One year, one love by Aurora Miller

My Tw

Chapter 57

Lewis remained composed and elegant as always. Hitting someone is against the law.”

“I don’t care about that. | just can’t stand seeing them slander you like that, Doris retorted.

“You are so protective of me.” Lewis fixed his gaze on her, happiness flickering in his eyes.

And my sister too.” Doris added quickly.

Lewis lowered his head and continued eating his salad, while Doris kept her eyes on him.

“If your wife couldn’t have a son, would you divorce her? Doris asked, her curiosity piqued. She wanted to know

more about how men thought in these situations.

“Aren't you my wife? Lewis replied naturally,

“I'm not talking about me.” Doris explained. I'm not actually your wife.”

“But our marriage certificate is real,” Lewis countered effortlessly.

Doris felt utterly defeated. “I'm just saying, hypothetically. You don’t have to bring us into it. Would you divorce

your wife if she couldn't have a son?”

“I don’t answer hypothetical questions. Even if | did, it would be meaningless,” Lewis replied matter-of-factly.

“You men all think the same, don’t you? You say you love your wives, but once a woman loses her ability to bear

children, she becomes worthless,” Doris said, feeling bad for those unlucky women.

It was the 21st century, and yet such outdated thinking still existed.

Once a couple got married, children inevitably beca central topic, an issue that couldn't be avoided.

Lewis's expression darkened slightly. She was generalizing and lumping everyone together unfairly.

For the two of them, children weren't even a possibility. He had no interest in continuing such a pointless

conversation.

Shifting the topic, he said, “I'll be traveling for three to five days for work. I'll arrange for you to meet Ivan when

I'm back. While I'm gone, remember to lock the door from the inside and stay safe. Callif anything important

comes up.”

Doris was taken aback to learn that Lewis was going on a business trip.

“Oh, okay,” she replied with a nod and then glanced at his sharp profile. “Even your company’s logistics staff

need to go on business trips?”

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It was the first tshe'd heard of logistics staff traveling for work.

“Just following the company’s arrangements.” Lewis deflected with this response.

“Mr. Hartman, you must've impressed your boss with your outstanding performance. Keep it up-you’re on your

way to promotions and pay increases,” Doris teased with a sly smile. She clenched her fist and made a

beckoning gesture like a lucky

cat,

Lewis watched her sweet smile and adorable gesture, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Alright, I'll do my best.

Gotta work hard and make more money to support my wife.”

The

way

he said “wife” carried a hint of affection, making Doris feel like the food tasted even better.

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09:29 Mon, 3 Mar

Chapter 57

The next morning, Lewis left early to catch his flight. At the hotel entrance. Doris ran into Lola, who for once

wasn't driving

As the two walked into the hotel, the receptionist called out to Doris Doris approached the front desk, puzzled,

and asked, What's the matter?

Doris, your brother called last tabout an earring one of his wife's relatives lost at the hotel. The

housekeeping department just found it yesterday.

“We tried calling your brother, but he didn’t answer, so we're giving it to your to pass along, the staff member

explained. handing Doris a small transparent bag. Inside was a simple gold hoop earring.

“Thank you,” Doris said, putting the earring into her bag. As she headed to the staff changing room, she dialed

Rupert's number.

At the Watson Group's Maintenance Department, Rupert leaned back lazily in his swivel chair. When he saw

Doris’s non the screen, he rejected the call without hesitation and tossed his phone onto the desk with a

mix of disdain and

arrogance.

Several colleagues gathered around him.

One of them said, “Rupert, | bought this coffee for you. Give it a try!”

“Rupert, your shoulders must be sore. Letgive you a massage,” another offered.

“Rupert, let us handle the work. You just relax and supervise,” someone else said.

As the team leader of one of the maintenance crews, Rupert thrived under the protection of Ryan, flaunting his

authority daily.

Despite being only 22, Rupert was respected and fawned over by his team members, all of whom were older

than him.

Sipping coffee and enjoying the massage with his eyes closed, Rupert looked utterly content.

Then a human resources officer approached, walked up to Rupert, and called out, “Rupert Reed.”

“Who's this?” Rupert replied impatiently.

“It’s HR,” the person, who had been massaging Rupert's shoulders, whispered in his ear. “Rupert, you may be

getting a promotion.”

Rupert reluctantly opened his eyes, only to meet the HR officer's cold, detached gaze. He asked, “What do you

want?”

“Rupert Reed, based on this quarter's assessment, your skills and performance fail to meet the company’s

standards. You're unfit for your current position. The company has decided to terminate your employment,” the

HR officer declared, dropping a bombshell that left everyone stunned.

“You have until 12 p.m. today to clear your belongings and leave the premises,” the officer added.

Rupert was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe the company would make such a decision. His colleagues broke

into whispers.

Humiliated in front of everyone, Rupert snapped at the HR officer, “You must have made a mistake! There's no

way Mr. Watson would approve of firing me.”

The HR officer handed Rupert an official termination letter. The document bore the company’s red seal,

confirming the decision in black and white.

In a fit of rage, Rupert tore the letter into shreds and yelled through gritted teeth, “This is unacceptable! I'm

taking this up

with Mr. Watson!”

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09:29 Mon, 3 Mar

Chapter 57

Without this job, Rupert knew his diploma wouldn't land him another cushy, well-paying position.

“This is the company’s decision, and it has Mr. Watson's approval. Like it or not, that’s the reality,” the HR officer

said indifferently. “I'll follow up again by midday. Good luck, Rupert.”

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Determined, Rupert stormed to the CEO's office. The head secretary, seemingly expecting him, didn’t even look

surprised and said, “Mr. Reed, Mr. Watson isn’t in the office today. There's no point wasting your energy here.”

Shut out, Rupert grew increasingly anxious but was left with no alternatives. He called Ryan repeatedly, but his

calls went unanswered. Defeated, he slinked back to the Maintenance Department, packing his belongings

begrudgingly.

At exactly 12 p.m., the HR officer returned, retrieved his access card, and inspected his things. The other

employees looked on with barely concealed glee.

Rupert had always bullied others; now, it was his turn to fall from grace.

Still seething, Rupert drove hand immediately complained to his father, Jimmy.

“Dad, Ryan fired me!” he growled, flinging his backpack onto the sofa. “It must be Doris’s fault. She must have

offended Mr. Watson and draggeddown with her!”

Rupert didn’t reflect on his own actions, opting instead to bleverything on Doris.

“Fired?” Jimmy was equally stunned. “I'll call Ryan and sort this out.”

“I've been calling him all morning, but he’s not picking up,” Rupert grumbled.

still, Jimmy dialed Ryan’s number, and to his surprise, it connected. “Ryan, | heard that Rupert got fired. You

have to help him out,” Jimmy said.

“Mr. Reed, | actually have something to tell you. The one million dollars you borrowed fromis almost due. Get

it ready; I'll have my lawyer collect it soon. That's all. Goodbye,” Ryan said coldly.

This only worsened the situation for the Reed family, as they didn’t have that kind of money.

“Ryan, you were in a relationship with Doris for three years. The one million should be her compensation for the

breakup. Let's call it even,” Jimmy shamelessly suggested.

“One million as compensation for the breakup? She’s not worth it,” Ryan scoffed before hanging up

unceremoniously.

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