Grace Li walked back into the office, and both Ryan and Olivia were watching her. After she went out with Aiden Thompson's sister, they'd already come up with a few scenarios, mostly two possibilities: one where she was meeting the future sister-in-law, and the other where she was caught in the middle of a confrontation.
Grace Li noticed their gazes and smiled. "What are you two looking at?"
Olivia hesitated a bit. "Is everything okay? Aiden's sister came to see you."
Grace Li kept smiling and shook her head. "Yeah, we just had a chat."
Ryan couldn't hold back his curiosity. "So, what did you talk about?"
Grace Li sat down at her desk. "Stop being so nosy."
Olivia suggested, "Hey, Grace, how about we grab some pizza tonight?"
Grace Li shook her head. "Nah, you guys go ahead."
Olivia and Ryan exchanged a look. Just by looking at Grace Li's expression when she came back—although she was smiling—they could tell she was putting on a front.
It was pretty clear that the conversation with Vera Thompson hadn't been all that pleasant.
Grace Li sat down, opened her computer, and tried to get back to work. The chat earlier hadn't made her feel uncomfortable. Vera Thompson was genuinely kind and considerate of her feelings. It felt more like talking to a friend.
Vera Thompson was experienced, and she knew exactly what Grace Li was going through.
Grace Li was honestly relieved it was Vera Thompson who came to talk to her, not Aiden Thompson's parents. Because if it had been them, she would've felt totally embarrassed, and it definitely would've bruised her ego.
Even though she had prepared herself for this moment, when it actually happened, she still couldn't help but feel a little down.
Staring at the work documents in front of her, she found it hard to concentrate.
No matter how much she had mentally prepared, she still couldn't shake the sadness.
But as a rational adult, all she could do was try her best to maintain her composure.
**
After Rex Thompson's health improved, he started coming to the office every day, but he didn't stick around for long. The doctors kept reminding him to take it easy and get more rest. He was worried about his company being taken over, but seeing how Aiden Thompson had kept everything running smoothly during his recovery, he felt a sense of relief and pride in his son—even if he didn't show it in front of him.
One evening, there was a dinner meeting, and Rex made sure Aiden was going. The other guest was Keith Pierce, chairman of Fortune Group. Fortune Group is a well-known American company that makes smart home appliances and has been one of Silverstone Group's biggest clients for years, using their chips in their products.
Aiden Thompson was very familiar with Keith Pierce. The two companies had worked together for five or six years without any issues. Four years ago, when Keith Pierce was planning to send his daughter, Daphne Pierce, abroad for school, he learned Aiden was studying at Oxford University in the UK. He had Daphne reach out to Aiden for advice about studying abroad. At the time, Aiden had just met Daphne. She was eighteen, bubbly, cheerful, and a little charming, with a friendly and warm personality. Aiden, acting as a big brother, gave her tips on adjusting to life abroad.
Daphne eventually chose Cambridge University, not far from where Aiden was. When she first arrived, she had trouble adjusting and would reach out to Aiden with questions. The first year, she even returned to the U.S. with him. But by the time she was in her second year, Aiden had completed his studies and returned home, and their communication became less frequent.
The dinner was technically a business meeting, but it also had a matchmaking element. Daphne Pierce was also there.
Keith Pierce didn't hold back his praise for Aiden Thompson: "Aiden, you've done an amazing job managing the company at such a young age. Rex, I really envy you for having such a great son!"
Rex Thompson smiled and replied, "Your daughter Daphne and your son are impressive too. Don't be envious of me."
Keith Pierce sighed. "My son is a real headache. All he does is play around, never takes work seriously. He really worries me."
Rex Thompson said, "My son's pretty much the same. Sometimes, he's really frustrating."
Aiden Thompson quietly cut his steak, pretending not to hear his father's complaints in front of their business partner.
Keith Pierce looked at Aiden and said to Rex, "Rex, with a son like Aiden, how can you not be satisfied?"
Rex Thompson turned to Daphne Pierce. "Even if my son isn't always easy to handle, Daphne's really something. She's graduated now, and she'll be a big help to you."
Keith Pierce glanced at his daughter. "She's just graduated and still figuring things out. She'll need Aiden to teach her a thing or two."
Rex Thompson said, "No problem at all. Daphne, if you ever have questions, feel free to ask Aiden."
Daphne Pierce looked at Aiden Thompson, who hadn't said much, and spoke up, "Rex, Aiden's so busy, I'm sure he doesn't have time to teach me."
Aiden Thompson hadn't planned on speaking, but he didn't want to seem rude in front of Keith Pierce. "Just shoot me a message if you need anything, and I'll get back to you when I can."
"Got it, thanks, Aiden," Daphne Pierce said.
Keith Pierce looked at the two young people and laughed. "You two studied in the same place and even traveled home together. But now, after two years, you're acting like strangers?"
Daphne Pierce glanced at Aiden Thompson and said, "It's not that. It's just that the adults are talking, and we didn't want to interrupt."
Rex Thompson laughed. "Looks like we old guys are in the way of your conversation. Aiden, Keith and I still need to discuss some business. Why don't you and Daphne step outside for a bit, get some fresh air, and catch up?"
Aiden Thompson set his knife and fork down, took a sip of his water, and nodded. He stood up and left the room with Daphne Pierce.
Daphne Pierce walked alongside Aiden Thompson, her hands clasped behind her back. She wasn't wearing heels, so she only came up to Aiden's shoulder. "Aiden, you don't seem like you're in the best mood today."
"I'm fine, I'm usually like this."
"Really?" Daphne Pierce said. "I heard you did something pretty big recently."
"What do you mean?"
"You ran away from home." Daphne Pierce chuckled lightly. "I didn't expect that at all."
Aiden Thompson didn't deny it.
"So, after you ran away, where did you go?"
"New York."
"Really? And then what? What did you do during that time?"
Aiden Thompson slipped one hand into his pocket, walking along as he answered. "I worked at a venture capital firm for a year. Then, this August, I started my own VC firm with my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Daphne Pierce was surprised, because from what her father had told her, Aiden Thompson was still single.
"Yeah."
Daphne Pierce couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't expect you to be in a relationship. What's she like?"
"She's hard to describe. She's special, one of a kind in my eyes."
"Well, anyone who's good enough for you must be pretty amazing."
"To me, she's the best."
Daphne Pierce thought for a moment and asked, "Does Rex Thompson not approve of you two being together?"
"Yeah, he's not really on board."
Daphne Pierce, being quick-witted, pieced it together. Since Rex Thompson had mentioned Aiden was single, it was clear he didn't accept Aiden's girlfriend. "I get it now."
"He's a little stubborn," Aiden Thompson explained. He told Daphne Pierce this because he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Before, Rex Thompson had tried to arrange a marriage with someone else, which caused a rift. This time, Aiden didn't want history repeating itself. "If he said anything that wasn't appropriate, I hope you won't take it personally."
Daphne Pierce shook her head. "I understand. When it comes to relationships, it's all about what feels right for you."
After the dinner, Aiden Thompson and Rex Thompson took a car ride home. They sat in the backseat, and Aiden had his legs crossed, leaning his head against the window to look at the night view.
Rex Thompson spoke up. "Daphne Pierce graduated from Cambridge, she's beautiful, and she has a great personality. I remember you two got along really well back in the day."
Aiden Thompson replied, "She's just a friend."
"She's a great match for you—well-educated, and you two have a lot in common," Rex Thompson said. "I think she's a better fit than that woman who's five years older than you."
Rex Thompson started going off again, and Aiden Thompson didn't want to argue. He didn't want his dad to get upset and risk his health.
"Dad, when it comes to relationships, I've got it handled. Let's not talk about this anymore."
Rex Thompson let out a heavy sigh, turned his head, and fell silent.