Chapter 1556
Bonnie vented angrily. “He’s always being dragged off to socialize, saying his superiors see potential in him and bring him to booze up. I call bull! If he keeps this up, he’ll collapse from exhaustion!”
“I’ll talk some sense into my brother!” Emily said, “It’s late. I’ll stay here to take care of him. You should rest. I’ll call if anything comes up.”
“Thank you, Emily!”
“We’re family. No need for formalities!”
Emily ended the call. Charlie watched her, then rose thoughtfully and said, “You lie down for a bit. I need to make a phone call.”
Emily nodded, assuming he had something urgent to attend to.
Charlie exited the ER and found a quiet spot outside, then dialed a number.
Despite the late hour, the call was picked up quickly. In a nervous voice, the person on the other end asked, “Mr. James?”
Charlie cut to the chase, “Did you arrange for Elliott to keep overworking and socializing?”
Mr. Sample from the branch office was taken aback and quickly replied, “No, I didn’t know. I just thought Elliott was doing a good job and asked director Lucien to keep an eye on him. We even planned to promote him to marketing manager.”
Charlie was frosty. “Don’t beat around the bush! I want to know who’s pulling strings behind the scenes. I’ll get to the bottom of this tonight. Don’t think about covering for anyone, or you can pack your bags too. Got it?”
Mr. Sample’s voice trembled. “Yes, I’ll look into it right away.”
“I’ll wait for your report.”
Charlie waited outside for a while. Mr. Sample called back soon.
“Mr. James, I found out that all the work and socializing arranged for Elliott was by director Lucien. He explained it as toughening up Elliott, but I know his real intention. He fears Elliott’s promotion might threaten his position, so he’s been exploiting him. The projects he arranged for Elliott are all high-risk.” Mr. Sample’s voice was filled with fear. “I’ll talk with director Lucien tomorrow and make sure you get an explanation.”
Charlie replied indifferently,
long as everything’s clear. Don’t let hardworking employees lose their faith.”
Mr. Sample agreed hastily, “I overlooked this. I assure you, I’ll handle it.”
“Good. Elliott’s health took a hit. Let him rest for a few days. Do as I say.”
Mr. Sample sounded even more panicked. “Is Elliott seriously ill? He can take as much time off as he needs. I’ll talk to HR about paid leave.” “It’s late; you should rest.”
“Mr. James, you should rest too.”
Charlie hung up and headed back to the ER.
Half of Elliott’s IV bag was left. He was sleeping more peacefully than before, so it didn’t look like it was anything serious.
Emily was curled up on the bed next to him, her eyes closed as if she were asleep.
He walked over, picked up her coat, and draped it over her, then lay down and wrapped his arm around her.
Emily woke with a start and instinctively tried to evade his embrace.
Charlie opened his eyes, held her shoulder firmly, and asked with a heavy gaze, “Why are you avoiding me?”
Emily stared at him in shock, then finally said, “What if my brother wakes up and sees us like this?”
“What’s wrong with him seeing us? We can keep it from others, but do you want to keep it from your family too?” Charlie said it calmly
Emily was silent and didn’t move closer to him.
“Emily, I’m partly responsible for your brother’s situation!” Charlie suddenly said.
Emily looked up at him in surprise and asked, “What?”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
May we please have updates. Thank you...
Someone needs to send a new picture of Trevor to Oliver and Luke so that they will get their requested reports to Gonzalez asap. If they didn't know, now they know what awaits them if they continue to disrespect and NOT follow orders....
Well, well, well. I love how Gonzalez sent out the warning that he's the CEO and either they will acknowledge him as such or get their due diligence. I'm waiting to see how the Franco family will be walking on eggs and come into a new understanding of Gonzalez taking charge. Thank you so much for the five updates....
Adrian is hoping that he has a chance with Norah and will do everything and anything in his power to keep Norah and Xavier apart....
Thank you for the updates. I hope that Norah will remember Xavier and their relationship before the accident and that they will ever be to....
Thank you, thank you for the updates today, which is also my birthday. The saga continues. I really want Norah and Xavier to be together... but he has to want Norah....
May we have updates please. Thank you....
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Norah took Estelle to tutor her brother. Both of them are around the same age. So why is Janice and Xavier father feel that there's an age gap for Norah and Xavier. L I know they will be together....