Chapter 48
As Neil entered the office and delivered the news, he placed three similar–looking envelopes on the desk before the three powerful
CEOS.
Cherise, Julian, and Logan shared a look before Julian dismissed his personal assistant, or rather, Cherise’s now.
The office was quiet until Cherise reached out to take an envelope bearing her name.
She traced the gold embossed initials ‘HE‘ intertwined in the middle of the envelope and smirked when she saw the handwriting of
her name.
“How did they know you are working here?” Julian asked.
1
“I think Dahlia is snooping around for information on Katherine and tumbled upon Cherise’s information,” Logan replied with a frown.
He didn’t like anyone searching for information about Cherise. It could endanger her life, and that wasn’t something he’d want to
happen
“Katherine?” Julian was still confused. How did Katherine play a part in this?
“Oh, Dahlia must want to apologize to her,” Cherise replied off–handedly, like it didn’t matter much. “You know how she likes to suck up to influential people.”
“Explain, Julian
Julian demanded and reached for his invitation, and Logan did the same.
Cherise recounted what had happened at the Angelworld Jewelry story before, how Dahlia and Polly didn’t know who Katherine was,
and insulted the two of them.
Knowing Dahlia, she must want to apologize once she knew who Katherine was.
“And she wants you there so she could show off.” Cherise shrugged. “Who wouldn’t want the most influential CEO of Countries A and B to grace their banquet?”
Julian frowned, not liking the idea of being used like that, especially how they had invited Cherise.
“I don’t think we should go.” Logan flicked his wrist, sending his invitation gliding back to the tabl
“I think we should,” Cherise replied, taking the invitation from the envelope. The invitation itself wo simple and sophisticated, just like the envelope white with gold lettering.
Julian and Logan frowned when they heard her words.
“That’s not a good idea, Cherise. Who knows what evil plans they have in mind if you appear there?” Julian pointed out.
“I agree with Julian.” Logan stretched out his long legs and folded his arms across his broad chest.
Cherise rolled her eyes at the over–protectiveness of her two brothers.
*Do you think I’m
I’m still the same Cherise as they knew?” she asked them with a raised brow, challenging them to answer.
“Of course you are not,” Julian replied. “But-”
“And you will be there with me,” Cherise interrupted, looking at Julian, her eyes twinkling with mischievousness.
dd MM M
Chapter 48
ㄖ
95% 11:46
Seeing those twinkle in his sister’s eyes, Julian knew better than to persuade her further.
“You have a plan?” he asked, his eyes cocking to one side.
Cherise laughed and shook her head. “No, not yet. But appearing there with you, as your… partner, would be enough to rile them up.”
“You little rascal,” Julian chuckled and ruffled her hair. “You are going to use your own brother? Are you not afraid they’ll think we are
an item?”
“Why should I be afraid when they will know the truth about us sooner or later?” Cherise smirked. “Let them think all they want. The more they gossip, the more they will be slapped in the face when Grandpa announces my identity.”
“True.” Julian chuckled again.
“But they will know you have a sister complex with how you treat me,” Cherise teased him.
“And that is wrong because…?” Julian raised his eyebrow again. He loved his sister, and there was nothing wrong with spoiling her or showing everyone how protective he was of her.
“It might hinder you from getting a girlfriend.” Cherise rolled her eyes. If the ladies saw how Julian was spoiling her, they would either line up to be spoiled by Julian, too, or they would be put off. She’d rather it be the first, not the latter.
“I’m not thinking of finding a girlfriend yet Julian replied lightly. He had so much to do that he didn’t have time to think of a girlfriend.
“And we are not having this conversation again,” he added when he saw Cherise open her mouth to protest. “You’d better bug Logan about it. He’s been single his whole life, too.”
“I don’t have time for a girlfriend either,” Logan said in a clipped tone. He had decided to dedicate his life to Cherise, and he didn’t need a girlfriend. No one had ever attracted him either.
“You guys are no fun,” Cherise groaned, noting that her two handsome brothers were against the idea of having a girlfriend.
“So if you are going with Julian, I suppose I’ll go too,” Logan stirred their conversation back to their previous and more important
topic.
“Uh–huh.” Cherise nodded. “We should just give them what they want.”
At that moment, Cherise’s phone rang, and she didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Katherine,” she greeted with a smile.
“Darling-“Katherine’s seductive voice sounded from the other end of the phone. “I received an invitation to the shameless couple’s engagement banquet. Should I go?”
Cherise laughed. Just as she had expected, Dahlia would try to s
had a close relationship with THE Katherine Sterling.
suck up to Katherine and at the same time show everyone that she
*Julian and Logan got one each, too, don’t they?” Katherine asked.
“I got one, too, Cherise replied with a wide smile.
“Ohhh… This should be good,” Katherine said excitedly. “Dahlia should want to embarrass you and apologize to me. Let’s make a good show out of this.”
“You read my mind,” Cherise couldn’t help but laugh.
図図図やや
95% 11:40
Chapter 48
“Of course, darling. I’m your best friend,” Katherine said with a hint of smugness.
“It’s three weeks from now. Can Paula create something for us?” Cherise asked.
+5
“What can’t we do for you?” Katherine asked with a soft laugh. “She’ll be happy to dress you up, and you know she’ll make sure you’ll be the center of the banquet instead of the shameless couple.”
l
“Il count her on that Cherise smiled. “Oh, I’ll go with Julian and you with Logan.”
“Anything for you, darling,” Katherine replied. “And I’ll finally meet your brother.”
“Yes, you will,” Cherise smiled brightly at Julian, making him confused. “All right, we’ll talk more later. Julian and Logan are here with
me.”
The two best friends exchanged goodbyes, and Cherise turned to look at Logan as she ended the call,
“You’ll be Katherine’s partner,” she said, and Logan just nodded in agreement. They had been best friends for many years, and it wasn’t a big deal to partner up with Katherine. She could ward off all the unwanted female attention for him.
“And you, brother…” She turned to Julian. “You will finally be able to meet Katherine!”
“Is that what you were so excited about?” Julian asked with amusement.
“Of course,” Cherise’s smile widened. “She’s my only best friend whom you’ve never met. You know how I want all my friends to know you and for us to be close to each other.”
“If you say so.” Julian smiled, and the three of them returned to talking about the businesses they were discussing before Neil interrupted them.
“Sir, it’s time to go home,” Miles reminded Hudson, who had been working overtime.
Hudson rubbed his tired eyes and looked at the time. It was way past midnight, and he had been working nonstop to distract himself from thinking about Cherise.
He stood up, took his suit jacket, and walked out of his office, settling on the backseat of his car as Miles drove him home.
When they reached home, Hudson opened the door, and a sense of loneliness swept through h
Somehow, he could imagine Cherise dozing off on the couch, which had nearly been replaced up even if she was still groggy from her sleep when she realized he was home.
ing for him, and how her face lit
This was the reason why Hudson stayed up late at the office. Sometimes, he didn’t even feel like going home because it was too dark. No lamp was switched on, and no one was waiting for him.
He strode to the couch and just slumped on it, rubbing his temples with his long fingers.
Suddenly, the mansion was filled with lights, and he heard a sound from the kitchen, and his heartbeat raced. He looked up. expecting to see the figure that had been haunting his mind, but only to see his butler looking at him.
“Would you like something to eat, sir?” the butler asked.
“No.” Hudson closed his eyes, and bitterness filled his heart. Why did he still expect someone who had divorced and hated him to be
here?
