Patricia scrunched up her face in innocence, âBro, I get it. I messed up, and I owe Ellinor an apology.
But I donât think we need to make a big deal out of this. Ellinor is now Mrs. Blanchet, a part of the Blanchet family. And we all know the Howards and the Blanchets arenât exactly best buds. If youâre bending over backward for Mrs. Blanchet, people might think weâre chickening outâ¦â
Balfourâs face turned grim. âThe Blanchets are the Blanchets, and she is she! Do you think we shouldnât take her seriously? You, of all people, should treat her right!â
Patricia was taken aback, quickly defending herself, âBro, I do respect Ellinor. I even invited her for a ride today, didnât mind asking the driver to go out of the way to drop her home. I just feel you havenât really done anything wrong to her, and thereâs no need for you to grovel. It breaks my heart to see you like thisâ¦â
Balfour gave her a cold stare and said, âYou donât need to worry about me.â
With that, he turned and walked back into his office.
With no one stopping her, Patricia bit her lip in frustration, picked up her packed food, and followed Balfour into the CEOâs office.
Down in the Howard Groupâs building lobby.
Ellinor was almost dozing off when someone knocked on her car window, waking her up.
âMs. Mendoza!â Quinton called out softly.
Ellinor came to her senses, rolling down the window with a dazed look, âQuinton, whatâs up?â
He hadnât been too friendly towards Ellinor because of Balfourâs attitude before, but Ms. Mendoza never held it against him and was always polite.
âMs. Mendoza, the boss has invited you up. Since youâre here already, would you like to join us for lunch?â
Ellinor waved him off nonchalantly, âThanks for the offer, but Iâll pass.â
Quinton had expected this and wasnât too surprised, although he couldnât help feeling a bit disappointed.
Ms. Mendoza didnât have the best experience working at the Howard Group, so her reluctance to come upstairs was understandable.
Quinton thought for a moment, then invited her again, âMs. Mendoza, itâs lunchtime here at the company. I remember you used to like our cafeteria food. Treat the Howard Group as a restaurant;
come up for a meal. It would make your trip worthwhile.â
Ellinor really did like the Howard Groupâs cafeteria food, especially the grilled salmon. It was to her liking, and she remembered its taste from her days working there!
Back then, Quinton had been ordered by Balfour to keep tabs on her, so he knew her cafeteria preferences.
Ellinor raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued by the food, âEven if Iâm not a Howard Group employee, I can still eat in your cafeteria?â
Quinton nodded respectfully, âOf course, if itâs you.â
Ellinor asked again, âDo I need to pay?â
Quinton replied, âImpossible! Mr. Howard would never let you pay. You can have whatever you want, as much as you want!â
Ellinorâs face fell, her interest instantly gone, âI wonât eat if I donât have to pay! Forget it!â
Quinton managed a weak smile, âThen you can pay!â
That finally got Ellinor out of the car, ready to have a meal before heading back to the Blanchet familyâs house. After all, there was nothing awaiting her back home anyway.
Before entering the Howard Group, Ellinor saw a line by the ice cream window of a fast food restaurant across the street. Wanting some, she told Quinton, âQuinton, you go on ahead. Iâll join the queue for an ice cream across the street before going up.