Chapter 802: Susan Offers an Apology

After returning to Phillips Bank, Susan lingered in the garage, repeatedly getting in and out of her car before finally deciding to enter the building. The bank employees treated her respectfully, showing no signs of judging her for the morning's meeting. This relieved her considerably.

"These employees are highly qualified," she mused, walking with renewed confidence. She pressed the elevator button, uncertain whether to visit Manuel's office or her own first. After a moment's hesitation, she selected his floor, watching the numbers ascend with nervous anticipation.

"Ding-Dong."

The elevator's chime seemed deafening. Taking a deep breath, she walked briskly to Manuel's office in her high heels, but her courage faltered at the door.

"What if he tells me to leave?" she worried, already picturing the scene. Just as she was preparing to flee, the door opened. Manuel emerged, holding a document. He paused, his gaze briefly meeting hers, then walked past her towards the secretary's office.

Despite the cold shoulder, Susan remained. Seeing him up close, she felt he wasn't as terrible as she'd imagined. After finishing his task, Manuel returned to his office, still ignoring her. Susan, however, boldly entered.

Manuel sat at his desk, engrossed in his work, seemingly oblivious to her presence. After a long silence, Susan began, "Well, I was a little impulsive this morning."

Manuel's fingers paused on the keyboard, but he remained silent.

Susan pressed her lips together. "I shouldn't have been so impulsive. I said those things because I was embarrassed. I won't talk back if you scold me next time, I swear."

Manuel's coldness persisted. Undeterred, Susan pulled a gift box from her pocket. She'd initially planned to come directly to his office, but had decided to buy a gift as an apology first. She'd chosen it carefully, though unsure if he would appreciate it.

She placed the box before him. His gaze lingered on it for a moment before he finally looked up at Susan.

"I noticed your pen broke when it fell at the last meeting, so I bought you a new one," she explained. "The saleswoman said it's easy to use and improves handwriting."

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Want to bribe me?" he asked in a low voice.

"No, no," Susan hastily shook her head. "It's a small gift. I hope it can smooth things over."

Manuel's gaze made her uncomfortable.

"Well, I'll let you get back to work," she said, starting to leave.

"Hold on."

Susan braced herself, expecting him to dismiss her. She turned, a condemned woman awaiting sentence.

"It's your future work plan," Manuel said, casually picking up a blue folder.

Stunned, Susan stared.

"Don't want it?" he raised an eyebrow.

Susan snatched the folder, smiling obsequiously. "Yes, I want it! I'll do anything, as long as you don't fire me."

"Don't let it happen again," Manuel said coldly.

"Yes, sir!"

"You can go."

"Yes!"

Fearing he might change his mind, she practically fled.

Manuel watched her go, his stern expression softening into a subtle smile. He looked down at the gift box.

"She's trying hard with this whole social grace thing, huh?" he thought, surprised she'd even noticed his broken pen. He hadn't had time to replace it himself.

He opened the box. A dark green pen, very beautiful.

"Susan always had good taste," he mused.

He found a card at the bottom: "My best wishes for your bright future and your grace." He smiled slightly.

"Grace? Can that word even be used here?" he wondered. "Except for Susan, no one would phrase good wishes that way."

He held the card for a long time before putting it away, just as a knock came at the door. He resumed his professional demeanor. "Come in."

His secretary entered. "Mr. Johnson, the W Group loan application. I briefed you earlier; it needs approval urgently."

"I can't find the request," Manuel said. "Check my computer."

The secretary approached, leaning over the screen. Manuel saw the words she saw – Susan's name. He quietly deleted them. The secretary made no comment, though she'd noticed.

"Mr. Johnson has deep feelings for Ms. Phillips," she mused. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have told everyone in the meeting to keep quiet after she left."