Cross Lines

Chapter 61: Turbulence

Due to fatigue and sleepiness, Maggie's first experience entering Dr. Luo's home didn't leave a significant impression. Dr. Luo's house was the epitome of the medical professional's style: simple, clean, and predominantly in neutral colors, with everything focused on utility. There was no unnecessary decoration; even the electrical meter box was bare on the wall. Maggie blinked and thought, "Industrial style is popular in home decor these days, but Emily Luo's place seems more like a laboratory..."

Both Maggie and Dr. Luo, understanding each other well, quickly went through their routines of showering and changing clothes before saying goodnight and falling asleep within minutes.

Meanwhile, inside the Yafu Building, a storm was brewing. Various factions gathered, each harboring their own agendas, probing and testing each other's true intentions. In the face of enormous interests, everyone was pulling out all their schemes and tactics for a silent battle.

At the same time, Ryan Ding's pet, unused to being away from its owner, was nestling into its small bed, hoping to block out the annoying grinding noises.

On Monday, Maggie, in her brief free moments at the morning meeting, in the break room, and the cafeteria, heard different versions of the Yafu saga. Gossip included: Lola's attempt to challenge the authority of the chairman's wife was met with an expulsion order from the second young lady; Peter Gao's affair was exposed, with private detective photos of him and his mistress; Vice President Jasmine, wearing sunglasses all day and claiming conjunctivitis, was suspected to be injured; and other trivial topics with no real substance.

As a woman not directly involved, Maggie was somewhat entertained by the gossip, finding it a nice distraction from the dull work environment.

After a pleasant day, Maggie, with her bag in hand, was ready to go home and spend time with her dog when Jasmine's car arrived in the underground parking lot.

Maggie had a lot of complaints but didn't dare voice them. Vice President Jasmine's expression behind her sunglasses seemed quite displeased. However, noticing Maggie’s timid demeanor, she asked with concern, “Are you hungry?”

“No, no, not at all,” Maggie replied with a forced smile.

Jasmine didn’t respond, her face serious as she drove swiftly. They soon arrived at the same place where Jasmine had previously taken her for a meal. After ordering simply, Jasmine removed her sunglasses, leaned back in her chair, and sighed deeply.

Maggie cautiously glanced at her and quickly looked away. Jasmine had a red mark on her left eye, indicating some kind of swelling treatment.

What happened? Domestic violence? How frightening. Maggie mentally cursed Leo’s female relatives.

Once the food was served and the waiter had left, Jasmine, looking a bit tired, glanced at Maggie and asked, “Did you enjoy the trip?”

“Yeah, it was great. Everyone in our department was very happy.”

Maggie quickly responded, pretending not to notice anything unusual.

“Good to hear,” Jasmine nodded, pouring herself a half-glass of red wine and drinking it.

The atmosphere was awkward, so Maggie attempted to make conversation, “You’re so busy every day. Do you ever get time for a vacation?”

Jasmine looked down, then self-deprecatingly laughed, “Maggie, don’t you have any questions?”

Maggie hesitated, then, feeling defeated, put down her chopsticks, “What else is there to ask? It’s quite obvious.”

She added, “President Gao, how can you tolerate him like this?”

Jasmine took another sip of wine and set the glass down, “I’ve given up the most important things. What are these?”

Maggie was confused, “Why?”

Perhaps this was what they called a wealthy family’s grudge?

“Maggie, do you have something you want?”

Maggie immediately mentally listed her desires: a big house, luxury car, a substantial savings account, diamond rings, watches, gold... almost drooling. Calm down, Maggie told herself, and answered seriously, “Good health and safety for myself and my family and friends are the best things.”

Jasmine smirked slightly, “What I want most is Yafu.”

So direct, Maggie thought, but you might be disappointed. Sigh, fate is really unpredictable.

However, Jasmine's straightforwardness left Maggie unsure of what to say. She ended up eating a piece of bamboo shoot.

“So, until I achieve this goal, everything else doesn’t matter. I won’t care about it.”

“President Gao, do I remind you of someone related to this?”

Jasmine hesitated, then nodded, “Yes.”

“That person...”

“Was my former lover, a painter.”

“Oh,” Maggie nodded, “And—”

“He’s already dead.”

Jasmine’s bluntness was overwhelming for Maggie, who was stunned and stammered, “I’m sorry.”

Jasmine’s smile was tinged with bitterness as she shook her head, “He died for me. I can’t let his death be in vain, can I?”

Maggie was at a loss for words and had lost her appetite, remaining silent and watching Jasmine drink.

“Maggie, you know something, don’t you?”

A flicker of unease crossed Maggie’s eyes, which didn’t escape Jasmine’s notice.

“President Gao, which aspect do you mean?”

Maggie felt uncomfortable, unable to pinpoint the feeling, but Jasmine’s question made the atmosphere feel more distant.

Without further discussion, Jasmine finished her drink and stopped pressing, “Alright, forget it.”

When Maggie was about to say something, Jasmine added, “If you find out, I hope I am the first person you come to for confirmation and to talk to.”

With sincere eyes and earnest words, Jasmine’s request was hard to refuse, but Maggie knew she couldn’t meet it. She could only respond vaguely, “Oh.”

The meal had a mix of emotions, and Maggie wished she knew nothing to avoid getting entangled in the murky waters.

Seeing Eva again, the boss seemed a bit better. With her hair partially up, she sat at the bar, smoking. Maggie approached with a smile, presenting the gift, “I’m back!”

Eva looked at her and smiled slightly, “Did you enjoy your little honeymoon?”

“Not really~~” Maggie pouted in dissatisfaction, “It was far better to admire from afar.”

“What do you want then?”

“Not sure what I want.”

Touched by the probing question, Maggie’s mood dropped, but she quickly changed the topic.

“How about you? You look much better lately.”

Eva extinguished her cigarette and replied***, “Jing had a talk with me.”

Maggie’s eyes brightened, “Really? That’s great! What did she say?”

“Yesterday’s matters are like yesterday’s dead.”

“Starting over?” Maggie almost couldn’t believe her ears. Eva gave a wry smile, “Impossible.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means she no longer rejects me, but everything between us is completely over.”

Maggie took ten seconds to process and seemed to understand, “That... isn’t it worse than before? How could you agree?”

Eva’s eyes welled up, “What position do I have to refuse?”

Speechless, Maggie sighed deeply after a while, “There’s still time ahead.”

She wanted to talk to Grace but felt it might not be effective, so she decided to wait.

Returning home, Maggie cooked something delicious to reward herself for the recent exhaustion.

After dinner, she cleaned up, made a pot of plum juice to cool, and started the washing machine for the bed linens. Enjoying herself in the room, she chased a ball around.

At that moment, Dr. Luo called.

“Hello~~~” Maggie answered with her shoulder holding the phone, stretching her voice.

“Are you home?”

Emily Luo sounded extremely tired and weak.

“Yes, are you done with your surgery?”

“Mm, just finished. Exhausted.”

“Have you eaten?” Maggie asked with concern, feeling motherly.

“Not yet.”

Dr. Luo was straightforward with no extra words.

“Then come over for dinner?”

Maggie began heading to the kitchen, planning what to cook, “Should I pick you up?”

“No need, I’ll come back myself.”

“Okay, I’ll cook and wait for you. Drive safely.”

“Mm, bye.”