The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 159

"You're here to see Hassan? Why haven't you gone up?" Gardenia glanced toward the receptionist's desk, feigning sudden realization before adding with an easy, magnanimous smile, "I can take you up, if you'd like."

Natalie met her gaze. "Me going up there would just stress out the staff. I won't disrupt your work."

It was a subtle but absolutely crushing response.

No matter what Gardenia said, she was just an employee. Natalie was the superior entity here. Regardless of her current relationship with Hassan, she was still legally Mrs. Carlson, the matriarch of the Carlson family.

Not only Gardenia, but the coworker beside her visibly contorted in irritation.

Unable to muster a comeback, the two walked away.

The second the elevator doors closed, the coworker rolled her eyes aggressively. "Who is she trying to fool? You're going to be the next Mrs. Carlson anyway. Imagine clinging to your pride this hard when you're practically out the door. Let's see how long she lasts once she loses the Carlson protection."

Gardenia looked down, taking a sip of her coffee. "Don't say that. I've never wanted to be Mrs. Carlson. Relying on someone else is never as good as relying on yourself. I just want to nail this new project. I already put my dreams on hold for four years. I refuse to waste the next four achieving nothing."

The coworker smirked. "You're the only one who wouldn't kill for the Mrs. Carlson title, but I guess not everyone is as independent as you. I bet you anything, once Natalie is stripped of that name, her life is going to be hell. I'll be shocked if she doesn't end up destitute."

Gardenia's mind, however, was elsewhere. She had noticed the missing button on Natalie's blouse just now. Usually, that wouldn't mean anything.

But... when she had seen Hassan this morning, his dress shirt was also missing a button.

It had to be a coincidence. Last night, Hassan had an emergency international conference call. She had waited in his office for two hours until he finally texted her, saying the meeting would run late and she should head home.

Gardenia glanced at the extra bag of coffee in her hand. It was for Hassan. Just like in college, she'd bring him a cup on a whim. She didn't see anything wrong with it; it was perfectly normal between friends.

On her way to the office, she ran into the executive secretary, who was heading down to deliver some documents.

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