Chapter 25
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Chapter 25
Scarlet had never once been to Bova Capital. When it was first established, her relationship with William was already growing cold. Later, it made a name for itself on Wellton Street and expanded at an unstoppable pace, quickly rising into the ranks of the world’s top equity firms.
During the more than two years he spent in Nevaia, she never once set foot in Amriva. She didn’t know his address there, and she was never welcomed, either. And because she wasn’t that shameless, she never went to look for him, knowing she would only put herself in an uncomfortable situation.
Just like when William decided to go to Nevaia, he hadn’t discussed it with Scarlet at all when he chose to return to continue his career in Canosia. He never told her anything about himself, whether business or personal.
The office building towered into the clouds. As Scarlet got out of the car, she took off her white coat. She had rushed over in such a hurry that she hadn’t changed out of it.
Nonetheless, walking into an office building in a white coat to look for someone would have been far too strange. She would seem like someone from a psychiatric hospital coming to drag an escaped patient back.
As soon as Scarlet entered the building, she was stopped by the receptionist. Scarlet stated, “I’m here to see William.” Hearing Scarlet call William by name, the receptionist gave Scarlet a longer look. When the receptionist was certain that she didn’t recognize Scarlet, she asked in a professional tone, “Do you have an appointment?”
Scarlet had come on a whim, so of course she didn’t have an appointment. It hadn’t even occurred to her that seeing her own husband would require an appointment since it was her first time here.
Just then, the receptionist suddenly nodded toward someone and called out, “Mr. Hemworth.”
Chris nodded hurriedly and was about to walk past when he caught sight of Scarlet standing at the desk. He stopped in his tracks and looked at Scarlet in surprise. “Why are you here?”
He didn’t address her as William’s wife in front of others, and she pretended not to notice the consideration behind that choice. She asked, “Is William here?”
Chris answered, “Mr. Cooper flew to Nevaia the day before yesterday. There are still a few things over there that need to be handled.”
“I see,” replied Scarlet.
William came and went as he pleased. Scarlet was always the last to know where he was.
Chris glanced at his watch and said, “If it’s urgent, you could try giving him a call. It’s about 10:00 pm in Nevaia right now. Mr. Cooper should still be awake.”
Scarlet nodded. “Alright. You may get back to work.”
Meanwhile, the receptionist noticed how respectful Chris had been toward Scarlet. Chris was William’s right-hand man, so if even he was treating Scarlet with such respect, and she was this beautiful, her identity clearly wasn’t ordinary.
The receptionist stared at Scarlet, feeling curious and panicked at the same time. She was afraid that she might have accidentally offended someone important and end up paying for it later.
Scarlet was already about to leave, but when she saw the receptionist looking anxious and on the verge of tears, she offered a gentle word of reassurance. “Don’t be scared. You’re biting your lip too hard.”
Scarlet’s expression and tone were both gentle. The receptionist froze for a moment. By the time the receptionist returned to her senses, Scarlet had already turned and walked away.
As soon as Scarlet stepped out of the building, a gust of cold wind swept over her, cutting straight into her sweater and
Chapter 25
seeping into her skin.
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She pulled out her phone and gave William a call. The central business district’s silver-gray buildings radiated a modern feel. The roads, paved with natural stone, reflected an unfriendly chill.
Her hands quickly grew numb from the cold. In the past, William would warm them for her. Sometimes, when he thought it was too slow, he would simply open his coat and tuck both her hands inside.
He was always warm. The heat of his torso, separated by only a thin layer of fabric, would wrap around her fingers, enclosing them in comforting warmth. In that position, she was always held in his arms.
Winter was coming again.
The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered. Scarlet opened her mouth, but the courage that had carried her all this way suddenly vanished without a trace.
She wanted to laugh at herself. She was all show and no substance.
She didn’t speak, and neither did William on the other end. For a moment, she wasn’t even sure that the call had gone through. Finally, she said, “William.”
Scarlet heard the flick of a lighter over the line. She didn’t know if William had drunk alcohol, but his voice sounded loose and lazy as he asked, “What is it?”