The Apple of My Eye

"Re... really?" Hearing Chris's words, Autumn immediately blushed with embarrassment. She couldn't help but cast a complaining glance at Charles who was standing right in front of her. The way she reacted only gave herself away.

Seeing Autumn's reaction, Chris roared with laughter and said, "Yvonne, you are so adorable."

Autumn's cheeks turned pink. She made an excuse and left the room. After Autumn left, Chris became serious. She looked at Charles and said, "Brother, tell me the truth, are you in love with Yvonne?" "That is none of your concern." Charles answered with a frown.

"I care about you." Chris said in a serious manner. After their parents died, Charles took over all responsibilities and became the head of the family. He even guided Chris in every step of her life. Chris accepted every decision Charles made for her without any complaints. But now, she had to speak for Autumn. She knew Autumn was the best Charles could get.

"Brother, I know you weren't too happy to marry Yvonne. But now you are husband and wife. Grandpa also agrees with me on this. If you don't like Yvonne, you should put things straight and not to get in the way of her pursuit to happiness." Chris stated earnestly.

Charles looked at Chris with a blank face. He had affectionately brought up Chris under his wings. He had always considered her as his own child. But now, he suddenly realised she was all grown up. Her words made sense and she sounded all mature.

Charles frowned and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Charles didn't respond to Chris's question. Chris hated to poke her nose into other people's business. There must be some reason why she talked to him about this.

Chris sat down on the couch and angrily asked in reply,"Don't you know what you have done?"

"What happened?" Charles was confused.

"Rachel Bai called on our home phone today." Chris's eyes were fixated on Charles's face. She was trying to figure out things from his expressions. But Charles's face was still calm. "Really?" When Charles heard Rachel's name, a look of disgust came over his face. He believed Rachel would move on with a light heart, but he was wrong.

"Brother, what are you going to do?" Chris asked. Chris was quite taken aback by Rachel's phone. Luckily Gary was out for a walk when she called. Otherwise, things would have got really awkward. Rachel was still that annoying and scheming woman. She started off by being quite sweet and affectionate with Chris, and even asked Chris to go shopping together. Chris, of course, rejected her offer. For the first few minutes, she talked about random things and then changed the subject to Charles. Chris was clear about Rachel's intentions but pretended to be confused. She deliberately told Rachel that Charles and Yvonne were out on a dinner date. Rachel got really angry on hearing that.

"Yvonne is a nice girl, believe me. If you dump her because of Rachel Bai, I'll never be able to forgive you." Chris spoke to Charles in all seriousness,"I think Yvonne is much better than Rachel Bai..." "I agree with you." Chris was continually boasting about Autumn's positive attributes. Suddenly, Charles joined in too. This came across as a shocker for Chris.

Chris turned to Charles and saw his serious face. She was finally relieved.

They both knew nothing more was further left to be said. He went upstairs and pushed the door open. Chris wasn't sure what he was up to. He saw Autumn sitting on the bed with her cell phone in her hand, staring blankly at the walls.

Wendy had just called Autumn to talk about Yvonne. She told her that Yvonne was giving an interview at Shining Company tomorrow. Wendy wanted Autumn to mention the same to Charles. Autumn was not sure how she would do that.

She was reluctant to do what Wendy said. Yvonne was a trouble maker. If Yvonne worked with Charles, she would definitely stir up some troubles for all of them. Moreover, Charles had just confessed his love for her. She was not willing to give up Charles to Yvonne.

But if she didn't do as instructed by Wendy, her grandma could be in danger.

"What are you thinking about?" Charles sat beside Autumn, and held her in his arm. He asked,"Are you scared of Chris? She doesn't think ill of you."

"No, I'm not." Autumn shook her head. She hesitated for a long time before she finally opened her mouth,"Mr. Lu, I... I need a favour from you."

"Call me Charles." Charles said with a frown.

"Ch... Charles." Autumn muttered and continued, "Do you remember that lady you saw at the Gu Family?"

"Autumn Ye?" Charles frowned as he was struck with the image of that lady with the weird behaviour.

Autumn forced a smile to conceal her awkwardness. Charles mentioned her name with disdain. This made Autumn feel bad about what she was going to say next.

She almost forgot she was actually the substitute for Yvonne Gu in this house and in Charles's life.

"Right..." Autumn nodded and said, "Autumn is a distant relative of our family. My mother just called me. She said Autumn is applying for a job at Shining Company. She heard you are looking for a secretary and asked whether you can hire her as the secretary?"

Charles still remembered how that lady threw herself on him. He frowned at Autumn's words and said, "Yvonne, I need a capable secretary and not some eye candy. I've only met her once, but... I don't think she is fit for the job."

"I know, but..." Autumn frowned. She finally gathered some courage to push Charles further as she was reluctant to give up easily,"I know I'm putting you in a fix, but my mother... my mother forced me to request you for the same. I have no choice."

Charles could see Autumn and Wendy were not at good terms from the beginning. When Charles realised his rejection might put Autumn in a difficult position, he began considering what Autumn said. After a long pause, Charles finally spoke,"Well, you can ask her to come to give it a try tomorrow. But I can't promise to hire her."

Autumn sighed with relief and nodded, "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Charles said flatly,"If she isn't good enough for the position, I will not hire her as my secretary just to please you. But I can assure you I will offer her a sinecure, so that your mother has no reason to blame you."

Autumn knew Charles did this because he understood her estranged relationship with Wendy.

Autumn was greatly touched by Charles's kindness.

She thanked Charles again with a blushing face. Charles held her and said, "No need for thanks. You are my wife. I can do anything for you."