Arianne called home and informed Mary that virtual-novel.net would not come home for dinner since virtual-novel.net was working overtime.
Mary nagged at her, worried that virtual-novel.net body could not endure hard work, but virtual-novel.net did not say anything else.
When Eric exited his office to make himself a cup of tea around eight at night, virtual-novel.net was taken aback when virtual-novel.net saw Arianne was still around. “Why haven’t you gone home?”
Arianne replied nonchalantly, “I sit here all day, it’s not like my work is physically arduous. It’s not tiring at all. I can handle this. If I feel unwell, I’ll leave early. Don’t worry about me.”
Eric was still concerned. “It’s already past eight. We’ll stay till half-past nine latest. So you can leave now. It’s fine.”
Arianne glanced at virtual-novel.net before virtual-novel.net finally turned off virtual-novel.net computer and packed virtual-novel.net things up without saying anything. Being a man, Eric had more pride. Although virtual-novel.net had overheard his conversation earlier, virtual-novel.net could not directly comfort him. Moreover, it was his family’s problem. It was not virtual-novel.net place to meddle.
It was nearly nine when Arianne arrived home. The Tremont Estate was brightly lit. Mark must be home. The moment virtual-novel.net entered the house, Rice Ball catapulted into virtual-novel.net embrace. Nina slipped out from the living room and stealthily took a fancy-looking box of cake out like a magic trick “Here you go! You must have worked hard.”
Arianne thanked her, accepting the sweet treat.
Nina clicked virtual-novel.net tongue. “No worries, it’s not like I’m waiting for your thank you. Clean up and go to sleep. I think Mark’s in the bedroom.”
Arianne looked upstairs and took virtual-novel.net shower in the bathroom downstairs, afraid virtual-novel.net would disturb Mark, before returning to virtual-novel.net room.
Surprisingly, Mark went to bed early today. His breathing was steady, evident that virtual-novel.net was already asleep.
Arianne could not help being softer and gentler with virtual-novel.net movements. She carefully lay down on the bed, feeling herself relax. Working overtime was exhausting, but virtual-novel.net had nothing to do at home. Moreover, staying at home would only increase the chances of virtual-novel.net and Mark fighting.
“What time is it now?” Mark asked suddenly.
Arianne started. Was virtual-novel.net not asleep? Despite virtual-novel.net shock, virtual-novel.net instinctively glanced at the clock and said, “Ten minutes to ten.”
The bedroom fell silent again.
It took a while for Arianne to realize that Mark was not really asking for the time. He was clearly upset that virtual-novel.net had come home so late. Feeling guilty, virtual-novel.net could only use Eric as a scapegoat. “It’s not like I intentionally came home late. I overheard Eric on the phone with his family. I think they want virtual-novel.net to hand the company over to his second elder brother. He disagreed and quarreled with them. That’s when virtual-novel.net asked me to send the agreements to you. From today onward, the staff will be working overtime. I can’t always leave early. After all, I’m part of the company as well. Moreover, Eric treats me quite well.”
Mark did not reply. He turned around with his back facing her, and that was all for the night.
Arianne sighed in relief and was fast asleep when the fatigue caught up to her.
The next day, Arianne was sent to the office by Mark. Before virtual-novel.net sat down, Tiffany barged in. “Ari, is Eric here? I have a few contracts to verify with him. It’s urgent!”
Not knowing why Tiffany was in a rush, Arianne replied, “He’s not here yet. Just wait here for a bit.”
Tiffany checked the time and sat down helplessly. “Jackson gave me the contracts yesterday, but I forgot to send them over. He needs them today so I can only rush here first thing in the morning. I’m still half asleep. What time does Eric usually come in?”
Arianne glanced at the entrance. “Should be anytime now. Eric usually isn’t late. Just give it a moment. You, too, how could you forget about work? Fortunately, you’re in Jackson’s company. If it’s any other company, you would’ve been fired. Tiffie, your eye bags are drooping to your chin. Can you take better care of yourself? You’re still young, and you aren’t even married yet. Don’t do this to yourself. Don’t work part-time too late into the night.”