Chapter 115
Don nodded, âRight.â
While talking, he glanced at the design proposal and then looked back at Brandon, kinda scratching his head about what Brandon was thinking.
âSheâs not worth it?â Don asked nervously.
Brandon closed the design proposal, âSheâs worth it.â
Don breathed a sigh of relief, âSee, Iâve got a good eye when it comes to people.â
Brandonâs lips curled up in a half-smile as he looked at him, âPeople youâve got your eye on?â
Thinking Brandon got the wrong end of the stick, Don quickly clarified, âThe talent Iâve got my eye on.â
âIsnât she not interested in coming over?â
âThatâs why I need you to step in,â Don said, leaning in closer to Brandon, âThereâs no one you canât hold on to in this world. How about I set up a dinner and you try to sweet-talk her into it?â
Brandon tossed the closed design proposal onto the table, âI canât hold on to her.â
âHow do you know it wonât work if you havenât even tried?â Don leaned in to grab the design proposal from the table, âThe mighty Starlight Group personally inviting her to be the design director of a subsidiary? Thatâs a huge sign of respect. Who wouldnât be tempted by that?â
Brandonâs lips twitched again, the arc shallow, but Don saw it-a clear hint of scoffing..
âNo?â Don didnât get it, couldnât figure out where he went wrong.
Brandon didnât clear up his confusion, just looked at him, âYou told her about the subsidiary, right? The one set up in partnership with the Starlight Group.â
Don nodded again, âYeah.â
Then he saw Brandonâs lips curl up in that faint, mocking smile once more.
Don puzzled, âWhatâs the problem?â
âNo problem.â
Brandon stood up, âWhat time did you set up the meeting with her?â
âWhat time works for you?â
âIâm easy.â
Don was taken aback. âIâm easyâ meant that the time was up to the designer. Brandon, usually so strict with time management, was actually willing to accommodate a designerâs schedule?
âYou really like this proposal?â That was the only possibility Don could think of. Brandon, like him, valued talent.
Brandon gave him a look, âDid I say that?â
âYouâre willing to accommodate the designerâs time, isnât that the same thing?â
âMy âIâm easyâ means, letâs see if you can even get the meeting scheduled.â
Don was speechless.
Brandon had already picked up the documents on the table, âJust let me know when itâs all set.â
With that, he was gone.
Don didnât follow. There was no one he couldnât get a meeting with; Brandonâs demeanor and actions were clearly very pleased.
Leaving Brandonâs office, Don couldnât wait to call Sophia, âThe client approved the design proposal. Everyoneâs happy with it.â
Sophia was at the hospital, about to pick up Haley, and surprisingly happy at the news, âReally?â
âFor real, why would I lie?â Don was already walking out, âThere might be some tweaks needed to the proposal. Are you free tonight? How about dinner with the client to discuss it face-to-face?â
Sophia glanced at the time, âSure, what time?â
âWhenever works for you. The client is very enthusiastic.â
âHow about six in the evening?â
âWorks for me.â
âYou pick the place, Iâm not familiar with the client.â
Don nodded, âAlright, Iâll text you the address.â
âOkay.â
Sophia hung up and looked up to see Haley staring at her expectantly.
âYouâve got work, right? You go ahead, donât mind me. Iâll call Aaron later,â Haley said, reaching for her phone.
Laura glared, âSheâs got work, and doesnât Aaron?â
âAaron didnât get a proper job.â Haley muttered, then clammed up under Lauraâs sharp gaze.
Sophia pretended not to hear, stepping forward to help Haley, âNo worries, Iâll take you home first.â
Sophia called a cab for Haley and sent him home.
The hospital was quite a distance from home.
By the time Sophia got Haley to the doorstep, it was nearly five.
âLetâs have dinner at home, you havenât been back for years.â
The cab had just stopped at the neighborhood entrance when Haley tried to convince Sophia.
Before Sophia could reply. Laura had already jumped in, âUsed to be a rich lady, how could she fancy our humble home cooking?â
While speaking, Laura helped Haley out of the cab, not forgetting to turn to Sophia and say, âYou donât need to come back, I can help your dad to the apartment. Go wherever you please.â
Clearly not intending to let her in.
Haley was uncomfortable watching this, looking at Laura, âWhat kind of talk is that? Our daughter comes home for once, and we should at least have a meal together.â
âI donât have a daughter.â
Haley was taken aback.
Sophia remained calm throughout, âIâll go back and get some stuff, donât worry, I wonât come back to bother you again.â
âWhat stuff do you still have here?â
Sophia ignored her and went straight in.
Aaron was still sprawled on the sofa, glued to his phone, the little one probably still at daycare, not home.
Seeing Sophia come in, Aaron stood up.
âBack already?â
Sophia gave a soft âhmâ and went into her room.
The room was filled with clutter, and there was a thin layer of dust on the tables and cabinets-it hadnât been cleaned in a long time.
The bed was also covered with old clothes and sheets, as well as toys and books the kids didnât want anymore. It had become a complete junk pile.
The desk wasnât much better, also covered with clutter..
There was nowhere to sit in the entire room.
Laura came in with Haley and seeing Sophia in the room, started ranting, âBetty is getting older, we need to clear out this room for her.â
Haley frowned immediately, âWhereâs Sophia gonna stay when she comes back?â
Laura rolled her eyes dismissively, âDoes she still need to come back? And even if she does, whatâs wrong with sleeping on the sofa? Sheâs not staying longâ
Haley didnât dare to make another peep.
Sophia ignored them, just surveyed the room, and went to the clutter-covered desk, pulling open a drawer. Unsurprisingly, in the corner, there was a jewelry box gathering dust.
Sophia popped open her jewelry box and, yup, that white jade necklace was still chilling in there.
She fished it out and dangled it from her fingertip, zoning out as she stared at it.