CHAPTER 266: THE MESS I MADE

Everyone was seated with a tense expression in the office as Gabriel called for an emergency meeting of the executives. After being absent for over two weeks from work, no one was expecting a sudden meeting to take place.

As the agenda of the meeting moved forward, the presenter spoke, "We have been monitoring the overseas portfolio closely. Certain anomalies are detected, and we have been working on removing them."

"Without informing me?" Gabriel arched his eyebrow.

"Sir, it was not possible to contact you at the time you were in the palace. Rest, we were working on the Director’s command," the presenter replied, glancing at Denzel.

He leaned forward and nodded his head. "Yes, we have been trying to find the moles in the system. The mismanagement was done by someone inside, so we decided to keep quiet about it until your return. At the same time, I was investigating this matter myself."

"We will set up an external forensic analyst. Further developments will stay between a few people. Rest should wait till my next order," Gabriel pronounced and rose from his seat.

He pushed back the moving chair and walked out of the boardroom, followed by Karmen.

Returning to his office, Lucien stepped before the desk. He grabbed the water bottle and opened it.

"I’ve set an internal inquiry team as well. You should check if these members are suitable for this job," Karmen said, stepping forward and extending the tablet in his hand.

Gabriel took it and scrolled through the screen. "Hmm. Make sure no one knows there’s such an inquiry team," he instructed, returning the tablet to him.

"Sure." Karmen gave him a slight bow and walked out.

Now, left alone, Gabriel walked to the front of the desk and sat on the leather swivel chair. He had already taken out his phone and dialed Amelie’s number.

A few seconds later, Amelie answered the call.

"I am with Carlos in the garden," she replied.

"Hmm. Did you take fruits?" he asked.

"Yes. I finished them just a few minutes ago," Amelie replied.

"That’s good. Take your lunch meal on time," Gabriel said.

"Don’t worry, I will," Amelie assured him.

"I miss you," Gabriel whispered.

"You’ll see me once you return," Amelie answered.

"That’s true," he agreed. "What about you? Don’t you miss me? For the past few days, we were always together, irrespective of the time."

"That’s because we were on a small vacation," Amelie whispered. "You can ask for my help any time," she added. Seeing Albus in the garden, Amelie realized he must’ve something important to tell her, so she told Gabriel, "I’m hanging up. Do enjoy your work and eat on time."

The call ended, and Amelie lowered her head.

"Madam, your mother and sister are here to visit you. They’re waiting for you in the living room," Albus informed her.

Amelie glanced at the garden’s sofa, where Carlos was seated, scrolling through his phone. Walking to him, she said, "My mom and sister are here. I’ll be with them for some time. Do you want to join us?"

"What would I possibly do among the ladies?" Carlos chuckled. "Just go and enjoy a moment to relax with them."

Amelie nodded her head and walked inside the house.

Seeing her, both Samyra and Flora stood up.

"Oh, dear!" Samyra quickly spread her arms, embracing her elder daughter. She gently patted her back before pressing a kiss on her forehead. Taking a step back, she asked, "Are you alone in the mansion?"

"Not alone exactly," Amelie replied. "Please, take seats." She glanced at Flora, seeing how the dark circles beneath her eyes were lessened.

The servants placed the assortment of snacks on the table.

"Have water," Amelie told them. She handed a glass to her mother, who thanked her.

"You should sit down. Don’t tire yourself out," Samyra opined.

Amelie passed a small smile to her mother, sitting right beside her on the couch.

"So, is the shifting complete? What about Dad? He didn’t come," Amelie said.

"Yes, we have tidied the new house here. Your father still has some work left in the Red River Pack, so he went there to finish it," Samyra answered.

"I see. Flora, eat the muffins. They are freshly prepared in the morning," Amelie suggested.

"Sure." Flora picked one and ate it slowly.

"I hope you’re no longer dwelling in the past," Amelie said, bringing Flora’s focus to her.

She chewed and swallowed the muffin before responding, "No. I feel better here. No one, at least, knows me unless I tell them my surname."

Samyra looked at her younger daughter with concern. "I suggested that Flora date someone. I felt it would bring a change for her."

"Mom, I don’t want to. After the mess I made and the things that happened to me, I just want to be alone. I want to repent for what I did to Amelie. I want to work on myself and not think about finding a mate, falling in love. I already hate myself for what I did in the past," Flora clarified to them.

Amelie glanced at their mother before looking straight af Flora.

"Flora is right. Let her focus on her personal growth, Mom."

"Amelie, I’m thinking of opening a store for kids’ clothing. What do you think? You know I have always had an interest in the fashion side, so I think I should do something in that. And your cutie pup will be out soon. As their aunt, I must give them custom-made clothes," Flora stated, her face suddenly brightening up.

"Starting something in clothing sounds like a nice idea," Amelie replied, giving her a small smile.

Just then, they heard a sound of throat clearing. Both Samyra and Flora looked at the tall man with silvery hair in front of them. Flora was frozen for a moment seeing such a man.

"Mom, Flora, this is my friend. Carlos Ashfall," Amelie said, rising to her feet and walking to him. "He’s a mage, a son of a witch."

"It’s my first time meeting a mage. Please take a seat," Samyra told him.

Flora watched him sitting on the sofa.

Amelie returned to her seat and continued, "Carlos, try some muffins."

"Ah, sure," Carlos picked a few in a small plate and began eating.

"How did you befriend a mage?" Samyra whispered near Amelie’s ear.

"It’s a long story, Mom," Amelie answered.

Carlos glanced at Flora and frowned. ’Why can’t I see anything in her?’

Only two possibilities circulated in his head; either Flora would die in the future, or Flora was protected so that he couldn’t see anything in her.