Chapter 736 Going Bald
“Oh, no. I told you, I want to be friends with you,” Isabella said with a smile after she recomposed herself. “I knew you were a magnanimous woman and that you wouldn’t hold it against a small secretary like me, Ms. Walker,” Linda said with a smile.
Linda looked as if she was unobservant, but in truth, she could tell that Oscar didn’t like Isabella. That was why she was playing dumb with Isabella so that she wouldn’t lose her job.
At that moment, the waiter served them their food. Linda diligently took some food from the dishes and put them on Isabella’s plate. “Ms. Walker, please have some. If you have any food that you’d like to give to Mr. Clinton, you can just bring it over to the secretary’s office. We’ll bring it into his office for you. However, we can’t guarantee if he’ll eat it.”
Isabella gave a Linda a meaningful look.
Linda was still eating happily, acting as if she didn’t see how Isabella was looking at her.
“I get why the other secretaries say you’re a carefree girl. However, I don’t think Oscar likes someone who is silly. How did you even replace your previous namesake?” Isabella asked in a hushed voice.
Linda almost choked on her food.
She coughed several times before she could control the pain from that.
“Perhaps Mr. Clinton likes that I’m a down-to-earth person. I don’t have any other abilities, so I try my best to carry out the tasks he instructed to the best of my ability.”
“No, Linda. I don’t think so. Instead, I think you’re pretty smart. You know what you should and shouldn’t say, and you’re tight-lipped. Sometimes, you’ll even play dumb. As long as you report whatever Oscar does to me, I’ll definitely reward you well. What do you think about a condominium unit with four bedrooms and three living rooms in Tayhaven? Some office workers can only afford it after working for half of their lives.” Isabella decided to stop feigning ignorance as she tried to tempt Linda with money.
Linda wasn’t tempted at all. On the contrary, she felt more bitter about the whole thing.
Linda let out a dry laugh. “Please don’t make such jokes, Ms. Walker. I’m just a little secretary. There’s no way I can interfere with what Mr. Clinton does.”
“What? Is a condominium with four bedrooms not big enough for you?”
“No. It’s just that I don’t dare to offend Mr. Clinton. With a word from him, I may not be able to stay in Tayhaven anymore. When the time comes, I don’t think I can even afford to stay in a bathroom, let alone a condominium. Please stop making such jokes with me, Ms. Walker.”
Isabella had on an amused expression as she looked at Linda. “I only wish to know about Oscar’s whereabouts. Look at you. You act as if I’m going to eat you.”
This is far worse than eating me.
Linda only dared to think about that instead of saying her thoughts out loud.
“You really love to joke around, Ms. Walker. How can I, a little secretary, expose Mr. Clinton’s whereabouts? Please don’t make things difficult for me, Ms. Walker.”
“So, are you turning me down?”
“No, no. I wouldn’t dare. It’s just… I’m not brave enough. It’s too difficult to land a good job nowadays.”
“I’ll let you work in Walker Group, and you’ll get the same salary as you have now.”
Do you think I’m dumb? Although Walker Group is a wealthy family, it can’t compare with Clinton Corporations. The benefits from Clinton Corporations are the best in the industry, especially the benefits of being Mr. Clinton’s secretary! Here, I have a higher chance of getting promoted! Who knows? I may even become the director of the sales department one day! There’s no way I’ll let go of such a good opportunity because of that insignificant monetary reward.
Linda couldn’t help cursing inwardly again.
However, she replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Walker, but I’m really not brave enough to do that. I’m really sorry that I can’t help you with that.”
Isabella’s expression darkened even more after Linda rejected her several times. Anyone who was in Isabella’s shoes would feel the same way.
The two of them didn’t have a good time during dinner.
“Let’s go,” Isabella said after she paid for the meal.
Linda followed Isabella out and handed her the bag. “Ms. Walker, your bag.”
“Take it. It’s just a gift for an ignorant dog. If I take it back, others may think that I’m snatching something from a dog.” After Isabella said that, she stormed off, got into her car, and left.
Linda scratched her nose. Phew, the plague’s finally gone.
Linda hailed a taxi and went home. Upon taking a shower, she called Amelia, who only picked up after a long while.
“Hello? Is this Mrs. Clinton? I’m Linda.”
“I know. I saved your number. Is something wrong since you’re calling at this hour?”
“No, Mrs. Clinton. It’s nothing serious. It’s just that you told me to call you if anyone bothers Mr. Clinton. Ms. Walker treated me to dinner and gave me expensive gifts because she wanted me to tell her about Mr. Clinton’s whereabouts. She has been preparing food for him and asked us not to let Mr. Clinton know it was from her. I’m afraid she’s trying to let him know how good she is by taking a step back. Please be careful, Mrs. Clinton,” Linda said.
“Thank you, Linda. I didn’t expect you to remember what I said since I was only joking about it last time.”
“Mrs. Clinton, you’re the perfect match for Mr. Clinton. That’s why I decided to tell you.”
“I know, Linda. Thank you so much for doing this. Once my mom’s condition is more stable, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mrs. Clinton. Take good care of Mrs. Hutton first. If anyone disturbs Mr. Clinton again, I’ll let you know. Well, I’d better not disturb you any longer.”
“Okay. Have a good rest. Bye.”
Amelia hung up the phone. Isabella is still not giving up even when Oscar’s being stern with her, huh? How shameless and ignorant can she be?
Eleanor was drinking her soup as she leaned against the head of the bed. When she saw Amelia’s expression, she asked, “What’s wrong? Who was that?”
Amelia came back to her senses and flashed a smile. “It’s just a friend. She helped me with some paperwork last time and asked me when I wished to get it from her. I was thinking about thanking her by treating her to a meal when I get the documents.”
“Is that so? You look a little distressed earlier. You must tell me if you face any difficulties, okay? I’m sick now, but I still have my connections,” Eleanor said as she looked at Amelia.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not in any trouble. If I really bump into any difficulty, Oscar will help me with it too. You just woke up, so you should focus on getting better. Don’t overstrain yourself.”
Eleanor nodded.
“Mom, what do you think of this soup? Do you like it?”
“The taste is still all right. It’s just that I haven’t had chicken nuggets for a long time. I’ve pretty much gotten used to plain foods.”
“I’ll make you chicken nuggets once you’ve recovered.”
“Lia, you’d better remember your promise. Once I get discharged from the hospital, you have to cook a lot of delicious foods for me, okay?”
“Okay. I’ll make them once you’ve fully recovered.”
After she finished her soup, Eleanor wanted to comb her hair by looking in a mirror. Amelia said, “Let me comb your hair for you, Mom. It’s been some time since we reunited, but I haven’t helped you comb your hair.”
“Okay.”
Amelia took a comb and gently combed Eleanor’s hair. However, with just one brush, she saw a lot of hair on the comb. Her heart ached when she saw Eleanor’s hair that had lost its color and fallen off so easily.
Amelia lifted her head slightly and forced her tears back.
She continued to brush Eleanor’s hair, but the latter’s hair continued to fall off. Seeing that Eleanor was going bald, Amelia couldn’t help feeling sad. Mom doesn’t have much hair left. If this goes on, Mom will become bald soon.
Eleanor turned over and saw how Amelia was looking at her hair in a daze. She said without any changes in her emotions, “Aw, my hair fall’s getting more serious now. I think I have to wear a cap soon. Lia, what color should I choose for my cap? I want one that suits me.”
Amelia swallowed the bitterness in her heart. She smiled and replied, “Mom, you’re pretty, so you’ll look good in anything.”
Eleanor smiled affectionately. “To be honest, I once wanted to shave my hair when I was young to see if it would suit me. But I wanted to be beautiful back then, so I didn’t do it. Unexpectedly, my disease has decided for me now that I’m older. When I’m bald, take a few pictures of me and help me post them on my Instagram, will you? I want to know if they like my bald look.”
“Mom, stop joking about it.”
Eleanor merely smiled.
Alas, when Amelia visited Eleanor the next day with Tony, Eleanor was already bald. Amelia was stunned, and Tony’s mouth was agape.
“Lia, Tony, you’re here! Come, come,” Eleanor said with a smile.
Amelia returned to her senses and walked over to Eleanor with Tony.
Eleanor bent slightly and said, “Tony, look at my shaven head. Do I look good?”
“Granny and Mommy look very similar. Even if you’re bald, you’re still pretty.” Tony beamed.
“Aww, my dear grandson, you’re really sweet! I really like you!”
Amelia merely looked at Benjamin, who was standing at the side with a grim expression, and asked, “Mr. Hutton, did you help Mom shave her head?”
“I asked your dad to shave it for me. I thought it’s better to become bald than to make your heart ache when you see so much of my hair falling off. It looks pretty good to me,” Eleanor said with a grin. However, she stopped smiling as much when she thought about something. She looked at Amelia and continued, “Lia, now that you’ve already acknowledged the Hutton family as your family, can you call him Dad? I know you don’t want him to introduce you to his friends in Saspiuburg, but can you do that at least? My heart aches when you call him Mr. Hutton.”
Amelia was stunned for a while.
Benjamin glanced at Amelia with mixed emotions. “You can call me Dad. Your mom isn’t feeling well, so don’t make her angry.”
Amelia let out a bitter chuckle. She knew that Eleanor was using her disease to force everyone to do as she said. No matter what everyone else thought, Eleanor hoped Amelia would acknowledge her own roots.
Amelia could understand Eleanor’s good intentions, but deep in her heart, she didn’t like what Eleanor was doing. In fact, she didn’t want to acknowledge the Hutton family, especially when Amelia Hutton still had feelings for Oscar. If she acknowledged the Hutton family, she would have to interact more with the Huttons, and everyone would feel embarrassed if anyone were to spread the word about the younger sister seducing her brother-in-law.
When she saw Eleanor’s expectant look and shaven head, she sighed secretly in resignation.
In the end, she couldn’t say anything to turn Eleanor down.
It didn’t matter to her if it was Eleanor’s wishful thinking. She knew Eleanor was doing it for her.
“Dad,” Amelia called out as she compromised.
Benjamin’s hand and muscles on his face twitched a little. “Good girl.”
Amelia nodded slightly.
They shared nothing in common. Perhaps it was because of Benjamin’s hostility toward her when he had spoken to her in Beshya the last time. Amelia knew how much he didn’t like her, so she didn’t plan to get close to him to make him hate her even more.
Eleanor was elated. She pulled Amelia’s hand and said, “Lia, you have to get along peacefully with your dad, okay? I’m the happiest person in the world now that you’ve returned to our family.”
Amelia forced a smile in agreement.
“Oh, how’s Carter and the girl?” Eleanor asked unexpectedly.
Amelia was surprised. “I’m not sure, Mom. Why do you ask?”
“I just had a sudden thought. Carter is an excellent guy. I don’t want him to have any regrets. You should call him when you’re free to see how he is. He’s pretty arrogant, so I’m afraid he’s rigid when it comes to relationships. You should remind him sometimes.”
“All right, Mom. Don’t worry too much. I’ll call him and ask how he’s doing when I’m free.”
Eleanor nodded and stopped talking about Carter.
