Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 54

The lady froze. "But I don't know where the pantry is."

Aidan stopped in his tracks and looked at the guest. She was a woman he had never seen before. He frowned. "Who are you?"

Queenie was a little anxious. Her hands were clenched tightly, and her cheeks were pink. "I'm Queenie, a designer working for Lux Jewelry. I want to thank you for—"

Aidan was getting a little upset at that point. "You're here alone?"

"Yes." Queenie bit her lip. She had no idea how to break the ice, but then she remembered his order, and it sounded like a great way to get closer to him. She asked, "You wanted a cup of coffee, right? I can make one right—"

"No." He sat down and crossed his legs before he asked coldly, "What do you want?"

She closed the door and approached him. The mere sight of him was already making her blush. "I'm Queenie Wojzicki. Do you remember me, sir?"

"No," he answered coldly. Aidan's patience had run out.

She bit her lip and explained, "I was the champion of The Emerging Designer Competition three years ago. Your company sponsored my studies in Aeras. I just came home a while ago. Now, I'm working as Lux Jewelry's top designer. I'm here to thank you, sir. If it weren't for you—"

Aidan interrupted her icily, "Shouldn't the champion be Leanna?"

Queenie was surprised that he knew who Leanna was, but she hid her shock immediately. "Yes. I was the runner-up, but you disqualified her. You said she was just an opportunist who only saw the competition as a way to make money. I took her place."

Aidan didn't say anything for a while. He then asked, "Are you done thanking me?"

Queenie didn't respond. "Excuse me?"

"If you're done thanking me, you can go."

She was not surprised that he would chase her away. She knew the kind of person he was long before she came. "I'd love to have lunch with you, President Pearson. Do you have some time to spare?"

In a look that could only be described as icy, Aidan lifted his eyes and said, "Are all of Lux Jewelry's designers that free these days?"

Queenie believed he felt she had failed the Pearson Group, which had sponsored her studies abroad, because she came out during working hours: "I... I just started working at Lux Jewelry, and now all of the projects are overseen by another designer; I also took a day off today—"

Aidan stood up. "That's none of my business."

Queenie had expected a refusal, so she was not surprised. "I'll be leaving then. You are welcome to contact me whenever you have the time." Before leaving, she mustered the courage to place her business card on the coffee table.

She left the office, whereupon Aidan rang the personal assistant office. "Where's Jonathan?" he asked coldly.

"He's gone out, sir."

Aidan said coldly, "Next time, if the designer of Lux Jewelry comes back, tell her to leave immediately and don't bother me." Those who should be coming aren't even doing so whereas those who should not be here are not even polite.

The assistant replied nervously, "Yes, sir."

Aidan looked at his documents in frustration and he called Oscar thereafter. "What has Zayn been up to lately?"

"He appears to be taking over the Barnett Group's business." Oscar continued, "I've heard that Old Master Pearson spoke with the Barnetts again in private, and Saturday's birthday banquet should confirm this."

Aidan was not surprised, and his tone lightened slightly. "The old man's been up to something lately."

"However, I believe Zayn does not wish to take over the company. Should I approach him and offer him a helping hand?"

"Mind your own business. And tell Anna all about his itinerary."

Oscar was speechless. Is he crazy?

…

Leanna called Zoe on her way back, but she could not get through. Worried, she told the driver to turn around, and she texted Louis.

As soon as Leanna got off the elevator, she heard Anthony say, "Zoe, can you give me another chance? I promise to break up with her..."

"There's nothing else to say between us. Weren't you happy when you first cheated? What chance do you want with me now?"

"What can I do? I've been abroad for a year and you're not with me, but don't worry, Zoe; I no longer have affection for her as I only like you."

Zoe was angry at him and laughed: "You don't want to be alone and can't control the lower half of your body, but is it my fault in the end? Get lost right now; I don't want to see you again!"

"I only cheated once, so what about Leanna? She has been a covert mistress for another man for three years. Now that Zayn is back, she turned her head and hooked him, and I didn't say anything to Zayn for your sake.

"Anthony, do you truly believe that you are something? Is Zayn aware of who you are without Leanna's words? Also, they have a marriage certificate; do you believe everyone is as vain as you?"

"If she was already married, why did she never bring this up? I'm doing this for your own good, Zoe. Don't be deceived by Leanna as she's only interested in finding a putative father for the illegitimate

child in her womb..."

As Anthony's words became more offensive, Zoe was unable to take it any longer and gave him a hard smack while yelling, "Get out of here!" Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

When Anthony dashed out, he ran into Leanna. He halted, but was unashamed that he had talked badly of others and been caught by them as he only scoffed and hurried away.

Zoe tossed his belongings away, but noticed Leanna standing there. "You hear everything, Nana... He is just trying to find someone to blame, so don't take it to heart."

Leanna knew that he blamed her for causing Zoe to break-up with him, which was why he had criticized her. "Is there anything I can help you with?" she said, smiling.

Zoe shook her head. "It's all packed up, and it looks like he doesn't plan to take it."

The elevator door reopened at this point, showing Louis' figure. As soon as he received Leanna's text message, he sought a replacement for his shift and rushed over. He looked at the pile of stuff by the door and asked, "Are you all right?"

Zoe said, "It's okay, Louis. You just made it in time to help me take the trash down to the trash can. The garbage should stay where it belongs. Let's eat once we've moved it!"

He looked at the situation and realized that something must have happened. Since they didn't want to talk about it, he didn't ask anything either and just did his job in silence.