Chapter 39
\nReturn Of The Real Heiress: Secrets And Masks novel Chapter 39<\/p>\n
Chapter 39<\/p>\n
Morris, clad in a sharp charcoal suit, exuded authority as he sat the helm of the conference table on the 88th floor of Chivers Group\u2019s skyscraper.<\/p>\n
His stern demeanor and well\u2013defined features exuded an air of gobility, as if he were a king poised to deliver a verdict.<\/p>\n
The room was filled with senior executives, each attempting to become inconspicuous, anxious about drawing the ire of the authoritative figure with any misstep or audible breath.<\/p>\n
Behind Morris, Steven, Leo, and Hugh huddled, their phones out, engaged in a discreet group chat.<\/p>\n
Steven: [Leo, any idea what\u2019s up with Mr. Chivers?]<\/p>\n
Leo: [No clue.]<\/p>\n
Hugh: [He left the office feeling great. Why the long face now?]<\/p>\n
Steven. [Didn\u2019t go well with his relationship?]<\/p>\n
Hugh: [Perhaps. But there are plenty of other fish in the sea. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s someone more attractive than Ms. Leach out there.]<\/p>\n
Leo: [Hugh, you clearly haven\u2019t seen Ms. Leach. She\u2019s out of this world.]<\/p>\n
Steven: [Really? I doubt it.]<\/p>\n
Leo: [Just wait until you see her. You might need something to catch your breath.]<\/p>\n
Steven: [Why\u2019s that?]<\/p>\n
Leo: [She\u2019s absolutely breathtaking.]<\/p>\n
Steven: [Fine.]<\/p>\n
The meeting was over in a flash, but it felt like hours with how on edge everyone was<\/p>\n
The room cleared, leaving Steven, Leo, and Hugh following Morris to his office.<\/p>\n
Once inside, Morris didn\u2019t waste time. He grabbed a cigarette from his desk drawer and put it to his lips.<\/p>\n
Steven was right there with a lighter, igniting the end of the cigarette.<\/p>\n
Standing by the large window, Morris looked out at the city lights as he smoked, his eyes distant, focused on the faint outline of Glenshire Gardens in the darkness.<\/p>\n
Without warning, Morris turned to face Steven, Leo, and Hugh, his movement making them all jump.<\/p>\n
Guys,\u201d Morris started, then hesitated, fumbling for the right words.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Mr. Chivers?\u201d Leo asked, his voice cautious.<\/p>\n
\u201cAm I coming off as too formal, or am I not the type that younger girls like?\u201d Morris finally asked.<\/p>\n
The group exchanged glances, their confusion clear. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d they asked in unison.<\/p>\n
Steven shook his head, disagreeing. \u201cMr. Chivers, you\u2019ve got it all wrong. The ladies at Betrico, from the youngest to the oldest, are totally into your charm\u201d<\/p>\n
08:33 Wed, Dec 4<\/p>\n
Chapter 30<\/p>\n
Leo chimed in, modding \u201cSteven\u2019s right. You\u2019re charming and handsome, Mr. Chivers. The ladies are dying to get closer to<\/p>\n
you<\/p>\n
Morris mulled over their reassurances. \u201cAlright, but what if a girl who used to call me by my first name now starts with the formal Mr Chivers? What gives with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
one between you two. Maybe she don\u2019t feel like<\/p>\n
Hugh leaned back, deep in thought. \u201cShe\u2019s probably trying to space you\u2019re close enough to be on a first\u2013name basis\u201d<\/p>\n
As Hugh finished, the room\u2019s mood, which had been lifting, took a dive back into heaviness.<\/p>\n
Leo was restless, his agitation palpable as he mentally called Hugh out for his obliviousness.<\/p>\n
With a newfound realization, he spoke up, \u201cMr. Chivers, Hugh\u2019s single, and he doesn\u2019t get the dating game as I do. These days, girls like to play hard to get. Maybe she\u2019s hinting for you to step up your game.\u201d<\/p>\n
He shot a conspiratorial glance at Steven and Hugh, winking. \u201cWhat do you think, guys?\u201d<\/p>\n
Steven and Hugh were left speechless, their heads shaking in unison, a clear sign of their confusion.<\/p>\n
Morris pondered Leo\u2019s words. \u201cCould be. She did ask me for a ride this morning, so maybe there\u2019s a grain of truth in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on. \u201cSo, any tricks to boost my charm? I mean, chicks dig the cool guys, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hugh chuckled, \u201cHit the oysters. My mom\u2019s always dropping hints that oysters are great for\u2026 ah, you know, the guys\u2018 health. Mout knows best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo had reached his limit, gesturing towards Hugh, \u201cSteven, can you silence him, please? Hugh, good food\u2019s just a part of it The real key is sleep, exercise, and a positive mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGot it. I\u2019m clocking out early today, heading home. You all can stay and work as late as you like,\u201d he said, his voice echoing through the office as he made his way to the door.<\/p>\n
With a teasing smile, Morris called out to Leo as he left, \u201cHey, Lee, you\u2019re also single, right? Just making sure.\u201d He didn\u2019t wait for an answer, just strolled away.<\/p>\n
Left behind, the other three slumped in their seats, their faces showing how tired they were.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-64","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/64","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}