Chapter 1737


    "Why it’s fine? They''re just trying to push you around."


    "It''s okay; let''s go grab a bite."


    Thepany had a dedicated staff cafeteria, and Felix led the way, carrying a lunch tray. Carol


    followed him, still pondering whether it was the coworkers or the department head giving him a hard


    time.


    Just as she was about to probe further, a mocking voice carried from ahead.


    "Isn''t that Felix? What''s up, buddy? Not dining with Ms. Miller today? Don''t tell me she dumped


    you?"


    "I heard he''s not exactly Ivy League material, right? Still, I wonder how he caught her eye."


    "Oh,e on, haven''t you seen his face? I heard Ms. Miller has a thing for pretty boys. But none of


    her guys everst long. Just curious how long our friend here will stay fresh."


    "Beauty fades, and love flies away, Felix. You''re just too green, man. Look at you, she''s not even


    here to dine with you today. You should make hay while the sun shines, grab what you can while


    she''s still got a bit of affection for you. Didn''t your boss make you sing the song ''Climbing the


    Ladder'' at the team dinner the other night? If that''s not a setup, I don''t know what is. Didn''t you go


    crying to Ms. Miller?"


    "Whyin? As if whining to Ms. Miller would make a difference. Looks like Mr. Miller’s not too


    keen on this son-inw."


    The two carried on their duet in front of Felix. But Felix acted as if he didn''t hear a thing, his face


    expressionless.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Carol, on the other hand, was fuming. She started to speak up, but before she could finish, Felix


    grabbed her hand, "Don''t get mad."


    Her chest heaved with frustration. How could she not be angry, especially when Felix hadn''t


    mentioned anything about the humiliating dinner! He''d been publicly embarrassed and then left to


    deal with a mountain of paperwork alone.


    She clenched her teeth, itching to march down to the department and give that sorry-ass manager a


    piece of her mind.


    As for the two gossipers in front of her, she had no intention of letting them off the hook. But as she


    was about to confront them, they had already scurried away, fearing her wrath.


    "Don''t hold me back; I want to fire them right now."


    Felix patted her head gently, "And then what? Everyone else will think I''m whispering sweet


    nothings in your ear, and the number of people against me will just multiply."


    "So, what do we do? Maybe we should go back to frencing like we used to."


    "Carol, I''m really okay."


    Carol felt terrible inside. She had thought that revealing her status would make their lives better


    than before.


    Taking a deep breath, she sat down and joined him for lunch.


    Periodically, people would pass by and snap photos. Carol could guess that these folks probably


    had a group chat where many from the department gossiped about the situation. As for Felix, being


    the outsider, he surely wasn''t part of that chat.


    She had never been subjected to such treatment before. At most, she had faced some awkward


    moments in the diner, but thepany crowd was much more biting and sarcastic.


    She looked at Felix, who seemed unfazed, quietly eating his meal. Carol’s feelings oscited


    between difort and sweetness.


    Resting her chin in her hands, she watched him eat and then asked, "Hey, aren''t you workingte


    again tonight? You haven''t been to the hospital to see your cousin in a while. Her temper, and she


    hasn''t given you an earful?"


    Felix''s grip on his cutlery paused, a flicker of something crossing his eyes too quickly for Carol to


    see.


    "She''s in recovery, busy following the doctor''s orders. No time for tantrums."


    Carol pursed her lips but let it slide.


    Once Felix finished eating, she linked her arm with his, "By the way, I''ve got a surprise for you


    tonight."


    Her surprises usually came with a naughty twist, a little spice between young lovers. She leaned in


    close, tiptoeing to whisper in his ear, "Leopard-print ears and a tail."


    Felix knew she was bold, but he hadn''t expected her to go that far. His cheeks blushed instantly.


    Carol delighted in his reaction, shing a yful grin, "Come home early, and I''ll show you."


    His breath hitched, and he instinctively pulled away.


    "Sure."


    "Aw, feeling shy?"


    Carol closed in again, clinging to his arm.


    "I''ve got to get to work; you should head out."


    Felix was eager to escape, not wanting to delve into anything deeper. Carol stopped teasing, her


    smile lingering, "Fine, just don''t forget what I told you."


    As Felix entered the elevator, he undid his top button. He had been medicating, and just recently,


    Nathan had given him a new bottle.


    Rubbing his temple, the weight in his eyes grew heavier. It had been nearly two months since he


    joined the Miller Group. He knew the ins and outs now. Perhaps it was time.