The CEO Gets What He Wants novel Chapter 145

Cayden's brows were knitted together deeply, and his imperious expression showed a hint of chagrin. Avery was well aware of the source of his displeasure.

“Please have some respect for me.” She wanted to retract her hand, trying to avoid excessive physical contact as much as possible.

Unexpectedly, the man tightened his grip around her wrist in the next second.

With his deep and piercing gaze radiating coldness, Cayden fixated them on her flickering eyes. “How will it be considered respectful? By addressing you as my cousin-in-law?”

His voice brimmed with derision, and the words out of his mouth were chilly.

Once again, Avery was angered by his words. “I don't mind if you wish to address me thus.”

Just when the man almost broke her wrist, Blake queried, “Ery, are you done packing Zachary's bag?”

Avery was in such excruciating pain that she couldn't even speak. If the pressure on her wrist didn't let up soon, her wrist would definitely shatter.

Cayden's savage expression was reflected in her teary eyes. Dipping her head, she clenched her jaw and tried to break free from his grip silently.

“Bid Great-grandpa farewell,” Cayden lowered his head and ordered his son after walking over to the door without any expression on his face.

Taking his father's hand, Zachary waved his other hand in the direction of the hospital bed. “Goodbye, Great-grandpa! Rest well. I... I'll be back tomorrow to visit you.”

“Okay, I'll be waiting for you tomorrow,” Blake replied.

Zachary was then brought out of the hospital room by Cayden.

Before the hospital room door slammed shut, the former glanced back over his shoulder at Avery, who didn't come out. As he walked along the corridor, he looked up at his father. “Daddy, Ms. Ery seems to be crying secretly.”

Cayden didn't even bother sparing his son a look. “You're mistaken.”

“I'm not,” Zachary insisted.

At that, a deep frown marred Cayden's countenance.

Meanwhile, Avery thought that her grandfather would ask why she suddenly minded the gap between their families when everything was fine previously and broke up with Cayden.

Surprisingly, Blake didn't do so.

Lying on the bed, he neither sighed nor frowned, not putting any pressure on her.

At that precise moment, Brodie texted her on WhatsApp.

After reading his message, she went over to her grandfather, who had fallen asleep again, pulling the covers over him. She tucked him in before going out. On her way out, she closed the hospital room door softly.

Brodie was at the hospital entrance.

The moment he spotted Avery, he inquired in concern, “A family member of yours is being hospitalized?”

“Yeah, my grandfather.” Avery hadn't planned on keeping him in the dark.

“Shall we go out for a drink?” Brodie pointed at a coffee bar outside the hospital.

Avery nodded in agreement since she intended to sit down and discuss things with him anyway.

When they arrived at the coffee bar, Brodie ordered two cups of coffee.

He once had a meal with Avery, so he knew her preferences.

It took a long time for the coffee to be served.

“What kind of sickness does your grandfather have?” Brodie asked.

“It's just normal sickness that elderly people are prone to have. He'll be discharged in a few days.” Avery didn't say that her grandfather was kidnapped and beaten up, for that would likely frighten the man.

Nodding, Brodie went silent for a moment as he pondered upon the words “normal sickness that elderly people are prone to have” in his mind.

A long moment later, he lifted his head. “You're taking care of him alone at the hospital? Where are your parents?”

At that exact moment, the coffee was served.

The server placed the coffee down before leaving.

“My father...” Avery gripped the cup of coffee, but she seemingly couldn't feel the heat. “My father is also being hospitalized. As for my mother, she left us after I was born.”

Brodie had brought his cup of coffee to his mouth, but he stopped short.

After learning about Leonardo's illness, he went silent once more.

Subsequently, he frowned again.

In the end, Brodie got to his feet first and left. Avery waited until almost all the patrons in the coffee bar had left before she finally found the strength to walk out.

Breaking up is the best ending. Perhaps we shouldn't have dated in the first place.

Early the next morning, Avery went to work after putting Blake's breakfast box away.

In the subway, her phone rang.

It was a call from an unknown phone number.

“Hello? Is this Avery Rumpley?”

A woman's voice drifted out from the speakers.

“Hello, Avery Rumpley speaking.” There were never empty seats when one boarded the subway at the station near the hospital. Avery wasn't steady on her feet, so she gripped a handrail tightly with her left hand.

“I'm Brodie Checkfield's mother. I have something to say to you.”

Avery was stunned for a second. “Go ahead, Mrs. Checkfield.”

“Brodie drank quite a bit when he came home last night. He had never been drunk in the past. His father and I asked him why he drank, and perhaps people speak only the truth after drinking, so he told us about the two of you without keeping anything from us. I'm not a materialistic person, but I have to be honest and admit that we can't accept your family's situation. I don't know what Brodie thinks since he has always been kind, innocent, and naive since he was young. But his father and I think your relationship with him should end here. Hello? Are you listening, Ms. Rumpley?” Brodie's mother questioned urgently.

There was a section in the subway with a poor signal. Avery heard the gist of her words and wanted to reply, but the person on the other end seemingly couldn't hear her.

When the signal had resumed at long last, there was a change in the attitude of Brodie's mother. She demanded sharply, “What do you mean by remaining silent? Do you take my words as a joke? Ms. Rumpley, I advise you to know your place and not take advantage of Brodie. Even if he's good at making money and has a lot of savings, it's not to be squandered on your soon-dying father and your grandfather, who has a foot in the grave! Since you're a parasite, don't go around hurting the good!”

After saying that, she hung up.

All Avery heard was the disconnect tone.

By then, the subway had arrived at the station where her office was located.

It was a commercial street, so many people alighted at that station. Avery had no time to brood over Brodie's mother's words, pushing her way toward the doors. Amidst the jostling, a button on her shirt popped open.

When she had finally exited the subway station, she had a ton of WhatsApp messages.

The female ex-classmate with whom she exchanged contacts during the class reunion back then had sent her a WhatsApp message.

It read: Are you looking for a part-time job, Ery? I've got a part-time job. Do you want to do it with me? We can keep each other company! The basic salary is three hundred a night, and the commission is dependent on the sales. It's just that the item is rather embarrassing.

She attached a photo and wrote beneath it: This is the merchandise. See whether you can accept it. We're to sell it at an entertainment establishment, but don't worry. It's owned by my friend's uncle. It's a decent place without any perverts. Do reply me when you see this!

After reading it, Avery replied: Sorry, I was in the subway earlier. I just squeezed my way out.

The female classmate texted back: So, are you interested in working this part-time job with me?

Hesitation swamped Avery as she looked at the words “Durexx,” a high-quality imitation of “Durex” in the picture. However, she was strapped for cash. Whatever I sell makes no difference. It's also a virtue to promote condoms to men and women who practice a certain lifestyle. Using condoms indicate respect and responsibility toward women.

She then typed: Send me the time and location.

Having replied to the text, she lifted her head and glanced at the pedestrian traffic light at the crosswalk. It had turned from red to green.

Just when she was about to cross the road, her gaze inadvertently strayed, and she immediately froze in place.

A woman walked out of the subway exit a little over ten meters away. It was none other than Lindsay, who waited on her and made all the arrangements when she gave birth to the children of the person who hired her five years ago.