Hearts System: 1000 Ways to Tell CEO I Love You-Chapter 38: Leave Leander

The CEO retreated from the cluster and went to collect two more ladies. Madam Henny was quick to leave to find her other socially high-ranking friends. She would even take Houston, who was too stunned to believe his eyes.

Luellen reveled in everyone’s gazes. She received many makeup tutorial videos from Summer. The system shop had also opened a stencil for a night like this.

"I’m glad to see that you’re not wasting the gown." Leander chuckled as he fetched Luellen. "I’ll introduce you to some people. Can you handle talking to them?"

"I’ll do my best not to make a fool of myself." Luellen couldn’t promise anything. She barely spoke to anyone during her father’s business galas. Moreover, she was a teen when she last attended one of those. Speaking to people whose stature was close to Leander’s might take more out of her.

Before they could leave their spot, some others had converged around them. It was the other directors who were invited to the party. The others might not know who Luellen was, but those from the conglomerate knew of a woman Leander Wentworth seemingly courted.

It was just that... they knew of a different name.

"Leander, is this... her?" One of the gossipy directors hid a smile under her fan. "Such a pampered young mistress. Why is she working in your office?"

"Her background doesn’t dismiss her capabilities." The CEO chuckled in response.

Leander kept his smile and spoke to the new cluster of people. He would even gesture at Luellen, and the maiden could only nod and smile. His words emphasized Luellen’s excellent handling of Shirley’s mishaps, without mentioning names.

"Oh, Ms Shirley—" "Luellen? It really is you!"

Luellen and Leander flinched when someone called out. The crowd before them parted as if the woman’s voice was familiar to everyone. In fact, it was. Who among these executives did not recognize the voice of the formidable Mrs Lawford? Yes, Director Lawford’s wife barged in with her husband linked to her arm.

She smiled widely, stretching that maintained beauty on her old face. "Oh, my! When Sean told me he saw Weyland’s little girl in the conglomerate, I didn’t believe him. Oh, Luellen, you’ve grown so much! What a fine lady...!"

Diane Lawford looked up at Leander. "I believe she’s working as an intern in your office, Leander. Are you treating her well?"

A slight smile curled Leander’s lips. "I treat my friend’s family members well. No need to worry about her."

"Thank you for your concern, Mrs Lawford." Luellen smiled and bowed.

"Nonsense! Your father has been so gracious to everyone. I must reciprocate." Diane, however, pulled Luellen away from Leander’s reach. She embraced the maiden as if Luellen were her daughter instead. "Come, come, I will introduce you to more people. Sean, call Princeton. He can’t leave the conglomerate without meeting such a fine lady."

Luellen couldn’t stop the tide named Diane. She could only look back in Leander’s direction before being completely taken away.

A smile kept Leander’s lips curled, but everyone around him felt the coldness of his aura. They didn’t know why the formidable Mrs Lawford called the girl a different name. However, they did know that Leander hated that she had been taken. Then again, it was not wise to grab a lady’s slender arm.

Leander only pulled on his jacket and looked around. He was tall enough to scan the crowd without too many heads impeding his vision. Still, he didn’t find Beckett.

He could only spot Gala sauntering toward him. She even hugged his arm and whispered, "Leander, you didn’t tell me you knew that girl’s father. No wonder you catered to her every need."

"Hm..." Leander only walked, dragging Gala to where Houston and Madam Henny were. "Don’t think too much about it."

...

[You have gained more of (Leander Wentworth)’s interest! EXP +50!]

[You have attracted (Leander Wentworth)’s ire! EXP -90!]

[You have lost multiple favors! Your demerit led to a decrease in 3 level/s! Earlier rewards will not be forfeited. Regaining levels up to (Level 15) will not give you any rewards.]

Luellen flinched when she received her first demerit from the system. It left a bitter taste in her tongue. Still, Luellen didn’t realize she would meet someone from the past at this gala. She should have known it was the same Lawford family.

She smiled at Diane. "Mrs Lawford, I didn’t realize I ran into your husband in the conglomerate. I should have greeted him properly."

"Luellen, you should resign." Diane glanced down at her with sharp eyes. "I don’t know what Weyland said about him, but Leander Wentworth is bad news. Leave as soon as you can. If you need help, I can get you a position in one of my hospitals."

"I..." Luellen gasped before clutching at the bodice of her gown. She then looked down at her silver gown, remembering who bought it. The maiden stopped walking. "Mrs Lawford, thank you for your concern, but I can’t do that. I have to work for Mr Leander for at least one year. I’m sorry."

"One year? Why?" Diane and Sean stopped walking when Luellen did. The concerned grandma frowned at her. "Did you... do something?"

Luellen shook her head. She stood her ground. "I have my own obligations, Mrs Lawford. One of them is to Mr Leander. Please don’t talk me out of it again. I know my father is a good man. Ruining his business relationships is not my intention... but I will do it if you don’t let me live my life."

Diane retracted her hands to her chest. She glanced at her husband, but Sean only laughed. He even patted Luellen’s hair carefully. "You are indeed Weyland’s daughter."

His smile dropped. "Luellen, remember that you can still come to us. Leander is a good business partner, but even his fiancée has run away from him. Don’t suffer if you can help it. Find me if you want to escape."

"...I’ll keep that in mind." Luellen bowed her head lowly. She then smiled at them and walked off to return to Leander’s side.

[You have stood your ground! You have obtained 5 Blue Heart/s!]

Luellen’s eyes flickered. So that was how she could earn Blue Hearts. She could only think about it later. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The maiden continued walking, pulling the white shawl over her exposed shoulder. A lot of men tried to speak to her, and she could only smile and slip away from them. None of them dared to grab her. They all heard how this woman was Leander Wentworth’s girl.

Then again, with what Diane said, the rumors would change again.

It was just a few minutes into the farewell party. Luellen already felt so exhausted. She ran into Ms Curtis and her husband, but their conversation wasn’t long. The retiring secretary, Princeton, also caught her and asked her to stay for a few minutes.

Luellen felt like she didn’t come with Leander’s group. She spoke with many people, others who claimed to know her. However, she did it alone. Her head turned at every angle, but she found no traces of her companions... especially Leander.