Chapter 13 Delay the Marriage Report with Johanna
After dinner, Lizzie unfolded her handkerchief to reveal the money inside, pushing them toward Glenna.
“Glenna, this is the food expense for this month.”
She usually lived and ate at Equinox Research Institute, fully immersed in her work, and rarely spent money on any- thing else, so she’d saved up quite a bit.
The moment Emery and Glenna saw her take out the money, their expressions turned gloomy.
Lizzie pulled out a few notes and handed them to Glenna..
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Glenna’s face darkened. “Lizzie, what are you doing? We’re family. Why are you giving me food expenses?
“You don’t have a job right now. This is exactly when you need money. Just put it away!”
Lizzie insisted, stuffing the money into Glenna’s hand.
“Glenna, please just take it. I’ve found a translation job. It’s only right for an adult to contribute to the household. Or do you not think of me as your own?”
She hadn’t offered the money yesterday because she knew Glenna would react this way, so she had waited until today.
Glenna finally accepted the money. She only did so because she didn’t want Lizzie to feel uncomfortable staying here.
But she decided that the money would be saved and given back as part of Lizzie’s dowry when Lizzie got married.
**
Theron had just finished helping with some emergency military training. After washing up, he picked up the malted milk, canned fruits, and other nutritional goods he’d prepared, planning to visit Emery’s home to check on Lizzie.
Just as he was about to leave with the items, someone knocked on the door.
Frowning, Theron set the things back on the small table.
When he opened the door, Zaire Schmidt, his superior, was standing outside.
Theron was surprised, but he didn’t show it on his face. Years of leading troops on dangerous missions had trained him to conceal his emotions.
Zaire walked in and looked at him. In a perfectly fitted uniform, Theron looked tall and upright.
He was the best soldier under Zaire’s command, already holding an important position despite his age. His future was limitless.
Zaire smiled.
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Chapter 13 Delay the Marriage Report with Johanna
“Still up, Theron?”
Theron set the items aside and poured Zaire a cup of water.
“Mr. Schmidt, what brings you here?”
Taking the cup and sitting down across from him, Zaire got straight to the point.
“Theron, I’ve heard about what’s going on between you and Ms. Trevino.”
Theron frowned, surprised that the news had spread so fast.
“It’s just a small disagreement. I’ll handle it.”
Zaire sighed, his tone earnest.
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“You’re young and full of promise. If your career gets impacted because of personal matters, that would be a shame. You need to watch your conduct. As for Johanna…”
Theron’s brows furrowed tighter, and he clarified, “I only look after Johanna because Efren asked me to do so.
Zaire had been present when Efren passed away.
”
He knew Theron was just loyal and kind. Still, Zaire reminded once more, “I believe you, but you still need to be more mindful.”
Theron pursed his lips. “I will.”
Zaire knew he was sensible but also knew he was deeply loyal by nature. “This matter with Ms. Trevino is serious. he’s been dismissed from the Equinox Research Laboratory. Someone with a stain on their record like that could af- ect your future. Since you’ve broken up, maybe it’s better to just move on.”
Theron’s fists suddenly clenched. “Mr. Schmidt, I know what I’m doing.”
Zaire didn’t know the whole story. He assumed Theron was being sentimental and couldn’t let go of his feelings for Lizzie. He sighed, “What a pity. How could Ms. Trevino be so foolish? Even if she lacked qualifications and was ea- ger to prove herself, she shouldn’t have stolen someone else’s research!”
Theron pursed his lips. He hadn’t expected Lizzie’s dismissal to stir up this much backlash.
Now, even Zaire believed Lizzie was a thief who had stolen someone’s research.
And yet, thinking of Johanna and the fact that she was carrying Efren’s child, he swallowed down the words he was about to use in defense of Lizzie.
“She won’t be returning to Equinox Research Institute.”
“As long as you’re clear about it,” Zaire sighed and got ready to leave.
“Mr. Schmidt, about the marriage report between Johanna and me, I’d like to withdraw it for now.”
Zaire was taken aback. “I understand your decision. You’re still young, and you have a future ahead of you. You’ve
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Chapter 13 Delay the Marriage Report with Johanna
done enough for Efren already…”
“Mr. Schmidt,” Theron interrupted him. “I’m just delaying the marriage report with Johanna, not canceling it.”
He had no intention of giving up on Lizzie.
He just wanted to convince Lizzie before he went ahead with filing the marriage report with Johanna,
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Zaire assumed it was Lizzie who had refused and caused all the commotion, which only made him like her even less.
“This is your private matter. I won’t meddle. I’ll hold off on processing the report.”
With that, Zaire left.
Theron picked up the nutritional goods from the table and stepped out of the dorm.
As he reached the entrance, he saw Johanna standing near the gatehouse with a lunchbox in hand, chatting with the on–duty security guard. It was clear she had come looking for someone.
“Johanna.”
Theron strode toward Johanna.
Johanna turned around. She was dressed in a suit that accentuated her graceful figure. Her long black hair was braided into a thick plait that hung down over her chest, enhancing her fresh, delicate appearance.
“Johanna, why are you here? You shouldn’t be moving around too much right now,” Theron said with concern.
Johanna instinctively placed a hand over her still–flat belly. “Mr. Howland, I made some food and wanted to give it to Lizzie. She got hurt because of me, so I should do something for her.”
Theron frowned a bit. “That won’t be necessary. Lizzie has been discharged from the hospital.”
Johanna froze, wondering, “Discharged? But Lizzie hasn’t returned to the dorm at Equinox Research Laboratory. Could it be that Mr. Howland has taken her here?”
Her grip on the lunchbox tightened at the thought.
Non–family members weren’t allowed into the office area. Even Johanna had to wait at the gate for the security guard to call whom she wanted to see.
She had tried to get rid of Lizzie, but it seemed like she ended up making Theron bring Lizzie in!
. “Then this food…”
Theron didn’t mention where Lizzie had gone. He simply said, “She doesn’t need it. You should take it back and eat it yourself.”
A trace of embarrassment appeared on Johanna’s face. “The baby’s been fussy lately, and I haven’t had much of an ap- petite. I can’t eat this stuff. Maybe the baby’s just craving something…”
Her cheeks flushed deeper as she spoke. Her head lowered almost to her chest, and her hands clutched at the hem of
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Chapter 13 Delay the Marriage Report with Johanna
her clothing.
Theron couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
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If Efren were still alive, he’d surely make sure she ate anything she wanted. Efren would take good care of both her and the child.
Thinking of this, Theron resolved that he wouldn’t let Johanna or the child she carried suffer.
He handed the nutritional goods to Johanna.
“Take these and eat them. You need some nutrition.”
