Chapter 54: The Pregnancy Can’t Be Hidden Anymore
Meredith regretted staying behind to gossip. She shouldn’t have done it.
Earlier, Terrence Sterling asked her if she had been to Grandmere Hotel, and now the truth was out. Before Meredith could respond, Sasha chimed in: “Meredith has been there, Mr. Sterling. Quentin told me about that place, and he specifically mentioned it to me. Meredith had been there before.”
Meredith remained silent, feeling that she didn’t need anyone to speak for her.
Now, there was no way she could avoid it. Terrence Sterling’s gaze was icy, and even though he hadn’t said a word, it sent shivers down her spine. Meredith nervously chuckled, “Yes, I’ve been there. I spent a little time there that day and then left. I’m not very familiar with it.”
She turned to Sasha and said, “Sasha, could you give me the address? I’m afraid I won’t be able to find it.”
“Sure, I’ll send the address in the group chat,” Sasha replied, oblivious to the tense atmosphere. “Mr. Sterling, I’ll go attend to my work now.”
“Mr. Sterling, I’ll also excuse myself,” Meredith added, hoping to leave.
But Terrence Sterling’s cold voice stopped her. “Miss Florrick, stay.”
Meredith’s heart raced, feeling guilty and exposed. She could only stand silently in place.
Sasha left, leaving only Terrence Sterling and Meredith in the office.
Despite the air conditioning set at 25C, Meredith felt as though it was below freezing, shivering with cold.
Terrence Sterling stood up, his expression unreadable as he walked up to her, his deep eyes drilling into hers. “Miss Florrick, when did you go to Grandmere Hotel?”
Meredith dared not lie this time, fearing that Terrence Sterling would see through her deception and become suspicious. So she admitted, “It was on the 5th of last month. We had a gathering, and I went too. I stayed for about an hour and then went home.”
Terrence Sterling asked coldly, “Why did you lie before?”
He wanted to know why she had denied going there previously. Meredith replied earnestly, “Mr. Sterling, I really didn’t remember at the time. It had been too long, and when Sasha mentioned the hotel just now, I had forgotten all about it.”
Terrence Sterling scrutinized her intensely, trying to decipher her true emotions. But her reactions revealed nothing. Was she concealing her feelings well, or was she not involved that night?
Like Harvey Fieldmouse had said, if any woman climbed into his bed, she would certainly be welcomed. There were plenty of women who wore mint fragrance, and many had long black hair. Meredith happened to have both qualities, just like Fiona. But these similarities didn’t prove anything.
Terrence Sterling diverted his gaze from her, his tone indifferent. “Go prepare for the afternoon meeting.”
“Yes, Mr. Sterling.” Meredith left the office, silently relieved.
That was too close, she thought. Was Terrence Sterling still holding onto that night’s events? Did he want to uncover the person from that night and settle scores?
Meredith felt anxious all afternoon, making mistakes in preparing for the meeting. As the afternoon meeting began, with Terrence Sterling seated at the head, all the company’s top executives present, Linda and Rick seated nearby.
Meredith was tasked with distributing materials. Just as she finished, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Justin, asking what time she’d be home tonight.
Before she could reply, Linda approached and whispered, “Meredith, where’s the USB drive? Remember to send me the materials later.”
“Sure.” Meredith handed over the USB drive, then returned to her seat. She opened her computer, and her messages automatically synced.
The meeting began, and Meredith found a moment to reply to Justin: “We have a dinner tonight, so I’ll be home very late.”
Seeing that Meredith would be at a dinner event meant she might have to drink. Justin cautioned, “Don’t drink, don’t stay up late. You’re carrying a baby in the early stages, so be careful.”
Concerned that Meredith might not be able to refuse drinks at the dinner, Justin texted again, “Where are you having dinner? I’ll come to pick you up.”
As the meeting continued, Terrence Sterling spoke from the stage, and Meredith was about to reply to Justin when Rick reminded her, “Miss Florrick, the Southbay Strategy proposal…”
“Oh, right away.” Meredith quickly pulled up the data on her computer and shared it on the screen in the room.
Once she was done, she lowered her head to check her phone. While editing her message to Justin, saying she wouldn’t be drinking, she failed to notice the hushed silence that had settled over the room. It felt like countless eyes were fixed on her.
Raising her head, Meredith met Terrence Sterling’s frigid gaze, and she saw that the screen now displayed their conversation, inadvertently projected for all to see. The chat box showed her exchanges with Justin.
Meredith was mortified on the spot. Her pregnancy could no longer be hidden.Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.