Chapter 166 Personal Issues
Lisha placed the cup under the coffee machine, saying, “I have a cousin who married into high society. She mentioned it while we were having dinner yesterday.”
Medea’s curiosity was piqued. “What else did your cousin say? Who’s Mr. Aniston’s wife?”
“She said Mr. Aniston had a whirlwind marriage. Everyone in the Aniston family knows about it, and it seems even the Kingsdom elite are aware. As for who his wife is…” Lisha’s gaze flicked deliberately toward Meryl with a trace of derision. “That’s unclear. Probably some high-society heiress, definitely not someone like you or me!”
Medea and Freya followed Lisha’s gaze towards Meryl.
Freya leaned in and whispered, “Meryl, now that Mr. Aniston is married, maybe it’s time to move on from your pursuit… If he’s already taken, chasing him could be a bit…”
If Chandler was single, pursuing him would be fine. But going after him when he was already with someone was just plain shameless.
Meryl felt like she had just lifted a rock, only to drop it on her own foot. She felt a jolt, realizing how quickly the news of Chandler’s sudden marriage had spread through the office. Facing this, she knew she couldn’t continue playing the role of the relentless pursuer. It was a matter of ethics.
Meryl quickly adjusted her stance. “I’ve taken a few days off to reflect. I’ve realized my feelings for Mr. Aniston were merely admiration, like a fan for a celebrity…” She paused, watching the reactions of her colleagues. When they seemed satisfied, she added, “So, I don’t have any romantic feelings for Mr. Aniston. I’ll keep my distance from now on.”
Just then, Chandler happened to pass by the break room and overheard the conversation. He paused, his jaw tensing slightly, and his gaze seemed colder than usual. Walter, following behind him, was taken aback. He thought, “No wonder Mr. Aniston has been in a bad mood lately. Was this related to an argument with Mrs. Aniston?”
“Meryl, come to my office.” Chandler’s voice, cold and commanding, cut through the air.
Everyone turned to look, noting Chandler’s icy demeanor as he walked away, leaving behind a chilling impression. He looked like someone one wouldn’t want to mess with. Everyone instinctively shrunk back, remembering how particularly intimidating Chandler had been in the past few days. Freya looked sympathetically at Meryl, thinking, “Looks like she’s in for it now.”
In the office, Chandler sat at his desk, engrossed in paperwork. When Meryl entered, he didn’t look up, seemingly ignoring her presence. Three days without seeing him had made Chandler appear leaner, his jawline sharper. He gripped a pen tightly, scratching away on paper. Recalling what Freya had mentioned about Chandler’s recent temper, Meryl approached cautiously.
“Mr. Aniston, you wanted to see me?”
Chandler finally lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Meryl. “Come closer.”
Meryl moved toward him, stopping just in front of the desk.
Chandler frowned and gestured. “Closer.”
Meryl rounded the desk and stood directly in front of Chandler. Before she could steady herself, Chandler pulled her into his lap. He held her tightly around the waist, his breath warm against her ear.
Chandler murmured, his voice dripping with cold amusement, “So you’re just admiring me like a fan? You don’t like me? You want to keep your distance from me from now on? Mrs. Aniston, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
Meryl’s heart raced as she realized that Chandler had heard every word she said in the break room. The meeting wasn’t about work; it was about dealing with their “personal issues.”
“Honey, let me explain!” Meryl stammered, her voice urgent.