Taking two consecutive days off was already the limit; even though she still had a slight fever on the third day, Averi chose to go to work.
There was also another unspoken concern: she could not allow herself to indulge in the cozy atmosphere of this small apartment any longer.
No matter how touching, it was only a false dream.
A stack of documents requiring her signature had already piled up on the office desk. The pages were filled with dense legal jargon that made Averi's head throb. She endured until the end of the workday, just after taking her medication, Jordan brought her some troublesome news.
"Averi, Eli posted on his social media today, showing him drinking at a new bar with a few people."
Averi frowned slightly then regained her composure, having become numb to Eli's behavior of this kind.
After the last incident, she specifically instructed Jordan not to comment or like Eli's posts, just to keep an eye on them and report any developments to her.
Jordan continued, "I noticed one person in the photo seemed familiar, so I paid extra attention and confirmed it was Clayton." Eli's debauchery was not surprising, but Clayton was the content she needed to report.
Averi's numbness was instantly replaced by rage.
She knew Eli wouldn't listen to her, but she didn't expect him to defy her openly and secretly in this matter.
Anger surged to her heart, exacerbating her headache. Rubbing her temples, Averi said, "Alright, I know. You can go home now, Jordan, no need to wait for me."
Jordan glanced at her pale face and silently exited the office.
On Friday, taking advantage of everyone gathering at the old Forbes family residence, Averi pulled Eli aside and asked, "What's going on between you and Clayton?"
"What do you mean, 'what's going on'? I haven't been in touch with him for a long time, Averi. What are you talking about?" Eli tried to bluff his way through, seeing her cold expression, he realized this tactic wouldn't work. Feeling both scared and angry from her piercing gaze, Eli impulsively decided to confess.
"I am in contact with him, so what? Are you going to control who I can be friends with too?"
Averi laughed coldly out of anger and sneered, "Eli, is your repeated approach to him for the sake of friendship?"
"Yes, indeed it is for other reasons. So what, is there something wrong with that? Averi, I get that Father holds you in high regard, but don't you think it's a bit much? You're allowed to bask in the Hebert family's glory, but I'm not supposed to take the Gibson family's path?"
Everyone understands the principle that it's easier to succeed when you have a powerful backer. He had finally managed to connect with Clayton and was not about to let go easily. Especially after the car accident, he had helped Clayton clean up everything, and Clayton owed him a favor. He had to seize this opportunity.
Averi said, "I don't care if you seek others, but not Clayton. I get it—you're looking at the fact that the matriarch in his family isn't doing well and thinking Bella's finally going to move up. But Eli, do you realize that he's known Bella for years, even before he got married? And yet, he still chose to marry someone of equal status. Do you really think a man like that is going to marry his mistress just because his wife passes away?"
Hearing her say this, Eli felt a bit unsure, but thinking of Clayton's recent success, he dismissed his doubts: "Averi, don't try to scare me. Why can't he marry Bella? No need to worry, I know what I'm doing."
Eli had made up his mind. Just then, Christopher noticed the two whispering and jokingly asked them what secrets they were discussing. Eli took the chance to leave and returned to the small hall to drink tea with Christopher.
Averi didn't want Christopher to know about Eli's connection to the Gibson family, so she forced a smile and said she was asking Eli about his thesis preparation.
Christopher then suggested that Eli consult his Averi more often if he had any problems. Unbeknownst to him, these words only reinforced Eli's resolve to partner with Clayton on investment projects. He didn't want to live forever in Averi's shadow.
After dinner, Christopher called Averi into his study again. This time, without much ado, Christopher directly instructed her to prepare for the city economic forum she would attend on his behalf in a couple of days. He also mentioned that he had already informed people that he would transfer the slot for one of the top ten business figures in J City this year to her.
Averi feigned surprise and expressed her gratitude. She wasn't interested in such accolades, but she knew this was a signal Christopher was sending out.
A few days later, Averi represented Christopher at the conference center for the forum. After the opening remarks by the deputy secretary of the municipal committee, various experts delivered speeches, ranging from national policies to the industrial transformation of J City, with very official language, only hinting at some directional content. Due to the old industrial park renovation project, Averi spoke on behalf of the Forbes family.
After a lengthy round of questions from journalists, a large group of people returned to the hotel for a brief rest before heading back to the banquet hall for the cocktail party. In a way, the cocktail party was the main event. Those interested in partnerships could make connections, while those without specific intentions could still take the opportunity to exchange business cards and feel out the room.
As a rare young woman among the guests, Averi received considerable attention.
Aside from business networking, there were those with other intentions as well. The most blatant was Will Hudson, an executive from a Fortune 500 company. He was from M Country, spoke fluent English, and greeted her with a cheek kiss, following Western customs, while taking the opportunity to wrap an arm around her waist. Will's hand was placed low, between her lower back and buttocks, straddling the line between warmth and harassment, with a well-measured touch.
Objectively speaking, Will was handsome, with typical Caucasian features—deep-set eyes, a straight nose, blond hair, and blue eyes. Being pursued by someone like him might be considered a pleasant thing, regardless of personal preference; it was human nature. However, Averi found it boring.
Amid the clinking of glasses, halfway through the cocktail party, she had drunk a little wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, looking at the superficial exchanges around her, she suddenly felt a sense of absurdity as if she were an outsider.
Pulling out her phone, Averi sent a message to the number she hadn't saved: "Where are you?"
Her phone vibrated quickly, and Dallas replied succinctly: "At home."
