Keeping the Wagner family on the hook?, Now, that was a shocker. But what really floored me was hearing Jeremy lump himself in with Ernest, saying

"we.

", Fanny was just as baffled, shooting me a look full of questions., I kept quiet, holding my breath, waiting for Ernest's response., There he stood, decked out in a tailor-made suit, his aura both striking and solitary, making him seem like a top-tier executive, while Jeremy looked more like an underling by comparison.,

"If it's too much trouble, make the call yourself,

" Ernest replied, his tone icy.,

"I'll seal the deal with them today then,

" Jeremy said, a trace of relief crossing his face, before he added,

"When are you free?

", Ernest frowned slightly,

"I'm booked solid for a while.

", Jeremy's face stiffened at the rejection, about to say more, but Ernest didn't give him the chance.

"I'm having dinner with my fiancée and friends. We'll talk later.

", With that, Ernest walked away, leaving Jeremy to raise his hand in a half-hearted gesture, eventually letting it fall in resignation., As they disappeared into the distance, Fanny nudged me.

"Jeremy's the heir to the Collins family, yet he acts so subordinate around Ernest.

", I felt the same way and it wasn't the first time.,

"Ernest is a tech whiz. These days, big companies really value talent. Maybe that's why they're treating him so well,

" I said, sounding like I was making a bad joke. Fanny chuckled.

"We've got plenty of people and talent. That can't be it.

", I was just as puzzled,

"So what's the deal?

", Fanny looked thoughtful before nudging me again,

"Do you think Ernest might be connected to the Collins family too?

", I paused, then remembered all the things about Ernest, and laughed dryly,

"I paid for Susie's surgery. Does that sound like someone from the Collins family to you?

"

"That's true, but...

" Fanny hesitated,

"He's a key figure. Even on his salary, he should be making a decent amount. It doesn't add up that he couldn't afford the surgery.

",

"I wondered about that too, but he, really didn't have it. Susie told me he's supported a lot of people. Probably donated most of what he earned,

" I explained, leading Eanny to snort in disbelief. ,

"Looks smart, but not so bright, huh?

" She was obviously mocking Ernest for his generosity., Doing good is fine, but you've got to secure your own livelihood first., I chuckled,

"Don't say that. He's probably doing it for Susie's good karma.

",

"Sure, you always defend him,

" Fanny teased.,

"And you don't do the same for Yates?

" My jest didn't get a response from Fanny, and her expression hinted at a deeper turmoil., She didn't want Yates to leave., I caught up with her,

"If you can't bear his departure and you're already a couple, why not make it official?

", She stopped by the balcony,,

"Bringing it up would only make, things awkward for him, and itel.net, would seem like I'm not being considerate.

" ,

"Since when does love need to be so considerate? laughed at myself then,

"When I was with Conrad, I was so worried about appearing inconsiderate that I ended up bei I overly accommodating. And where did that get me?

" , Fanny stared into the night, saying,

"Our situation is different.

", How it was different, I didn't press. Instead, I changed the subject,

"So, that assistant of his, Milly, is she going with him?

",

"Yeah, they're a team. They go everywhere together,

" Fanny said nonchalantly., So, what about Fanny?, I didn't ask. It felt like driving a knife into her heart. She had always felt Yates matched better with Milly.,

"Worried Milly might steal Yates away?

" Fanny turned, a playful smile on her face., I laughed,

"Why should I worry? Yates isn't my man.

",

"Licia, you might not believe me, but I'm genuinely not worried,

" Fanny said, gazing back into the darkness of the night., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.