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Novel Catalog
Chapter_33
Surprise, Surprise
The timing was impeccable. Johnson stepped into the room, his voice filling the air as he called out, “Where is everyone? Where the hell did they—”
But his words died on his lips the moment he saw me sitting calmly on the couch. His eyes widened, and he froze.
I smiled and tipped my head slightly, greeting him. “Mr. Hyger.”
It took him a while to collect himself. He stammered, “M–Mrs. Murphy!”
“Are you surprised to see me?” I asked, my smile never fading. “Come, sit down. Don’t worry. I’ve already sent the workers away.”
Johnson seemed flustered. “Uh… I need to call the foreman to calculate the work hours first,” he said, trying to excuse himself as he moved toward the door.
“Johnson,” I said coolly, my tone sharp and steady. “Calling the foreman isn’t that urgent, is it?”
His body stiffened, and he turned back around in a panic, confusion crossing his face. His lips trembled as he hesitated. Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
“I thought you might want to hear what I have to say,” I continued, watching him closely. “Do my words carry no weight to you anymore, John?”
The sarcasm in my voice was unmistakable. A far cry from the old days when Johnson would rush to greet me, calling out “Chlo” from across the street.
He wiped his forehead, his face pale. His steps were reluctant as he approached the couch, unsure and uneasy.
“C–Chlo! How can this be?” His voice wavered. “You’ve always been like a sister to me. Without you, the Johnson of today wouldn’t even exist!” He chuckled awkwardly, but the unease was palpable.
I nodded, gesturing for him to sit, but he hesitated.
“I think I’ll stand, Chlo. I didn’t expect you to come! Haha!” Johnson attempted to hide his nervousness with forced laughter.
“Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow, my tone tinged with mockery. “Shouldn’t I have shown up here?”
I looked around, pretending to admire the place. “Lovely house. It’s just what I like.”
Johnson’s eyes narrowed, and I saw his fists clench at his sides. “Y–Yes, it’s good that you like it.”
“Too bad it isn’t for me, right?” I focused all my attention on him again, my words cutting through the air. “So, you need to tell me who Mr. Murphy prepared this for.”
He cleared his throat, visibly flustered. “W–What are you talking about, Sis? Mr. Murphy did this for you, of course!”
“Is that so?” I feigned appreciation, a playful smile creeping onto my face. “Matthew’s always full of surprises. Always doing things for me.”
I chuckled at my own words, even blushing for effect.
“Of course. You two have been quite the team,” Johnson stammered, his smile forced. “I mean… it’s not like that. I–I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Johnson, you’ve been with Tanum Corporation for a few years now. Things have certainly changed, haven’t they?” I continued thoughtfully, ignoring his discomfort. “I remember when we used to roam the streets, eating buns and pickles from the roadside. Quite different from now, don’t you think?”
I let the nostalgia linger before adding with a sharp edge, “But I must admit, I’m a bit ashamed. Matthew knows how to play the game. He treats you well, doesn’t he? Hidden bonuses and all. That’s how he secures people’s loyalty.”
“Sis, you shouldn’t say that,” Johnson stammered, his nervousness increasing as he wiped his face again.
“Oh, I haven’t seen your wife in a while. How is she doing? Maybe I should visit her sometime,” I casually changed the subject, as if everything were normal. “They say pregnancy clouds the mind for three years. Ava’s already four, and I’m still clueless. Huh? So many people around me have moved on, I guess that’s my fault.”
Johnson seemed caught off guard, wiping his forehead once more before answering with a sheepish grin, “My wife’s doing great. She’s pregnant. Thanks for asking.”
“Oh, she’s pregnant? That’s wonderful news! How exciting, you’ll be a dad soon,” I feigned excitement. “How far along is she?”
“Six months. Haha,” Johnson laughed nervously, trying to deflect the tension.
“Great!” I nodded. “Well, you’d better treasure it.”
My words held a hint of suggestiveness, a playfulness in my tone that seemed to rattle him. My gaze never left him, and he stammered, his composure cracking, “C–Chlo, I…”
I leaned back slightly, my voice turning colder. “Who’s the new woman in Matthew’s life?”
The question hit him like a punch to the gut. Johnson stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “Chlo, I don’t know!”
I stared at him, emphasizing each word as I responded, “You… don’t… know?”
The sudden chill in my voice seemed to paralyze him. The air between us thickened, and I could see the panic rising in his eyes.