Chapter 7: You've Fallen for Her

Mansion—

"Sir, Miss Ernest says thank you and that there's no need to send anything next time," Andy reported respectfully upon his return.

"Hmm, you may go!"

Frederic Howard turned and walked upstairs directly to his study. His phone rang, and he slid it open to answer.

"Something up?"

"Ouyang, are you alright?" Edwiin Brewster's concerned voice came through the line.

"I'm fine now."

"I heard from Evan Hicks that you were saved by a woman?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Is she single? Introduce her to me."

"Edwiin Brewster!" Frederic Howard frowned, his displeased tone making Edwiin Brewster shiver on the other end of the call.

Desperately trying to save himself, Edwiin Brewster quickly added, "Alright, alright, just kidding, don't take it seriously. She's your savior; I wouldn't dare have any inappropriate thoughts."

Seeing Frederic Howard's strong reaction, Edwiin Brewster couldn't help but wonder if he had developed feelings for the woman.

Just as he was about to ask, another stern warning came through...

"You can play around with anyone else, but not with her. I'm only saying this once."

"Uh..."

Hearing Frederic Howard's serious tone, Edwiin Brewster didn't know how to respond. It was as if the person on the other end wasn't the Frederic Howard he knew.

He tentatively asked, "Do... do you like her?"

After a silence of several seconds, the call was disconnected. Edwiin Brewster looked at his phone and muttered to himself.

"This guy has finally woken up."

On the other end, Frederic Howard, after hearing Edwiin Brewster's words, felt a wave of emotion. He himself wasn't sure about the answer.

He couldn't say he liked her, but at least he didn't dislike her. Melissa Ernest gave him a very familiar feeling, making him want to explore more.

He returned to his bedroom and went straight to the bathroom. Half an hour later, he emerged with a loosely tied bath towel around his waist, wet hair, and a towel in hand, drying his hair as he walked out. After drying his hair, he lay on the bed with his phone in hand.

His finger hovered over a number, repeatedly pausing, but never dialing.

He chuckled, shook his head, and said to himself, "I must be losing my mind."

Putting down the phone, he got out of bed and walked to the balcony, holding a cherry blossom-shaped necklace in one hand and a cigarette in the other. After finishing the cigarette, he turned and went back to the bedroom.

The next morning, as Frederic Howard was going downstairs, he instructed,

"Aunt, make sure the soup is ready by around ten o'clock. I’ll come to pick it up."

"Yes, young master. Is it for Miss Ernest?"

"Mm-hmm."

Outside, Evan Hicks saw him coming out and got out of the car to open the door for him.

"President, there's a meeting at nine in the morning, and a flight to the U.S. at two in the afternoon for a business trip."

"Reschedule the trip to the evening. I have something to do in the afternoon."

"Yes, President."

Arriving at the company, it was just in time for work.

Employees greeted him, "Good morning, President!"

Frederic Howard, who was usually sparing with his words, nodded slightly and headed straight for the private elevator. Behind him, the employees started whispering.

"I heard our president was injured and hospitalized for a long time. It's good to see him back."

"Don't talk like that. Those are all rumors. Did he look injured to you just now?"

"Yeah, yeah, he doesn't look like it."

There was a knock on the office door, and Evan Hicks walked in.

"President, please sign these two documents. There's a meeting in ten minutes," Evan Hicks said, handing him the files.

"Mm-hmm."

The conference room door opened, and all the department managers were already waiting inside.

As Frederic Howard walked in, he said,

"You have only half an hour."

The heads of the departments broke into a cold sweat. The half hour passed in a flash, and several proposals were presented, but the president remained silent, simply watching them.

"President, do you think this proposal is feasible?" the last manager asked, wiping his sweat after presenting his plan.

"Proceed with Manager Liu's proposal and follow up accordingly."