Chapter 28
Byron invited them in.
Upon entering the private room, Britney recognized the client at once. It was Estela Baird, a formidable businesswoman she had met once at the Innovation and Investment Conference.
Estela recognized her, too, and was surprised. “Hello, Ms. Harrington. It’s been a while.”
“Hello, Ms. Baird,” Britney said politely.
Byron was curious. “You two know each other?”
Estela explained with a smile, “I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Harrington at last year’s Innovation and Investment Conference held in Calbourne. She did me a huge favor back then, and I still haven’t found a chance to tell her how grateful I am.
“Don’t say that, Ms. Baird. It was nothing.”
Britney wasn’t being modest. It really was just a small thing.
Before Estela went on stage to accept an award, her period had arrived early, leaving her in terrible pain.
She had left her phone in the locker because of her evening gown, so she couldn’t reach her assistant for a sanitary pad.
Since it was about time to go on stage, she was on pins and needles.
Just then, Britney entered the restroom. The pads and painkillers she always kept with her happened to come in handy for Estela.
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Estela had always kept the favor in her mind because the conference meant a lot to her.
It was one of the most important moments of her life.
“I mean it. You were such a big help!” Estela enthusiastically pulled Britney to sit beside her.
Byron was thrilled. Estela had powerful connections, after all. It’d be perfect if he could get closer to her through Britney.
After they chatted for a while, Estela realized Byron was trying to recruit Britney.
She asked Britney, “Do you wanna jump ship?”
Britney nodded. “I want another environment.”
“Do you like Calbourne?” she asked. “How about working for me?”
Britney knew Estela’s company was sizable.
But Calbourne was simply too far.
She could only turn Estela down.
Estela sighed, but she decided to respect Britney’s decision. “Well, that’s fine. Synterra Group is a good choice, too. Mr. Baldwin, you surely know talent when you see it.”
The conversation was very enjoyable, and Estela even stayed a while longer than scheduled.
Until someone knocked on the door.
It was a handsome young man, likely just out of university.
He was particularly clingy.
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Upon entering, he kissed Estella passionately, even making the others quite uneasy.
She pushed him gently with a shy smile, and only then did he let go of her.
Apparently, she enjoyed the kiss a lot, and her voice even softened a bit. “This is my boyfriend. Young people are indeed passionate, huh? He’s almost … a little too much for me. Don’t laugh at me.”
Byron and Randell exchanged a meaningful glance.
The age gap between Estela and her boyfriend was jaw–dropping.
She was at least twenty years older than him.
He kept urging her, so she soon stood up and said bye to the rest.
Out of courtesy, Britney walked her to the entrance.
Along the way, she linked arms with Britney and chatted with her, and her boyfriend sensibly waited in the car.
“You must be wondering why I chose to date a man so much younger than me, right?” Estela said with a smile, clearly not bothered by the age difference at all.
On the contrary, Britney felt a bit awkward. “Yes.”
“Honestly, age means nothing to me. Let me offer you some advice–get whatever you can from men. Spend his money, use his connections, and if he’s good in bed, well, ride him dry. Love? That’s the most worthless thing in the world.”
When saying this, she even blew a kiss toward her boyfriend.
“I used to foolishly pursue love when I was young, and I ended up with
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nothing but a broken heart.
“Remember–the fundamental rule is, stop caring about things. No one can hurt you as long as you don’t care.”
When Britney went back to the private room, she bumped into an old acquaintance around the corner.
She stopped in her tracks instinctively.
He sat lazily on a bench, smoking. With a cigarette between his fingers, he draped his arm casually over the backrest, the faint smoke curling upward.
It was Federico Ortega.
For a second, she was a bit dazed. It was probably because she hadn’t seen him for so long. Yet, his face was still as familiar as ever.
As she was in a daze, Federico noticed her.
His eyes lit up with amusement immediately.
Meanwhile, he mouthed, “Hello, Britney.”
Panicking, she withdrew her gaze, turned around, and strode away.
But he wouldn’t let her go. He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up to follow her.
Thanks to his long legs, he caught up with her soon. “You didn’t greet me when you saw me? I’m your senior. Does Ms. Holmes know you’re so rude?”
Scarlett Holmes was their professor in college. Bracing herself, Britney said, “Ms. Holmes won’t even talk to me anymore.”
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“Oh? So, you just pretended that you didn’t see me?”
“I… didn’t know what to say.” Britney lowered her head.
Federico tapped her head lightly. “Ms. Holmes’s right. You are indeed a heartless ingrate.”
Rodrick and Bianca, who had just arrived at Celestia Club, happened to see them.
“Why is Rico with Ms. Harrington? Do they know each other?” Bianca was very surprised.
Not answering, Rodrick looked at the two, his gaze darkening slightly.
Bianca came over to Federico. “Rico, when did you get here?”
“Just now,” he replied, his tone turning lazy again.
Taking the chance, Britney quickly left in silence.
Looking at her retreating figure, Federico scoffed.
Bianca asked him, “Do you know her?”
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