Adrian, who shadowed his wifeâs every move, overheard the womenâs chatter and decided to join the conversation.
âHoney, Iâm handsome, too, you know,â Adrian said with a hint of jealousy.
âYou shouldnât be looking at any man but me.
â
Jennifer merely rolled her eyes at Adrian, ignoring him.
âWhat are you all talking about? Maxwell doesnât actually like me.
Heâs just exploiting me,â Sonia countered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment from the gossip.
âYou have no idea.
When I was recuperating, Maxwell was concerned that my sensitivity to language might weaken, so he tutored me daily and read novels to me.
He just worried I wouldnât be able to do my job well in the future!â
âSonia, try to see this from another angle,â Sarah suggested, arms crossed.
âCouldnât it be that Maxwell was simply seizing the chance to be near you and to look after you?â
Jennifer quickly said, âI agree with that.
Men often beat around the bush like this, taking care of the people theyâre interested in this way before they can confess their feelings.
â
Just then, Adrian thought of something.
He turned to Jennifer anxiously and said, âHoney, Iâm not like that.
My love for you is direct and honest.
â
âYouâre so annoying!â Jennifer frowned and shot him a stern look.
âWeâre just having a girlsâ chat here.
Why are you butting in? Go and do something elsewhere.
â
âHoneyâ¦â Adrian sulked.
Meanwhile, Holden approached from a distance, draped his arm around Adrianâs shoulders, and spun him around, leading him away.
âYou can talk with your wife later.
Right now, I need your help with a few things,â Holden said firmly.
Finally, only women were left to continue their gossip.
During the conversation, Ariana listened intently to her friends.
Once they finished talking, she turned to Sonia and commented, âThatâs great, isnât it? Since Maxwell has been reading the novels to you, you wonât be out of practice when you return to work.
â
âThatâs not the case!â Sonia exclaimed, her expression sour.
âMaxwell is reading the novel I wrote.
â
âWhich one?â Ariana asked, her smile broadening.
âYou know which one,â Sonia muttered, her voice dropping as she looked down.
Ariana couldnât help but laugh out loud.
Though others might not know this, Ariana, being Soniaâs closest confidante, knew well that Sonia was referring to her erotic novel.
Sarah and Jennifer were baffled by Arianaâs laughter.
They asked Ariana about it.
Just as Ariana was about to reveal that the novel Maxwell had been reading to Sonia was rather lewd, Sonia quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to stop her from talking.
âDonât Listen to her.
Itâs really nothing!â Sonia interjected with an awkward chuckle.
She tightened her grip as Ariana attempted to speak again.
Narrowing her eyes, Sarah expressed her skepticism.
âReally? Then why do you seem so anxious?â