apter 35
Chapter 35
Lewis said casually, “I work at Hartman Group, but it’s mostly just running errands. I’m nowhere near Mr. Hartman’s level”
“So, you’re in logistics?” Lola asked.
“Yeah, something like that,” Lewis said with a nod.
“Geeze, even the logistics guys at Hartman Group are so tall and handsome. What a competitive field,” Lola muttered under her breath. “Do you know more like you? You know, tall, good–looking, and well–built? Maybe we could all get together for a drink sometime.”
Doris was afraid that Lola’s “flirt mode” would make things awkward for Lewis, so she quickly interrupted, “Aren’t you supposed to drop off the clothes? Hurry up, don’t keep him waiting.”
“Right, I’ll excuse myself,” Lewis said. He glanced at Doris and added, “Take care of yourself, and be sure to head home early after shopping. I’ll see you later.”
“Got it,” Doris replied. With that, she tugged Lola towards the women’s store they’d just come from.
Lola sighed dramatically while staring at her, “Hey, are we still best friends? I just wanted your husband to introduce me to a good–looking guy. It’s not like I’m after your man, okay?
“Why you gotta be so stingy? It’s been forever since I had a boyfriend. You got married, and I really want a new relationship.”
“Don’t act like you’re drunk,” Doris shot back, cutting straight to the point. “You just broke up with your ex a month ago, okay?
“When you dumped him, he almost cried his eyes out. He even begged you to stay and said he’d change to be the way you like. But you told him straight–up that you were over it and he couldn’t change. That’s basically the textbook definition of a playgirl.
“You never took those guys seriously. If Lewis introduced you to one of his colleagues and you got bored, what would you do? Kick him to the curb? Imagine how awkward it will be when Lewis sees his colleague.
“Come on, Lola, you can play your games with whoever, but don’t drag Lewis into it.”
“Tsk, didn’t know you were that protective after just getting married,” Lola teased, but she let it slide. “But seriously, Doris, your husband is seriously hot. I bet he makes you enjoy a lot, huh?”
Doris’s face went bright red, as if someone had just put her in a pot of hot water. “We’re still not that close. And you told me to test him and figure out if he has any character issues, remember?”
“Did I say that?” Lola turned to look at Doris, her eyebrows raising in confusion.
Doris was totally taken aback, and before she could stop herself, she pinched Lola’s arm. “Come on, girl. You’re the dates- before–mates type!”
“You must’ve misheard.” Lola denied it and added with a grin, “With Lewis being so handsome and charming, I believe he’s a good guy. You can just tell by looking at him.”
Doris shot Lola a deadpan look.
“Seriously, Doris, you’ve gotta make sure you hold on to him tight.” Lola winked at Doris.
Doris sighed, totally defeated by Lola’s obsession with looks. She shook her shoulders and warned her, “Lola, get real!”
Lola said, “Lewis totally outshines Ryan. You should take him to meet Ryan and rub it in. I bet Ryan will be pissed off.”
1/3
Chapter 35
“They’ve already met. Ryan wasn’t too happy about it, to say the least,” Doris said, feeling pleased inside.
“Good job! He deserves that.” Lola burst out laughing. “But hold on, you and Lewis haven’t done the deed yet, right? He’s not one of those pretty faces with nothing underneath, is he?
“That’s a big deal, Doris. If he really has an issue in that aspect, you might wanna cut your losses before it’s too late?
“Lola, can you shut up? Doris gritted her teeth in frustration.
Doris was really uncomfortable discussing this with Lola. Even though she was married, she was still a virgin.
I’m married in a flash, okay? Even if he’s good–looking, I’m not gonna throw myself at him yet.” Doris made it clear, emphasizing how there was no chance of any intimacy,
“Look, with Lewis’s looks, body, and charm, you wouldn’t just not throw yourself at him–you’d be lucky to catch him! He’s literally every woman’s dream man.
You better hold on tight, or someone else might steal him away from you. Don’t come crying to me if that happens, Lola said with a mix of envy and sarcasm in her voice. “Seriously, when can I have a handsome guy like that? I’m so jealous?
Doris flicked Lola lightly on her forehead and sighed, “You’re hopeless.”
“Well, at least I’ve got some ambition,” Lola quipped, raising her eyebrows smugly.
Doris shot Lola a cold look and said nothing.
“Do you want me to give you a few tips on how to lock him down?” Lola flashed a mischievous grin.
Doris shook her head without hesitation.
“Seriously, you don’t want my secret tips?” Lola pressed on, not ready to give up.
“You can save that for causing trouble for someone else,” Doris said while pushing Lola toward the door. “Don’t you need to buy clothes?”
“Why are you so shy all of a sudden? Your face is all red,” Lola teased, deliberately making things awkward.
I’m not shy. It’s just too hot here,” Doris shot back, her tone defensive. “Come on, let’s geting going.”
By the time Doris and Lola finished shopping and headed home, it was already 9:30 p.m.
Doris had gotten used to Biscuit pouncing on her and tugging at her pants whenever she came through the door.
Hearing the noise, Lewis came out of his study. He grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen and was about to head back to his room.
Doris handed a plate of sliced apples and casually said, “Here, have some fruit to keep your vitamins up.”
Lewis leaned against the back of the sofa, her eyes narrowing slightly. “What’s going on?”
“Got a minute? Let’s talk,” Doris said while patting the space next to her on the sofa.
Lewis sat down, crossing his legs casually and speaking, “You have five minutes.”
Doris glanced at him, her voice turning a little sheepish. “Remember when I dropped off those pastries at your company? I thought you were just the driver, but turns out you’re in logistics. Sorry about that.”
“Drivers or logistics personnel are just doing the work. It doesn’t matter.” Lewis didn’t mind at all. As long as no one knew he was the actual heir of the Hartman family, he was fine. He added, “I think I’m returning to my work.”
2/3
Chapter #15
“Wait, what work do you have after work? Sounds like you’re a CFO or something. You guys work that hard? Doris joked, somewhat amazed. She thought her hotel job was tough enough, yet Lewis’s job sounded way tougher
Lewis sighed, clearly getting a bit impatient. “What’s the point of this small talk?
With a mysterious smile, Doris said, “I heard your company’s party is gonna be held at our hotel, Word is, the main event is about your boss picking his future wife. Do you know who it’ll be
Lewis shrugged and said calmly, “Why would a small employee like me know anything about that?”
Doris leaned in to whisper, “It’s definitely Zoe. They’ve been childhood friends, and I heard that when Ms. Wilkinson went abroad a few years ago, Mr. Hartman followed her there. What a touching love story”
Lewis couldn’t help but think, ‘Really? That’s the story they’re spreading? And I’m apparently out of the loop?
“May I ask who told you that Mr. Hartman likes Ms. Wilkinson? She went abroad for school, and Mr. Hartman was just there for work. The timing and location were just coincidences. It’s not what the rumors said Lewis cleared the air, his tone cold but firm.
“Ms. Wilkinson is so beautiful, and they grew up together. Are you telling me Mr. Hartman doesn’t like her? Is he really going to pick someone else? I mean, she likes him, doesn’t she? Is your boss really that cruel to break her heart?” Doris shook her head and muttered.
“Rich guys always have their cake and eat it too. Just because they have money, they think they can take other women’s love for granted. That’s a total jerk. Money can’t buy anything, don’t they know?” Doris said with anger.
In her mind, she couldn’t help but think about Ryan. He did the same thing to her. After spending three years together, he still secretly got engaged to another woman. Then, he wanted her to be his mistress.
Lewis was getting fed up. He just wanted to shut down Doris’s endless chatter about people who weren’t even involved. He hated to hear those baseless accusations against him.
“Doris, stop believing all the gossip. And for the love of God, stop worrying about other people’s lives. Just worry about your own business,” Lewis snapped, his icy gaze settling on her.
3/3
AD
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