Chapter 282: Misunderstandings Cleared
“Did Ellis mention anything else to you?” Morty asked again.
“Ali?” Maya sensed Morty was probing. “Mr. Morty, why not speak directly?”
“You have something to say, right?” Morty inferred from Maya’s rhetorical question that Ellis must have mentioned her rejection. “Since you put it that way, shall I just speak frankly?”
Maya nodded, and then said, “Mr. Morty, I understand what you mean, about ending the partnership, our law firm…”
“You’ve got it wrong; I’m not looking to end the partnership,” Morty interrupted.
“What is it then?”
“Our company and your law firm have a normal business relationship. Regardless of what happens between me and Ellis, it won’t affect our dealings. You don’t need to worry unnecessarily.”
Having her thoughts read and articulated so directly by Morty didn’t embarrass Maya; instead, it made her want to contact Ellis right away to tell her everything.
“Okay, Mr. Morty.”
After smiling and thanking Morty, Maya left Nexus Group. On her way back to the law firm, she called Ellis.
After listening to Maya’s description, Ellis was silent for a while, then said, “The partnership continues, that’s good.”
“It is good, but…”
“But what?”
“It feels like we owe Morty a favor.” Maya felt as if landing Nexus Group as a big client was partly due to Ellis’s influence. “We owe him, so what? Love him or not, even if we don’t repay him, he can’t do much about it.” Ellis was indifferent about owing Morty any favors. “Don’t feel burdened by it.”
“I’m not burdened, just feeling how hard life is for the poor. Rich folks can let a few crumbs fall from their table, and it’s enough to thrill the poor,” Maya said with a mix of envy and jealousy. She resolved to stand firm and not be swayed by minor benefits, to prevent Morty from making moves through her.
Ellis nodded in agreement, then said, “I’m busy, let’s talk at home tonight.”
After hanging up, she couldn’t help but scroll through her WhatsApp conversations with Morty. Morty hadn’t made things difficult for her best friend and had even offered some benefits. It was hard to dislike his actions; they easily garnered a bit of goodwill. This goodwill wasn’t about liking him in a romantic sense but recognizing that he was someone whose company was comfortable. Unlike Easton, who looked down on her and everyone around her! Her healthy marriage with Easton had never brought any good to the people close to her.
With the New Year approaching, Maya asked Ellis one last time if she would come home with her for the celebrations.
Lying in bed, half-asleep, Ellis barely glanced Maya’s way and mumbled vaguely, “No, go by yourself, and remember to wish your mom a Happy New Year for me.”
Maya had no way to persuade Ellis, nor could she drag her out of bed, so she let her be. Before leaving, Maya made sure to stock the fridge so that Ellis wouldn’t have to resort to sad takeouts during the New Year.
Chapter 282: Misunderstandings Cleared
With a rare long break, Ellis slept until noon the next day, the day before New Year’s Eve. With Maya gone, the house was quiet, just her alone.
Asked if she felt lonely, she didn’t think so. The world didn’t revolve around her; without family or a lover, she not only had to get used to living alone but also to spending all holidays by herself, learning to enjoy her own company. She had planned to get up and do something, but the bed seemed to hold her captive. She ate something random for lunch, then went back to sleep.
While she was pleasantly dreaming, the other side at the Hudson family’s home was steeped in silent solitude. Easton was not accustomed to spending a major holiday alone. He missed the days when Ellis lived with him! He also missed the rituals Ellis enjoyed during their pursuit of each other. She loved celebrating holidays and anniversaries, always following him around, wishing they could glue themselves together permanently, like conjoined twins. In the past three years, she had spent every New Year’s Eve with him. They would visit the Hudson mansion, the estate, and his mother’s place during the day to pay their respects to the elders, and in the evening, she would demand red envelopes and drag him out to set off fireworks. This year’s New Year’s Eve was empty without her, not even a shadow.
Would she go to Hudson mansion or his mother’s place? Easton visited these places one after the other, hoping to see her.
Unexpectedly, Sophia said, “Ellis probably won’t come here. She hasn’t even sent me a New Year’s greeting.”
He wasn’t sure if he should judge Ellis as being cold. Even though they were divorced, his mother was still a loving elder to her. How could she not even send a greeting, cutting ties with the Hudson family so completely?
Emma’s reaction was different from Sophia’s; she was alarmed by his arrival, wary, much like Ellis. Before he could clarify his intentions, Emma seemed to rack her brains and said, “I’ve been resting lately, haven’t done anything, and I followed your instructions on everything you asked.”