Chapter 65: Meet with the Boss

"Just tell me what it is," Avery says.

She languidly runs her fingers through her hair, and then cautiously raises her hands above her head to stretch. Her waist doesn't hurt as much as it had the day before. She nods, satisfied.

"The good news is that I've found a hospital to transfer your nanny to. They've agreed that we can move her there in the next few days," Charles says, "The other news is that the person who wants to buy your shares of the Zuri Hotel wants to meet you today to sign the contract."

"Today?" Avery asks, concerned.

"He's very eager to sign the contract and insists on doing it as soon as possible," Charles explains.

"Okay," Avery says, pushing Lucky aside and getting out of bed, "I'll find a way to be there."

"I'll go with you," Charles offers.

"I'm just going to sign a contract. I can handle that alone."

"Yes, but I'll worry the whole time," Charles says.

"Who will you worry about: the buyer or me?"

"Which one do you think I'll be worried about?" Charles asks, suddenly intense.

"I don't want you to worry on my behalf," Avery says lightly.

"Okay," Charles says with a sigh.

He knows that he's making Avery uncomfortable and he ends the call. Avery throws the phone back onto the bed and sees that Lucky has curled up on the bed where she was lying moments ago.

"Lucky, you are such a naughty dog," she says with a laugh.

"Mrs. Howel," a maid says as she opens the door and enters the room, "Mr. Howel wants you to know that he doesn't expect you to return to the hotel until you're fully healed."

"Where is Mr. Howel?" Avery asks.

"He left at about seven o'clock," the maid replies.

"Hmm, even for him that's early," Avery says, "But I guess the early bird catches the worm."

She smooths her hair and ties it back, then looks at the dog, "Lucky, if you don't get off the bed, I'll feed you worms for breakfast."

The dog calmly sniffs the pillows and then stretches and gets up. He hops off the bed and runs to Avery and rubs himself on her legs. The maids snicker. Avery gets dressed and goes to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast.

Although Evan has virtually forbidden her from leaving the house, she has to go to the hotel to sign the contract and complete the sale of her shares. She asks the driver to take her. To her surprise, the hotel is bustling with people.

A few gardeners carry a large cherry across the garden, pushing through crowds of people as they go. Claire follows the gardeners but pauses when she sees Avery.

"Good morning, Mrs. Howel," Claire says with evident surprise.

"What's all this?" Avery asks.

She has to lean sideways to avoid getting hit by one of the tree branches as the gardeners pass.

"Mr. Howel said that the open-air restaurant was too plain. He wants to plant cherry trees everywhere," Claire says, "Honestly, I think it would be so romantic to have a meal under a blossoming, pink cherry tree, don't you?."

"Does he have some sort of a fetish about cherry trees?" Avery mutters under her breath.

She recalls his Facebook profile photo: a girl standing in a beautiful dress, twirling under a blooming cherry tree.

"True, it's unusual for a man to like cherry blossoms," Claire says.

"Maybe the woman he loves likes them," Avery says.

"You like cherry blossoms?" Claire asks.

Avery smiles but she doesn't say anything. She wonders if Diana likes cherry blossoms—she assumes Claire might know, but she doesn't want to ask the assistant. She's frustrated by Evan's sudden attention and dedication to the hotel. She assumed he'd show minimal interest in the hotel, but he seems to be devoted to it. This unexpected attention makes her uneasy.

"By the way, the human resources director at the Howel Group will personally recruit and manage the employees at the Zuri Hotel," Claire says, "I think Mr. Howel is quite invested in the hotel's success."

"Is he?" Avery asks sourly.

"Yes. We've been receiving many bookings and requests from important individuals who want to win Mr. Howel's favor."

"Oh no," Avery thinks, "Evan will not be so disappointed if he knows I'm trying to sell my shares in the hotel."

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For a moment she feels sorry, but she shakes her head immediately.

"This is a critical moment for my plan," she thinks, "I can't afford to let anything shake my resolve. I have to leave the Howel family before Evan finds a way to impregnate me."

"Mrs. Howel?" Claire says with a voluble hint of concern, "Mrs. Howel, were you all right yesterday?"

"Hmm, what?" Avery says distractedly, "Oh yes. Thanks to your lipstick, Mr. Howel was able to see my SOS message."

Avery looks towards the restaurant and continues to walk. Dozens of waiters are bustling around as if to prepare the restaurant for a large reception.

"What are they doing?" Avery asks.

"Someone booked the whole restaurant today, so we have to hurry to get it prepared and decorated," Claire explains.

"The whole restaurant?"

"Yes. The restaurant has been booked up for the entire week thanks to Mr. Howel's efforts," Claire says admiringly, "Your husband is really so good to you."

Avery wants to roll her eyes.

"Did Evan cast a spell on Claire?" she wonders, "Claire has been praising him to me nonstop."

"I'd like to look at the latest financial statements on the hotel," Avery says before Claire can continue to praise Evan. She sidesteps Claire and enters her office. As soon as she sits down she sees a text from Charles: "The buyer will meet you at the Zuri Hotel at 5:00 PM to sign the contract."

At the Howel Group offices, Evan leans back in his chair.

"Mr. Howel, Mrs. Howel has arrived at the hotel," Robert says.

Robert stands in front of Evan's desk and looks at a pink velvet box in Evan's hands.

"The hotel says they're redecorating the restaurant now and they promised to have it finished by 6:00 PM. All the dishes will be in accordance with Mrs. Howel's preferences as well."

Evan opens the velvet box and contemplates the dazzling pink diamond ring.

"I checked with Mrs. Howel's assistant and she said that Mrs. Howel has nothing on her schedule today."

Evan chews his lip and imagines Avery wearing the ring. He barely registers what Robert says.

"And Dr. Meyer will be in important operations all day," Robert adds.

Evan glares at Robert, and the butler lowers his head. He didn't want to bring up Charles, but he knows that his boss wants to know that the other man will be out of the way. Evan would be enraged if Robert knew that Avery was meeting Charles and didn't say anything about it.

Evan orders Robert to cancel his appointments for the afternoon and puts on a white custom-made silk shirt and a three-piece suit with dark black pinstripes. He slips the velvet box into the suit pocket. He's going to surprise Avery, and he can't wait to see the look on her face. 

At 4:50 Avery gathers the financial statements into one folder, then walks to the presidential suite. She knocks on the door, and a middle-aged and balding man greets her. He ushers her to the sofa, and they both sit as he pursues the financial documents.

"Although the hotel currently has a few difficulties, it's truly a great prospect for development," he says, "I'm curious—why would you want to sell when it's poised for such growth?"

The wrinkles his forehead and gazes at her with curiosity. Avery returns his gaze in a calm and professional manner.

"I'm not good at managing the hotel," she says, "I want someone more experienced to take it over."

"Why don't you let Mr. Howel take over the hotel?" the man asks.

"I'm sorry," Avery says, "I'd prefer not to disclose my reasons."

The man squints at her, but he doesn't push the issue.

"Dr. Meyer has already given me a good deal of information, but I wonder if he's conveyed my sincerity?"

Avery smiles and nods politely.

"Well then, since everything seems to be in order, I'm prepared to sign the contract," the man says, "I do have one condition, though."

Avery glimpses a black and gold business card holder sitting on the edge of the table.

"Yes, of course," she says, "What is it?"

"My boss wants to meet you."

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