Chapter 720
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
We were doing construction work, after all. Safety was paramount for the project to proceed
unhindered.
Leedon nodded in understanding. Then he asked, âDo you need to take a look at Emerald Base as
well?â
I shook my head. âNot for now. Fuller Corporation will hand it over when itâs ready.â
The Emerald Base was more or less complete. All Fuller Corporation needed was to do was to input
their AI technology into the system.
The afternoon passed in a flurry at the base. Occupied with work, I neglected Noraâs call until
lunchtime.
I quickly dialed her number back. She answered within a few rings.
âScarlett, are you busy with work? Why didnât you pick up my call?â Noraâs voice rang concernedly over
the phone.
âThe Fuller Corporationâs project starts today. Iâm at Lavelian Village, busy settling several things.
Whatâs up?â I asked, watching Leedon walk over with two lunch boxes. He wordlessly handed me one
of the boxes when he saw that I was occupied.
I nodded my thanks to him. In the meantime, Nora continued, âItâs nothing. Tabitha called to ask if we
were available anytime these few days, hoping to organize a reunion of sorts. Didnât we say that we
would set up a business together or something? I think everyoneâs been rather free lately, so weâre
looking for something to do.â
âSure. Why donât you ask her to pick a date and place? You can let me know afterward. Iâll head over
there straight,â I said, stuffing food into my mouth by the spoonful. In my haste, I choked, spluttering.
Leedon handed me a glass of water. I mouthed a âthank youâ to him as I drank it gratefully.
On the other end of the line, Nora said, âThat works too. Iâll let them decide then.â
Just then, I recalled the events of last night and probed, âDid you spend last night with Armond?â
âUmâ¦â Nora stammered, then said meekly, âUm, Iâm busy with something else right now, so Iâll be
hanging up! Iâll text you once weâve agreed on a date.â
Nora then immediately ended the call. She was clearly set on avoiding the question altogether.
I looked down at my phone chuckled to myself. I then turned to Leedon and properly thanked him once
more. âThank you!â
Leedon waved away my thanks. âAll of Lavelian Villageâs projects used to be managed by men. I donât
recall ever having seen a female manager here before. Prepare yourself, Ms. Stovall. You have a long
ride ahead of you.â
I took another few bites of rice and grinned at him. âNo problem. Whatâs life without a purpose to strive
for?â
Leedon agreed, then exhaled. âYou look so young! Youâre probably as old as my daughter.â
I laughed. âIâm already over thirty years old! You arenât too old yourself either, from the looks of it.â
Leedon hesitated. He looked me up and down, then commented ruefully, âHere I was thinking that you
were still in your twenties! You have a youthful air about you.â
We broke out into guffaws. At that moment, Ashton appeared, accompanied by Joseph and Rachel.
Leedon reached forward and covered his half-eaten lunchbox. He then stepped forward and extended
his hand in greeting, âYouâre here, Mr. Fuller!â
I, too, got to my feet and called out likewise, âMr. Fuller.â
Ashton had his jacket draped over an arm, perhaps compelled to remove it by the heat. He was
wearing a wine-red shirt and looked more peaceable than he usually did.
His attention seemed to be on the lunch box in my hand. Ashton wrinkled his brow, then ordered, âWeâll
head out for lunch in a while. Itâll be good for us to report on the respective developments in our work
then. Weâre expecting some people in the afternoon, so everyone can take the chance to get to know
each other.â
Leedon agreed vigorously.
I reserved my comments. Iâd eaten my fill, and was resolved to remain professional.
As I emptied the leftovers into the bin, Ashton drew near. I assumed that he had further matters to
discuss with Leedon.
I turned and entered the base. Its area spanned approximately five thousand and three hundred square
feet, and the laying of its foundation required human labor. We planned to continue the rest of its
construction using solely AI technology.
No matter what other opinions I held of Rachel, I had to confess that her intellect was truly astounding.
An immense frame had already been erected inside the base and was already inlaid with reinforced
concrete. It was break time, and most of the machines had temporarily wound down to rest.
I wasnât familiar with construction work. Over the course of handling a few other projects, however, Iâd
gained a superficial understanding of how things worked.
âI heard you managed projects such as these at Fuller Corporation previously. Now that a few years
have passed, how does it feel to be back in the shoes of the Director once again?â A voice rang out
from behind me. I turned my head only to see Rachel sauntering over.
Her flowing dress made an exceptionally bizarre contrast against the dusty landscape.
I poked at a steel bar beneath my feet, and it rolled off, harmless, to the side. I then turned to her with
mock applause, saying, âArenât you afraid of losing your balance? Your high heels must have cost a
fortune!â
Scornfully, Rachel replied, âA fortune? It just cost me a few thousand. As for youâ¦â
She looked at me disdainfully, her gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. âI guess Ashton doesnât
really care about you much. Youâre the dowdiest presidentâs wife that Iâve ever met. I suppose the total
cost of everything thatâs on you, including your phone, isnât worth more than five thousand?â
I answered cheerfully, âYes. Theyâre just things.â
Rachel sniffed contemptuously. âThereâs no need for you to carry on like this. Let me give you a piece
of advice. Divorce Ashton, and Iâll give you a hefty sum of money. You canât compete with me anyway!
By dragging things on, youâre just making yourself look more pitiful.â