Chapter 662
662:
Elsa didn’t know how to respond. Given that it had been nearly six months since her last visit, she knew she was in the wrong. All she could do was try hard to comfort Belén and promise to drop by more often.
After venting her frustrations, Belén abruptly changed the subject. She suddenly craved ravioli. Elsa quickly headed out to buy ingredients for the dish.
She returned a short while later. “Mom, how about mushrooms and beef ravioli?”
This time, Belén didn’t make things difficult for her. She walked over to the bag and took a look inside. “They look fresh enough. Go ahead and wash them first. Then you can make me the ravioli. And don’t forget—make a big batch and freeze it, just like we always do. That way, I can have homemade ravioli whenever I feel like it. Since you’re so busy and don’t come around much, I won’t have to bother you every time I want some.”
Elsa didn’t know how to respond, but she couldn’t bring herself to argue with her mother. She said softly, “Mom, let’s just make enough for today. Frozen ravioli never tastes as good anyway.”
But Belén wasn’t having it. “Who says it doesn’t taste as good? I eat frozen ravioli all the time. You’re never around. You were always swamped with work, and now that you’re retired, you still don’t visit me. At least with frozen ravioli, I can pretend you’re here. You’re always chasing your career and can’t even relax after retiring. Instead, you’re off teaching at the university. Forget it. Don’t let someone like me hold you back.”
Brenna was finalizing her analysis of the Harper Group’s stock performance and outlining a reorganization strategy when a knock interrupted her focus. Without lifting her head, she said, “Come in.”
A group of people stepped inside. Leading them was Rex, flanked by a sharply dressed man in his forties, exuding polished professionalism. Trailing behind them were Greta and several male employees, each carrying items from the old studio—potted plants, stacks of documents, books, and assorted boxes.
Everyone moved with purpose, quietly tending to their tasks without disturbing one another.
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Rex gestured to the man. “Ms. Harper, this is Brock Reed, the Mitchell Group’s chief legal counsel. The CEO instructed us to prepare a lease agreement, offering the 57th and 58th floors of the Mitchell Group building to our studio for an annual rent of one dollar, with a hundred-year term. Please review it, and if it’s satisfactory, sign here.”
Brenna glanced at Brock, noting the seasoned confidence in his demeanor and a brief flicker of appreciation in his eyes when he looked at her. She motioned to the chairs opposite her. “Please, sit. Your boss really thinks of everything. I was just about to bring this up with him myself.”
Taking the agreement, Brenna scanned its concise pages; the terms were straightforward and clear. She had already mulled over this matter. Occupying two floors of the Mitchell Group’s building without a formal agreement felt wrong, both legally and morally. That just wasn’t how she operated, and she refused to give anyone grounds to doubt her principles, especially not Elsa, Ethan’s mother.
Before Brenna could say anything, Rex spoke again. “Ms. Harper, after the incident with Mr. Mitchell’s mother causing a stir at the office, it put you in an awkward spot. Mr. Mitchell suggested this lease to ensure his mother can’t stir up trouble for you again.”
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