She is a CEO by George Chapman novel Chapter 48

There was another moment of silence. Lucia thought the signal was interrupted, and just wanted to hang up the phone to call again, when Esmae's voice sounded, low and solemn.

"Arthur, the chairman of Davonnis Corp, Edwin's third son, is that him?"

"Yes," Lucia responded immediately, and then asked, "Esmae, do you know him?"

Hearing Esmae say Arthur's father's name, Lucia remembered that Esmae's family was equally good - maybe they knew each other.

"Edwin is one of the best talents in the financial industry in the USA and the chairman of Davonnis Corp. How could I not know him?" Esmae's voice was still low.

Esmae's words didn't sound like a compliment or appreciation, but rather sarcasm.

She sounded completely different from the excitement when she learned that Lucia was in love.

Lucia was even more puzzled, but she didn't know the reason.

At this moment, Esmae continued, "You guys should book a ticket on the 20th and come back. I have something to tell you in person."

Lucia planned to take the flight on the 23rd with Arthur. It was the end of the year, so Arthur was very busy at work and couldn't leave earlier.

So, Lucia hesitated and said, "Esmae, can we go back on the 23rd instead? I would like to wait for Arthur..."

"No, you and Theodore should come back to me first, just the two of you." Esmae gave Lucia no room for refusal. She was telling Lucia that it had to be done instead of asking for Lucia’s opinion.

This time, Lucia was even more confused.

Just as Lucia was about to say something, Esmae said she was tired and all could be discussed until they were back. She then hung up the phone in a hurry, leaving Lucia puzzled.

Arthur saw Lucia like this when he came out of the living room with Theodore smelling fresh from the shower.

On the balcony, Lucia looked alone in the dim light. Although the heating in the room was pouring out from the open drag window, there was still a white mist around Lucia, as if wrapping her in the cold.

"Lucia, what are you doing standing on the balcony?" Arthur hurried over, stretched out his hand, and pulled Lucia back into the warm room. Only then did Lucia come back to her senses.

Seeing Lucia's confused face, Arthur frowned slightly and asked her worriedly, "What was on your mind just now?"

Lucia looked blank, but her mind was racing. She and Esmae were just talking on the phone, however, after being told that her boyfriend was Arthur, Esmae's tone sounded cold and even faintly revealed hostility to Edwin.

Lucia couldn't figure it out, but there was one thing she could be sure of - she wouldn't go against Esmae.

Esmae was a good friend of Lucia's father Eric before she went abroad. The two had a deep friendship. Although she went to the USA very early to develop her career, rarely returned to Athegate, and seldom meet Eric, their friendship never ended. Lucia had always remembered that it was Esmae who would bring her countless gifts whenever she returned to Athegate and who treated her like a daughter, not to mention the kindness Esmae had shown to her in recent years.

Esmae was too important to Lucia, so Lucia looked up and spoke to Arthur.

"Arthur, I am afraid I might not be able to leave with you. I talked to Esmae on the phone just now, and she said that she missed Theodore so much that she wanted me to fly to the USA on the 20th. And I am on vacation now anyway. I am going to leave a day earlier and spend some extra time with her."

It was not the first time that Arthur heard Lucia mention Esmae. He knew that if it hadn't been for the help of Esmae five years ago, Lucia would not have gotten out of the tragedy and stood in front of him now. So, even though he was unwilling, he still showed understanding.

"Okay, how about this? I spend some extra time to finish my work earlier these two days and I will leave with you."

As a husband and a father, Arthur knew that Lucia could take care of herself, but he just wasn't sure, and naturally wanted to go with them.

"There's no need!" Lucia subconsciously refused after hearing this, because Esmae made it clear that only she and Theodore would be expected to go back.

Lucia then immediately realized she had answered too fast, which made Arthur's expression change, so she hurriedly added an explanation.

"It's the end of the year, and your work matters more. Besides, our destinations are different. I'll take Theodore back first. Don't worry, okay?"

In this situation, Lucia could only choose to lie.

Arthur stared at Lucia's slightly flickering eyes and could only nod in agreement.

"Okay, I'll help you change your ticket to the 20th and get to you guys as soon as I go back on the 23rd."

It was just the difference between a few days early and a few days later.

Arthur's understanding made Lucia feel both relieved and guilty, and she couldn't figure out the purpose of Esmae's request.

Lucia was afraid that Arthur would see something wrong with her, and she quickly turned her attention to tease Theodore.

"Babe, we're going back to see Grandma Esmae in a few days."

Esmae treated Lucia as her own daughter and loved Theodore even more, so Theodore immediately cheered when he heard this.

The child's excitement really distracted Arthur. He hugged his son and started listening to him talk about Grandma Esmae - how she was treating him nicely. Lucia looked at the two of them with mixed emotions.

It was late at night, and Arthur still stayed at Lucia's house. Sophie sent Jan back to the villa. Theodore slept obediently. And now it would be Arthur's favorite time to be alone with Lucia.

Lucia lied to Arthur. Even though it was a white lie, Lucia felt guilty. She sat on the sofa in his arms and watched the evening financial report together. When she talked to him, she seemed a little bit absent-minded.

Arthur hugged her on the sofa and talked about Athegate's recent financial changes. Sometimes he noticed that she didn't respond to him right away. When he looked down, he saw her incline her head on his shoulder, her eyes blurred, and even a little confused, but he didn't think too much into it.

Now, there were sixteen days left until Christmas, and three days before Lucia and Theodore went abroad.

In the past three days, Lucia took time to start packing. After packing her and her son's luggage on the 18th, she took time to ask Nia out for coffee, listen to the updates on Nia’s recent work, and tell Nia to deal with some business.

After they finished talking about official business, Nia asked about Arthur out of curiosity.

Lucia didn't hide anything deliberately, and she satisfied Nia's curiosity by telling her some daily life stories with Arthur. Nia listened with great interest.

"After the last press conference, everyone now knows that you are Mr. Davies's real girlfriend and is envious!" Nia said with a little excitement while holding the coffee. That Lucia was attracting attention, and it was positive attention, made her happier than anyone else.

"Really?" Lucia replied with a faint smile, quite relaxed.

Nia looked at Lucia who had a tender look in her eyes. She felt distressed for Lucia but admired Lucia at the same time.

"People occasionally slandered you with what happened five years ago, but now most of them have changed their views. I have to say that Mr. Davies's words at the press conference really subverted people's inherent thinking a lot. Lucia, fortunately, Mr. Davies believes you," Nia said sentimentally.

When Lucia heard this, the small smile on the corner of her mouth gradually deepened along with the change of light and shadow outside the window. Right, the faith Arthur had in her was more important than any other thing. Her lover who knew the truth was always by her side, so she had nothing to be afraid of.