Jeffrey continued to extol the greatness of his boss to Mrs. Allen, who had to live with such a person.

“Well, the president always speaks so bluntly because, well, he’s the president. But thinking of Winston alone, the income is sufficient.”

Louisa nodded in agreement. “I understand that family is involved in submarine research, along with ships.”

“Right. We are focusing a bit more on submarines. The perennial issue that made their use challenging was fuel.”

“Fuel?”

Louisa questioned and then quickly understood, hitting her palm with her fist and exclaiming, “Ah!”

“Yes, exactly. For submarines to be effective, they need to be concealed. But with traditional fuel, the steam makes that impossible.”

“Indeed. But if it’s such a militarily oriented technology, might it not attract undue attention from the royal court?”

Louisa expressed her concern about potential royal restrictions. However, Edward quickly dismissed her worry.

“There’s no need to worry about that. They won’t dare to do anything because they’re afraid I might go abroad.”

He said with confidence. Louisa, who was about to say something more, hesitated and fell silent at his assertive stance.

But Jeffrey didn’t stop.

“Huh, someone just told me not to make a fuss. To wait and see.”

“Why, did I say something wrong?” Jeffrey retorted to Edward’s glare.

Edward sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Louisa then spoke up. “If restrictions do come, it would be good to have Winston as an ally. They have good relations with us, so if you need help, let me know.”

“Oh, that would be a huge help if it really happens,” Jeffrey said excitedly. But Edward interjected.

“No, we’re considering not relying on Winston, thinking of expanding into shipbuilding ourselves.”

“Is that wise? The company…”

Louisa expressed her concern, but Edward immediately understood her implied worry about the false information he had given her about the company’s poor state.

“Every endeavor has its risks. But you gain something only if you take a chance.”

However, his general response was insufficient to convince Louisa.

“That’s true. But perhaps expanding the business so aggressively could be reconsidered a bit.”

“It’s my company. I’ll make the decisions and handle it, so just don’t say anything and leave it be, please.”

He finally played his trump card.

And as he expected, Louisa, as always, realized that she had reached the limit of what her husband would tolerate.

“Right. Allen Corp’s president is you, after all.”

Still, she had hoped this time might be different because he had shown her the lab, something he had never done before, and had been doing things he hadn’t done in a while.
So, she had harbored a small hope, but for him, it seemed she could only ever go this far.

To her husband, she could never be the life partner to love and rely on for a lifetime.

She felt foolish for even momentarily hoping.

All she wanted was for her husband’s efforts to bear significant results. She genuinely wished for his happiness and was ready to do all she could to support that.

However, he never allowed her any intrusion into his realm. Whether he met someone or did something, she had no right to know anything about his life outside their home.

“I thought he had changed…”

But his way of doing things remained unchanged. Her hope of finding love again with him, the hope she had clung to, shattered even further.

Especially with the talk of expanding the business.

She remembered the small lapis lazuli box she had carefully placed in the drawer.

She had thought it was just the tip of the iceberg, hoping to find something bigger as she delved deeper.

But it turned out to be just a piece floating fortuitously on the surface.

It hurt. She thought there was nothing left to break, yet it was still so painful.

Louisa’s face darkened as if she would cry at any moment.

Seeing this, Jeffrey looked back and forth between the couple, not knowing what to do.

“What should I do? It’s a disaster.”

This stubborn fool of a president had finally caused a serious problem.

After a moment of suffocating silence and contemplation, Jeffrey took a drastic step.

“Uh… Mr. President!”

“What.”

“I have something to ask you, man to man. Can I consult with you?”

“Why all of a sudden.”

“It’s less embarrassing when there’s no one around. So, will you talk to me or not?”

Pressed by his insistence, Edward glanced at Louisa.

Her eyes, downcast with moisture.

The same expression on his wife’s face that he had seen before was there again.

His heart dropped. He knew he had to refuse Jeffrey’s request to appease his wife’s mood.

“I won’t talk. Go back to your work.”

“No, Mr. President!”

“No. It’s lunchtime now, and I don’t have time to spend with you—”

“No, it’s okay.”

Louisa interrupted him.

“Mr. Curtis. Is it urgent?”

“Yes? Uh… Yes, it is.”

“Then it’s okay. Go ahead, Ed.”

“Are you sure? If you’re hungry or feeling unwell…”

“No, it’s fine. I’m not really in the mood to eat right now. It might be better to eat later.”

“If you’re not feeling well, we can go back now.”