The Genius She Treated Like a Dog

Chapter 6

In the foggy haze of my mind, I heard a woman urgently calling my namey. I wanted to answer, but I couldn't find the strength.

Suddenly, I felt soft lips gently pressing against mine, then a pill and some water were placed into my mouth.

Darkness enveloped me soon after, and I lost consciousness. When I finally came to, I found myself in a hospital room, the chill of the IV line prickling the back of my hand.

That same sweet floral scent from before my blackout lingered in the air, and I noticed a girl sitting by my bed.

Her gentle breathing revealed she was asleep.

I struggled to sit up, eager to see her more clearly. Just then, she lifted her head, and our eyes met.

"Andy, you're finally awake!" Her voice was filled with warmth and concern.

She quickly stood, propped a pillow behind me, and helped me sit up comfortably.

Her smile was both beautiful and strangely familiar, and I struggled to remember who she was.

"You don't know me? Remember those black-rimmed glasses?" she teased, mimicking glasses with her hands.

"Lucy?" I guessed, uncertain.

I remembered her as a girl wearing plain clothes and large glasses, quite different from how she looked now in a classy Chanel outfit.

"Surprised to see me?" she asked with a hint of playfulness.

"A bit," I admitted.

Lucy reached for a thermos on the table, opened it, and offered me some warm soup.

"Have some to fill your stomach." Then, with a hint of scolding, she added, "You fainted from a food allergy yesterday. You need to take better care of yourself."

I gave a half-smile, "It's just the work demands."

Back then, we were both top students set for our graduate studies, frequently collaborating on projects. Then she transferred schools abruptly, and we lost contact.

"You should pay more attention to your health. That's not your company. You need to sort out your priorities!" she chided.

I shifted the conversation, "So, where have you been these past six years? You left before we finished our project."

"I went abroad to study further. It was my dad's decision," she replied, offering no further explanation.

I chose not to press.

Lucy stared at me for a moment, her gaze softening. "Andy, what would you have done if we hadn't met last night?"

"I'm a tough guy. I would've managed somehow."

Her eyes grew misty, and perhaps to hide it, she got up quickly, saying she would summon the doctor.

Shortly after, the doctor and a nurse entered. With the IV drip completed, they assured me I was fine and ready to leave the hospital.

"It's getting late. I need to go back to the office for a meeting. Let's exchange numbers. I owe you a meal."

"You've just had a health issue due to work, and you're still not taking a day off?" she questioned in disbelief.

I shook my head, "No, there's too much work to do."

Lucy hesitated as though she wanted to say more, but in the end, she just gave me her number and added me on W******p before heading out.

"Lucy, I really appreciate you taking care of me, and it's great to see you back home!" A faint smile appeared on my lips as I expressed my genuine happiness.

I felt the urge to ask Lucy out for dinner right then to catch up, but I knew that being away for a night would drive Karen mad. If I didn't get back soon, she would make things tough for me.

With less than a month to go, I couldn't risk any more problems. Just as I was about to leave, Lucy's voice stopped me.

"Why don't you just quit working for the Moore Group and Karen?" she asked.

I paused briefly. "We'll talk about it next time," I said.

After leaving the hospital, I drove straight to the office. As I neared the CEO's office, I could hear Karen's voice booming through the door.

"Is Andy not at work yet?"

I was genuinely taken aback. She usually only turned up for the year-end bonuses.

I walked in to find several directors standing awkwardly, getting an earful. As soon as they spotted me, their looks pleaded for rescue.

When Karen saw me, she grabbed a folder and hurled it at me.

"Where have you been all night, and why did you turn off your phone?" she demanded.

"I was hospitalized for a food allergy," I answered calmly.

"That's nonsense! You ran to the hospital over a tiny allergy? You're just a piece of sh*t trying to dodge your responsibilities," she retorted.

The directors began whispering, speculating about our relationship. I preferred not to engage with Karen's irrational outbursts, so I stayed silent.

"Let's handle our personal matters later, Ms. Moore. We have an important meeting today," I suggested.

"'Our'? Don't flatter yourself. You're just a servant my grandfather hired, a weakling who goes to the hospital over a little mango! I have no idea how you managed to win his approval."

Ignoring her snide remarks, I instructed the directors to prepare for the meeting.

They scurried out eagerly, and I turned to leave as well.

"Andy, I didn't say you could leave. If you walk out now, don't bother coming back!" Karen warned.

"Ms. Moore, my contract with your grandfather lasts until the end of the month. You can't fire me before then," I said calmly.

"What contract? That's just an excuse! You're using my grandfather's status to pressure me! End of the month? Fine, if you can last that long."

She tore up some crucial documents I had put together, looking smug.

"Restore those in ten minutes, or you're fired!" she ordered.

"Will do." I nodded.

It wasn't an easy task to restore those documents, but it was preferable to getting caught up with Karen's nonsense.

Besides, I had a meeting lined up with George White that afternoon to discuss the Waveland Port project that Karen had turned down before.

This was my way to pave my own path. Leaving the Moore Group meant losing my executive power, but I had earned the trust of many clients over the years.

George might not be as wealthy as the Moore Group, but he was an excellent starting point for my own career.

***

That afternoon, I arrived at the coffee shop on time and found George already in a private room.

"Mr. White, sorry for the wait," I said.

"A smart leader knows the value of waiting for talent like you," he replied with a knowing smile.

"Working with a remarkable entrepreneur like you has been one of the highlights of my life," I responded.

"Hahaha, you sure are impressive. Have a seat. Tell me what good news you have from the Moore Group."

Taking a seat, I poured us both some coffee.

"Mr. White, this time I'm speaking for myself because I'll be leaving the Moore Group soon," I said honestly.