Chapter 181 A Meal With Impure Intentions
Miranda didn't tell Ellie in advance that her daughter and son-in-law would come here. They greeted each other in the hall, and then went upstairs together.
During this period, Miranda held Ellie's arm intimately, and Lily also held Jane's hand. Jane had not been treated so closely for many years. Although her expression was as calm as usual, she felt a little strange in her heart.
When they arrived at the private room upstairs, everyone took their seats. Lily's husband handed the menu to Ellie and Jane and let them order. Ellie said, "You guys order the meal. I'll talk to your mother."
Lily smiled at Jane and said, "Jane, you know what Auntie Ellie likes to eat. You can order for us."
Jane couldn't refuse and ordered a few dishes. The menu returned to Lily and her husband again. They added braised first-class snow swallows, braised chicken in abalone sauce, dried shark's fin, and expensive red wine.
Jane said, "Order less. We can't finish so much food. It's too wasteful."
Lily looked up at Jane and said with a smile, "We haven't seen each other for many years. Don't be polite to me. I'll treat Auntie Ellie."
Ellie took time to look over and said with a smile, "Lily is much livelier than when she was a child, and she likes to talk now."
Miranda said, "She has been working in Fred's company, so she has dealings with many people. She has to be talkative even if she doesn't want."
Ellie said, "It's good that they work in the same company. They can work hard and build a better life together. You can enjoy your life now."
Miranda shook her head and said, "Your life is much better than mine. Jane has been excellent since childhood. Lily admired Jane very much when she was a child."
Lily echoed with Miranda, "This is true. Jane has been good at everything since childhood." As she said this, she looked sideways at her husband Fred and told him about the fun things she had with Jane in her childhood. Jane had no impression of some things Lily mentioned.
After hearing Lily's words, Fred picked up the glass with a smile and said to Jane, "Jane, thank you for taking care of my wife when you were young."
Lily also raised her glass and said, "Come on, Jane. To our friendship."
Jane talked to them with a smile, while Miranda looked at them with emotions in her eyes. "The children have grown up in a blink of an eye."
Ellie said, "Yes, you will be a grandmother in a few years."
Hearing this, Miranda suddenly had tears in her eyes and looked away. It seemed that she was about to speak but stopped. Ellie was startled and hurriedly asked, "What's the matter?"
Miranda waved her hand and didn't speak. Jane also noticed something wrong and looked at the faces of others.
Lily lowered her head and reached out to touch the tip of her nose. Fred took a tissue and handed it to her. Then he took the tissue box, walked to Miranda, and whispered, "Mom, don't do this. Aunt Ellie and Jane are still there."
Miranda nodded, but she couldn't stop crying. Ellie's eyes were full of worry as she asked, "What on earth has happened? Tell me quickly. You make me so worried."
Fred raised his eyes and said, "Aunt Ellie, it's all my fault. Some days ago, something happened to my subsidiary company, which made Lily so anxious. She had a miscarriage, and mom had been sad for a long time."
Miranda raised her hand and covered Fred's arm. "I don't blame you. It's not your fault."
It was not hard to tell Ellie and Jane's expressions when they heard such a thing all of a sudden. They were surprised, panicked, upset, and somewhat helpless.
Ellie sat next to Miranda. They took each other's hands, and Ellie comforted Miranda.
Miranda said with tears in her eyes, "Ellie, in fact, in addition to treating you today, I want Jane to do our family a favor."
Miranda suddenly mentioned Jane. Ellie turned her head, and Jane was also surprised.
Miranda looked at Jane and said, "Fred's family is engaged in import and export trade, and they have business dealings with your current client, Edward. Originally, everything was good. Not long ago, an employee of Fred's company made a small mistake for personal reasons, which led to Edward's company refusing to cooperate with Fred. Fred ran around for a long time, but Edward didn't even want to see him. Now we have goods that are worth tens of millions of dollars. If we can't export this batch of goods before the end of the month, we'll suffer a great loss. There's really nothing we can do. Lily was so anxious and worried that she had a miscarriage... "
She said while crying. Ellie pulled out a tissue and handed it to her, whispering, "Don't cry."
Without waiting for Jane to speak, Lily raised her glass opposite Jane and said, "Jane, I know we haven't seen each other for so many years, and you must be in a dilemma because I mention this to you as soon as we meet. My mother hesitated for a long time before she decided to ask you for a favor. We really have no choice... Here's to you."
Jane said to stop her, "Don't drink..."
She was worried about Lily's health. Lily had a miscarriage not long ago, so she couldn't drink. But Lily was far away from her. She could only watch Lily drink a glass of wine. Fred took Lily's shoulder and looked at Jane, "I'll drink on behalf of Lily and mother."
Ellie quickly glanced at Jane secretly. This kind of occasion was really embarrassing. It was no exaggeration that they were forcing Jane to agree. The key was that Ellie didn't know it in advance. If she knew it, she wouldn't have brought Jane here.
Even if Jane had a lot to say to refuse them, she couldn't say it at this moment. After a long time of silence, she could only say, "I know Edward indeed, but I'm just a private teacher in his family. I can mention it to him, but as for how he will handle this matter, I really can't influence him."
Miranda got up and insisted on drinking a toast to Jane, and so did Lily and Fred. Jane said, "Lily, if you treat me as a friend, don't drink anymore."
Hearing this, Lily put down her wine glass. Jane said, "You eat first. I'll make a phone call."
Lily guessed that Jane was going to call Edward and said, "I heard that Edward is also having a meal here tonight."
Jane's heart was full of mixed feelings. Before she came, Miranda said she wanted to talk about the old days, but it turned out that Miranda just wanted her to help them.
When walking out, Jane made up her mind. When she was a child, Miranda helped Ellie more than once. Miranda was the benefactor of her family. Since Miranda asked her for a favor, she should help Miranda.
Closing the door of the private room, Jane took a deep breath and dialed Edward's phone number.
The phone rang several times before it was connected. Jane said, "Mr. Smith, I'm sorry to disturb you. Are you available now?"
"Say it." Edward said directly and simply. Jane couldn't tell whether he was angry or happy from his tone.
Jane said, "I'm in Maple Hot Pot Restaurant. If you're here, I'll go to see you."
Edward paused for a moment on the phone, and then said, "Room 305."
"Okay, I'll come right away."
Hanging up the phone, Jane didn't take the elevator but walked upstairs. She went to the door of room 305, reached out to knock on the door, pushed the door open, and walked in.
The private room was large, and the round table was full of people. There was no doubt that Edward sat in the seat of honor. People's expressions were different when they saw Jane. Jane thought Edward would come out, but he sat on the seat motionless. She could only brace herself to walk closer and then said, "Mr. Smith, Could you please go out with me?"
Edward looked indifferent and raised his head. "What's the matter?"
Jane said, "It's something private."
Edward said, "Say it. There is no outsider here."