CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: FOOLISH MAN

Ivan Underwood saw that I still didn’t plan to reveal things to Henry Preston, so he gave me a look of mild displeasure, like a teacher staring at a failing student.

I shrank my neck; I only came to Ivan for someone to talk to, to sort out my thoughts, not to be lectured.

"Eat, eat, eat, have some more!" At this moment, the food arrived, and I immediately urged Ivan while I also started eating without speaking.

Ivan didn’t seem to have an appetite eating with me. Each time, he’d leave without eating much, leaving me alone with a table full of delicious food—such a waste.

After packing up the leftovers, I drove home and asked Auntie Lawson to feed the chickens and ducks in the garden with them.

I must say, Laura Lawson is quite skilled at raising chickens and ducks. The local chickens and ducks I brought back from my mother-in-law grew plump and healthy under her care.

I thought of Ivan’s words, saying that if I live to forty and am free of doubt, it’s really a blessing. I also recalled the cause of death in my previous life and immediately instructed Laura, "Auntie Lawson, let’s make angelica duck soup tomorrow!"

"Okay, madam." Laura nodded.

I noticed Laura’s complexion didn’t look too good, seemingly worried—was it because she knew about her daughter’s breakup with her boyfriend, or was it because of the recent chemical plant relocation issue?

I didn’t ask further and went to bathe and rest.

Before bed, I contacted Leah Lane and learned from her that Connor Hawthorne was indeed quite shaken, given how generous The Preston Group’s offer was. Their platform is vast, and if he could get into their headquarters, his future would be limitless!

"Encourage him to resign and proceed with our previous plan," I replied to Leah while applying a facial mask.

"Okay, but Zoe, how did The Preston Group really send Connor a job invitation email? Did Henry help?" Leah asked curiously.

"Yeah, he had a rare moment of kindness," I responded casually.

Leah was utterly shocked, as she knew how cold Henry had been to me before. Getting him to help me would have been a miracle, let alone him speaking a few more words.

I reckoned it was because, after my rebirth, I wasn’t clinging to him as much, so he probably thought I seemed a bit more normal?

I was more like a lunatic in my previous life.

We chatted a bit more before hanging up the phone, as there was work tomorrow and I needed to get some rest.

Fortunately, secretarial work wasn’t too taxing, and Henry wouldn’t give me a hard time at work, which was wonderful. Just based on how he kept work and personal matters separate, I’ve decided to work diligently and become a top-notch secretary.

In the meantime, I learned that Connor chose to resign, joined The Preston Group, and was placed in the project team.

"Zoe, Connor said to celebrate his shift to The Preston Group, he wants to take me out for dinner to celebrate. What should I do?" Leah called me, sounding a bit irritable.

She now despises Connor to the bone; the deeper her love was before, the deeper her hate is now.

If they meet, she might not be able to keep her composure.

However, I encouraged Leah to meet Connor and said, "Go, and tell him you’re pregnant. Isn’t he an only child in his family? His parents are pushing for grandkids, and once you tell him, he’ll definitely feel it’s a double blessing, even happier."

Take Connor to heaven first, then drag him to hell!

I also never expected that this move would let Leah see the shamelessness of Connor’s parents once more.

Three days later, Leah contacted me again, her voice barely containing anger with a hint of tearful restraint. She said, "Zoe, do you know what Connor’s parents said? They said since I’m already having a baby, it’s all family. In life, it’s their family’s person; in death, it’s their family’s ghost. Don’t bother with the bride price; it’ll end up with them anyway. They even want my parents to prepare a house for the unborn child as a grand gift! It’s disgusting! I never knew they were such vile people!"

I felt sick listening to this. They assumed Leah’s pregnancy was a done deal and didn’t bother to pretend anymore.

"Don’t get angry; let them dream their dreams!" I consoled Leah, "That way, they’ll feel even worse later on."

"Yes, I know, so I’ve tolerated it. I even told his mom that my dad has already bought us a marriage house, a car, and once married, his name will be added, and after the child’s born, we’d buy another house for them and the uncle to help care for the child," Leah told me.

I burst out laughing, praise her, "Brilliant!"

Managing to hold it together in such anger, even drawing a bigger picture for Connor’s family, shows how amazing she is!

We talked for a while longer before hanging up, agreeing to end the plan in two days.

I didn’t expect that before I reached out to Connor, he contacted me first, expressing gratitude for my recommendation. He said that without me, he wouldn’t have entered The Preston Group, and even though Leah didn’t directly tell him, he understood it all.

This man understands human nature, but alas, he’s dark-hearted.

I brushed it off, "Don’t say that. The Preston Group must have recognized your talent to extend an offer. Do your best; it’s a probation period now. As long as there are no major mistakes, you’ll definitely secure a permanent position!"

Though inwardly I thought, your grave mistakes are nearing.

"Okay, Zoe, thank you for the encouragement. I’ll work hard and treat you to dinner one day!" Connor said.

After hanging up, Henry walked in, staring at me, and I met his gaze fearlessly, "It’s lunchtime now, not work hours; it’s not too much for me to make a personal phone call, right?"

"Start the car; we’ll head to the second chemical plant later." Henry ignored me and simply picked up a file from the table, telling me.

The second chemical plant is near Azure Vaughn’s home.

I was startled. Are they bringing me along? What if Azure sees me? Who knows if she’s focusing on school properly?

Henry didn’t know that Azure was aware of my identity, so he dared take me along. Even if spotted, he could explain I’m a secretary.

A foolish man! I sighed inwardly, then headed to the parking lot.

A few minutes later, Henry got in the car and sat at the back, giving me a light order, "Let’s go."

I floored the gas pedal, causing Henry to lurch forward from inertia. In the rearview mirror, his face didn’t look pleased, "Do you even know how to drive?"

"Yes, Mr. Preston. I do." I sat up straight, "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get you safely to the destination."

"Zoe Hathaway, I think you should really get your head checked in a psychiatric ward." In the rearview mirror, Henry’s incredibly handsome face showed disdain.