Chapter 175
I stared after Frederick, my expression turning grim.
I wondered if I should keep going.
Then a voice inside me told me to keep going. I had already started, after all–and there was no turning back now.
So, I looked straight into Mrs. Guzman’s eyes and said, “Don’t worry. Just like he said that day, I only see him as a brother. Unless I’m divorced, I won’t do anything inappropriate to him.”
Mrs. Guzman’s gaze flickered, as if she couldn’t quite tell whether I was agreeing or refusing.
“Then can you keep your distance from him in the future?”
I smiled. “We’re working on a project together. How exactly am I supposed to keep my distance?”
Her face fell, but she didn’t say anything.
Mr. Guzman looked like someone had just punched the living daylights out of him.
“Ms. Sawyer, I’ll release a public statement soon. I’ll say what happened at the birthday party was
just some childish joke.
“You and Frederick are both still in your twenties, so it’s not unusual for young people like you to act out a little. Jonathan may be young too, but he’s already a key figure in our circle. It’s not a good look for someone like him to be caught up in a mess like this.”
“And yet his scandal with Alicia is perfectly fine, huh?” I responded with a smile.
Mrs. Guzman frowned. She was clearly displeased, though she managed to keep it off her face. Someone of her social standing wouldn’t easily express their emotions, even if she was annoyed.
She quickly recomposed herself and said, “Elise, as a woman, I really do understand. But we’re not the kind of powerful businesswomen who dominate boardrooms, right? Men are out there fighting their battles, handling social affairs–and sometimes things just happen.
“It’s not that we should indulge them, but sometimes turning a blind eye helps keep the peace for everyone. Don’t you agree?”
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