Araceli POV
"Crap!" Reynaldo slammed his fist on the table. "Krish and I both lost!"
Krish pursed his lips and said, "This person is a true master hacker. I'm not as good as him."
I brought four plates out and glanced at them, probably understanding. "Boys, dinner is ready."
Reynaldo carried Valeria over and sat her in the chair.
Valeria grabbed a spoon and started eating.
I smiled and said, "Put the laptops all away. If we don't eat now, Valeria is about to eat all the food."
Reynaldo and Krish both burst out laughing.
After the meal, Krish and I watched TV on the couch, and Krish told me what had just happened. The video had been deleted by a master hacker. I rubbed his head and reassured him that it was nothing.
Reynaldo washed the dishes, dried his hands, and came over to tug on my sleeve.
He whispered, "Araceli, I don't have a place to stay in New York. Can I stay here tonight? I see there are plenty of rooms on the second floor..."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "You can get a hotel room."
"No, I have a cleanliness problem."
Reynaldo held Valeria in his arms. "Valeria, your mommy is going to let me sleep on the street. Uncle Rey doesn't want to be homeless. It's so cold outside. I'm going to freeze to death, Valeria. Maybe I'll take you for ice cream tomorrow..."
I frowned and said, "That's enough, Reynaldo, do you want me to throw you out?"
Valeria suddenly jumped out of Reynaldo's embrace and ran to a guest room on the first floor.
She raised her eyes and looked over at me.
I understood what Valeria meant. She wanted Reynaldo to stay here tonight.
Valeria relied on Krish and me in her daily life, but she actually liked Reynaldo a lot, too.
I thought this might be because Reynaldo was the only adult male in Valeria's life that she could rely on. She trusted him from the bottom of her heart.
However, why did Valeria have such impulsive feelings for Raphael?
I frowned slightly and turned back around. After seeing Valeria's eyes, I sighed and said, "Two days at the most, Reynaldo. You have to leave here in two days."
Reynaldo picked Valeria up, smiled broadly and said, "OK! Thank you, Araceli! Valeria! Ma bonne étoile!"
A night passed.
The sun shone through the green leaves and came in through the window. I rubbed my hair and sat up.
I have to go to the Silver Group today for the new product launch. In the afternoon, I had to go to Royal Group to talk about a partnership.
I pulled open my closet and chose a white dress.
I had just changed into the dress when I heard Veronica's voice coming from downstairs.
It occurred to me that I had told Veronica yesterday that I had something to deal with today, and Veronica said she would come by early this morning to drop Krish and Valeria off at Brizela Daycare.
Veronica said in surprise, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
I rushed out and froze.
Veronica was staring warily at Reynaldo, who was topless.
OMG...
Reynaldo narrowed his eyes and said respectfully, "Madame, bonjour. I'm Araceli's boyfriend."
Veronica was visibly shocked. She looked up and saw me standing on the second floor.
I immediately went downstairs, took Veronica's hand, shook my head, and used the mind-link to tell her that I would explain everything to her later.
"You! Get dressed!"
I yelled at Reynaldo.
Reynaldo pulled the blanket over his body and wrapped it around him as he realized he was topless, smiling awkwardly.
Veronica smiled and asked me, "Araceli..."
I immediately replied, "Grandma, this is my friend from France, Reynaldo Emerson. Reynaldo, this is my grandmother, Veronica Felton."
Reynaldo had realized he had made a mistake, and after greeting Veronica, he made an excuse, got up and ran to his room.
I looked at his back, sighed, and said, "Grandma, here's the thing. He just arrived in New York yesterday and didn't want to go to a hotel, so I took him in for the night."
Seeing my honest face, Veronica smiled and said, "What's wrong with that? Araceli, I wish you'd fallen in love sooner..."
I blushed and hurriedly explained, "Grandma, I actually don't want to be in a relationship... Oh, Eliezer is waiting for me outside, right?"
I grabbed my bag, took Veronica's hand, and walked out.
She watched me get into Eliezer's car and waved at me.
I smiled sweetly, nodded at her and breathed a sigh of relief.
I thought of something and immediately took out my phone and sent a text message to Reynaldo.
"TWO DAYS!"
Just as the car drove out of the villa area, I became aware of a car following me.
I was about to speak when Eliezer said, "Araceli, this car was parked in front of your house when I came in this morning. Someone is following you."
I frowned. "Who would be following me? I've only been back in the US for a few days."
"Maybe it was Melany," Eliezer said coldly, "You just got shares and exclusive rights to the technology of Eclipse Group. How could she let you off easily?"
I wrinkled my brow, my eyes cold.
"Araceli, I will arrange some bodyguards for you when the launch is over." Eliezer said, "I'll also send a few people to protect Krish and Valeria. There's no way Eclipse can hurt your children."
I nodded. "Eliezer, thanks."
The car behind us kept following us, and it also pulled up in front of Silver Group's building after we got there.
Eliezer shook his head, hinting at me not to act rashly, and then walked inside with me.
Silver Group's new product launch would be held in the central lobby of the building. The press had already arrived before it started.
I went to the lounge first, and Eliezer went to the lobby.
I had just entered the lobby when I saw Evelin staring at a robot. "Eliezer, are you sure this is the new product our company is about to launch? It doesn't look like anything special. It won't even answer my questions!"
Eliezer rolled his eyes. "You don't know anything. It comes with Araceli's newly developed artificial intelligence software, Creaty."
Evelin stomped her foot in anger and said to Eliezer, "Of course I know!"
She shouted at the robot, but it still ignored her.
Eliezer shook his head and didn't say anything.
I looked at Evelin and was amused. I walked over and said to the robot, "Creaty, verify the voice print."
The robot immediately looked up and smiled at me respectfully. "Verification completed. Ms. Chancey, good morning. What do you want me to do for you?"
Evelin was shocked. I smiled and said, "Evelin, this is a product developed in-house by Silver Group, but you don't even know how to unlock it? Maybe you should learn more about our product before you come to work at the company. Do you think so?"
Evelin pursed her lips and didn't say anything, but her eyes were full of anger.
Evelin said with annoyance, "Araceli, listen, I don't need a job to make a living! And you're just an employee of Silver Group. How dare you talk to me like that? I'm your boss!"
I said coldly, "Of course, Evelin, I know what it's like to be a canary in a cage. I was once just like you. Eliezer, it's time for the presentation. Let's go."
Eliezer nodded and walked with me toward the stage.
Evelin was so angry that she kicked the table and screamed out in pain.
I glanced at her with contempt and sneer.