There was a hint of sadness in Nathan’s eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. I lost a lot of close family. That’s why I realized life’s short and can end anytime. So I want to spend my limited time doing what I love.”
I froze for a moment, realizing Nathan had a tough past. I whispered, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude.”
Nathan shook his head, “I know.”
The mood got a little heavy. Just then, our appetizer arrived. We ate quietly without talking much, but I suspected Nathan wanted me to take him home because he was eager to move up fast.
I thought it was funny. I glanced up, and Nathan was looking at me too. My heart skipped a few beats for no reason, and I didn’t dare glance at him again.
After we finished the gruel, it was already past midnight, so we each went home. After a long, busy day, having a good-looking guy around to lift my spirits made life feel a lot better all of a sudden.
Thinking about Nathan’s sad eyes, I felt that maybe losing close family made someone want less and focus more on health and the present moment.
The next day was Monday, and all the meetings were at the company. I got there early. Since the hotel was doing well, I was getting noticed more at work. Before, everyone just knew me as Jared’s wife. Now, they politely called me “Ms. Murphy.” That kind of recognition slowly built up my confidence.
Amy was at the company now, and Tracy’s legendary status seemed over. No one talked about Tracy anymore. Even some of her team members had switched over to Amy. Amy was good at winning people over.
My source quietly told me that Jared and Amy didn’t have any rumors about them dating, mainly because Jared traveled for work without Amy, unlike before, when Tracy always went with him.
The last time Amy asked me about Jared’s preferences, I refused right away, and she never brought it up again. But I could tell she got a bit hostile toward me.
At the morning meeting, Jared came in and looked straight at me. Seeing him, I suddenly remembered that Warner had said Jared repeatedly played the song I liked. I didn’t even remember which song I liked back then in my previous life.
But Jared doing something like that surprised me. Warner said Jared seemed calm on the outside but had a lot on his mind. Maybe that was true. He was that kind of person. That was also his strength: mysterious, charming, and hard to read.
After the meeting, Amy brought Jared coffee. I returned to my office, handled some tasks, and then decided to ask Jared if I could work at the hotel unless there was an important meeting at the company. Otherwise, I’d work at the hotel.
When I knocked and went in, Jared was talking business with Amy. I planned to leave quietly, but Jared called me back, “Come in.”
Amy smiled at me and said, “I’m talking to Mr. Holcomb about you.”
“About what?” I asked.
Amy smiled and said, “It’s about opening a new branch of the hotel in Shaville. Also, some people have approached us about franchising the hotel.”
I was surprised. I only managed the hotel, but the company still handled the operations behind the scenes. I didn’t expect they had started looking for franchisees.
The profits generated from operating the hotel were better suited to be treated as fixed assets, used to further develop the hotel business. I hadn’t expected that Jared wanted to expand this business so much.
Jared looked at me and said, “Victoria, there’s a property development in Shaville that’s attracting investors. The location’s good. I plan to send you there to build a new store.”
“Send me to Shaville?” I hadn’t expected my work location to change.
Jared nodded, “Yes. Tomorrow night, you’ll go with me to Shaville to check out the details.”
Amy immediately suggested, “Mr. Holcomb, maybe I should go with you first. Ms. Murphy might be hard to get away.”
“No need. Let her go,” Jared interrupted Amy with a raised hand and looked at me. “There’s a property in the divorce settlement in Shaville. You should go see it too.”
I frowned, not understanding Jared’s real purpose. I suspected he wanted to forcibly separate me from Nathan.