C276 Friendship Gifts

Seeing Sarah standing there speechless, Chris couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Wife, you did well," he teased proudly. "See? They didn't suspect anything." Sarah narrowed her eyes at him before folding her arms across her chest. "Did well?" she repeated. "How exactly did I do well when you were the one putting words into my mouth?" Chris simply grinned without answering.

Sarah let out a helpless sigh before glancing around the office. "And another thing," she continued, lowering her voice slightly. "Why are you calling me wife here? Have you forgotten that I'm still supposed to be a mystery inside this company?" Her gaze slowly shifted toward Amanda. Amanda immediately stiffened. Sarah's playful expression disappeared, replaced by the calm authority of a director. "I have a feeling," she said slowly, "that this Vice Director of yours exposed enough clues for you to notice something."

Amanda's heart skipped a beat. She nervously looked between the married couple before lowering her head. "...Yes, Director." Chris immediately pointed at her in disbelief. "Sell-out!" Amanda looked even more embarrassed. "You work for me," Chris complained dramatically, "yet the moment Director Sarah asks a question, you betray me." Sarah couldn't hold back her laughter. "Either way," she said confidently, "both of you work for me."

Chris rubbed the back of his head helplessly while Amanda tried her best not to laugh. Sarah turned around, preparing to leave. Just before she reached the door, Chris suddenly called after her. "Wife!" She stopped without turning around. "What?" Chris smiled brightly. "What do you want for lunch today?" Sarah snorted. "I don't want to eat with you." Chris nodded seriously as if receiving an official answer. "I'll take that as the usual."

Sarah finally failed to suppress her smile. Without another word, she walked out of the office, shaking her head. "This husband of mine..." After watching her disappear down the hallway, Chris leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile. Amanda looked at him before quietly asking, "Vice Director... are you always like this around Director Sarah?" Chris chuckled. "No." He paused for a moment. "I'm actually worse at home." Amanda couldn't help laughing. "I can already tell." The office quickly returned to its peaceful atmosphere.

Meanwhile... At Nova Blaze Jewelry Headquarters. Portia hurried down the corridor carrying two beautifully wrapped gift boxes. Small beads of sweat covered her forehead. She stopped outside the Chief Design Inspector's office, adjusted her breathing, and gently knocked. Knock... Knock... Laura's gentle voice came from inside. "Come in." Portia entered carefully before placing the two elegant gift boxes on Laura's desk. "Chief," she reported respectfully, "the duplicate watches have been completed."

Laura's eyes immediately brightened. She slowly opened the first box. Inside lay an elegant pair of matching watches. The polished metal reflected the office lights beautifully. She lifted the male watch. Around its inner edge, the words Mr M Smith had been perfectly engraved. She smiled before picking up the female version. Mrs A Smith. The engraving looked flawless.

Laura carefully opened the second box. This time the names read, Mr C Chambers and Mrs Chambers. A satisfied smile spread across her face. "They're perfect." Portia smiled happily. "I'm glad you like them, Chief." Laura closed both boxes carefully. "Thank you, Portia." "It was my pleasure." Portia bowed slightly before quietly leaving the office. The moment the door closed, Laura picked up the two gift boxes without wasting another second. She grabbed her car keys and headed downstairs.

Not long afterwards... Laura's vehicle slowly pulled up outside Wood IT Company. She parked near the main entrance before stepping out with one of the gift boxes. A security guard quickly approached her. "Good morning, Miss." Laura smiled politely. "Good morning." She handed him the small gift box. "Could you please give this to Christopher Chambers?" The security guard looked surprised. "Ma'am... do you mean our new Vice Director?"

Laura blinked. "He's the Vice Director now?" The guard nodded proudly. "Yes." Laura smiled warmly. "Then that's perfect." She handed him the box. "Please tell him it's a gift from Laura Tryon." "I'll make sure he receives it." "Thank you." Laura nodded gratefully before returning to her car. Her next stop was Lucia Goods Headquarters. She parked outside the company before walking toward another security guard.

The guard greeted her respectfully. "Good morning, Miss." Laura returned the greeting before handing him the second beautifully wrapped gift box. "Could you please deliver this to your Director?" The guard accepted it carefully. "Certainly, Miss. May I tell her who it's from?" Laura smiled softly. "Tell her it's a gift from Laura Tryon." "I understand." "Thank you." With everything done, Laura finally drove back to Nova Blaze Jewelry.

When she returned to her office, she was surprised to find someone already waiting. Prince Gomez sat comfortably on one of the sofas, smiling at her. Laura smiled immediately. "Father." Prince returned the smile. "My child." He waited until she sat down before asking gently, "I heard from Production that those limited-edition watches were rushed into manufacturing." Laura nodded. "They were." Prince looked curious. "Did you find a buyer for them?"

Laura hesitated briefly before shaking her head. "No." "I gave them away." Prince blinked. "You... gave them away?" Laura nodded naturally. "I gave them to my friends." Silence filled the office. Prince simply stared at her. Laura became slightly nervous. "...Father?" Prince quickly smiled again. "Yes?" "Am I... not allowed to have friends?" Her question immediately softened Prince's heart. He smiled warmly. "Of course you are." "You can have as many friends as you want."

Laura's expression relaxed. "I just wanted to give them something meaningful." Prince nodded. "I understand." "As long as you believe it was important..." "I have no objections." Laura's face lit up with happiness. Without warning, she stood up, walked around the desk, and hugged him. "Thank you, Father." Prince froze completely. It took him several seconds before he slowly patted her shoulder. "You're welcome, my child." Laura finally let go, smiling brightly. Prince smiled back before quietly leaving the office. The moment he entered his own office... The smile on his face slowly disappeared.

He closed the door behind him before letting out a long sigh. "What a mess..." He walked toward the window and looked outside. "Those weren't ordinary watches." "They were limited-edition luxury pieces." "They were supposed to be unveiled to our major shareholders." He rubbed his forehead. "Now they've been given away..." His thoughts became more complicated. "How am I supposed to explain this to the board?" "If I secretly pay for them myself..." "...Laura will eventually discover it." "And when she does, she'll think she made a terrible mistake." He immediately shook his head. "No." "I can't let her lose her confidence."

Sweat slowly formed across his forehead as he continued thinking. After several minutes... His expression finally became firm. "If the shareholders question those watches..." "I'll simply tell them I personally took them." A small smile appeared on his face. "That way..." "...Laura will never have to blame herself."