Chapter 977

"Celine!" Ralph called out, worried she would exacerbate the situation.

Heather, however, seemed unfazed by Celine's remarks. She smirked, turning to her assistant, and added jokingly, "If she's willing, then why not?"

"You!" Celine exclaimed furiously.

Ralph, fearing Celine would disrupt the meeting, quickly interjected, "She's just joking! Mom, it's not easy for Heather to manage her family business alone, so she delegates tasks to her assistant. I agree with her approach; she simply wants things to be efficient."

"I didn't say I wouldn't ask for anything," Heather retorted, narrowing her eyes at him.

Sitting up straight, she announced, "I would like to move into the Russell family house."

"Our house?" Ralph and Margaret asked simultaneously, surprised.

"Yes, but I want a room to myself," Heather continued. "I wish to move in tonight."

"So soon?" Ralph asked, bewildered by her sudden request. Initially, he'd thought she wanted to be with him, but her request for a separate room left him questioning her motives. Was this a matter of female pride?

"Why? Is there something wrong?" she asked. "Don't worry. I just want to get to know you better. However, if it's inconvenient, we don't have to."

"No, it's fine, why wouldn't it be?" Ralph replied, relieved she was taking the initiative to get to know him. He wouldn't refuse such an unexpected opportunity. Seeing her hesitate, he quickly added, "We have plenty of bedrooms. Even if we didn't, I'd move out to give you my room!"

Margaret, though aware of her son's ulterior motives, felt slightly embarrassed by his eagerness to please Heather. She sighed.

"Since that's settled, I'll move into your house tonight," Heather said. "I hope Mrs. Russell won't mind."

Heather offered a small nod of apology.

"It's fine," Margaret replied, smiling. "We're going to be family soon anyway, and since Ms. Riggs, you're comfortable with this, it's a relief to me, too." Turning to her subordinates, she instructed, "Make sure a room is prepared for Ms. Riggs when we get home. Ensure she's settled in well and attend to any requests she may have."

"Thank you for your kindness," Heather smiled.

Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation and glanced down. She sensed someone's gaze, but lacking any hostile intent, she dismissed it and returned to her conversation. However, the gaze persisted. Then, her eyes met Alexander's.

He stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the upper floor, openly observing her without fear of detection. Heather knew exactly who he was; her background check on the Russell family had revealed his difficult nature. Meeting him in person, however, she realized the information she’d received was incomplete.