Chapter 38

Ingrid settled onto the Épeau leather couch. Across from her sat a rosewood desk several meters long. Bruce leaned back in his desk chair. Behind him, a glass bookcase filled an entire wall.

"Wow, what an opulent office!" Ingrid exclaimed, her gaze sweeping the room. Her smile accentuated cheeks plumped with hyaluronic acid, and her lips were a crimson red.

Bruce shifted uncomfortably. The pungent scent of Ingrid's perfume almost made him nauseous. He looked grim. "Mrs. Haynes, is there something I can help you with?"

"Oh, nothing! I just came to see you," Ingrid said, smiling flirtatiously and staring intently at Bruce. He was undeniably handsome, his angular features almost sculpted. His physique rivaled that of international male models; he exuded an undeniable charisma. If Ingrid were twenty years younger, she would have pursued him.

Bruce shuddered under her gaze and averted his eyes. "Mrs. Haynes, if there's nothing else, I need to get back to work."

Ingrid crossed her legs, resting her arms on the couch. "Bruce, I know making money is important, but you should value your health, too. Why don't you join me for dinner at home after work? You haven't been to our house in ages!" She leaned forward, her low-cut top revealing her cleavage.

Bruce quickly looked away. "Well, I have a meeting tonight. Perhaps another time."

"Bruce, no matter how busy you are, you need to eat regularly. Take care of yourself, especially since you're so busy."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Now, I want to talk about your relationship with Roxy. Have you two had a conflict lately?"

Bruce was taken aback. "No"

Ingrid smacked her thigh. "Well, it's normal for young couples to fight. I've been through this. Roxy hasn't eaten or slept properly in two days; she's lost a lot of weight! As a man, you should take the initiative. Don't give her the cold shoulder!"

Bruce frowned. "Well All right."

Ingrid adopted a serious expression. "Bruce, you've been with Roxy for over six years. A woman's youth is fleeting. How many six-year periods does one have? You're not young anymore. It's time to move to the next stage of life."

Bruce was speechless. If not for Ingrid, he and Roxanne would have married years ago. Ingrid's interference had caused his grandmother to disapprove of Roxanne, delaying their marriage. After his divorce from Joanna, Greyport viewed him as a laughingstock, further fueling Margaret's objections.

Ingrid sighed at Bruce's silence. "Our Roxy is waiting for you. Don't let her down. You've failed her before. She's already harmed herself! If anything happens to Roxy, I'm devastated…" She mimed wiping away nonexistent tears.

Bruce frowned. "Mrs. Haynes, don't worry. I won't let Roxy down!"

Ingrid smiled through her feigned tears. "Bruce, you're a good man. You won't abandon your partner. Roxy comes from a good family. She's nothing like those flighty women."

"Yes, I understand."

"Then I'll be going."

"Andy, please escort Mrs. Haynes downstairs."

"Mrs. Haynes, this way, please!"

Ingrid stood and sashayed out. The staff whispered amongst themselves: "My goodness! Is that Mr. Everett's mother-in-law?" "Why is she like that?" "Word is, she used to be Greyport's social butterfly!" "Jeez! Roxanne seems so gentle, but her mother is so… vibrant!" "She certainly lives a charmed life!" "Let's get back to work!"

Even after Ingrid left, her perfume lingered. Bruce opened a window for fresh air. He felt more agitated than before. He admitted to neglecting Roxanne lately, but couldn't define his feelings. He no longer felt passionate about Roxanne, yet they'd been together for six years. He didn't want to be irresponsible; Roxanne had waited six years, and she'd saved him from drowning ten years ago. He felt obligated to marry her to repay her. It felt cliché, but that's what he was thinking.

After considering this, he called Roxanne.

The final sentence is a bit abrupt, but I left it as is to match the original. The added website promotion at the end of the original was removed as it's not part of the text itself.