Chapter172ComeBacktoMe
Emeliehurriedfromthebackofthe gardentothehotel’satrium.Shefeltuneasy,butatthatmoment,sheheardthesoundoftheningfromthehotel.
Shetiltedherheadandwalkedintothehotel,wheresomeonewasyingpiano.Itwasmelodious.Everyoneppedtheirhandsastheywalkedpast,<b>and</b>theyeventookpictures.
Thepersonwasying<b>Für</b>Elise,whichwas<b>a</b>piecesheliked.
Backinhighschool,there<b>was</b>atimeshewenttotheseniorbuildingtofindwesley.Passingbythemusicroom,sheheardthispieceforthe<b>first</b><b>time</b>andwasinstantlycaptivated
However,shewasinahurrytofindWesley,soshedidn’tpayattentiontowhowasyingthepiano.
Now,shepushedthroughthecrowdtogetabetterlookatthepianist.There,shesawWilliamseatedatthepianobench
Emeliewasspeechless.
Heseemedtobeinadifferentmood,yingthepianoinpublicwitheyeshalf–closed,hishesshadinghisgaze.
Hisdemeanorwasunlikebisusulootself.Hisslenderfingersdancedacrossthekeys,weavingtogethersmoothmelodies.
Emeliehaltedforamoment,thenturnedto<b>leave</b>.Ifitwashim,shewouldn’thavebeeninthemoodtolistentohimy.
However,Williamhadalreadyseenher.“Emelieehere,”hecalledouttoher,
Shouldshegoover?Emeliespokesoftly,“Excuseme,couldyouletmethrough?”
Thecrowdmadewayforher.Shewantedto<b>leave</b>,butWilliamsaid,“It’saboutwork”
Emeliedidn’tknowwhattosay.Theywereinpublic,sohecouldn’tdoanythingtoher.Sheparsedher<b>lips</b>andturnedtowardhim.“Mr.Middleton,what’sthematter?”Williamsstoppedyingthepiano.Astheonlookersnoticedhimstopping,theygraduallydispersed.
Inasubduedtone,williamsaid,“Mrs.ParkerwenttoCapebattCitythedaybeforeyesterday.Bryanseizedtheopportunitytoinviteherto<b>dinner</b>.
“Duringthe<b>meal</b>,theydiscussedsomething.Asaresult,SwansonCorporation’sstake inthisprojectsuddenlyincreasedfrom20to35 percent,onparwithCloudexCorporation.”Emelleremainedimpassive.“Isee.”
“Mrs.Parker’sItinerarywaskeptconfidential.TheonlytimesheidentallyrevealeditwasduringourconversationthedaybeforeyesterdaywhenshecasuallymentionedthatshewasgoingtoCapebattCityContent rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.
“Shealsomentionedbeingdissatisfiedwithcertainaspectsoftheproject.Youwerepresentatthetimeaswell.”
Williamcontinued,“Youdiscreetlytooknote<b>of</b>itandtheninformedBryan,allowinghimtotaketheleadandimpressMrs.Parker,therebyincreasingSwansonCorporation’sstake,correct?
William’sstatementwasn’taquestion–Itwasa certainty,
Emelieremainednomittal“Ifthat’showyouseeit,thenIcan’tdoanythingaboutit.”
Seatedonthepianobench,Williamdidn’tstandup.Heliftedhisheadslightlytolookather,thecrystallightsinthehotellobbycastinghisfaceinanunyieldingyetundeniablyhandsomelight.
“Afterachievingsuchasignificantfear,SwansonCorporation’soffermust<b>have</b>beenextendedtoyou<b>,</b>right?”heremarked.
Emeliesmirked,casuallytappingthepianokeys.“Ididindeedreceiveaneweminmyinboxthisafternoon.”
William’sexpressionwasinscrutable,“You’requitecunning.”
*Afterlearningfrompastexperiencesandbenefitingfrom youradviceonnumerousasions,couldn’tremainoblivious,Mr.Middleton,”Emeliesaid.
Shecontinued,“Giventhecurrentsituation<b>,</b>itseemsyoucan’tkickSwansonCorporationoutofthegameanymore.Meanwhile,I’vesecuredmyjob.Youcan’tkeepmeunemployedanymore<b>.</b>”
Herfirststeptowardprotectingherselfwassessful.
Emelieforcedafalsesmile.“Ifthere’snothingurgent,Mr.Middleton,I’llretiretomyroomforrest.There’sworktobedomorrow.”
Shetookacoupleofsteps,butthesoundofthepianoresumedbehindher.Thistime,itwasslowandmelodious,devoidofanyemotion,muchlikehisvoice.“Emelieebacktome,”Williamsaid.
“Whatdid
yousay
Emeledoubtedifshemisbeardamidstthe ne’s melodyandturnedtolookathim.”
saidebacktome,”Williamreplied,hiseyeshalf–closedashisfingersdancedacrosstheckandwhitekeys.“Anyconditionsyouset,Icanmeetthem
”
SpintoimYourSurpriseReward