C282 Investing

I ended up finishing almost everything in the lunchbox while Alicia only picked at the takeaway meal I had brought. She took a few small bites before gently placing the container aside. "I'm full." I looked at her in disbelief. "Already?" She nodded. I glanced between the untouched food and her. "Was it really that bad?" Alicia smiled and shook her head. "No." "I just wasn't that hungry."

Knowing she was pregnant, I couldn't help worrying. "Wife, you can't keep eating like a bird." "You need to eat more now." She reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand. "I know." "I'll eat more later." Seeing that she truly had no appetite, I decided not to pressure her any further. Instead, another question crossed my mind. I looked at the now-empty lunch box. "Now that I've completely finished it..." "Would you mind telling me who actually cooked this?"

Alicia rested her chin on one hand. "Why?" I laughed. "Because whoever cooked it is talented." For a moment I thought deeply before snapping my fingers. "Wait..." "Was it Grandma?" Alicia raised an eyebrow. "My grandmother?" I nodded confidently. "It has to be." "But..." I suddenly frowned. "No." "That can't be right." She smiled. "Why not?" I leaned back in my chair. "If Grandma taught you how to cook..." "Then her cooking should taste almost exactly like yours." "This soup tasted completely different."

Alicia couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. She laughed so hard that tears almost appeared in her eyes. After calming herself, she finally answered. "It wasn't Grandma." "It was Faith." "The Head of Human Resources." I blinked. "Faith?" She nodded. "She said she woke up early this morning and cooked it especially for me." For several seconds I remained silent. Then my expression gradually became serious. "Wife..." Alicia immediately noticed the change. "What is it?"

I folded my arms. "How can you casually eat food that anyone brings you?" She blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?" I sighed. "I'm not saying Faith is a bad person." "In fact..." "I think she's one of the most honest employees in this company." "But..." "You never know." "You've become Director." "That also means you've probably made enemies." "Some people smile in front of you while secretly waiting for an opportunity to hurt you." "You shouldn't simply accept food from everyone."

Alicia smiled helplessly. "Husband..." "I think you're worrying too much." I shook my head. "No." "I'm being cautious." "You've already become a target once." "I don't want something happening because we lowered our guard." Alicia looked at me quietly. She knew I wasn't trying to criticize Faith. I was simply worried about her safety. Finally she smiled gently. "Alright." "I'll be more careful next time." Only then did I feel relieved.

Alicia suddenly remembered something. "Oh..." "I almost forgot." "I've already finalized everything for the Training Hall." I looked up. "Everything?" She nodded excitedly. "I contacted the renovation company this morning." "They've already confirmed the project." "They'll personally handle all the renovations this weekend." I smiled. "That was quick." She nodded proudly. "I wanted everything to start immediately."

She leaned back in her chair before continuing. "Which means..." "Our weekend plans might change slightly." I looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?" "The workers said they'll arrive on Saturday." "If they come early in the morning..." "I'll have to stay here for a while to guide them through the renovation plans." "They need someone who understands exactly how I want Hall C transformed."

She smiled apologetically. "So..." "If they arrive early..." "We'll first come to the company." "After everything is settled..." "We'll head to the mall." "But..." "If they're delayed..." "Then we'll simply stick to our original plan." I nodded without hesitation. "I don't see any problem with that." She smiled happily. "I knew you'd agree." The two of us continued chatting comfortably while enjoying the peaceful lunch break.

Meanwhile... At Wood IT Company Headquarters... Just as it had become routine... Lunch was once again going to be shared inside Director Sarah's office. Samantha had personally ordered everyone's meals before leaving her office carrying several neatly packed lunch boxes. Instead of going directly to Sarah's office, she first walked toward the Vice Director's office. Knock... knock... Inside, Chris was completely absorbed in reading several financial reports spread across his desk. Amanda looked up first. "Come in."

Samantha stepped inside carrying the food. Chris slowly lifted his head. Samantha smiled warmly. "Chris." "Lunch is ready." She gently raised the bags in her hands before turning around. Without waiting for his reply, she walked toward Sarah's office. She didn't bother knocking. She simply opened the door. Sarah immediately looked up. The moment she saw Samantha carrying several lunch boxes, she burst into laughter. "I was just wondering what we were going to eat today." "It seems you've already solved that problem."

Samantha laughed as she placed everything onto the table. "Today's my treat." Sarah smiled brightly. "Then I won't refuse." As she unpacked the meals, Sarah's eyes drifted toward the still-open doorway. Samantha noticed immediately. She smiled knowingly. "Waiting for Chris?" Sarah nodded honestly. "Yes." "I'll go call him." Samantha quickly shook her head. "No need." Almost the moment those words left her mouth... The office door opened again. Chris casually walked inside.

Sarah laughed. "So..." "She called you first?" Chris shrugged with an amused grin. "What can I do?" "My wife keeps insisting I eat lunch with my enemies." Both women burst into laughter. Sarah shook her head helplessly. "You always call Samantha your enemy." "But..." "I'm beginning to think you actually enjoy her company." Samantha looked embarrassed. She glanced at Chris nervously.

"I..." "I'm not boring you, am I?" Chris leaned back in his chair. "Boring?" "How could you possibly bore Sarah?" "You two spend half the day laughing together..." "And the other half crying together."

Samantha froze. "...Crying?" Chris nodded seriously. "Exactly." "You two are professional crybabies." "Even from my office..." "I can hear both of you crying." "It always sounds like somebody has died." Sarah nearly choked on her drink. She looked at Samantha. Then back at Chris. "...Are we really that bad?" Samantha rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "Actually..." "You're not the first person to tell us that." Chris proudly folded his arms. "See?" "I'm always right."

Sarah rolled her eyes dramatically. "Forget it." "We're not discussing that anymore." "Let's eat before everything gets cold." Everyone laughed before finally beginning lunch. For several minutes... Only the sounds of cutlery and casual conversation filled the room. Halfway through the meal... Samantha suddenly looked at Sarah. "Sister..." "I've been thinking about something." Sarah placed her spoon down. "What is it?" "I want to start investing." Sarah smiled. "Investing?" Samantha nodded. "Yes." "I just..." "I don't know where I should begin."

Sarah looked genuinely interested. "What options have you been considering?" Samantha thought quietly before answering. "The first..." "is investing in the Heaps Group." "Now that Monica owns thirty percent of the company..." "I don't want to watch it struggle." "If I can help strengthen it..." "At least her future will be more secure." She paused before continuing. "My second idea..." "is education." "I've been thinking about public schools." "There are so many children who can't even afford basic school supplies." "If I could somehow help..." "I'd finally feel like I accomplished something with my own money."

She smiled softly. "And lastly..." "I've been considering buying shares in a clothing company." "I'm not looking to become the owner." "I actually enjoy working close to both of you." "So I'd simply become an investor." "It would give me something that belongs to me." Sarah listened attentively without interrupting. After thinking for a while, she smiled proudly. "My sister..." "You've really changed." Samantha blinked. "What do you mean?" Sarah laughed. "Yesterday you were crying over newspaper headlines." "Today..." "You're discussing investment portfolios like an experienced businesswoman."

Even Chris smiled quietly while continuing to eat. Sarah folded her hands thoughtfully. "I can't simply tell you to choose one and ignore the others." "It depends entirely on one thing." "Your budget." "If your budget is large enough..." "You could eventually invest in all three." "If it's more modest..." "Buying shares in a clothing company might be the safest starting point." "Although..." "You'll still need time to study which brand is worth investing in."

She then looked thoughtfully at Samantha. "As for the public school idea..." "I'm not completely sure what you mean." "Are you planning to donate money..." "Or actually invest in educational projects?" "Government schools don't operate like private businesses." "There would be procedures..." "Approvals..." "And quite a lot of paperwork." Samantha nodded thoughtfully.

Sarah became quiet again before asking one final question. "And regarding the Heaps Group..." "What happens if your father becomes greedy again..." "Especially if the company starts making significant profits?"