Josie shook her head helplessly. âWasnât the plane delayed? Why did you still come?â
âWhat are you talking about?â Lachlan walked straight into the mansion, speaking as he did so. âI missed Grape. Canât I come and see her? And as for you, youâre being absolutely ridiculous. How could you take a child to such a place?â
âWhat should I do then, leave her at home? Wouldnât that be a disservice to your efforts in setting the venue of the final in Sumanthova?â Josie half-jokingly said, trailing behind him.
Lachlan casually took the bag from her. âWhat nasty things have those little rascals been saying again?â
Josie didnât tease him further. Instead, she pushed open the door to be greeted by Grapeâs toys everywhere, among which the multiplication table hanging on the wall was particularly noticeable.
âWhose backpack is this?â
âDo you really think itâs mine?â Josie asked with a mix of helplessness and pride in her tone.
Grape proudly proclaimed, âItâs mine, Mr. Lachlan!â
âCan you not get carried away? Sheâs barely over a year old and hasnât even been weaned off formula yet, and here you are, wanting her to recite multiplication tables?â Lachlan was incredulous, gently pinching Grapeâs cheek.
Leaning against the edge of the table, Josie poured a glass of water to soothe her parched throat.
âSheâs interested in it, so I let her carry it around and play.â
In truth, she was also quite surprised by Grapeâs natural talent in mathematics. Grapeâs affinity for numbers always reminded her of someone.
Lachlan hadnât visited for three months, and Grape was particularly attached to him. They played together for an hour, but in the end, she was still a child and couldnât resist the urge to sleep.
After tucking Grape in, Lachlan looked up to find Josie also dozing off on the couch. He picked up a blanket and carefully walked over. Just as he was about to cover her with it, she suddenly opened her eyes.
Josieâs sleep had always been light. She sat up. âIâm sorry. I was a bit tired.â
Lachlan casually sat down, letting out a snort. âI thought after working together for over two years, you wouldnât be so distant.â
Only after a while did Josie realize it. âHas it been two years already?â
âTwo years and three months,â Lachlan stated, emphasizing each word.
âTime flies. I still remember the first thing you said to me when I arrived in Sumanthova.â Josie squinted her eyes. âYou insisted that I expand Keller Groupâs overseas market within three years.â
Admiration filled Lachlanâs eyes. âYou accomplished it in just a year and a half. And for eight months of that time, you were pregnant.â
Josie curved her lips. Reminiscing about the chaos from that period, she couldnât help but sigh. Back then, every day was exhausting, but she had no choice. She couldnât allow herself to stop. If she did, she would be flooded with unnecessary memories, which were just too painful to bear.
âWithout you, Keller Group wouldnât be where it is today.â
âI should be the one thanking you. During my most challenging times, you assigned me the toughest tasks, preventing me from falling apart.â
The headquarters of Keller Group was in Rivodia. At that time, she had just arrived in Sumanthova when she received a call from Lachlan, âMs. Warren, youâre quite the diva, arenât you? Postponing your start date for so many days without giving a response? Do you think thatâs becoming of you?â
Josie immediately furrowed her brows. âIâm sorry. Iâm already in Sumanthova, Iâm afraid I canâtâ¦â
After Lachlan heard what she had to say, he gritted his teeth in anger. âSumanthova? Do you still want to join our company?â
âOf course, butâ¦â
âThen itâs settled. Youâll be in charge of all the companyâs overseas affairs.â
Josie was rendered speechless.
Even though Josie was now the design director at Keller Group, reflecting upon her initial stages reminded her of how Lachlan treated her as cheap labor back then.
Josie rose to her feet. âIâm tired. Iâm going to take a nap.â
âHeyâ¦â
âIf I continue this conversation with you, Iâm afraid I might start sympathizing with capitalists, so letâs forget about it.â Josie chuckled, exuding an air of confidence and nonchalance.
Lachlan chuckled and shook his head, giving her an affectionate look.