After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 90

Aurora Media Group's staff had already received Teddy's call, so before Louisa arrived, the project manager along with the company's financial team and several department heads were waiting in the ground floor lobby.

When Louisa appeared, the project manager immediately approached her with a fake smile and extended his hand. "Hello, Ms. Forbes. I'm Patrick Taylor, the project manager."

"I'm Louisa Forbes."

Louisa shook his hand while observing him. Patrick was only about thirty, clean-cut, rather handsome, and tall. 

Patrick noticed her assessing gaze and was likewise studying her. He'd never seen such a beautiful woman before—every expression seemed to match his aesthetic perfectly, as if she'd been custom-made for him.

He brushed his bangs aside, flashing what he considered a charming smile. "Ms. Forbes, is something wrong?"

Louisa smiled politely. "Not at all. I'm just surprised to see such a young project manager as you, Mr. Taylor."

"And you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, without exception."

The hollow business flattery continued. Louisa discreetly observed the others who had come to greet her. Most showed no particular expression, except for one young woman who was staring at her with unmistakable hostility.

Understanding the situation, Louisa said to Patrick, "There's nothing urgent about my visit. It's just a routine inspection requested by headquarters. No need to waste everyone's time. Mr. Taylor, please attend to your business—just assign someone to accompany me."

"That wouldn't be right. You're representing the Tudor Group headquarters. I should personally escort you." He spoke as if his accompaniment was some great privilege. 

Louisa realized Patrick had a strange overconfidence about himself.

She smiled. "It's just a routine check, very quick. I won't take up much of anyone's time. But if you insist—"

Before Patrick could respond, the hostile woman stepped forward with an expressionless face. "Mr. Taylor is quite busy. Ms. Forbes, if you don't mind, I can accompany you. I'm Lena Wilson, a financial manager at Aurora Media Group."

"A female companion would be perfect," Louisa smiled at Patrick. "This way, we won't trouble you."

Having been put in this position, Patrick couldn't insist further. He dismissed everyone else, then instructed Lena, "Take good care of Ms. Forbes. Don't show any negligence, understand?"

Lena responded coolly, "I know."

After Patrick left, only Louisa and Lena remained. Lena asked coldly, "Where would you like to begin, Ms. Forbes?"

Ignoring her rudeness, Louisa smiled politely. "If you wouldn't mind showing me around first? This is my first visit, and my superiors didn't give specific instructions. I'd like to see everything so I can report back properly."

Lena nodded and began the tour. 

Aurora Media Group had started in commercial performances before transitioning into film and television. 

According to Lena, most employees were out on location shoots, which explained why the office seemed sparsely populated.

They completed the tour quickly. Louisa visited the Human Resources Department and briefly looked through their employee roster without asking many questions or examining it closely. 

Throughout the tour, regardless of which department Lena introduced, Louisa only asked casual questions without showing particular interest in any area. 

On the surface, she truly appeared to be conducting a perfunctory inspection, just enough to report back.

Finally, Louisa said she wanted to visit the Finance Department.

Lena's expression visibly stiffened before she masked it.

Louisa noticed and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Lena laughed awkwardly. "No, no problem. It's just that our Finance Department isn't located here. If you don't mind, I can take you there now."

Louisa asked curiously, "Why isn't it here? Isn't this Aurora Media Group's headquarters? Shouldn't the Finance Department, being an important division, be with the main office?"

"How would I know what the leadership is thinking? That's just how they arranged it. Do you still want to go?" Lena asked with impatience.

Louisa nodded and made a "please" gesture. "I'd appreciate you showing the way."

They set off together. Lena drove, explaining that Aurora Media Group's headquarters had recently relocated, and the Finance Department remained at its original location about ten miles away.

Upon arrival, Louisa discovered it was an old, poorly maintained villa. Though visibly clean, it didn't appear to be actively used for living or working. Louisa felt a twinge of suspicion.

Lena noticed and volunteered, "This is where our CEO started the business. You could say Aurora Media Group was born here. The CEO has sentimental attachments to this place, so we kept it."

Louisa played along, "I've heard of her—Judith Murphy, Aurora Media Group's founder. Young but determined, a powerful woman who doesn't yield to men."

While climbing the stairs, she was looking around, not watching her step, and twisted her ankle slightly.

Lena quickly steadied her, asking with concern, "Ms. Forbes, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you." Louisa smiled gratefully.

Inside the Finance Department, Lena presented a large stack of departmental data. "Ms. Forbes, please review at your leisure."

"Thank you."

Louisa casually picked up one folder and began flipping through it. Her attitude seemed perfunctory as she moved from one file to the next. 

Twenty minutes later, she had skimmed through all the financial data. "Thank you, Ms. Wilson. I've finished. Shall we go?"

Lena looked at her with a complex expression, as if trying to guess Louisa's thoughts. But Louisa concealed her intentions well, revealing nothing.

Finally, Lena nodded, and they headed for the exit. Unexpectedly, just as they approached the door, Patrick suddenly appeared. 

He entered from outside, blocking the Finance Department's exit with his tall frame, his scrutinizing gaze traveling up and down Louisa's body.

Louisa calmly asked, "Mr. Taylor, is something wrong?"