Lena was taken aback. She could not come up with an answer to the question, nor could she respond well.
"Chris... Renee isn't my enemy."
"You're the one who isn't treating her like one!" Chris sighed in exasperation. "But what about her? She despises you to the core. She not only sees you as an enemy but as a nemesis!"
Lena's fists clenched tightly at her side.
"I'm not trying to stir up trouble between you." Chris held her shoulders. "I'm just using my military experience to tell you that mutual sacrifices happen frequently on the battlefield. A bullet won't change its course because you're retreating, and an enemy won't spare you just because you're stepping back!
"Your retreat will only make her more overbearing! Just because Pammy is in the middle doesn't mean you should be hesitant!"
Lena was stunned. Chris' words struck a chord and made her see the depth of his concern.
After a long silence, she smiled, her cheeks blushing like peach petals.
Chris was entranced, as if her smile lit up the whole world. "Lenny, I—"
"Let's go help Lina with her discharge procedures first," Lena interrupted with a smile.
"Oh."
"She's only a little over a month pregnant, and she's been a bit exhausted lately. The doctor said she needs to finish the nutrient drip before going home."
"Mm..."
"After we're done with the paperwork, let's go in together!"
"Oh, sure..." Chris' eyes lit up suddenly. "What did you say?"
"I said, let's go in together, help Lina tidy up, and then take them home!"
"Nothing important," she said after a moment. "I just feel that since Lina's pregnant now, she shouldn't strain herself too much. But with so much to handle at the company, I thought..."
"You don't need to worry about that." Zuko stood beside Lina, one hand on her shoulder. He smiled at Renee. "I'm a member of the Thompsons now, so helping with family matters is only natural."
Renee frowned, Zuko's words hitting her like a retort.
At that moment, Lena and Chris entered. Zuko turned toward them. "By the way, Lena, Pammy is pregnant now, and there are many things she can't personally handle. Please keep an eye on the company matters for her, okay?"
Lena nodded seriously.
"You're a grassroots employee." Zuko's tone was low. "And your perspective on things differs from ours. To have a promising future, a corporation must consider various opinions and look at problems from different angles."
Renee's mood soured. However, Lina seemed to agree with Zuko as she smiled without a word.
Toph had no interest in these matters, let alone advocating for her. Renee just felt like a heavy stone was lodged in her chest.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Married a Secret Billionaire