Chapter 312: The Spilled Milk Incident

Love was something Ellis wasn’t sure when she’d be ready to embrace again. But friendship? She couldn’t do without it for a moment: Maya was undoubtedly the best person in her life.

Yesterday, when Ellis fainted at the office, chaos ensued as everyone scrambled to take her to the hospital, but Morty was one step ahead. His anxious expression was noted by everyone in the executive office.

As a result, when Ellis came to work today, she was met with many curious and somewhat envious stares. The familiarity of those glances told her all she needed to know about the office gossip surrounding her.

Ellis pretended not to notice her colleagues’ looks. She sat down at her desk, booted up her computer, and spent the morning engrossed in her work while also going through the leave application process on the company’s software.

After approving her leave request, Lois called her, concern evident in her voice, “Ms. Harper, did your check-up find anything serious? Do you need some time off?”

A whole month off wasn’t a surprise under the circumstances, especially considering her recent fainting spell; Lois’s speculation was only natural.

“My check-up didn’t reveal anything major, just some minor issues,” Ellis hedged. She couldn’t very well claim she was completely healthy; there were a few minor concerns. “I’m just exhausted and need some rest.”

Everyone had their own definition of being tired. Since her kidnapping, too much had happened, and with her current state, she felt unfit for work and deeply fatigued.

If Lois refused to approve her extended leave, Ellis was prepared to resign. Sometimes, money isn’t everything. After all, you need to be alive to spend it.

“Well…” Lois pondered briefly, “Ms. Harper, take all the time you need and come back when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Madam Lois.” While she thanked her verbally, Ellis thought to herself that Lois was unusually lenient, almost making her feel less like an employee and more like a valued associate. Good bosses were rare, and undeniably, Lois was one of the good ones. Lois’s kindness was originally based on the resources Ellis had when she was Easton’s wife. Now that she didn’t have such resources, Lois’s continued generosity made Ellis wonder if there was an ulterior motive.

Her leave would start the next day, so she handed off all her urgent tasks to colleagues. After work, Ellis went straight to Maya’s house to pack, deciding to catch a flight that night.

Maya didn’t understand her hurry; she could have had a good night’s sleep and gone to the airport the next day, but Ellis was anxious, and Maya had no choice but to drive her to the airport.

Once they were at the airport, after checking in her luggage and passing security, Ellis boarded the plane.

Chapter 218: The Staffed Maikjorrient

Winging it on rete fargle with little nature, holding the itinerary Maya had prepared, Ellis arrived in Aration, known as the City of Flowers. She wasn’t just passing through; she planned to stay for a month. For convenience and safety, she stayed in wherever she wished each day.

Here, no one knew her; she didn’t have to hustle for everyday life or deal with messes and obnoxious people. She relaxed instantly, enjoying the peace that was hard to find back in Stonebridge or even in Averton, where she had previously escaped to. After all, she had convinced Casey to further his studies and had tagged along, looking after him and still dealing with some work remotely: it wasn’t a complete break from responsibilities.

While Ellis enjoyed her blissful time in Kyrador, Morty soon noticed her absence from Stonebridge. Walking into the executive office at Tate Group, Morty instantly noticed Ellis’s desk was tidy and empty, as if she had resigned. Scanning the room, a colleague noticed his confusion and eagerly informed him, “Mr. Morty, Ms. Harper is on leave; she’ll be back after her vacation.”

Hadn’t Ellis been in the hospital just a few days ago? Was she still not well? He instinctively dialed her number. When Morty’s call came through, Ellis was at the beach, looking up at the seagulls soaring above. Despite the chill, her spirits were high.

Driven by her good mood, she answered with a hint of laughter, “What’s up?”

“I heard you took some time off?” Morty cut straight to the point.

“Yes.”

“How’s your health?”

“Thanks for your concern, I’m fine,” she responded, then promptly hung up. Answering the call was basic courtesy, and while she appreciated Morty’s occasional assistance, it didn’t mean she wanted to chat or share too much information with him. As soon as she finished speaking, she ended the call.

A few seconds later, she remembered something. Was Morty’s face completely healed? She redialed his number and asked directly, “How’s your face?”