Chapter98
The Townsend Group’s stock had stopped falling since the
morning and was now stable.
The turmoil had only lasted for yesterday.
Next time, when she and Ellsworth actually go through the formalities, they’ll agree to announce it in advance. Then, if he waits a year or so before marrying Kelsey, there shouldn’t be
any more upheaval.
After all, the warning shot had already been fired.
Moreover, Ellsworth and the Townsend Group’s efficiency and capability in handling matters had proven to everyone that
whether or not she was vice president didn’t really make much
difference.
After checking the stocks, Harriet put down her phone and
focused on her meal.
But this was the first time Ellsworth had orchestrated
everything himself without telling her in advance.
He was already used to using her-so adept at it.
After lunch, Harriet cleaned up her leftovers and went to the tech park lab with Jonas and the others.
They had a project with the military scheduled for experimental drills next month, so they needed to prepare.
Once they got busy, the group worked straight through until after 8 p.m., still adjusting data and running trial operations.
It wasn’t until after 9 p.m. that everyone finally wrapped up and
headed home.
By the time Harriet drove home, it was already past 10 p.m.
After a simple meal prepared by Jacquelyn, Harriet went
upstairs.
Ellsworth wasn’t home.
He was probably at Kelsey’s-they had agreed to meet today.
Not thinking much of it, Harriet showered, picked up her phone,
and casually opened Instagram, only to see that Kelsey had
posted.
“Favorite moments for two”
The caption was simple and warm, and Kelsey’s photos were
cozy too-two dinner photos, and in the middle, a picture of fireworks.
In the middle photo, she was holding a sparkling sparkler.
In the other two photos, Harriet immediately noticed the right hand holding a fork across the table.
That was Ellsworth’s right hand.
On his ring finger, he wore a matching couple ring identical to Kelsey’s.
Lowering her head, Harriet stared at the photos for a long time, realizing her worries from yesterday were unnecessary.
Ellsworth was so relaxed-after the stock crash yesterday, he
was already out on a public date with Kelsey today.
He really did like Kelsey.
After staring at Kelsey’s photos for a while, Harriet finally exited
Instagram, opened her computer, pulled up her files, and quietly picked up her pen and paper.
But every time she thought of how moved she was yesterday,
she couldn’t help but find it a little ridiculous.
It was all just an act.
Nothing but a performance.
***
Meanwhile, at the rooftop garden restaurant.
When Kelsey, beaming with joy after watching the fireworks, sat
back down across from Ellsworth, he looked up at her and
asked coolly, “Were you the one who arranged today’s trending
topics at noon?”
As soon as the trending topics broke out at noon, Ellsworth had
Noel investigate.
Although the trending topics were beneficial to the Townsend
Group, he hadn’t arranged them this time, and had even told
Noel not to use such tactics.
Because even without such tactics, the Townsend Group’s
stock would have stabilized today.
But Noel found out that it was Kelsey who had paid to push the
trending topics.
They sat at the best table, with a panoramic view of
Chapter98
Amberville’s nightscape.
Across from Ellsworth, Kelsey met his gaze and replied calmly, “Yes, I saw some paparazzi had snapped photos from last night, so I had someone give them a little push.”
“Ells, you have to admit, it worked pretty well. When I saw the Townsend Group’s stock rebound this afternoon, I finally felt relieved for you.”
Kelsey put on a caring front, but Ellsworth just looked at her
blandly.
Ellsworth said nothing, and after a while, Kelsey began to feel
awkward.
The sudden silence was the most uncomfortable.
She looked at Ellsworth and asked softly, “Ells, what’s wrong?”
Only then did Ellsworth speak, his voice cold: “Don’t interfere in
my affairs again.”
At his words, Kelsey’s expression visibly dimmed, and she was
clearly disappointed.
She just stared at Ellsworth, watching him eat elegantly, not
even glancing up at her, and felt a pang in her heart.
In the end, she forced a smile and replied, “I understand.”
Ellsworth had changed.
He no longer wanted to use Harriet. Yesterday, when he picked Harriet up and took her to the Townsend’s mansion for dinner,
it wasn’t to handle the stock crisis.
He hadn’t asked Noel to arrange for paparazzi, and even when
the paparazzi sent him the photos, he said there was no need to push them onto trending topics.
But how could she just stand by and watch? How could she let
Harriet be moved by Ellsworth’s actions yesterday? She hadn’t
secured him yet-she couldn’t possibly push him back to Harriet.
