Redmption 256


    I couldn’t help but think, “Brandon and Xander?”


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    “The boss?”


    “Howell?”


    In an instant, a dozen thoughts shed through my mind.


    I had my suspicions about them before. I had even tried to test them out separately, but both denied


    any connection. Now, seeing them together, I couldn’t wall to see how they would exin this.


    “Brandon!” I called out.


    Both Brandon and Xander stopped and turned to look in my direction.


    I was crouched beside the fish pond, so it seemed like they didn’t spot me immediately. Xander


    nudged Brandon. “Who’s calling you? That voice sounded like…


    But he didn’t finish his sentence. Brandon had already started striding over.


    “This ce is dangerous,” he said, reaching out to me. I thought he was going to pull me up, so I


    extended my hand.


    But, to my surprise, his arm wrapped around me. I felt my body lift off the ground as he carried me


    away from the fish pond.


    “Aren’t you supposed to be having lunch? What are you doing over here?” Brandon asked as he set


    me down. He was sharp enough to realize this was a restaurant and that I hade here to eat.


    His sudden embrace threw my thoughts into disarray. It took me a few seconds toe back to my


    senses.


    I nced at him and then looked over to Xander, who was standing nearby with a gossipy smile on


    his face. “You and him… know each other?”


    “Yes,” Brandon replied without hesitation. Then, he added, “We just met.”


    Xander approached us with a knowing smile. “So… Mr. Crown’s boyfriend is you, Mr. Howell? That


    exins why you came to interview at my ce, saying you were referred by someone. Was it our


    dear Ms. Crown who introduced you?”


    That cleared up the reason why Brandon and Xander were together. It made sense. After all, I had


    already mentioned it to Brandon. But the speed at which he moved was astonishing.


    I looked at Brandon with a doubtful expression. He seemedpletely unbothered and lowered his


    voice slightly. He said, “Someone else has their eyes on my girlfriend, so it’s better if I stay close.”


    I was left speechless. Although Brandon’s voice was low, Xander seemed to have heard it anyway.


    He chuckled and said, “Ms. Crown, aren’t you going to wee your new colleague?”


    I thought, “So, Brandon got the job?”


    He was indeed qualified, but this seemed a bit too easy. It made me wonder if Xander was


    genuinely that impressed by him. Was he impressed enough to take him out to celebrate?


    Looking forward to working with you, Ms. Crown,” Brandon added, extending his hand to me.


    Seeing how serious he looked, I was about to shake his hand when Xander cut in, “With your


    rtionship, why shake hands? You two should be hugging.”


    Chapter 25c


    I was speechless.


    “Great idea!” Brandon agreed, then pulled me into his arms.


    “Perfect! Truly perfect.” Xander sighed from the side.


    Even though it was just a hug, and I had already established a rtionship with Brandon, I couldn’t


    help feeling a bit embarrassed.


    As I was about to pull away, I heard Jewel’s voice, low and forlorn. “Chris, I don’t know what to do.


    Tell me what can I do to make your mom like me?”


    “You don’t have to do anything…” Chris’s voice was cold and distant.


    “Why?” Jewel continued to ask.


    I already knew the answer. It was because Bree didn’t like Jewel as a person. No matter what she


    did, that wouldn’t change.


    However, Chris was giving her a bit of dignity and hadn’t made it so explicit.


    “Come on. Let me take you home,” Chris said.


    Jewel didn’t reply. I thought they were leaving, but then Chris spoke again. “Let’s go. Unless you


    n to go back and eat. Can you even manage that?”