Linda looked at for a few seconds, then forced a smile, "It’s nothing, I just feel a sense of connection. I used to know him, but we weren’t close."
I didn’t press for more details, just returned a smile, "Yeah, the world isn’t too big or too small. Those with a connection will always et."
Linda sat silently for a while, then got up and went to the bathroom to shower.
I lay down on the bed, holding my phone, thinking of asking Ivan, but felt it wasn’t necessary.
So I contacted Sherman Hathaway, gave him so feedback on the issues from today’s collaboration discussion, and after so communication, I had a rough idea in my head.
Just as I was drifting off to sleep, Linda ca out of the shower, laid down on the bed next to , quietly.
The next morning, I woke up with a rumbling stomach.
The hotel offered breakfast service, so I quickly got up and went to the restaurant on the second floor for breakfast.
Unexpectedly, Ivan Underwood was there, sitting next to a man with a bit of a graying beard, probably in his fifties or sixties, maybe a professor from his departnt.
Ivan noticed out of the corner of his eye as he ate his sandwich and then turned his sight towards .
On my table, there were four eggs, a glass of milk, a serving of stead dumplings, two sandwiches, a barbecue pork bun, and a final serving of lean at porridge.
He was indeed a bit surprised and said sothing to his professor before coming over and sitting across from .
"Why are you eating so much?" Ivan asked, looking at the breakfast on the table, surprised.
"...Just wanted to try everything." I was peeling an egg.
Just two months pregnant, I was already ravenous, like a starving wolf. Am I carrying a foodie?
Ivan casually picked up an egg, peeling it for , and quickly placed two smooth, white eggs into my porridge.
I ate the egg while sipping porridge, occasionally biting into the dim sum, but what I really craved was sothing salty and spicy, thinking about where to satisfy this craving for lunch.
"What’s your colleague’s na?" Ivan’s question interrupted my eating.
I looked at him, "Linda."
Ivan furrowed his brow slightly, "What nationality?"
"Sa as ." I replied, "She’s also on a long-term work visa, just working over there."
"So what’s her real na?" Ivan was curious about Linda’s identity.
No need to think, if these two were just acquaintances, I’ll write my na backward.
I continued to eat my sandwich, casually replying, "I don’t know, I’ve only been at the company for a short ti, and everyone there calls her Linda, I never asked for her real na."
Ivan stopped talking, just watched gobble up my food, until eventually, I let out a full belch, patting my rounded belly with satisfaction.
"I’m full. Bye." I got up and said to Ivan.
"If you have stomach problems, don’t binge-eat. If you eat a lot and quickly get hungry, you must go to the hospital for a check-up. It may not only be a gastrointestinal issue, hyperthyroidism or diabetes could also present similar symptoms." Ivan advised .
I scratched my head, isn’t he a cardiologist? Why is he concerned with gastrointestinal matters too?
But it’s all for my good, I nodded, "Mhm, mhm, thank you for the reminder, Dr. Underwood."
After speaking, I was about to leave when Ivan called after again, "Did Henry Preston co to City G as well, didn’t he contact you?"
Why would Henry co here? Besides, even if he did, why would he contact ?
I shook my head, "I don’t know. He didn’t co with ."
Although I just saw Henry yesterday, I didn’t pay attention to where he was or what he was doing today.
Ivan’s gaze was sowhat subtle, finally curling his lips, "Mhm, you go back and rest."
I waved goodbye and left. As soon as I got back to the room, my dad called, he asked, "Zoe, are you on a business trip in City G?"
"Yes, Dad, what’s up?" I asked.
"Your Uncle Lawson is turning sixty tomorrow. I was supposed to attend, but I have a work commitnt I can’t postpone, and your mom is tied up with the company these days. So I need you to go on my behalf tomorrow." My dad was assigning a task.
Which Uncle Lawson... I had no idea.
After my dad gave detailed directions, he hung up.
I was quite puzzled, coming on a business trip and still having to moonlight at a birthday banquet.
But Martin Bright probably won’t contact in the next couple of days, he needs to clarify so things with the company, so I’ll have ti to go on my dad’s behalf.
Linda was already up, and after discussing my plans for tomorrow with her, she nodded, "Alright, if any work cos up, I’ll contact you."
"Okay." I agreed.
Linda kept the car, so the next day I rented a car to head to The Apex Grand Hotel, where Uncle Lawson was holding the reception.
He and my dad have been longti business partners, but I never dealt with company affairs before, so I wasn’t aware.
My dad said he already sent the gift and red envelope, I just needed to show up, say a few words of congratulations, and join in the festivities.
Older generations still value personal connections.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I reported my identity, but without an invitation, I had to call my dad, asking him to contact soone on Uncle Lawson’s side.
My dad seed busy, didn’t even answer the call.
"Zoe Hathaway." Henry Preston’s voice suddenly sounded, I turned around, and he was walking towards .
"Henry Preston?" I was surprised, then quickly rembered what Ivan said yesterday, so Henry was here in City G for the banquet.
Henry handed over his invitation to the person at the door, "We’re together."
I awkwardly explained, "I’m here on behalf of my dad, both he and my mom are busy today, but he didn’t give the invitation."
Henry nodded, "Alright, let’s head in."
Uncle Lawson’s real na is Howard Lawson, he’s quite a prominent figure in City G, and many people attended his sixtieth birthday, those without invitations couldn’t enter.
At this mont, he was chatting and laughing with so people, and when he saw Henry and , he ca over warmly saying, "Mr. Preston is here."
Then he looked over, "Isn’t this... isn’t this Hathaway’s lovely daughter? You don’t usually show up much, but thankfully I’ve seen pictures, such a pretty girl!"
I gave a polite and courteous smile, responding gracefully, "Thank you, Uncle Lawson, for the complint. My dad was supposed to co today and have a drink with you, but he had a last-minute obligation he couldn’t postpone, you know, working for the country can’t be done half-heartedly, so please forgive him."
"Oh, I understand, Hathaway already sent a big red envelope, I said receiving the envelope is good enough, hahaha..." Uncle Lawson joked.
It was clear he was quite familiar with both my dad and Henry.
In the conversation, I found out that Henry got to know Uncle Lawson through my dad, and they’ve been collaborating for about three years.
After the banquet started, I ate so food, but soon my stomach felt uncomfortable, so I got up and headed to the restroom midway.
After throwing up, I went to the toilet in the stall, when I heard the voice of a young woman outside, "Weird, didn’t they say Henry divorced her? Why did they co together, it’s so annoying!"
"Eloise!" Another woman’s voice, noticeably older, "Whether Mr. Preston and Miss Hathaway are divorced or not, you shouldn’t say such things. The Hathaway family and your dad have been working together for so many years, watch your words and actions!"
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