Chapter 20 Don’t Cry
Evan had long legs and was able to walk fast. Even though I hurriedly ran after him, I still couldn’t catch up to him until I reached the first–floor lobby.
Looking around at the lavish decor of the Royal Dining Hall, I tried to steady myself and quickly dialed Evan’s number. However, the automated message told me his phone was off.
My breath was caught in my throat. I tried calling Xavier next. The phone rang for a while but he didn’t pick up. After a while, I saw him walking out of the elevator behind me.
“Xavier,” I rushed up to him, “do you know where Mr. Stafford went?”
Xavier gave me a meaningful look. “Let’s talk in the car,” he said.
“Okay.”
We walked to the parking lot, one after the other. I glanced inside the black Volvo, but Evan wasn’t there. Had he headed back to the hotel already? Or had he gone out with the factory executives for other entertainment after the dinner?
“Where exactly did Mr. Stafford go? I really need to see him,” I asked again.
Xavier pointed to the car, signaling for me to get in first. What was with all this secrecy? I furrowed my brow, puzzled.
It wasn’t until the car started that Xavier spoke. “We’ve pretty
much wrapped things up here. Do you want to stay in Solvian for a few more days or head back to Juville first thing tomorrow?”
“I’ll decide after I see Mr. Stafford,” I said while feeling strangely uneasy. I had an ominous feeling about it.
The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became. To clear up any misunderstandings, I decided to send a text explaining things to him.
“Are you trying to reach Mr. Stafford?” Xavier asked again.
I nodded. He was silent for a moment, before saying, “There’s no need to contact him. Mr. Stafford is no longer in Solvian. His flight has already taken off.”
My fingers froze over the message I was typing. “Where did he go? Back to Juville?”
“To Maradia”
“What? Maradia?” I was stunned, my mind a mess. “Why… why did he suddenly go to Maradia? When is he coming back?”
By the time I finished speaking, my voice was choked with
tears.
Maradia was so far away. I’d just turned 18 and hadn’t even had time to get my passport. If he didn’t come back soon, what was I supposed to do?
After all, in just over a month, I would be going to college.
There was no time to chase him down in Maradia.
The more I thought about it, the more panicked I became. The
more panicked I felt, the worse I felt inside. My eyes quickly filled with tears.
As my vision started to blur, the tears welled up even more. I tried looking up to force the tears back, but a single teardrop escaped and rolled down my cheek.
Upon seeing this from the driver’s seat, Xavier hurriedly said, ” Julia, please don’t cry. Let me be honest with you, Mr. Sinclair visited the Stafford Group before we came to Solvian.
“He’s the one who brought over the peach strudels. He probably found out that you came to the Stafford Group for an
interview.
“Of course, he supports you working part–time while studying, especially since you’re so proficient in Vyrelyn.
“Mr. Sinclair specifically came to ask Mr. Stafford to take care of you. He and Mr. Stafford’s older brother, Samuel’s father, Francis, are buddies, which makes Mr. Stafford and Mr.
Sinclair peers.
“As Mr. Sinclair’s daughter, you’re just a junior in Mr. Stafford’s eyes–the daughter of his older brother’s good friend.
“Even if you manage to see Mr. Stafford now, what difference would it make? Even if there wasn’t any misunderstanding between you two, Mr. Stafford wouldn’t have any inappropriate thoughts about you.
“Besides, Francis and Wendy have already thought of you as their future daughter–in–law. You grew up with Samuel. How could Mr. Stafford possibly compete with his nephew for you? Not to mention…”
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Chop 20 mily
Xavier, who had been rambling on, suddenly went silent. Even if I were clueless, I could tell he was about to spill something he shouldn’t.
“Not to mention‘ what? Tell me. I can handle it!”
“Well…” Xavier hesitated for a moment. “I heard… I heard that Francis and Wendy are currently planning your official
engagement to Samuel.”
“Damn it!” I couldn’t help but curse out loud in frustration.
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