Her surrounding was pitch dark. She took a breather while she leaned against the door. As she was about to turn on the lights, a deep cough sounded from behind her.
The room brightened in an instant, which forced her eyes to shut in reflex.
“Seems like someone doesn’t feel the need to let me know that they had left. They didn’t even bother to let me know when they’re back,” Larry complained.
Joan got nervous and started to stutter. “I-I was afraid of waking you up. There are already a lot of problems at the company. I don’t want to add on to your burden.”
Joan felt a tinge of guilt in her heart for lying to Larry. Larry, on the other hand, seemed to have seen through her lie.
“Really? Then why don’t you fill me in now?” Larry maintained a poker face when he asked.
Joan tilted her head slightly and replied with a wide smile, “Make a guess.”
Never had she acted this coy before; she would be utterly embarrassed if they were in public.
“It’s alright. I don’t want to know anyway.” The sarcastic undertones in his words were apparent.
Oh, dear… I’m dead meat. No! I must stand up against him!
Alas! She couldn’t bring herself to defy Larry as she tugged the latter’s arm coyly.
“Okay. Please don’t be angry. I’ll tell you, okay? Do you want to know?” she said in a coquettish voice.
That was exactly the reaction that Larry was expecting from her. He could have guessed where she went, but what he wanted was for her to show her honesty.
“Sure,” he replied with a nasal voice.
Joan lifted her head to look at him with her sparkling eyes. “Well… You’d have to promise me not to get mad!”
“You went to find Dustin, right?”
She opened her mouth in shock. “Y-You knew?”
Larry flicked a finger at her forehead. “I guessed it. How could you do that behind my back?”
Joan sighed. “I only wanted to find out the truth. I believe that Dustin is a good person. He wouldn’t do anything to harm others.”
What I knew for sure was that he would not do anything to harm you. Larry did not say it out to Joan as he wanted to protect her.
“I wish that you’d remain this innocent,” Larry muttered and stared out blankly. “Huh? What did you say?” Joan was confused.
I hope for you to remember the good side of Dustin. It would be tiring for you to hate someone whom you used to trust.
Larry remained silent as he reached out to hug Joan and caressed her back. Joan returned his hug by encircling her arms around his waist. The world is too complicated; Larry’s embrace was her only sanctuary.
“At the moment, all activities and Alpire Group’s acquisition are put on a halt. Other than their recent acquisition of five of our companies, Alpire Group made no other movements. This should give us sufficient time to prepare. Don’t worry. We are heading in a positive direction.” Joan felt his warm breath above her head as he spoke.
