Chapter 106 Rumors Everywhere
Meryl finally understood why Chandler had left in anger earlier. When she confessed her feelings to him in public, Chandler had taken her display of affection seriously. When he realized it had all been an act, she knew the disappointment and sense of betrayal must have not only angered him but also left him feeling dejected.
Meryl didn’t expect to have a deeply loving relationship with Chandler. After all, their marriage hadn’t been born out of love. She had agreed to marry Chandler simply to find a place where she could settle down and escape her past, and Chandler had happened to be the right person at the right time. She wanted to get along with him. But now, Meryl needed to carefully consider her relationship with Chandler. At the very least, she couldn’t be someone who would hurt him the way the Aniston family had.
Over the next few days, rumors began to circulate again. This time, it was about Meryl’s confession to Chandler and how he had rejected her.
The most widespread version of the story went like this: On a dark, stormy night, Meryl, burning with a fever and looking pitiful, staged a chance encounter with Chandler. But Chandler didn’t even give her a second glance and coldly brushed past her. Afterward, she supposedly crouched on the ground, crying her eyes out, looking as pitiful as could be.
When Meryl overheard Medea and Lisha discussing these rumors in the break room, she was utterly baffled. She thought, “When did I ever crouch on the ground and cry my eyes out? All I did was bend down to tie my shoelaces! Ridiculous! But then again, this might not be such a bad thing. At least it helps solidify the image of me pursuing Chandler in everyone’s mind.”
“Chandler, what’s going on between you and Meryl?” As the end of the workday approached, Dante called him. “I heard she confessed to you in public and even declared she wanted to be your woman? Aren’t you two already married? What’s this all about?” This story had spread like wildfire, becoming a hot topic within their social circle.
Everyone was waiting to see Meryl make a fool of herself, and some had even started placing bets. They were betting on how long Meryl could keep up the act. People believed that Meryl’s confession to Chandler was just a show. After all, with Dalton and Lydia’s wedding approaching, she must have wanted to save face after being humiliated, and this was her way of doing it. However, no one believed this strategy would work because the chances of Chandler accepting her confession were considered to be zero.
Chandler’s deep eyes gazed out the window as he absentmindedly capped his fountain pen. “Are you two still fighting? Haven’t you made up yet? It’s been, what, over a week now?” Dante counted on his fingers.
Chandler’s tall frame leaned back in his chair as he replied coldly, “Has it been longer than your fight with Anne?”
Dante cursed under his breath. Then, he said, “Fine, fine, I know you’re in a bad mood. Isn’t today your birthday? We’re throwing you a party at Midnight Bar. Make sure you come!”
After hanging up, Chandler left his office and happened to glance over at Meryl’s desk. It was empty.
Lately, Meryl had been making every effort to please him. Sometimes, she would bring breakfast for him, sometimes delivering him fruit, seizing every possible opportunity to get close to him. The whole company knew she had a thing for him.
Not seeing Meryl around, Chandler wondered, “Does she not know it’s my birthday today? An opportunity to put on a show, and she’s not even taking it.”
Chandler walked over to Meryl’s desk and knocked twice. “Where is she?”
At his words, the entire staff in the executive office turned to look at him in shock. Over the past few days, Chandler had completely ignored Meryl. He hadn’t said a word to her and had acted as if he wanted to avoid her, showing no interest whatsoever. But now, Chandler was actually asking about Meryl. Everyone stared at him with wide eyes, utterly baffled.