Chapter 65

“Who else could I possibly be asking about?” I mused, my gaze turning awkward as I looked away.

“Mr. Parker? His friend stayed here last night. They’ll probably have breakfast together,” Rica said, finally understanding my question.

“Friend?” My face tightened. “It’s not Joanna, is it!”

With his personality, he might actually have the audacity to have Joanna stay over.

Rita, already knowing who Joanna was, was momentarily stunned. She quickly shook her head. “It’s a man, Mrs. Parker. You’re overthinking it. No matter what, Mr. Parker would never go against Deborah’s wishes.”

“True,” I conceded. “They can do whatever they want outside, but with so many people around at home, it’s just more complicated.”

“Mrs. Parker, you’re thinking too much,” Rita interrupted, her brow furrowed with concern. “Even Deborah is on your side now. Mr. Parker is a dutiful man. For Deborah’s sake, he won’t do anything inappropriate.”

“So what?” I said with a bitter smile, my gaze lowered. “You can’t fake feelings.”

Rita, sensing my distress, sat beside me, gently taking my hand. “Mrs. Parker, don’t worry so much. Focus on getting better. The doctor said this condition is due to all the stress you’ve been under.”

I was a bit taken aback. Does overthinking really make me sick? I wondered.

After a long pause, I offered a weak smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself.”

I pulled back the covers and attempted to get out of bed, but Rita hurried to stop me. “Mrs. Parker, the doctor said you need to rest. What would you like to eat? I can have it brought to your room.”

“I’m fine. I need to go to the office soon. I’ll eat downstairs,” I said lightly, heading towards the wardrobe to change.

Knowing she couldn’t stop me, Rita rushed off to ask the chef to prepare something easily digestible.

Downstairs, I found Hayden and Yasir sitting at the table. So, Rita had meant Yasir.

I’d seen Yasir many times while pursuing Hayden, though we hadn’t spoken much. Hayden had always been unkind, and his friends followed suit, treating me with disdain. Yasir, however, while not exactly warm, had never openly mocked me.

As I approached, he stood up. “Hello, Yvonne.”

He rarely initiated conversations, so I was surprised. I simply nodded. “Hello.”

Yasir raised an eyebrow, a look of curiosity in his eyes before resuming his seat. Hayden glanced at me, his eyebrows slightly raised. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Just needed some rest,” I replied casually, avoiding eye contact.

Only after sitting down did I realize Yasir’s eyes were still on me. What’s up with him? I wondered. He was Hayden’s friend, so I said nothing more.

Breakfast was eaten in tense silence. Then Hayden stood to take a phone call, giving Yasir an opening.

“Yvonne, you look like you’ve lost quite a bit of weight,” he began.

“I’ve been dieting,” I answered, lowering my eyes. The truth was, my pale complexion betrayed my illness, but I didn’t want Yasir to mock me.

Yasir seemed surprised, then chuckled. “Well, Yvonne, you’re something else. So many people talk about dieting, but few actually manage to lose weight.”

I paused my sip of soup, looking up at him. “I remember, you didn’t really like talking to me before.” I wasn’t mincing words. Hayden no longer mattered to me, nor did his friends.

Yasir froze, the silence heavy. After a moment, he awkwardly laughed. “I didn’t really know you back then, Yvonne, so I didn’t dare say much. But…” He hesitated.

The hesitation quickly vanished. “Yvonne, I heard you’ve got a new cruise ship.”

“Everyone knows the Parker family’s cruise ship is basically a golden goose. So, what do you think about letting me get in on the action?”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. I hadn’t expected him to be after the cruise ship. I couldn’t believe someone would be so brazen about eyeing Xander’s gift to me. At least Yasir was upfront.

“Oh! And how exactly do you want to get involved?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Seeing I hadn’t flatly rejected him, Yasir put down his fork. “I want to take over the alcohol business on the cruise ship. We can split the profits 80-20. What do you think?”

I raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on my lips. “Mr. Gibson, you’ve got quite the appetite. The Parker family already has a regular supplier… Why don’t you talk to Hayden about it? Aren’t you two… friends?” I emphasized the last words, my smile laced with mockery. Apparently, their friendship wasn’t as unshakeable as I’d thought.

Yasir chuckled. “He just got back, and besides, doesn’t the cruise ship business fall under your control now, Yvonne? Of course, I’m coming to you directly. The old supplier might not be able to offer you the same profits, right?”

I’d checked last night; the Parker family’s supplier wasn’t offering low profits, but their accounts likely went through the Parker Group, making it less convenient than personal business.

I studied Yasir, smiling slightly. “I just took over the cruise ship, and changing suppliers might be hard to explain. Plus, Mr. Gibson, the profit you’re offering seems a bit too low. Do you think I don’t know how to do business, and that you can take advantage of me?”

The profit margins on alcohol were high, and his offer was clearly exploitative. Yasir didn’t seem surprised. He had a backup plan. “Well, the cruise ship is yours now. What’s there to explain? If you think the profit’s too low, we can always renegotiate!”

It was standard business talk. I’d heard it many times before.