"Yes, Mrs. Hudson," Marcel answered.

"You should go back this year, and I will give you a year-end gift as your bonus. You can leave tomorrow and come back after the New Year," I said.

"Mrs. Hudson, this..." Marcel seemed clearly at a loss for words.

I was afraid that he was overthinking, so I quickly explained, "I'm not firing you. Didn't I say it? After the New Year, you have to come back, and then you can drive this car back. You can cover the fuel expenses yourself."

After I finished speaking, I got off the car without giving Marcel a chance to say much.

As the saying goes, true friendship is revealed in times of adversity. Marcel was with me all the way until the end of my previous life. Although he couldn't help me much, he dutifully served as a driver. He even took care of me for several days when I was hospitalized. I actually knew his feelings for me, but our social status was worlds apart, and he would never express his feelings.

If I remember correctly, his father passed away during this Spring Festival due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Moreover, there was no car at home, so they couldn't get him to the hospital in time for treatment, and he couldn't be saved.

I hope Marcel could keep his father this time.

Just after I got home and finished dinner, my dad called me. He first chatted with me for a while and then asked, "Did you tell Frederic about coming over for dinner? Did you forget?"

I really forgot!

"These days I will talk to him again. Dad, you also know that he is very busy at the end of the year," I made up an excuse.

"So you should do it early, tomorrow, bring him back tomorrow, just like that!" My dad's attitude towards Frederic has totally changed now. After all, Frederic saved his reputation.

I looked at the disconnected phone, feeling a bit of a headache. After hesitating for a few minutes, I still dialed Frederic's number.

After a few rings, he answered the phone. However, there was a lot of noise on the other end, and the sound of glasses clinking could be heard. It seemed like they were probably having dinner.

"Are you busy? If you are busy, I will send you a message," I asked.

"Not busy," said Frederic, his voice clear amidst the noise.

"Do you have any free time tomorrow?" I first clarified his schedule before deciding how to proceed.

Frederic paused and replied, "I went to the Gemini Chemical Co.."

Frederic was indeed busy. After a few seconds of silence, I chose to give up and said, "I understand, I'm fine too, just wanted to ask."

"Okay." He hung up the phone.

I sighed and thought to myself, "It would be awkward to invite them over for dinner with the strained relationship between Frederic and me. If his relationship with my dad doesn't improve, it will be even more uncertain after the divorce."

But how should I refuse my dad? Saying that Frederic is busy and can't go, my dad will definitely think it's an excuse. Who doesn't have time for a meal?

In a moment of contemplation, I remembered Tristan's instructions to rest well, and I actually fell asleep.

I'm not sure when Frederic came back, but when I was half asleep, I felt a pair of arms embracing me from behind, and then I woke up startled.

"Frederic?" I called out.

"Well," he said with a hint of drowsiness, "let's go to sleep."

I heard Frederic's steady breathing in my ear, as if he fell asleep right after speaking. I felt a strange sensation in my heart. This kind of posture seemed like something only a loving couple would do, but Frederic and I were not a fortunate couple in love.

His embrace was very warm, and I hesitated for a moment before leaning into his arms.