"Why didn't you tell me about such a big thing? Logically, you should have told me such a huge piece of news as the Emerson girl getting married."
Charlotte kept silent, and Anne did not explain further.
Rick understood instantly. There was a reason for this, but it was inconvenient to say. He did not ask more and changed the topic. "Alright, at least now we're back here together. It will make an old empty-nester like me less lonely."
"Rick, how are you an old empty- nester?" Anne teased, not giving him any face at all.
"I'm going to be thirty years old soon, little sister."
"Lottie, my brother said that he'll be thirty soon."
Anne's words made Charlotte feel rather flabbergasted. She was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to say.
However, Rick smiled and said, "Just because you can't nag me into getting into a relationship doesn't mean you can drag Lottie into this."
"Rick, what I meant was..." "What you meant isn't important. I mean, don't worry about it."
Anne still had something to say, but was stopped by Rick's gaze.
Only then did Anne come to her senses. Rick was giving Charlotte an out. He did not want to force her into a situation where there was no way out.
Anne licked her lips. "My brother is such a nice person. Look at Shane. He works so fast. At least, he managed to get Lottie to marry him."
The mansion was very beautiful.
There was a small garden. In a solarium, there were exotic flowers and plants. The living room on the first floor was so large that it could accommodate a party of at least 20 people. The kitchen decoration used an open style, with simple but luxurious lines.
Rick brought everyone to the third floor to put away their luggage.
"To the left side of the second floor are the gym and swimming pool. On the right is an artificial hot spring," he introduced.
"Rick, you're really living the life!"
"I have a secretary."
Anne was speechless.
Charlotte couldn't help but laugh out loud. Upon hearing this, Rick turned around and gave her a meaningful look. Immediately, she stopped smiling.
Rick gave off a very positive and sunny impression. He was even more gentle and refined than Christopher. But for some reason, Charlotte was especially afraid of him. If he were to look at her, she would immediately adjust her behavior.
Each room was similar to the other. Charlotte randomly picked one and put away hers and Sheryl's.
The wardrobe was quite big. It could fit two months' worth of clothes for the both of them.
When Charlotte went downstairs, Rick was carrying Sheryl to look at the fish in the living room.
She walked over to Rick and asked, "Rick, are your arms tired?"
Rick turned around with a smile. "It's okay. You can go shopping with Anne. Leave the child to me."
Charlotte wanted to thank him, but she was afraid that he would say that she was being too unfamiliar with him.
Rick saw through her thoughts and changed the subject. "I'll take you out for a fun day tomorrow. How about you come to the office with me the day after tomorrow?"
"Me?"
"Would that be alright?"
"Of course, but why do you want me to go to your office?"
"There has been an international policy reform recently, which has caused activity using international hot money. Additionally, there have been many new managers in the world trade, so the global economy is in constant turmoil. My way of thinking is that you should shadow my deputy to learn about the recent situation. Once you return home, you can be my Asia Pacific Region CEO."
It took a whole minute for Charlotte to understand the meaning of these words.
In the case of international upheaval, Rick wanted to develop his domestic businesses, and he wanted her to take charge of the company's...
But, why did he choose her?
"There are so many professional CEOs out there. Rick, even if you really want me to help you out, you don't have to give me such a good position." For a moment, Charlotte didn't know whether to agree or reject directly.
She did not want to miss a chance to improve herself, but this position was much too high.
"I'm just testing the waters in the domestic market. I will be setting the general direction for the company to go in. By then, you just need to help me deal with the details and negotiations. I know, you're good at negotiating."
"How... how did you know?"
"One of the clients you bagged for NC Company was one of my subsidiaries. Although I sold it half a year ago, its CEO is my friend. He mentioned you to me."
Charlotte couldn't help but laugh. "And here I thought you had been helping me behind the scenes."
"The NC Company person you married, who is he? Is it Shane or Christopher?"
"How did you know that it was one of them? Maybe it has nothing to do with NC Company." Charlotte lowered her head unconsciously.
"My guess is Shane."
"You..."
Rick smiled.
When he had still been a teenager, Rick had started handling the Jane Corporation's business matters. He had gotten used to using one's expressions and body language to determine their thoughts.
He could see through all the masks of cunning oold businessmen, much less this woman in front of him who could not hide her emotions.
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