Ch. 1341..1345

Chapter 1341

Chapter 1341 It was Cliff. Odeil brought the phone to his ear.

On the phone, Cliff said in a soft voice, “Master Carter, | just contacted a teacher from the Art Academy who has just returned from Meadow Hills. He said that he went separate ways with Mrs. Carter and three female teachers in the hotel. He mentioned that they wanted to go to several other places, such as the prairie, an ancient city, and another place he forgot the name of. He's not sure where they went today.”

Three female teachers? Odell‘s expression relaxed slightly. “Got it.” He hung up the phone, took another cigarette, and placed it between his lips.

A few days later, the temperature in Westchester took a sharp dive. It snowed overnight, so the outside was blanketed in white in the morning.

It happened to be the weekend. The little ones were probably attracted by the snowy scenery and got up earlier than usual.

Isabel dragged Flint outside to step in the snow and throw snowballs. In a rare turn of events, Liam, who had never been a fan of this kind of game, also rolled a snowball.

The atmosphere was very lively.

Odell stood by the door, the ice and snow reflected in his eyes. He looked very cold and slightly lonely. Smack.

Suddenly, a snowball smashed into his thigh.

He looked over.

Flint instantly hid behind Isabel and peeked out, saying weakly, “I didn‘t mean it, Daddy.”

He meant to throw it at his sister, but it somehow ended up hitting his father.

Odell ignored him. He seemed to be in a bad mood these days, so the children were more afraid of him than usual. He glanced at them and said, “Another ten minutes before you have to come inside.”

Flint said, “Okay.”

Isabel pursed her lips.

Liam focused on building a little snowman without much emotion on his face.

In the evening, Sylvia, who had disappeared for several days, made a video call to the three little ones. The children huddled together, happily chatting with her..

Odell happened to come out of the study and saw Liam holding a phone when he reached the stairs. Isabel was huddled beside him, and Flint sat in his arms as they watched Sylvia on the phone screen.

The distance between them was too great for Odell to see her face on the screen, but he could hear her talking to the children. Flint was asking, “Mommy, where are you now? Why is the sky there so blue?”

Sylvia grinned and replied, “I’m at a prairie now. Let me show you the scenery here.” With that, she panned the camera. “Wow! It's so pretty!” Flint shouted with wide eyes.

Isabel also let out an exclamation.

Although Liam did not say anything, his eyes were also wide open.

After chatting about the scenery of the prairie for a while, Sylvia asked them, “Have you been good at home these days?”

Isabel said, “We’ve been good, Mommy.”

Flint chimed in, “Uh-huh, uh-huh.”

Sylvia laughed and asked Liam, “What about you, Liam?” Liam pursed his lips. “I'm good.”

She asked, “How‘s Great-grandma?”

Isabel replied, “She's fine. She‘s the same as before, but she forgets things a lot of the time. She even mistook me for you this morning.”

Sylvia smiled. “You look a lot like me when | was little, so it's understandable for her to mistake you for me.” “Mommy, | think Great-grandma misses you,” Flint suddenly spoke up.

The air instantly became silent.

Liam and Isabel both pursed their little mouths.

Sylvia was silent for a few seconds and asked them, “Is Daddy still very busy? Does he still rarely come home?” Isabel and Flint shook their heads in unison.

Liam said, “No, he's been very idle lately and comes home early every day. He‘s also home on the weekends.” Isabel added, “And he's very bad—tempered.”

Flint echoed, “Uh-huh, uh-huh. | think he’s angry because you aren't at home and ignoring him, Mommy.” Odell, who was listening to them, held his breath.

Chapter 1342

Chapter 1342 Just when Odell thought Sylvia would say something to care about him, the air went silent. Several moments passed, but her voice was not heard from Liam‘s phone. The three little ones stared at her.

Although Odell could not see the screen, he saw the image on it moving, so the connection was definitely not stuck. He frowned tightly and coldly pursed his thin lips.

Just then, Flint said pitifully to Sylvia , “Mommy, | miss you. Can you come back soon? Daddy is really fierce. He keeps putting me in time-out.”

Isabel glanced at him. “That's because you're always naughty.”

Liam said, “We're fine at home, Mommy. You can come back after you've had fun.”

Hearing this, Flint immediately changed his tune. “Uh huh. Although | miss Mommy, | want Mommy to be happier.” Sylvia was instantly amused and laughed aloud. “I know. You guys have fun at home too.”

“Okay.”

At the top of the stairs, the expression of the man who had been standing for a while darkened uncontrollably .

“That's it? ‘She only showed concern for the children. She didn‘t say a word of concern for me. The children already said that | come back every day. They also told her that I've been in a bad mood because of her, but she didn‘t say anything about that?*

Asurge of anger rushed to his head. He went downstairs.

The three little ones looked at him when they heard his footsteps. When they saw his expression, Flint instantly fell into Liam‘s arms, and Liam placed the phone back into his pocket.

Odell gave them a cold look and walked outside.

Aunt Tonya was nearby. When she saw him walking out, she asked, “Odell, it's almost dark. Where are you going? Aren‘t you going to have dinner at home?”

“No,” he replied coldly. No one knew if it was intentional, but his voice was very loud.

Aunt Tonya was so scared that she shut her mouth.

When his figure walked out of the door, the three little ones came back to their senses and exhaled at the same time. Sylvia‘s voice sounded from Liam‘s phone. “Liam, Isabel, what's wrong? Did Daddy lose his temper with you?”

Liam raised the phone again.

Isabel replied, “Mommy, | don't know what's wrong with Daddy. He suddenly came down from upstairs, but his expression was really bad. He even glared at us.”

Flint added, “Uh-huh, but we clearly didn't provoke him.”

Sylvia frowned. “Where is he now? Is he with you guys?”

‘He probably heard us chatting and is angry with me. However, this is between the two of us. How could he glare at the children? I need to have a word with him.‘

Isabel responded, “He went out and drove away.”

Flint added, “Uh-huh. He also said he won't be having dinner at home.”

Sylvia frowned. “He's probably angry at me. Don't mind him.”

“Okay,” Flint said.

The black sports car sped down the road aimlessly.

It was a weekend and it was snowing. Although the roads were cleared, there were not many vehicles on the road.

After a long time, he stopped the car at the side of the road when his mood had calmed down slightly. He took a cigarette from the metal box and placed it between his lips.

He lit it up and inhaled while using his phone to send a message to Shermaine. “Do | have a dinner party tonight?”

Shermaine replied instantly. “Yes. A few company presidents we worked with previously sent you an invitation, but you turned it down last night.”

Odell asked, “What was the reason you gave for turning them down?”

Chapter 1343

Chapter 1343 Shermaine replied, “I said you agreed to someone else‘s appointment and couldn't make it.” Odell said, “Inform them that I'm free now.”

“Understood. I'll notify them now.”

Odell put his phone away.

After smoking two more cigarettes, Shermaine sent him a message. “Master Carter, they're all very happy and said they've booked the best room on the second floor of Elysian House. They‘re heading there now.”

Odell replied, “Got it.” He threw the cigarette butt out of the car, stepped on the gas pedal, and drove in the direction of Elysian House.

At Shermaine’s residence , after sending the message to Odell, Shermaine quickly picked out an outfit for herself and put on some makeup.

She got ready as fast as she could and jogged outside. Elysian House was not far from her place, so she got in the car and arrived at the restaurant in less than ten minutes.

She walked to the door of the restaurant and waited quietly. Soon, she saw the other company presidents arrive. They knew who she was and greeted her very amicably.

After waiting a while longer, she saw a limited edition black sports car drive up. She had seen Odell drive this car several times. As soon as she saw the car, her lips immediately curled into a bright smile, and she jogged up to open the door for him. Odell looked at her in surprise. “Why are you here?”

Shermaine's gaze flickered, but she quickly smiled back and said, “I'm here to socialize together with you. | can hold my liquor, so | can help you drink.”

Odell frowned. “That's not necessary.” After all, no one in Westchester dared to force him to drink.

Shermaine looked at his expression and whispered,“ Master Carter, aren't all secretaries supposed to support their bosses when it comes to social events?”

“Do as you please.” Odell was not in the mood to care about her. He was just finding something to do so he would not have to sulk at home. He walked straight inside.

Shermaine's eyes brightened. After fixing her hair again,

she followed him inside.

The other bosses quickly greeted him. Odell exchanged a few words with them and entered the room.

He sat in the innermost seat, and Shermaine sat beside him.

After they took their seats, the others followed suit.

It was similar to other drinking parties. The first thing they did was exchange greetings and propose a toast.

The few bosses were all experienced in the ways of the business world, so the gathering progressed without a hitch.

Every time they toasted Odell, they drank the entire glass to show their sincerity.

Qdell also took a sip from his glass in response. He did not drink much each time, but they took turns to toast him. As the number of toasts increased, so did the amount he drank. At first, he did not feel anything, but his mind felt a little groggy toward the end.

He put down his glass. “Let’s call it a day.”

The others immediately put down their glasses.

One of them saw his face and asked, “Master Carter, do you want us to take you home?”

“No need,” Odell said and stood up. However, his head suddenly spun, perhaps because he stood up too quickly.

His straight figure swayed.

Shermaine quickly held his arm.

The other bosses were experienced and knowledgeable , and most of them had something going on with their secretaries.

Seeing how the young and beautiful Shermaine with extraordinary temperament gripped Odell, their eyes lit up, and they all revealed a look of realization.

One of them smiled and said, “Since you're fine, we won't bother you anymore, Master Carter.”

 

Chapter 1344

Chapter 1344 Odell’s mind cleared up a bit once he stood firm. He drew his hand back and walked straight out. shermaine quickly followed him

The other bosses looked at each other and walked out with smirks on their faces. After saying a few more goodbyes to Odell in the parking lot outside the

restaurant, they went back to their cars and left. Odell also got into his car. The alcohol made his body feel a bit weak, so he left the car door open and let the cold wind blow in

Then, he lowered the back of the seat, closed his eyes, and lay down. His brain was intoxicated from the alcohol

Not long after, just as he was about to fall asleep, a soft voice suddenly spoke. “Master Carter, | bought you a cup of honey water. Drink it to sober up.” Odell opened his eyes.

Asmall and fair palm-sized face immediately appeared in his blurred vision.

“Sylvia?” He frowned and grabbed her hand

Shermaine's eyes flickered

Sylvia?

A hint of depression flashed in her heart, but that was soon washed away by the surprise and delight of him grabbing her wrist. She imitated Sylvia’s usual smile and curled her lips toward him. “I’m

Shermaine, Master Carter. I’m not your wife.”

Odell’s gaze changed, and the hand that grabbed her wrist suddenly loosened. He raised his hand and pressed it to his forehead, saying in a hoarse voice, “Sorry.”

Shermaine’s eyes darkened Why did he let go? If she had known, she would not have corrected him.

After regretting it for a while, she said, “It’s okay. Drink some honey water to sober up. It’s easy to get sick from the cold wind.” She handed the honey water to him again.

Odell was silent and took the honey water. “Thanks.”

shermaine quickly said, “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just doing my job.”

He opened the lid of the cup. There was not only honey inside, but also lemon, making it taste sweet and sour.

After taking two sips, his mind was much clearer than before. He looked at shermaine again and saw her face clearly. “It's late. You should go back first,” he said.

Shermaine’s eyes flickered, and she said, “I don’t have anything to do at home alone anyway.” Looking at his expression, she added, “ Master Carter, you drank a lot of wine today and shouldn't drive. Why don’t | take you home?”

“No need.” His voice was low, cold, and emotionless. Shermaine pursed her lips. “How are you supposed to go back then?” Odell closed his eyes again. His handsome face was shrouded by the night, appearing cold and dark.

She hesitated for a moment and asked, “Master Carter, did you drink so much tonight because of your wife?”

Odell frowned. “Don't bring her up.” His voice was extraordinarily cold shermaine quickly changed her tone. “My apologies. | overspoke.” However, she could not help but secretly rejoice. His tone was very bad when he mentioned Syivia, so his relationship with him now must be extremely strained.

After thinking about it, Shermaine said, “Master Carter, it's cold outside. If you don't want to go home now, why don't | accompany you to a warmer place to sit for

a while?” Odell frowned again, showing an annoyed look. “No, you go back.” His low voice also conveyed impatience shermaine was a smart person and instantly realized that she had spoken too much

“Well, he’s in a bad mood now and probably wants to be alone. He’s most likely thinking about whether he can carry on with that stupid wife of his. I'd better not

disturb him.” “Understood, Master Carter. Take care of yourself when you go back.”

With another glance at him, Shermaine turned and walked away.

The car door remained open, and the man lay for a long time, letting the cold wind blow against him

After along time, he opened his eyes, turned to get out of the car, and walked back into Elysian House with large steps.

Chapter 1345

Chapter 1345 When the lobby manager who was walking around the first floor saw Odell come back, he quickly greeted the latter obsequiously. “Master Carter, did you leave something behind?”

Odell looked at him. “Let me use your phone.”

After saying that, he stretched out his hand.

The manager was dumbfounded , then silently took out his phone. Ding

On a prairie in the north, Sylvia was sitting around watching the stars and chatting with her colleagues, Ms. Kang and Ms. O'Neil, when her phone suddenly rang. She took her phone out.

It was from an unknown number from Westchester.

Was it a call from someone in the Art Academy or Art Association? Sylvia brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“It's me.” The man‘s low and cold voice rang out.

Sylvia‘s eyes flickered, and she was just about to hang up

the phone. “If you dare to hang up on me again, I'll confiscate Liam and Isabel's phone when | go back. Don't think of contacting them if you won't talk to me!”

Her grip tightened, but she still hung up the phone nonetheless.

Her brows wrinkled coldly, and her expression was sullen. Although she had left for so many days, not only did he not speak to her nicely and coax her to go back, but he actually threatened her instead.

Those who did not know the truth might think that she was the one who had done something wrong to him. Ding!

Suddenly, her phone rang again.

It was also from an unknown number in Westchester, but it was different from the phone number earlier. Sylvia hesitated but brought the phone to her ear.

The man’‘s terrible and low growl sounded. “Did you hear what | said? Have you gotten so carried away from having fun that you don‘t want your children anymore?”

Her chest tightened, but still, she hung up the phone.

However, a few seconds later, her phone rang again. It was another unfamiliar number from Westchester that was different from the previous two.

Sylvia frowned.

At that moment, Ms. Kang leaned over from beside her.“ Who is that, Ms. Ross? Why do they keep calling you?” Sylvia held back her anger. “Some telemarketer.”

Ms. Kang laughed. “What kind of telemarketer is that who keeps calling you?”

Ding!

The phone rang again.

Sylvia forcefully suppressed her anger. “I'll go take the call.”

Ms. Kang quickly said, “Go ahead.”

Sylvia got up and took a few steps to an empty spot, then answered the phone and directly shouted, “Odell Carter, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you too bored at home alone?!”

The phone was quiet for a second, and the man’s low growl rang out. “Yes!”

Sylvia was speechless.

Amoment later, he said, “Why would | call you if | weren't too bored?” His voice was a lot smoother than his roar earlier. Sylvia sneered. “Carry on, then.”

She was just about to hang up the phone. Odell said, “If you dare to hang up, I'll keep calling you tonight.”

Sylvia yelled at him in anger. “Odell!”

He snorted. His mood was obviously much better than it had been before.

Sylvia could not help but laugh coldly. “Don’t you have your little secretary by your side to accompany you? Why are you calling me instead?” His voice instantly turned cold. “My relationship with Shermaine is purely professional . There‘s nothing else between us.”

“| don't believe you.”

Odell paused. “Then, what do | have to do for you to believe me?” Sylvia said bluntly, “Fire her.”