Chapter 1173: Straightforward

Chapter 1173: Straightforward

Grace: "No, I just feel that you've changed. You've changed to the point

where I feel like I don't know you anymore. I'm a bit worried that when

we meet, you'll have changed even more."

"Do you fear it?"

"I'm not afraid.” Grace smiled.

Grace and Horace chatted for a long time, until Horace finished cooking

and they had dinner. It was already late on Horace's side, but Grace's

evening was just beginning.

So Grace took the initiative to suggest ending the video call. She said,

"Go take a shower and rest early. Let's talk again tomorrow, alright?"

Horace, however, still seemed a little reluctant. He smiled lightly and

said, "Do you think I'm annoying you?"

Grace snorted lightly, "You're accusing me wrongly. I'm just worried that

you'll get tired."

“I'm not tired. Talking to you actually helps me relax.”

"Have you been working hard lately? Is my father causing trouble for

you again? Horace, I'm really sorry. My father is just like that, and

you..."

“It has nothing to do with you. Why are you apologizing? Haven't

Camille and I told you countless times? It's not your problem, and you

don't need to apologize to anyone."

"I know, I'm just afraid you're feeling uncomfortable."

“I'm not uncomfortable. Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. It's

getting late indeed. I'll take a shower, and you can go out for some

fresh air, hmm?"

Grace nodded lightly in agreement. After ending the video call, she

couldn't help but contact Camille.

She asked Camille, "Cami, I want to ask you something. Has Dad been

giving Horace a hard time lately?"

Camille saw the message immediately. She had just finished dinner

and was watching a movie with Ayan. Watching movies in the evening

when they had nothing else to do was their way of spending time. Since

it was raining outside today and they couldn't go out, they naturally

resorted to their usual method, watching movies.

When Camille saw Grace's question, she was momentarily stunned.

She casually raised her phone and showed it to Ayan, asking, "Has the

Armstrong family been causing trouble for Horace lately?"

Ayan read the message clearly and smirked, "Is your sister's brain

consumed by love?"

"Love-struck? It does seem like it." Camille smiled faintly, but she was

still curious about the earlier question. She asked, "So, have they been

causing trouble or not?"

"I'm not sure.”

“You're not sure?" Camille clearly didn't believe it. She said, "You really

don't know?"

“I'm not Grace. Why should I pay so much attention to someone like

Horace? If I were to constantly keep an eye on him, he might suspect

that I have ulterior motives." Ayan snorted lightly, his deep gaze fixed

on Camille. "Horace is about to collaborate with the Simpson Group, as

I mentioned before. If you insist on whether the Armstrong family has

been causing trouble for him, it's probably only related to Preston.

However, once our collaboration is officially established, I estimate that

no one in Armstrong Corp will dare to trouble him for at least the next

six months."

Camille was slightly taken aback, giving off an impressed look. She

couldn't help but smile and said, "Are you this capable now?"

"I've always been capable,” he confidently replied.

Camille snorted lightly, "You're not modest at all.”

"Why should I be modest in front of you, hmm?" Ayan gently held her

hand and said calmly, "You can tell Grace, so she won't be unhappy all

day because of Horace."

Camille quickly replied to Grace, informing her that no one was making

things difficult for Horace and also mentioned the collaboration with the

Simpson Group. The sisters hadn't contacted each other for a long

time, so they chatted a bit more before ending the conversation,

already past eleven o'clock.

They bid each other goodnight, and the chat came to an end. Several

trivial matters occurred throughout the day, but no one knew if this

calmness was the prelude to a storm.

The next morning, everyone began another busy day. Armstrong Corp

was bustling with activity. They had a meeting scheduled for nine

o'clock, but most executives had already arrived and were waiting at

the company even before working hours.

Horace didn't come directly to the company because of other work

arrangements, so he had his secretary go to the office first. While

Preston was riding the elevator, he ran into Horace's secretary. Preston

glanced at the secretary and asked casually, "Why didn't I see Mr.

Burris?"

"Good morning, Mr. Walker. Our Mr. Burris has other work

arrangements, so he'll come to the company after finishing his tasks,"

the secretary explained politely.

Preston merely smirked and calmly looked at the secretary, saying, "I

see. I thought Mr. Burris wanted to avoid the meeting Mr. Armstrong

called today, so he specially mentioned having other work

arrangements and not wanting to come to the company.”

The secretary noticed the hint of mockery in Preston's eyes and felt

quite dissatisfied with his series of actions. However, he didn't say

much and maintained his politeness, responding, "How could that be?

Mr. Armstrong's arrangements are of utmost importance. It's just that

Mr. Burris's schedule today is related to Armstrong Corp, so after

careful consideration, he decided to handle his work matters first. After

all, it's for the sake of work, and Mr. Armstrong should understand, don't

you think so, Mr. Walker?"

Preston only smiled lightly without directly giving any response. He

heard it clearly but chose not to answer with a single word. What did

that signify?

The secretary silently made a mental note, planning to talk to Horace

later when he returned. Preston was just a project manager after all,

daring to treat the company's general manager in such a manner.

Moreover, the secretary held a higher position than Preston as

Horace's secretary. They needed to address this issue.

The two of them arrived at the office floor in the elevator, and the

secretary naturally returned to his own workstation. Since Horace

hadn't arrived at the company, everyone began speculating whether

there was a disagreement between Horace and Brody.

Many executives who support Horace came to inquire with the

secretary, but the secretary genuinely didn't know the specifics of

Horace's schedule because Horace didn't directly tell him. He only

instructed the secretary to come to the office first while he handled

some other matters separately. Therefore, the secretary was also

unaware of what exactly those matters were.

Facing the inquiries, the secretary could only repeat the words he had

just said to Preston multiple times in response.

Some executives who had a closer relationship with Horace were

bolder, so their questions were more direct.

"As Mr. Burris's secretary, Mr. Burris would surely inform you of his

plans, right? So, could you please tell us the truth? Did Mr. Burris have

a conflict with Mr. Armstrong, leading to his refusal to attend this

meeting? If that's the case, we would at least have an idea and know

what to do!"

In response to these inquiries, the secretary could only say, "I genuinely

don't know about Mr. Burris's situation. If Mr. Burris wants me to know,

he would definitely tell me. At the moment, it seems that Mr. Burris

doesn't want me to know, so I can't provide you all with an answer. I

hope everyone can understand. As for today's meeting, please handle

it as you see fit. After all, everyone knows Mr. Burris's character and

what kind of person he is."

After this exchange, everyone didn't receive a clear answer, and the

meeting officially began.

Brody personally convened the meeting and arrived at Armstrong Corp

on time.

Since Horace was responsible for all the company matters, Brody

hadn't visited Armstrong Corp for quite some time. Today, he returned

to the company to hold the meeting, but Horace was absent. Instead,

he had a secretary represent him in this meeting, which Brody

perceived as disrespect and disregard.

Brody's face showed clear dissatisfaction, and his eyes were filled with

coldness. Preston noticed this, but he certainly wouldn't speak up

himself. Instead, he exchanged a glance with his secretary, Quintus.

In the next moment, Quintus's voice sounded.

Quintus said, "Today, everyone was notified to attend this meeting

because Mr. Armstrong has something important to announce.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Burris couldn't attend due to some matters, which is

truly regrettable. However, we don't know the specifics of Mr. Burris's

reasons for not attending the meeting. Could it be that Mr. Burris has

some dissatisfaction with Mr. Armstrong holding this meeting, which is

why he doesn't want to participate?"