Chapter 23
Matthew stood at the office door, lifting his hand several times only to lower it again.
The online buzz about Lenora was intense, and he was uncertain whether to bring it up with Harley.
In the past, Matthew would not have hesitated, but after Harley and Lenora’s divorce a few months ago, various incidents made him unsure of Harley’s current feelings.
Mustering his resolve, Matthew finally knocked on Harley’s office door.
“What is it?” Harley had just finished a call and was standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, his face expressionless, neither in a good nor bad mood.
Startled by Harley’s cold gaze, Matthew’s heart quivered slightly. “Mr. Brandt, there are many of negative news about Ms. Maynard online. You might want to take a look-”
Before he could finish, Harley’s expression turned icy. “Are you concerned about her?”
Matthew felt a chill down his spine. “No, not at all. I apologize; I won’t disturb you any further.”
Harley remained silent, his face growing darker.
Realizing his misjudgment, Matthew quickly turned to leave, closing the door behind him.
With the door closed, Harley was left alone in the vast office.
He stared in the direction of the door for a few seconds before walking over to the computer to check out the negative news about Lenora that Matthew mentioned, only to remember he wasn’t very familiar with Twitter.
He pushed the mouse aside and pulled out his phone to search on Twitter.
Seeing the search results, his expression grew even grimmer. ‘How many boyfriends has Lenora gone through in just over/ three months since our divorce? The previous ones were bearable, just holding hands and hugging, but now she has brought someone home. Does she like him this much? Eighteen years old? Her new boyfriend is only eighteen?‘
Harley felt as if something had stabbed him in the heart; he was already thirty.
He couldn’t bear to look anymore.
Throwing his phone aside, he felt an unprecedented irritation welling up inside him.
And yet, some thrived on others‘ misery. No sooner had he thrown his phone than Devon called.
Harley didn’t want to answer the call; he knew what Devon would say without even picking up.
But Devon was a boring person who had the patience to mock him endlessly, making call after call. When Harley finally answered, his face was livid. “Spit it out.”
“Harley, have you seen the trending topics? Your ex–wife is quite something, isn’t she? You’ve only been divorced for a short while, and she’s already gone through three or four boyfriends, each one younger and more vibrant than the last. Seeing it this way, you really don’t stand a chance, do you? No wonder she wanted a divorce; you’re no match for them.”
Harley snorted. “You got nothing better to do? Have you secured that plot of land in the east area yet?”
“It’s just that I can’t get that plot, so I have some time to follow this gossip. Honestly, how do you feel? More than four months post–divorce, and she’s changing boyfriends one after another, while you spend your nights lonely and cold. Kind of pitiful, really.”
1/3
ཎྛ ས 3 50%=
Sat,
Chapter 23
Without another word, Harley hung up, feeling a surge of anger rush to his head. He grabbed his phone intending to dial Lenora’s number but realized he didn’t have her contact saved in his directory.
Frustrated, Harley tugged at his tie and buzzed Matthew on the intercom: “Send me Lenora’s phone number.”
In just two seconds, Harley received the number from Matthew. He dialed immediately, only to be greeted by a cold, indifferent female voice. “Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is busy. Please try again later.”
With a stern expression, Harley left his office and approached Matthew. “Give me your phone.”
Matthew, seeing Harley’s grim face, nearly dropped the phone in shock.
Harley dialed Lenora’s number from Matthew’s phone and got through in just six or seven seconds.
Chapter 23
Without another word, Harley hung up, feeling a surge of anger rush to his head. He grabbed his phone intending to dial Lenora’s number but realized he didn’t have her contact saved in his directory.
Frustrated, Harley tugged at his tie and buzzed Matthew on the intercom: “Send me Lenora’s phone number.”
In just two seconds, Harley received the number from Matthew. He dialed immediately, only to be greeted by a cold, indifferent female voice. “Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is busy. Please try again later.”
With a stern expression, Harley left his office and approached Matthew. “Give me your phone.”
Matthew, seeing Harley’s grim face, nearly dropped the phone in shock.
Harley dialed Lenora’s number from Matthew’s phone and got through in just six or seven seconds.
The girl on the other end of the line sounded puzzled. “Matthew?”
Harley immediately hung up, giving Matthew a cold stare. “Don’t tell her it was me who called.”
With that, he stormed back into his office, his face dark with anger. ‘Great, she’s blocked my number.
Meanwhile, Lenora, who had just finished reviewing the PR department’s investigation, looked down at her phone and couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Cassidy, who was happily picking at her meal across from her, noticed and asked, “Who was that on the phone?”
“Harley’s secretary,” said Lenora.
Hearing that, Cassidy was immediately on guard. “What does Harley want now?”
“He hung up right after answering.”
Cassidy smirked. “Probably a wrong call.”
Lenora nodded, not taking the call to heart. But she did need to contact Matthew once more, as this matter still involved Harley.
Just as she put her phone down, Matthew called again.
Lenora raised her eyebrows. “Hi, Matthew?”
5
“Ms. Maynard, I’m sorry. I was busy just now and dialed your number accidentally.” Matthew had told many lies before, but lying to Lenora, even over the phone, made him feel inexplicably ashamed.
“Oh, Lenora responded curtly and signaled to Cassidy before getting up and walking to the restaurant’s outdoor terrace to speak. “By the way, there is something I do need to discuss with you.”
Matthew’s heart sank, sensing it wasn’t good news. “Please go ahead.”
“You’ve seen today’s trending topics online, haven’t you?” asked Lenora.
“Yes, I… I have.”
Lenora chuckled lightly. “Good, since you’ve seen them, it’ll be easy to talk about. I had someone look into this for me. Starting from early this morning around four o’clock, defamatory articles about me were released every two hours, five at a time. All from the same marketing firm. Fortunately, I know someone familiar with that company, and they found out that Ms. Carla Brandt was the one who ordered the articles.”
Here, Lenora’s voice turned colder. “Matthew, please inform Harley and Carla to expect my lawyer’s letter.” hung up.
th that, she
2/3
0
18:07 Sat, Oct 26 GB.
Chapter 23
After ending the call, Lenora nonchalantly returned to the restaurant.
Cassidy had already finished ordering and was eagerly waiting. I’m done; didn’t order much.”
Lenora glanced over without calling her out and waved to the waiter. “Please take our order.”
“What did you say to Harley’s secretary?” asked Cassidy.
Lenora took a sip of water/“Nothing much, just told them to wait for my lawyer’s letter.”
“Right, that’s the way. Harley and his whole family are no good; I’ve wanted to teach them a lesson for a while.”
Lenora leaned on her chin, watching Cassidy with amusement. “How do you plan to teach them a lesson?”
แล
Cassidy snorted, “I mean, I’m an award–winning actress; I have plenty of fans. Posting a rant on social media would work.”
Lenora laughed. “Before your words reach them, you might get taken care of by Harley first.”
Cassidy groaned. “The evils of capitalism!”
Then, realizing she was sitting across from a major capitalist herself, she added, “Of course, our Nora is a beautiful, generous, kind, and unique capitalist.”
“Hmm, quite an objective assessment,” said Lenora.
Two narcissistic people together–fortunately, there was no third person present, or they might have driven someone to
tears.
Sat, Oct 26
