Chapter 3 Making Small Talk

• Warren was the host of this birthday party, and today marked his 26th birthday. Prominent figures from the business world were in attendance.
• Standing behind Warren were Alexander's close friends. The oldest among them was Morgan Lucas, followed by Joseph Timothee, and Alexander Gunner. The youngest was Warren Lindolf, who had recently moved to Houston and befriended the three guys.
• Morgan came from a family of soldiers and held important positions in the military. Joseph's family, on the other hand, had a strong presence in the medical field, with most of the hospitals in Houston being owned by them.
• Alexander was involved in the property sector, while Warren worked in the jewelry industry as a designer. Among the four of them, Warren was known for his outspoken personality.
• Warren playfully put his arm around Alexander's shoulder and asked with a smile, "Already missing me after just a few minutes?"
• Alexander looked at him coldly, not uttering a word, and released Warren's arm in annoyance.
• Warren pretended to be hurt, holding his chest and making a sad face, saying, "Oh, so now that your wife is gone, I, who was just a friend, mean nothing to you!"
• Morgan, who stood nearby, simply observed Warren's antics without paying much attention.
• After taking a sip of champagne, Joseph turned to Alexander and asked, "Alexander, I saw Ellie last week, and her condition didn't seem serious. She just needs some rest and care due to her weak body. Is she tired today? If so, I can go check on her again!"
• "No need, Joseph," Alexander replied with a faint smile. "Ellie is just tired. She should go home and rest."
• "Alright," Joseph nodded, not saying anything further.
• Joseph was aware of Ellie's condition. Apart from her weak body, she had other unexplained illnesses, likely a result of multiple abortions and excessive worry.
• However, he couldn't disclose this information and could only signal Alexander to take better care of her.
• Ellie had been dating Alexander since their college days, and over the years, Alexander claimed that she had suffered a lot, which had taken a toll on her health. Unfortunately, due to her condition, having children was proving to be a challenge.
• At that moment, Warren suddenly nudged Joseph's arm and whispered, "Bruh, I spotted a beautiful woman. Let's see what you think of her." He gestured with his chin towards a woman in a white dress, prompting the three men to look in her direction.
• Following Warren's signal, the three men's gazes wandered until they settled on the woman in the white dress, all of them captivated at once.
• Seeing their expressions, Warren proudly declared, "Impressive, right?"
• Morgan and Joseph exchanged glances, wondering why Felicia was present. Didn't she leave without saying goodbye after signing the divorce papers with Alexander four years ago?
• Warren had only become friends with Alexander after the divorce, so he was unaware of Felicia's identity, but Morgan and Joseph knew her well.
• Warren seemed interested in striking up a conversation with Felicia, but what were Alexander's thoughts?
• With this in mind, Morgan and Joseph could see that Alexander's face had frozen.
• Joseph contemplated for a moment, reaching out to pat Warren's shoulder as if about to speak, but ultimately refrained.
• However, Warren continued as if nothing had happened. He turned his head and said seriously to Alexander, "Bro, remember when you mentioned wanting to enter the military uniform industry with me? The person standing next to that woman seems to be the deputy director of Tsundere Family Garment Company. He accompanied Director Tsundere during his meeting with my father and me. Let's go meet him!"
• "The deputy director? Shouldn't the central manager of Tsundere Family Garment Company, who is also the CEO's son, be here?" Alexander asked, furrowing his brow. He had invited them to Warren's birthday party to maintain his dignity, so why would they only send a deputy director?
• "Director Tsundere called my father. He mentioned not feeling well, and the newly appointed general manager seemed to have some urgent matters. Director Tsundere personally apologized for their absence," Warren shrugged. "His son is named Jackson Tsundere, I believe. I didn't know him at first, but my sister Kimberly talks about him every day!"
• Warren took a deep breath and continued, "I don't understand what's so special about this Jackson guy. My little brother, who is usually arrogant, was instantly amazed upon hearing that Jackson had returned to Houston. He even insisted on coming back from abroad and working at Tsundere Family Company. My father, however, said that no woman could be that influential and locked Kimberly at home."
• "But I still remember Jackson," Warren added, though Morgan and Joseph paid no attention. They were too busy imagining what would happen if Alexander and Felicia were to meet!
• Not receiving any response, Warren turned his head in surprise.
• It was evident that Warren noticed that not only Joseph, but even Morgan was still fixated on the woman who had caught their attention!
• "Could it be that my best friend, who already has a wife and children and is a military officer committed to his duties, is also interested in other women?" Warren asked, observing the three men lost in their daydreams.
• Morgan immediately averted his gaze and said to Warren, "Enough, stop it!"
• "Alright, alright. You guys stay here and watch. I'll take action!" Warren declared.
• Without caring about the frozen expressions on the faces of the three men, Warren walked confidently towards Felicia and Deputy Director Hudson.
• "Director Lindolf!" Deputy Director Hudson greeted Warren warmly, stepping forward to welcome him as he approached.
• Felicia followed Deputy Director Hudson and naturally joined him in welcoming Warren.
• "Deputy Director Hudson, it's been a while!" Warren greeted with a small smile, nodding in acknowledgment to Felicia.
• "Mr. Lindolf, it's an honor that you still remember me!" Deputy Director Hudson replied politely, smiling as much as possible. He engaged in a conversation with Warren.
• "Oh, when will Director Tsundere finish his busy schedule? I'd like to get to know him better!" Warren chuckled. Initially, he had wanted to invite Alexander to work with Tsundere Family Company. However, with the recent change in the company's management, Warren planned to observe and assess Jackson's capabilities as the newly appointed general manager. After all, the investment he and Alexander were considering was substantial.
• Deputy Director Hudson explained, "Director Tsundere went to England to receive a prestigious garment design award. However, he received news of his teacher falling ill, so he postponed his return."
• Warren replied, "No need to worry. We have plenty of time ahead of us. Our companies are planning to collaborate on several projects. I'm sure we'll have the opportunity to meet in the future."
• Warren patted Deputy Director Hudson on the shoulder after their conversation and turned his attention to Felicia.
• Looking into Felicia's beautiful eyes, Warren asked, "And who might this lady be..."
• "Hello, Director Lindolf, I am Fellis Andy, a clothing designer for the Tsundere Family Garment Company," said Fellis, introducing herself with a smile at Warren.
• Warren muttered Fellis's name, repeating it to himself, then smiled in a manner befitting a wealthy individual approaching him. Fellis was well aware of what Warren's smile implied, but she did not respond or refuse. Instead, she simply smiled faintly.
• "Warren!" Joseph called, quickly approaching Warren's side. He looked at Fellis and then said to Warren, "There is something I need to tell you."
• Warren asked Joseph, "What is it that you need to say right now?" With a gesture of his eyes, he conveyed the rest of his sentence: Why now, when I am flirting with this beautiful woman?
• In that very moment, Fellis noticed Joseph and wondered, "Isn't he Alexander's good friend? Why is he with Warren Lindolf?"
• However, Fellis quickly changed her mind. In the business world, such incidents are common. For example, even yesterday, someone could be a stranger, but today they could be a friend. There was no need to dwell on it. As long as he and Alexander did not cause any trouble for her, that would be ideal.
• "Since Director Lindolf has something to attend to, I will not bother you any longer," Fellis said to Warren with a polite smile.
• "Alright, we can talk another time," Warren reluctantly replied, continuing to gaze at Fellis until she left.
• Once Fellis had walked away, Warren immediately grumbled, "Bitch, tell me, what is the matter?"
• "Actually, about that woman just now..." Joseph began, unable to continue. If Warren pursued other women, it wouldn't be an issue, but considering that Fellis was married to Alexander, if there was any connection between them, it would make things very awkward for Alexander.
• "Fuck me!"
• When Joseph couldn't find the right words to explain the relationship between Fellis and Alexander, Alexander and Morgan approached them.
• "Alexander, it's..."
• "Bro, there is no need to say anything more," Alexander interrupted, understanding what Joseph wanted to convey. He didn't want to have to explain himself again because of this.
• "What is there to say? Did something really happen?" Warren asked, furrowing his brow.
• Morgan and Joseph saw that Alexander did not wish to discuss it further, so they remained silent.
• "Bruhhh, you clearly wanted to say something to me earlier, but now you are silent. What is actually going on?" Warren questioned Joseph, pondering to himself.
• Suddenly, Warren looked at Joseph with a puzzled expression and exclaimed, "How... how..."
• Joseph, Morgan, and Alexander were taken aback. Why was Warren reacting like this? Did he already know about the relationship between Alexander and Fellis?
• "When did you start liking that woman from earlier?!" Warren guessed, shaking his head in disbelief.
• Upon hearing this, Joseph held back his laughter for a moment, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Yes, it's true. I do like that girl!"
• If this could diminish Warren's interest in Fellis and alleviate Alexander's discomfort, then it wasn't a bad approach.
• "Alright then, I will bear this heartache!" Warren said, pretending to clutch his chest in pain. He looked at Joseph with sparkling eyes and continued, "Bro, based on my experience with women over the years, I believe that woman is of high quality. Now that I am giving in to you, you must treat her with respect, okay!"
• "Just go away!" Joseph snapped, rolling his eyes. Morgan, who was usually quiet, couldn't help but smirk.
• "Ah, so Morgan, you can smile after all! It's truly a rare sight!" Warren joked, and Joseph and Morgan couldn't help but laugh along.
• Only Alexander remained lost in his thoughts as he watched Fellis walk away.
• ******
• On an endless road, with only a few street lamps emitting intermittent light on either side, it was past midnight. Cars passed by frequently, and the dim light made Fellis feel uneasy. The cold northern wind rustled her white coat as she tightened her shirt collar and quickened her pace towards her small apartment.
• On the long, empty street, the only sound that remained was the echo of her red high heels hitting the ground.
• Fellis opened the door to her apartment and, out of habit, reached for the light switch. However, with a crisp "click," the room remained pitch black. She suddenly remembered that the electricity had been cut off because she hadn't paid the rent.
• Oh, she had forgotten to pay the rent again!
• But this time, Fellis couldn't pay immediately because she was currently unemployed.
• Fellis chuckled to herself, took off her worn-out coat, and hung it on the wall.
• "Fellis, during your internship, your work was excellent. However, your design style did not align with the expectations of the company. I'm sorry, but you were not accepted," the words echoed in Fellis's mind. She couldn't believe it. She had been transferred from Southampton to Houston by the central company, and now, after meeting Alexander at the party, she had lost her job!
• Fellis slammed the design draft onto the table, illuminated only by the dim lamplight. She stared at the design with a cold gaze. This was the clothing model for the Tsundere Family Garment Company, and it was the result of extensive research and nearly a month of sleepless nights spent drawing design plans. How could it be deemed "unsuitable"? It was nonsense!
• How could this happen so suddenly?! Fellis wondered, but she couldn't find an answer. There had been no issues with her colleagues, and Deputy Director Hudson had been satisfied with her work. So why was she suddenly fired?
• Director Tsundere was still in England and had not returned yet, so Fellis had no opportunity to meet him and ask him directly about the reason for her dismissal.
• Fellis undressed and entered the bathroom, deep in thought about everything that had happened since she met Alexander. She had been fired, and it didn't stop there. Ever since losing her job at the Tsundere Family Garment Company, she had sent her CV to every garment company in Houston, but not a single one had hired her!
• Was Alexander truly pulling the strings behind the scenes?
• But she no longer had any relationship with Alexander, did she? Fellis gritted her teeth. Did Alexander have to push her to the brink like this before he would let go? All she wanted was to live well and take care of her son. It had nothing to do with Alexander!
• Fellis clenched her fists, feeling the pain as her nails dug into her palms. It brought her back to reality. The water hitting her body in the darkness was cold!
• The building owner had also turned off the hot water!
• Fellis quickly turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and dried herself. She put on her pajamas and poured herself a cup of hot water to warm her body. The money in her savings account probably wouldn't even cover Joy's school fees and living expenses this month. She didn't have any money left for medical treatment either.
• Fellis poured out the leftover hot water from the previous day and sipped the new cup slowly. With her other hand, she picked up a photo of her son, Joy, from the table, her eyes filled with love.
• Just then, Fellis's cellphone rang.