Chapter 94 How Ironic
Lewis paused, his eyes darting toward an unknowing Sophia, who stood and smiled like she was doing her job. He asked, “What do you think is the appropriate action, Miss King?”
That rendered Sophia temporarily speechless. She pondered the best response before saying, ” President Alvarez, I’m merely reporting what might happen if we take this course of action. As for what we end up doing, that decision lies with you.”
“Then, do as I say.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good.”
Sophia nodded but still checked with the former, stating, “I’ll approve of her one-month leave, then.”
“You may go now,” was the only response from Lewis.
Pivoting on her heel, Sophia headed out. Before she shut the office door, she glanced up at Lewis, who continued browsing the document in his hands instead of acknowledging her departure. Sophia understood it was her cue to leave, and so she did.
Not long after, Conrad came into the office to report about the Head of Finance in their company. “I’ve received confirmation that Mr. Hall has embezzled our company’s funds. We’ve received part of that sum back, and he’s gotten sentenced to seven years in prison.”
“I see. Anything else?”
Conrad hesitated momentarily, then added, “The employees have been spreading rumors that I brought Mrs. Alvarez into our company. I-” He didn’t continue, but his intentions were clear; he didn’t want the rumors to spiral out of hand and make the other employees no longer view him with respect.
“I understand. You may leave now.” Lewis didn’t even bother glancing at the former when he
said that.
Nevertheless, Conrad was relieved. He sighed, nodded, and left the office. Conrad ran into Sophia on his way out. Given their relationship as colleagues, he greeted her out of courtesy.
That was when Sofia piped up. “Conrad, President Alvarez has asked me to approve Josephine’s one-month leave.”
“Oh, thanks,” replied an unbothered Conrad.
Lips curving, Sophia said, “You’re welcome. I take it that you owe me one now?”
“Of course.” Conrad chuckled. “Feel free to approach me if I can help with anything, Miss King.
Sophia got the answer she wanted. Thus, she didn’t bother conversing anymore. The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before going their separate ways.
Josephine had largely recovered. The doctor would drop by every three days instead of daily for a check-up. When she wasn’t being poked and prodded at by the doctor, she would sit at home, daydreaming to pass the time.
The doctor nodded after checking her heart rate and surface injuries. “Mrs. Alvarez, most of your wounds have healed. However, your body is still weak, so you shouldn’t allow yourself to catch a cold or anything like that. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
While nodding at the doctor, Josephine picked up some paper and a pen from her bedside and wrote, “Thank you.”
The doctor couldn’t help chuckling each time she did so. It wasn’t because her actions were funny, but he found it adorable to see her holding up a piece of paper with massive handwriting. There was already a pile of gratitude notes on the table. Among them were notes with “You’re welcome,” “Sorry to trouble you,” and other common phrases.
“Cheer up, Mrs. Alvarez. You’ll recover sooner if you stay happy.”
Lips pursing, Josephine looked at the television screen, where an entertainment channel was playing. It spoke of a specific production crew’s decision to hire a main lead worth two billion. dollars. Famous figures got cast as supporting roles, while the protagonist, Sierra, stood in the center of the cast lineup. Sierra alone stole the limelight in that news report.
Watching that made Josephine think, “Lewis must have loads of money stashed away, huh? I couldn’t afford the travel expenses to the hospital, yet he invested two billion to pave a path for Sierra in the entertainment industry. Because of Lewis, Sierra can do anything, behave. recklessly and get in trouble without consequences. Meanwhile, I can’t do anything. Lewis forced me to wash dishes and work in his company, where everyone looked down on me. How ironic that the doctor calls me ‘Mrs. Alvarez.’ I’m a joke.”
The doctor suddenly thought of something. He pulled out his phone and played a video.” Please watch this, Mrs. Alvarez.”
Josephine immediately snapped out of her thoughts. Her gaze shifted to the phone, where a compilation of funny pet videos played. There were scenes of misbehaving pets, dancing dogs, and other amusing clips. It wasn’t clear whether someone had edited those videos, but they were fun to watch. Josephine’s lips raised into a grin as the video went on. As expected, cute animals could improve most people’s moods.
“I can share the link to this account with you. They often post funny videos, so you can browse through their list when you have time,” the doctor suggested.
Josephine nodded before taking out her phone and saving the account’s name.
After that, the doctor stood up, bidding his goodbyes. “I’ll be off, then.”
With a nod, Josephine picked up a note from the table that read, “Goodbye.”
That garnered a chuckle from the doctor, who then picked up his medical kit and left.
For the time that followed, Josephine scrolled through various funny videos, her mood improving significantly. She eventually remembered to text Sam and ask how things were with Mrs. Jinkins. Yet, Sam didn’t respond to her text, so Josephine returned to binge- watching videos mindlessly. She was so hyperfocused on the videos that she didn’t notice. someone entering the living room. Josephine only looked up when a shadow suddenly cast over her head. Her hand trembled when she saw who it was, causing her phone to drop onto the ground with a loud thud. Josephine instinctively shrunk into the collar of her shirt, her eyes remaining alert and terrified.
The person was none other than Seth, who smiled modestly. “What’s wrong, Josephine?”
If it weren’t because Seth had previously smiled like that while bashing Josephine’s head into the door, she would have thought this version of Seth was a completely different person. She tightly clutched the couch while her shoulders trembled fervently.
“Are you unwell, Josephine?” Seth teased. He was about to reach out and touch her forehead, but his actions startled her so much that she shoved his hand away.
Josephine stumbled off the couch and could barely pay attention to her aching knee. She shot to her feet at once, running toward the closest room she could find.
Seth, however, snickered as he watched her flee like a frightened hare.
Once Josephine entered the room, she locked herself in and leaned her body against the door as an extra precaution. She panted heavily, trying to catch her breath. Fortunately, Lewis returned on time, so Seth didn’t chase after her.
Turning to face the front door, Seth greeted, “Lewis! Perfect timing.”
Lewis glanced at the former for two seconds, then at the television that still played the news. He realized Josephine was missing, so he approached Seth emotionlessly. “Why have you come to see me?”
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