Chapter 14
A female police officer knocked on Megan’s car window, her expression full of concern.
Megan clutched her stomach, her forehead drenched in sweat.
“What’s wrong, miss? Are you alright?”
The female police officer sounded anxious. She turned and said something to the people beside her.
Megan knew that it was her child. She was already showing signs of miscarriage.
To avoid the car in the parking lot, she had jumped and ran frantically. The black car had also slammed into hers once.
Was she going to lose her baby? She wasn’t ready yet.
Fear and grief surged inside her. Megan was terrified of losing her child.
“Miss, are you alright? Open the door!”
She heard the police officer knock on her car window and speak again.
As her vision blurred and darkness crept in, Megan fought through the pain to unlock the door. Then she lost consciousness.
1/2
Meanwhile, the lights in Larson Headquarters were still on. Howard was dealing with a proposal.
He had scheduled multiple meetings that day, and many matters needed his final approval. He had been at it since the afternoon.
His expression grew colder by the minute. No one in the meeting room dared to speak. He tapped the report lightly with his left hand.
“Who’s in charge of this project?” His tone was flat, but the weight of his authority made everyone nervous.
“I–I am, Mr. Larson.” A middle–aged man stood up, wiping sweat from his brow.
Howard’s sharp gaze landed on him. “Explain.‘
The man wiped his sweat again. “T–This is… I–I…”
The man stammered, fumbling through a rambling, incoherent explanation. He knew he had messed up.
“That’s enough,” Howard cut him off.
The man trembled, his eyes wide with fear. “Mr. Larson, please, give me another chance. I’ll do better next time!”
Howard frowned. His secretary, Zander Mayne, immediately picked up on it. “Mr. Grant, you made bold promises when you submitted this proposal. Who should be held accountable now?”
“But I-“Nathan Grant tried to defend himself.
Zander sternly cut him off. Stop with the excuses. This project was backed by Larson Group. I’m sure you know why it failed, even with so many
resources.”
When Nathan tried to argue further, Howard hurled a document at him. “The corruption here is outrageous–for such a small project!”
Nathan’s face turned pale the moment he saw the evidence. He stuttered, but before he could speak, Zander gestured, and the door opened. Larson Group’s internal auditors entered and dragged Nathan away.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Larson! Forgive me!” His cries faded down the corridor, leaving the room in heavy silence.
Howard swept a cold gaze across the table. Nathan had been made an example. “Meeting dismissed.”
With that, he rose and walked out.
Zander followed him to the CEO’s office.
As Howard sank into his chair and closed his eyes, Zander quickly instructed a subordinate to bring coffee.
Howard massaged his temples, fatigue pressing down on him.
Corruption was inevitable in a company as large as Larson Group. He knew that, But recently, his exhaustion felt different, heavier.
He heard footsteps and the clink of a cup being set on his desk.
Howard could almost hear the familiar voice. “Howard, drink some warm water. It’s late. No matter how hard you work, you should still take care of your health. I added some jasmine to help you relax.”
But when he opened his eyes, it was only Zander. A cup of coffee was now sitting on his desk. Howard pressed his lips together.
“Do you not want coffee?” Zander asked, noticing his displeasure,
Howard frowned, unsettled by the odd emotion stirring in him.
“Mrs. Larson usually gives you warm water,” Zander added apologetically. “I couldn’t find the jasmine she uses. But you seemed so tired, so…”
Chapter 14
2/2
That was right. Megan would usually accompany him.
Howard closed his eyes again. His headache was getting worse.
“Shall I call Mrs. Larson and ask her about it?” Zander offered.
“No need,” Howard replied.
Zander gave a quiet hum and withdrew. Silence filled the office–thick, suffocating.
The quiet unsettled Howard. His office had never felt so empty.
“What’s up with this month?” Howard broke the silence.
‘Are you referring to your workload, Mr. Larson?” Zander responded carefully.
Howard hummed in response.
“You see,” Zander explained softly, “many small issues–like today’s corruption with Mr. Grant–are usually handled by Mrs. Larson directly. Only the bigger matters ever reach you, so…”
Howard opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. Zander immediately apologized, “Forgive my incompetence, Mr. Larson.”
Howard didn’t rebuke him. He simply shook his head and asked, “Where’s the contract for our collaboration with Walker Group?”
Zander lowered his head in shame. “I’m sorry, Mr. Larson. It isn’t ready yet.”
Howard sighed and dismissed Zander.
Relieved, Zander quickly left.
“1
Howard stared at the closed door. He knew the divorce from Megan had been too abrupt. Many of the things she once handled could not be completed properly without her.
The room was silent except for the ticking clock.
The air was filled with the bitter smell of coffee. The steam rising from the cup only made Howard frown.
He picked up his phone, staring at the message he’d sent Megan, asking her to come over that weekend. She still hadn’t replied.
He remembered how she had flatly rejected him over the phone. Was she still angry?
As he brooded over it, a knock came at his door. He looked up to see Alyssa smiling as she stepped in.
“Hi, Howard.” She walked over gracefully. “I’m here to keep you company.”
Howard put his phone away and gave her a brief nod. Alyssa’s eyes flicked toward his phone, but after a moment’s hesitation, she sat off to the side.
“What’s wrong?” Howard asked, sensing something off with her.
“Howard, did Megan contact you today?” Alyssa asked hesitantly.
Howard looked at her, his gaze urging her to continue.
“This afternoon, I uploaded a clip announcing I’d be joining ‘Celestial Voice,” Alyssa said, studying his expression. “I just wanted to try what she once did, but the netizens‘ comments were vicious…”
Alyssa seemed to hesitate before asking guiltily, “Did she… call and chew out?”
you
Howard frowned. This afternoon? He had been attending meetings all day, too busy to check the internet.
He glanced at the clock–it was already 9:15 pm.
“And…” Alyssa added after a pause, “when I left my studio at 8:45 pm, I felt uneasy. Just now, in the parking lot, I realized a paparazzo had followed me all the way here.”
Looking guilty, she handed her phone to Howard. On the screen were photos of her leaving Alyssa’s Floral Studio and entering Larson Headquarters.
The caption read, “Alyssa spotted entering Larson Headquarters late at night. She might be dating Howard openly.”
The comments mocked Megan, saying she was about to lose her position as his wife.
“I’m sorry, Howard. This was my carelessness,” Alyssa said tearfully. “It was an accident.”
Howard waved it off. It wasn’t a serious issue. He was already planning to make their relationship public after the waiting period anyway. But Megan…
Suddenly, Howard’s phone buzzed. The clock read 9:20 pm.
Howard picked up his phone to see Megan’s name lit up the screen. She was calling him.
Chapter 15
