However, Penelope was very greedy by nature. Every time Daniel came, he never came empty-handed. She only accepted gifts but never helped.
"Tell me, is the Williams family going bankrupt like we did before?"
Emma felt nauseous when she heard about them. She put down her chopsticks and said coldly, "Mom, the Williams family has nothing to do with us. Whether they go bankrupt or not is not our fault. So, can you stop mentioning them during mealtimes?"
Penelope was a little confused:
"Okay, let's eat, let's eat, let's not mention that anymore."
Ever since her daughter remarried, she seemed to have become a completely different person. Even when talking to her daughter, she felt more reserved than before.
"The new house is near Gabe's school, so he can sleep in for another half hour in the morning. There are also many supermarkets in that area, so it's more convenient for you to go to the market."
"Okay, if you choose the house, I don't have to worry about anything. But… this house, why don't you transfer it to Gabe and me? It will be very troublesome to wait until he graduates and do the paperwork." Penelope asked tentatively. Emma glanced at her mother coldly, not saying a word.
This time, she finished eating and then stood up:
"It's okay, someone will take care of all the procedures. Wait until Gabe graduates from college; you and he just need to sign. Okay, I still have to go home to work tonight. I'll go first."
"Oh, you're so fast…" Penelope still wanted to continue trying, but she didn't expect her daughter to run faster than a rabbit.
"What a coincidence."
---
When Emma got home, Alex hadn't come back yet. She finished showering and went into the study. This new house had a separate study for her and Alex.
Although it wasn't very close, the couple still needed some privacy.
She glanced at the clock, 10 pm, just when the message arrived. Alex: *"I have a party today, I will be back late. You go to sleep first, leave the door open for me."*
---
During the party, a person sitting next to him curiously asked:
"Alex, who are you texting? Tell me, so I can share with everyone."
Another person tried to probe:
"Alex, do you have any plans to develop your career in New York these days? I saw you in Washington this morning, and I saw you here tonight."
Alex lightly brushed the cigarette ash from his hand and calmly replied:
"No plans at the moment."
One person couldn't help but wonder:
"So do you have a 'soulmate' in New York?"
"Soulmate?" He picked up his glass of wine, took a sip, stretched out his long legs comfortably beside the chair, and leisurely said:
"My lover, there is no need to hide anything."
If possible, he even wanted to announce to the whole world that he, Alex, was married.
But it was clear that Emma had not opened up to him to that extent.
Everyone around was startled. This... could it be that Alex really had a lover in New York?
*Who?*
Alex slightly curled his lips, his eyes swept over the surrounding crowd, exuding a strong pressure. He calmly said:
"Didn't you come here today to discuss work? Why did everyone change their profession to become a reporter?"
Someone quickly interrupted:
"That's right, that's right. What nonsense are you asking?"
Veronika barely heard that Alex was in the private room in front tonight. She took a deep breath, put on her thin high heels, and walked forward nervously.
There was very little information about Alex in the mass media. The last time she saw him at the Collins family's private party, it was already a great fortune. In Washington's upper class, Alex was known to be cold, aloof, and not close to women. Countless people wanted to sleep with him, but none succeeded. So there were rumors that he might not like women.
But Veronika had seen his handsome face before. How could a man with such a beautiful face not like women?
This time, she abandoned her usual innocent style and put on a black silk evening gown, revealing her white chest. Veronika guessed that Alex might like this style of dress. Last time, at the Collins family party, Emma also wore a similar style and caught Alex's attention.
If Emma could do it, why couldn't she?
Veronika knew very well which expression of hers was the most charming. She pretended to accidentally push the door open, bowed her head slightly, and puffed out her chest:
"Sorry, I... got the wrong room."
The people in the room were not the type who had never seen a beauty. But the beauty of this young New York girl still made the rich Washington guys gasp in admiration. Of course, except Alex.
"Miss, we've booked this entire floor. Did you get the wrong floor?" One person teased.
Being hit in the heart, Veronika blushed slightly:
"Sorry, let me ask my friend again. Maybe I really took it the wrong way. I'm really sorry for disturbing everyone's meal."
"Oh, Luke, look, you made her cry. Meeting each other is fate, since we're here, let's sit down and eat together."
Veronika bit her lip, her face pitiful, her ears red:
"No need, no need, I'm disturbing everyone too much. My friend is still waiting for me."
At that moment, the waiter carrying the wine walked in, bumping into Veronika, who was about to leave. She blinked at Alex, then took two steps back, pretending to want to jump into his arms.
But Alex reacted extremely quickly, pulling out a chair and standing aside.
The warm feeling she imagined did not appear at all; instead, Veronika fell to the ground, trying to hold on to the edge of the table to avoid falling hard. But unexpectedly, she knocked over the glass of wine on the table, and the wine splashed straight into her face.
Alex looked down at the dirty suit, frowning:
"This young lady fell all the way here."
Not knowing who in the room laughed first, the laughter quickly spread, making Veronika's face red with embarrassment, and she wished she could dig a hole to hide.
Her petty thoughts were clearly exposed. The eyes of everyone in the room were filled with contempt.
Someone laughed teasingly:
"Alex, I didn't expect you to be so attractive even after coming to New York. Why aren't we as lucky as you to have her rush into our arms?"
Alex laughed coldly:
"Let's go."
Veronika was both angry and confused. She stood up, looking at the vest that fell on the floor:
"Sir, you didn't bring a vest."
Alex didn't turn back:
"It's dirty, no need anymore."
The main character had left, and the people in the room were no longer interested, leaving one by one.
Only Veronika was left standing there, her face embarrassed, her hands tightly holding the dirty vest, her expression constantly changing, sometimes confused, sometimes angry.