be interesting to see what would happen tonight!

The scorching sun was setting down, and the sky looked beautiful with the soft evening glow. The whole city looked gorgeous in the bright glow of the sun. Brielle looked at herself in the mirror, a little depressed. 'Why is that every dress which Stephen chooses for me is so grand and exorbitant? Why couldn't I find any regular clothes in the wardrobe? Brielle wondered.

Usually, Brielle wore uniforms. She had a few informal suits, but they're all too casual if she wore them to go someplace fancy. But the place Stephen would bring her to must be some opulent restaurant or hotel, so she planned to wear the dress Stephen had laid out for her.

The dress she planned to wear tonight looked good on her. The chiffon fabric was very light. It billowed with the wind adding a touch of softness and gentleness to her calm personality. The frill sleeves softened her firm demeanor, making her look more attractive with femininity.

Stephen continually turned around to look at Brielle when they were in the ar. he smiled gently, making his thin lips look sexier. "Dad, what are you looking at?" Ariel had noticed his father's unusual movement, he raised his head and asked Stephen doubtfully.

"I'm looking at you!" Stephen didn't feel embarrassed when his son caught him. His broad smile looked more attractive now. While Brielle was in a state of bewilderment, she was not naive. Stephen's intentions were too obvious when he frequently turned around and gazed at them. The reason why she ignored his gaze was that she didn't want to make everyone feel embarrassed. but Ariel's innocent question made her blush.

"Oh! I got it! Dad, you're looking at mom!" Ariel teased Stephen and exclaimed as if he had found a new lease of life. He rolled his eyes slyly and made fun of Stephen. "Ariel, that's nonsense." Brielle pulled a long face. She didn't expect Ariel to say this out. She became more bewildered. She looked around with her bright eyes and didn't know where to look.

"Ariel, that's nonsense." Brielle pulled a long face. She didn't expect Ariel to say this out. She became more bewildered. she looked around with her bright eyes and didn't know where to look. "Ariel, you're my clever son! Don't you think that your mom is looking gorgeous today!" Stephen didn't have the slightest feeling of embarrassment. he acknowledged it forthrightly.

Ariel looked at Brielle earnestly and nodded in agreement, "Yes! My mom is looking lovely today." It was rare for Ariel to see Brielle dress up like this. he got used to seeing Brielle's usual appearance in uniforms. he felt she also looked good in such a soft and tender style.

This time, Brielle finally noticed that Stephen and Ariel were mimicking each other. The father and the son were doing it on purpose in front of her. Scott chose a classy restaurant. As Stephen was about to introduce Brielle and Ariel to his friends, he arrived earlier than he did on such occasions. he was always the most important person to come last after everyone had arrived!

When he pushed the door open, everyone in the room focused their attention on the couple. Stephen was charming with a grand demeanor, and Brielle was beautiful and graceful, they were a perfect match. Scott was the first one to come out from the state of trance. he stood up and walked towards Brielle with a warm smile.

"Dear Brielle, nice to meet you. We have been looking forward to seeing you for the longest time. We used to joke that you might have been locked up in the house by someone." While saying this, Scott extended his hand to shake hands with Brielle. But before he could hold Brielle's tender hand, he heard Stephen saying, "Dare you to touch her!" Stephen did not pat his hand, but his stern voice shocked Scott. Scott felt frightened and took his hand back. 'Shit! When did Stephen become so jealous? I was just about to shake hands with her! Is it required to be so wary?' Scott complained in his heart.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." Brielle looked at Stephen in embarrassment. Then she turned to Scott and apologized. "hello, sister-in-law, I'm Thomas Luo. Nice to meet you again." Thomas stood up and walked towards them to introduce himself. As Stephen was the oldest among them, they all took him as their elder brother.

"Hi, I'm Brielle Yang. Have we met each other before? Brielle felt strange when she heard Thomas say "nice to meet you again." She didn't remember meeting him before. She turned around to look at Stephen, flabbergasted.

Stephen smiled and whispered something in her ear. Brielle's face instantly blushed after she heard Stephen's explanation. She regretted that she had behaved so strangely, that night in the bar.

"And me, Sis, I'm Chloe." Finally, her turn came. She didn't expect that Miss Brielle would be so beautiful and graceful. As a matter of fact, she was more interested in the attractive bot standing between them. "Uh... Chloe, nice to meet you." Brielle replied in embarrassment. She wanted to dig a hole and bury herself right at this moment. She felt humiliated, thinking about the fuss she had made yesterday. Thank goodness Chloe didn't know what had happened yesterday. otherwise, Brielle would have had no courage to stand here and face her.

'Chloe, you should call her sister-in-law." Stephen poked on her forehead in a loving manner and reminded her seriously. "Ouch! That hurt. Stephen, why did you poke my head? I don't want to call her sister-in-law. I think 'sis' sounds more friendly." She always had the longing for a sister. now this dream finally came true. Chloe smiled happily and extended her hand to hold Brielle's arm. She seemed very determined.

Brielle was accustomed to being along and indifferent. She was overwhelmed by Chloe's warm hospitality. "Okay, suit yourself." Brielle smiled and said. She quite like Chloe's quality of being frank and upright. It seemed that she was the apple of the eye of her family, like a princess under proper security.

Thinking of princesses, Brielle got lost in her thoughts. She remembered that once she was also the apple of the eye of her parents. But an incident stripped her off all the love she had enjoyed and her longing for a bright future. All of a sudden she had fallen from heaven to hell.

When she was Chloe's age, she was already living on her own, managing different critical tasks, while Chloe was lucky enough to maintain her innocence and stay unaffected by worldly affairs. "Okay!" Thank you, Sis. Now tell me who is this cute boy?" Chloe noticed Ariel who was standing beside Brielle. She asked while pinching Ariel's handsome face, something she simply couldn't resist.

"Hello, Miss. I'm Ariel Chu." Ariel volunteered to introduce himself to Chloe before Brielle could answer. he felt ignored by everyone present. Their gaze was focused on Brielle. Finally, there was a beautiful lady who had asked about him, and he felt very excited. He seized the opportunity to leave a good impression on them.