Free Web NovelChapter 48: Chapter 48: Let’s Go Eat First
The next morning, Anne Sutton was still in bed.
She was sleeping soundly when the man beside her suddenly gave her a nudge. "Your phone’s ringing."
With her eyes still closed, Anne Sutton groggily fumbled for her phone and answered. It was her father, Mr. Sutton. "Your mother and I will be over in a bit."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Anne Sutton remembered that her lunch with Chairman Fawcett was scheduled for noon. She had slept in so late.
She glanced at Nathan Fawcett. He’d been woken up and looked thoroughly annoyed.
"I’m going to get up now," she said.
Nathan Fawcett just grunted, not saying a word. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Anne Sutton got out of bed, quickly freshened up, and then went downstairs to meet them at the entrance.
Although she and Charles Prescott had been engaged for several years, her parents had rarely visited the Fawcett estate. They would either meet elsewhere, or Charles would occasionally visit the Suttons at their home.
After all, his family had never been enthusiastic about the engagement.
And Chairman Fawcett couldn’t have cared less about such formalities.
As Anne Sutton walked out the door, she saw Charles Prescott’s car pull up to the entrance of the main building. He and Mia Shaw got out together.
Anne Sutton knew Mia Shaw. She had been Charles Prescott’s fiancée for a time, though Anne hadn’t seen much of her lately.
Mia Shaw and Charles Prescott were together, and they looked quite close.
’There’s no way he only has one woman, especially with Sylvia Warren pregnant right now.’
’It would be stranger if Charles didn’t have a woman on the side!’
She saw them but didn’t say a word.
The biggest relief after breaking up with Charles Prescott was that seeing him with other women no longer made her sad.
Charles Prescott’s eyes followed Anne Sutton’s retreating figure. She had an excellent physique. Even though she was just at home and dressed simply, for some reason, he couldn’t help but stare after her a moment longer.
Mia Shaw looked over at Charles Prescott and saw him staring blankly after another woman. "I’m right here beside you, and you’re already ogling someone else," she said. "You’ll hurt my feelings."
Charles Prescott glanced at Mia Shaw. "Let’s go in," he said.
...
Anne Sutton met her parents at the gate. Sean Sutton looked at her and asked, "Should we go say hello to Nathan Fawcett first?"
"There’s no need," said Anne Sutton. "He’s not feeling well and is resting right now."
"I’m just worried he’ll be angry if we don’t," Sean Sutton said. He was somewhat intimidated by Nathan Fawcett now.
Anne Sutton looked at her father. "Don’t worry, he won’t be. Let’s go see the chairman first."
’Nathan likes his peace and quiet,’ she thought. ’He probably won’t show up until it’s time to eat. Taking my parents to see him now would only annoy him.’
Mrs. Sutton walked beside her husband, holding his arm as they headed inside.
Anne Sutton went in with them.
When Chairman Fawcett saw Sean Sutton, his wife, and Anne, he greeted them warmly. "You’re here! Mr. Sutton, come on over. I’ve been waiting for you."
Never in his life had Chairman Fawcett treated him with such warmth, and Sean Sutton felt extremely honored.
After all, in the past, even Charles Prescott—someone he wouldn’t dare offend—could be dismissive toward him.
He walked over and sat down.
Chairman Fawcett looked at Anne. "Anne, you sit down too. Is Nathan not up yet?"
"He’s still asleep."
The chairman said, "He’s not well, so let him sleep in. We can call him when it’s time to eat."
Just after they had exchanged pleasantries, Charles Prescott walked over.
Mia Shaw was at his side. They weren’t holding hands, but they still looked very close.
Seeing Anne, Mia Shaw said, "It’s been a while, Ms. Sutton."
’That’s what Mia Shaw used to call me back when she was with Charles,’ Anne recalled. ’She was so young then, not like now. She looks so mature and capable now.’
Seeing Mia Shaw, Chairman Fawcett turned to Charles Prescott and asked, "And this is...?"
Charles Prescott made the introduction. "This is Mia Shaw, the vice president of SR Group. She’s here to discuss business and also wanted to meet you, so I brought her along."
Then, he looked at Sean Sutton. "I trust President Sutton doesn’t mind?"
How could Sean Sutton dare object? "Of course not."
They then began discussing business collaborations.
The Fawcett Group primarily manufactured automobiles, which was outside Anne Sutton’s field of expertise, so she didn’t understand much of the conversation.
She listened for a bit, grew bored, and went to see about getting lunch ready for Nathan Fawcett.
...
When it was almost time for lunch, Anne Sutton sent a message to the butler, who managed to drag Nathan Fawcett over.
Nathan Fawcett had just woken up and was wearing a loose shirt, looking languid and lethargic.
Even though he’d slept the whole night, he had heavy dark circles under his eyes, making him look as if he hadn’t rested at all.
He walked in and sat down off to the side. The previously pleasant conversation immediately cooled.
Chairman Fawcett looked at him. "Nathan, this is your father-in-law and mother-in-law. Since Anne is pregnant now, I thought I’d invite them over for a meal. We can have a lively time and treat it as a small celebration."
Nathan Fawcett glanced over but didn’t offer a greeting.
Mr. Sutton quickly said, "It’s fine, it’s fine. We’re all acquainted. We’ve already met Nathan."
Nathan Fawcett’s gaze fell on Mia Shaw, who was next to Charles Prescott. He directed his question to Charles, "What’s the special occasion? What’s the meaning of you bringing a woman home today?"
Chairman Fawcett had arranged this meal specifically for Anne’s family. Charles Prescott was clearly trying to stir up trouble.
Charles Prescott replied, "Uncle, you’ve misunderstood. Mia is from SR Group. She wanted to meet the chairman, so I brought her along."
"That’s right, Nathan, you’ve misunderstood!" the chairman chimed in. "They’re just business associates, and she’s a friend of Charles’s."
"A friend?" Nathan said. "You mean a friend you sleep with?"
Hearing Nathan Fawcett’s words, Mia Shaw’s expression stiffened.
Charles Prescott, sitting nearby, also looked furious.
"How can you say such a thing?" Chairman Fawcett scolded. "Charles is managing the company’s affairs now. It’s not easy for him. He has to entertain clients and network every day."
’The company really can’t afford to lose Charles right now.’
’Besides...’
’He’ll probably need Charles to manage things in the future, too.’
’After all, he was getting on in years, and lately, he felt his energy failing him more and more.’
’Charles is a capable man. His thinking is very progressive—he’s much more impressive than his own father was.’
Nathan Fawcett looked at the chairman and said, "Shut up."
Mrs. Sutton sat on the side, watching. Seeing how Nathan didn’t even show his own father any respect, she grew even more frightened.
Mia Shaw sized up Nathan Fawcett, thinking, ’I can’t believe Anne Sutton would pass on a perfectly good man like Charles Prescott to marry someone like this.’
The servants had already prepared the meal. Afraid Nathan would lose his temper and make the scene unbearably awkward, Chairman Fawcett said, "Alright, alright, let’s go eat."
