Chapter 614 Engagement


    That feeling was different from being with Covi. Annabelle could feel rxed when she spends time


    with Covi. Their friendship made her happy and rxed. As for Esther Ji…


    She looked at Esther Ji and didn’t say anything. She simply smiled and continued to eat.


    Esther Ji had good EQ. Just her first day and she managed to get into a good rtionship with


    everyone in the department.


    Annabelle was only one that was uninterested in her.


    In the afternoon, Annabelle went to the pantry for her coffee. There weren’t many people at that time


    and Annabelle was pouring herself a drink. All of a sudden, Esther Ji walked inside.


    When the woman saw Annabelle, she walked forward, "Miss Xia, what a coincidence!"


    When Annabelle heard that, she turned her head back and looked at her with a smile, "Ie here


    around this time almost every day!"


    "Oh, I see!"


    "What are you drinking?"


    "Just coffee!" Esther Ji answered.


    Annabelle nodded and said no more.


    At that time, Esther Ji walked over and made herself a cup of coffee. She held it on her hand and


    showed no intention to leave, "Miss Xia, I heard that you have been together with president Mu for a


    long time!"


    Annabelle hadn’t expected Esther Ji to ask that suddenly. She looked at her and nodded, "Yeah."


    "I heard that the two of you were married before but got separated after that?" Esther Ji continued to


    ask.


    Annabelle was holding her cup. When she heard Esther Ji, her lips curled up, "I think all of those were


    in the news!"


    "And so, are those from the news real?" Esther Ji asked.


    Although Annabelle was irritated, she nodded.


    "Then… Why did the two of you separate?" Esther Ji continued to ask.


    When Annabelle heard that, her eyebrows lowered faintly and she tensed her chin. She looked back at


    Esther Ji and said, "… That is my privacy!"


    Esther Ji’s expression changed and she said awkwardly, "Sorry about that, Miss Xia. I was just asking


    in curiosity. Are you angry?" Esther Ji looked at Annabelle and asked.


    Annabelle stared at the woman. She didn’t know if she was doing it on purpose or pretending.


    However, she made Annabelle felt ufortable.


    She smiled and said, "Not to that extent. But I do mind about that. Miss Ji, you just joined thepany


    and you should focus your attention in work!" Annabelle said. The woman exuded a strong aura and


    Esther Ji felt intimidated.


    "I will!"


    Annabelle nced at her. She said no more and walked out directly.


    After she left, Esther Ji raised her eyes and stared at Annabelle’s back view. The woman seemed to be


    plotting something…


    There were plenty of spections about how Esther Ji joined thepany.


    There were even those that imed she came in via special favor and Alistair was the one that backed


    her up. Others said that she had some sort of rtionship with Alistair and that was her ticket to join the


    Esther Ji was simply ignorant towards the gossips. Even if others asked her, she simply smiled back


    and made no rifications. She seemed to be enjoying the gossips.


    One day, when Annabelle and Covi were walking upstairs, they heard a few female colleagues


    gossiping together.


    "Esther Ji, I heard that you entered thepany because you have a special rtionship with


    president Mu! Is that true? What is your rtionship with president Mu?" The colleagues asked


    curiously. When they looked at Esther Ji’s expression, they felt that she was definitely rted to


    president Mu.


    The small group of women gathered around and gossiped.


    Esther Ji did not answer. However, the smile on her face was suggestive and it could easily cause


    misunderstandings.


    When Covi and Annabelle observed Esther Ji’s expression from nearby, Covi frowned.


    Annabelle simply ignored her and walked over. At that time, the crowd noticed Covi and Annabelle. But


    the moment Esther Ji saw Annabelle, she hurriedly said, "You guys should cut it out. I do not have any


    rtionship with president Mu… Don’t forget that president Mu is already engaged with Miss Xia!"


    Esther Ji said.


    The woman was quick to change her expression and put on a pretense. However, Annabelle simply


    smiled and said nothing.


    Nobody could stop rumors in the office. And it was always the entertainment. Annabelle bet that the


    colleagues were just excited to see a fight breaking between her and Esther Ji.


    However, she didn’t mind at all.


    The reason Annabelle didn’t mind was because she trusted Alistair.


    That was an unconditional and inexplicable trust.


    Covi didn’t share the same feeling as Annabelle. She smiled and walked over. After she took a nce


    at Esther Ji, she said, "Exactly, president Mu is engaged with Annabelle and they will be marrying soon.


    You guys know how well president Mu treats Annabelle, if he were to find out that the group of you are


    gossiping about this, you might bring trouble to yourself. Miss Ji, right?"


    Covi’s words were filled with scorn and ridicule. Esther Ji was awkward and her face turned pale.


    However, she continued to smile and nodded, "Of course!"


    The few colleagues looked at Covi. They knew that she was close with Annabelle and they didn’t dare


    to say much. And so, the crowd dispersed unhappily.


    Annabelle simply sat in her own seat, as if whatever happened had nothing to do with her.


    At that time, Covi and Esther Ji exchanged a look.


    Esther Ji looked at Annabelle and approached her, "Miss Xia, are you misunderstanding me? There is


    nothing between me and president Mu!"


    When Annabelle heard that unnecessary exnation, she raised her eyes and looked at her. The


    woman’s lips curled up as she said, "You don’t have to exin it to me. I know very well what kind of


    person president Mu is."


    Esther Ji’s expression changed slightly and she replied right away, "Yeah, I believe president Mu loves


    you deeply!"


    When Annabelle heard her, she simply smiled and said no more.


    After all, Esther Ji was carrying herself humbly. If Annabelle were to rebuke her, she would seem


    unreasonable.


    At that time, outside Alistair’s office.


    The secretary was asking Jack.


    "Jack, I heard that the neer came in because of president Mu. What kind of rtionship does she


    have with president Mu?" The secretary asked curiously.


    When Jack heard that, he frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about?"


    "Everyone is talking about that now. The entirepany was guessing her rtionship with president


    Mu. You were always together with president Mu and so you must know something we don’t. So what


    is their rtionship?" The secretary asked curiously.


    Jack frowned. The man just found out how bad the gossip was.


    Jack pondered for a while and looked at the secretary, "Those from outside may not know the truth, but


    what about you? You should know boss’ feelings towards Miss Xia. You better don’t run your mouth like


    that again. If boss were to get angry, I can’t save you!"


    After hearing that, the secretary raised her eyebrows.


    "Give me the documents, I will deliver it to him!"


    The secretary hurriedly handed the documents over. Jack took it and walked inside the office.


    Alistair was working. When Jack walked inside, he lowered the documents on the table.


    "Sir, these are the documents for the project." Jack put them down.


    Alistair nced over and nodded. Then, he went back to work.


    Before Jack went out, he looked at Alistair and decided to speak, "Sir…"


    Alistair raised his head. When he saw that Jack was trying to talk to him, he asked, "What’s up?"


    "Why do you let that Esther Ji work here?" Jack asked curiously.


    When Alistair heard that, his eyebrows lowered faintly. The man stared at his assistant and asked,


    "What’s the problem with that?"


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    Jack pondered for a while and approached him, "Sir, we have rumors in thepany, saying that


    Esther Ji entered thepany because of you!" Jack said.


    Alistair nodded, "That was the truth, what’s wrong with it?"


    What’s wrong with it?


    Jack moved closer again and said, "Not just that, sir. Some of them were saying that you have a


    special rtionship with Esther Ji…"


    Alistair frowned.


    "Even if you arepletely innocent, you should consider about Miss Xia’s feelings. Try to think about


    it, if she were to hear that, what will she think?" Jack said.


    Alistair pondered for a while and raised his face to look at Jack, "Do you think she will behave like


    others?"


    "What?"


    Alistair’s lips curled up, "How I hope she would be jealous!"


    Jack blinked his eyes. He didn’t know what was running in his boss’ mind.


    "But those rumors…"


    "I will see to it!" Alistair said.


    After Jack heard that, he nodded, "Okay, I understand. I shall get out first."


    Alistair nodded and Jack walked out.


    The man had asked the questions but he got no answer.


    What was sir thinking?


    And in the afternoon that, he got his answer.


    When it was about time to leave work, Alistair went to the design department.


    After Annabelle Alistair got together, they would always appear together publicly. However, Alistair


    would rarely visit the design department. Now that he came over, he caused a furore.


    The man walked directly towards Annabelle and asked, "Miss Xia, can I invite you for a meal?"


    Annabelle was still working. When she heard the question, she raised her head. The moment she saw


    that it was Alistair, she was stunned. After that, she answered, "I still have a few minutes left, talk to


    youter!"


    "Okay, I’ll wait for you!"


    And so, there was that weird scene in the office.


    Annabelle sat on her desk and worked seriously. Alistair was wearing his windbreaker and waited


    quietly by her side.


    Everyone knew that Alistair pampered Annabelle. But ever since their engagement, that was the first


    time the office workers saw how their president treated his fiancée…


    The colleagues were just envious as they watched her.


    that was just a dreame true for every woman.


    As Jack walked past the department and saw what happened, he finally caught on. So the boss was


    nning that…


    As expected from his boss, he always had his ways to handle any situation.


    At that time, Annabelle finally finished her work and she closed up her documents.


    "Done?" Alistair asked.


    Annabelle nodded.


    And Alistair asked again, "Can we go eat now?"


    Annabelle nodded, "Sure!"


    And so, the couple walked out. Alistair stretched out his hand and hugged Annabelle. The couple left


    under the crowd’s gazes of admiration.


    Annabelle had never been so high profile. She was also stunned when Alistair came to look for her.


    But now that the two of them were together, Annabelle had no intention to hide. Moreover, she should


    enjoy Alistair’s affection.


    As the colleagues watched them leaving, they felt their hearts were melted in love. They couldn’t help


    but feel remorse that they couldn’t secure a loving man like president Mu!


    Esther Ji stood there and stared at Annabelle and Alistair’s back view. She gripped hard on the


    documents she was holding.


    From the beginning till the end, Alistair did not speak to her. The man didn’t even cast a nce towards


    her. Alistair wanted to use this way to tell everyone that they don’t have any rtionship at all.


    Esther Ji stood there and had an upset expression. However, she didn’t say anything and simply left


    after tidying her stuffs.


    Outside.


    Annabelle and Alistair got into the car.


    After Annabelle fastened her seatbelt, she looked at Alistair and said, "President Mu, aren’t you doing it


    too deliberately?"


    "Why? Is there a problem to find my wife for dinner?" Alistair raised an eyebrow and asked.


    "You know I wasn’t referring to that!" Annabelle said.


    When Alistair heard that, he looked at her and asked, "Why? You don’t like it?"


    "Oh, not that."


    "Then there wouldn’t be a problem!" Alistair stretched out his hand and pinched Annabelle’s cheek


    softly, "No matter what I was trying to do and what consequences it may bring, the most important thing


    is that I can enjoy a good time with you, and I can be with you publicly!"


    When Annabelle heard that, she smiled as well. She had to admit that Alistair was good in coaxing her.


    She had never doubted the man. However, after Alistair did that, she did feel much better.


    "I enjoyed it too!"


    Alistair smiled. The man caressed her face and started the car.


    "Miss Xia, what do you want to eat?"


    "Anything!"


    "We have everything here aside from ‘anything’!"


    "Then, what do you want to eat?" Annabelle asked.


    The woman swore that it was the most innocent question. She wasn’t hinting anything at all.


    Alistair tilted his head and grinned at her, "I want to eat you…"


    Annabelle, "……"


    The woman simply looked to the front and ignored him.


    She shouldn’t have asked that in the first ce!


    When Alistair saw that Annabelle kept quiet, he grinned ribaldly…


    The next day.


    The president of Xia Group announced his engagement with the daughter of the An Group. That news


    shocked the people.


    A city has had quite the news this year.


    All kinds of everything. It was mostly Alistair’s scandals previously. But now, it was just everything else.


    The ce was truly lively.


    When Annabelle saw the news, she was shocked.


    Engagement?


    When they were having dinner together previously, she had a hunch. However, she didn’t expect to see


    it happening so soon.


    That progress…


    It couldn’t help but make others wonder if anything had happened.


    "How can I know nothing about my brother’s engagement?" Annabelle said.


    "Probably it was ast-minute decision and they didn’t have time to tell you." Alistair said. When he saw


    the news, his expression suggested that he had long anticipated it. He wasn’t the least bit surprised by


    it.


    Annabelle nodded. Maybe it was the case. She pondered for a while and said, "Alistair, I wish to go


    backter!"


    "Let me bring you!"


    "There’s no need, you have so many works pending in the office, I can just go over myself." Annabelle


    said.


    "Let me get someone to send you over." Alistair said.


    "There’s no need, I can manage by myself." Annabelle replied.


    Alistair pondered for a while and did not persist, "Alright, I will pick you up in the night."


    "Ok!"


    After the discussion, the two separated.


    In the Xia household.


    Annabelle looked at Waynie, "Mum, what happened?"


    "Nothing at all, why are you asking like that?"


    "Brother is getting engaged, why didn’t I know anything!?" Annabelle asked.


    When is Waynie heard that, she chortled, "Your father discussed it over the phone with the president of


    An Groupst night and made the decision. I didn’t have the time to tell you that!"


    Annabelle’s eyebrows furrowed, "Mom, did anything happen to thepany?" Annabelle asked.


    Just like her previous political marriage with the Mu family, such marriages were mostly motivated by


    family interests. And in their case, the interest of theirpany.


    When Annabelle mentioned that, Waynie’s expression changed, "No, not at all!"


    "Really?"


    Waynie nodded.


    "Mum, I am also one part of the family. If anything happens, please don’t hide it from me!" Annabelle


    looked at Waynie and said.


    Waynie looked at Annabelle. After contemting for a while, she said, "It wasn’t much of a problem.


    Remember your brother’s scandal that time? Because of that woman, the share prices in thepany


    were unstable. And the board of directors felt that your brother was too young and he couldn’t carry the


    role of the president. They were trying everything to take out your brother!"


    "And so, the political marriage with An Group?"


    "It isn’t really a political marriage. Renee was a good match with your brother. He agreed to it as well!"


    Waynie said. The mother was satisfied with Renee An.


    Renee An was the perfect daughter inw for her.


    Gentle, elegant and came from esteemed background.


    Nobody could dislike such an upbringing.


    Annabelle frowned. Although she didn’t dislike Renee, she didn’t feel that her brother likes that woman.


    However, to be born in families like that, their marriages were often times decided. Whenever anything


    happens to thepany, they would be the tool for political marriages.


    She thought that after she did it, the Xia family could avoid such practices in the future. But she was


    wrong…


    "Mom, was brother doing that willingly?" Annabelle asked.


    When Waynie heard that, she sighed, "Annabelle, maybe you would think that your mother and father


    are cruel for doing that. But for a person born in families like us, one would need to shoulder his


    responsibilities. We were regretful with what happened between you and Alistair a few years ago.


    However, now that we see how happy you are with Alistair, we are truly restful and joyous!"


    "As for your brother… He will be happy as well. It is obvious that Renee likes your brother very much!"


    Waynie said.


    Annabelle looked at Waynie. The mother had never discussed about such matters with her. There were


    times that Annabelle felt the treatment were unfair. But now that she pondered about it, she knew that


    her mother was in a tight spot as well.


    She nodded, "I understand now, mum!"


    Waynie smiled.


    At that time, Ralphy and Renee came out from outside.


    The moment they walked in and saw Annabelle, Ralphy’s pupil dted.


    Waynie got up and looked at Renee from behind her son. She walked forward and smiled, "Renee, you


    came!"


    "Hello, auntie!" Renee greeted her politely.


    "Great, hurry and get seated. Annabelle heard about your engagement and she came back as well.


    You guys should talk first, I will go cut some fruits!" After saying that, Waynie led Renee to the living


    room.


    Ralphy followed as well.


    "Brother!"


    "Why are you visiting so suddenly?"


    "I saw the news about your engagement so I came home to check on you!" Annabelle said


    indifferently.