I shook my head, "It's not a business trip, it's going abroad."

Miley raised her eyebrows, "What are you going abroad for?"

I pursed my lips and hesitated for a long time. When I was about to tell them the truth, Ben knocked on the door and came in.

He greeted, "Hello, Miss Griffin, Hello, Miss Parker!"

"Mr. Robinson, I found a big customer. This is their order letter of intent. I specially asked you to take a look," he continued.

He stood in front of me, his back straight and his expression was neither humble nor arrogant. He was completely different from when he first joined the company without the humility he had when facing the boss. I knew that this was the confidence given to him by Miley and Jessica.

After receiving the letter of intent, I looked at it for a while and frowned.

"We can't accept this order."

Ben, who was originally very satisfied, suddenly lost his smile.

"Mr. Robinson, are you kidding? Please take a closer look. This is a big order of 1.8 billion, which is more than twice the company's revenue last year!"

I returned the letter of intent to him, "I have investigated this company. Its credibility is very poor. I think it should be a liar."

Ben looked at me hatefully and then looked at Miley and Jessica for help.

"Mark, what do you mean?" Miley's eyebrows were twisted into a ball and suddenly she slapped the table heavily to vent her dissatisfaction.

"Such a good client, such a big order, you just say you don't want to take it? Give us a reason!"

I said, "I have already given the reason, this client is very likely a liar, so we can't take it."

Jessica said coldly, "But Ben has asked, the client can pay a 30% deposit in advance, I ask you, which liar would joke about a few hundred million?"

"Mark, I think you are just jealous!"

I was stunned, "What am I jealous of?"

"Jealous of Ben's luck, jealous of Ben's ability and his talent." Miley's eyes flashed with anger, biting her red lips with her pearly teeth, "I remember that when Ben was interviewed before, you wanted to pass him."

"Fortunately, Jessica and I both saw that he was a rough diamond, so we kept him. In just half a year, Ben's efforts and contributions to the company are obvious to all. As long as he can sign the contract for this order, the company's profit this year will double directly. Such a good thing, but you are the only one who raises objections. If it's not jealousy, what is it?"

The sharp words and fierce words kept cutting my heart like a blunt knife.

Ben's eyes were full of gloating and he was still hypocritically persuading, "Miss Griffin, Miss Parker, Mr. Robinson should just be confused for a moment, you don't need to quarrel for a small employee like me. You two have just been discharged from the hospital, you must take care of your health."

I was full of grievances, "Miley, Jessica, listen to me..."

Miley interrupted unceremoniously, "You don't have to say it, Jessica and I have unanimously decided to take over this order and let Ben handle it."

"Mark, don't forget that you also have a share in this company. This is the result of the hard work and crystallization of the three of us. Don't you want it to get bigger and better?"

It was because the company was the result of my years of hard work that I raised objections.

When the company was just founded, there were only three partners, two employees, a second-hand computer and an office with leaky walls. It was even poorer than being penniless.

In fact, just one month after opening, my parents, who were worth hundreds of billions, had found me and passed the paternity test. They were so happy that they wanted to take me abroad to inherit the family business. But I refused without hesitation, considering my two childhood sweethearts and let my parents come with excitement and return with disappointment.

For the company, I gave up my status as a rich second-generation and worked hard every day to run business and attract investment. I got up earlier than chickens and slept later than dogs. Every time I accompanied customers to drink, I got drunk and even vomited blood.

At that time, Miley and Jessica rushed to care for me and felt sorry for me. They proposed to run business with me several times. But I knew how harmful the big dye vat of society was to two young and beautiful girls, so I decisively refused.

I took on all the hardest and most tiring work myself. And they were like flowers in a greenhouse, they only needed to manage the company's finances and daily life.

The company was like our children. It had reached its current scale after several years of struggle. How could I bear to let it suffer any harm? But the two girls have made up their minds. With their personalities, it would be futile to say anything else.

I sighed in my heart. Forget it, I was leaving soon anyway, there was no need to meddle in other people's business.

"From now on, I won't get involved in this letter of intent, nor will I make any comments. You can do whatever you want."

Ben showed the joy of victory on his face, while Miley and Jessica looked a little surprised. They probably didn't expect that I, who always stood firm, would compromise so easily.

Before leaving, I called them. "Miley, Jessica, do you remember what day next Wednesday is?"

Jessica snorted coldly, "Of course I remember, you don't need to remind me."

After that, the two women slammed the door and left, leaving me alone in the empty office.

After this unpleasant incident, they didn't look happy every time they saw me and they didn't even bother to say hello. Ben stood up straighter in the company and there were even rumors that he would be promoted to the position of general manager soon.

***

On Wednesday afternoon, I bought a lot of delicious food and came to Mrs. Collins's house.

As expected, Miley and Jessica have not arrived yet. Mrs. Collins was very happy to see me and her wrinkled old face smiled like a flower.

I, Miley and Jessica all grew up in an orphanage. Mrs. Collins was the director. From childhood to adulthood, she had taken care of us meticulously. Let us, children who were abandoned at birth, feel the warmth of the world.

So after she retired, we would visit her every New Year.

Today was Mrs. Collins’s 79th birthday. I originally wanted to celebrate her birthday in a five-star hotel, but she refused. She said there was no need to waste money, it would be more affordable and warmer to eat at home.

At this time of year in previous years, Miley and Jessica would arrive early. Cleaning, tidying up the room, watching TV and chatting with the elderly.

But this year I was alone and even Mrs. Collins was surprised. I took out my mobile phone and wanted to call Miley and Jessica.

Mrs. Collins stopped me and smiled, "They should be busy with work and will come later."

"Mark, don't bother them. I'm happy enough to see you."

My eyes were red and wet. Mrs. Collins was still as gentle, kind and considerate as she was back then. I wiped away my tears secretly and rolled up my sleeves to get busy.

I cooked a large table full of dishes, but until dark, there was still no sign of Miley and Jessica. Looking at the forcibly concealed desolation on Mrs. Collins's face, I felt mixed emotions.

But no matter whether it was the message sent to the two girls in the group or individually, all fell into the sea and no one replied.

"Mrs. Collins, why don't we stop waiting and eat first?"

"Mrs. Collins?" I called her again.

I gently pushed Mrs. Collins and she rolled her eyes and fell to the ground. I was shocked and immediately called an ambulance.

After an emergency rescue at the hospital, the doctor told me regretfully that the person might not make it.

I picked up the phone with trembling hands and called Miley. It hung up after just three rings. I didn't give up and continued to dial.

After finally dialing for the seventh time, a cold voice came from the other end, "Mark, why are you so annoying? I don't answer your call because I have something important to do! Can you not be so childish and so ungrateful?"

Time waits for no one. I didn't ask her why she forgot Mrs. Collins's birthday and said anxiously, "Miley, you and Jessica should come to the hospital quickly..."

Before I finished speaking, Ben's laughter suddenly rang out from the microphone, "Miss Griffin, we’re waiting for you to cut the cake."

"Okay, I'll come right away."

Miley agreed softly and then said to me impatiently, "Mark, I don't have time to listen to your nonsense now. If there is anything, let's talk after we go home."

After that, he hung up the phone directly. I hurriedly dialed again, but what I heard was the reminder tone that the other party's phone was turned off.

I called Jessica again and she turned off her phone too.

I returned to the bed in a daze. When I saw Mrs. Collins with an oxygen tube inserted, I couldn't help but burst into tears.

Mrs. Collins held my hand with difficulty. Her hands were rough, covered with age spots and cold. These unremarkable hands once held us, washed our clothes, cooked for us and drove away mad wild dogs for us. They were like two fragile but strong umbrellas, firmly protecting me, Miley and Jessica. Now the owner of these hands was about to leave the world, but I was the only one left by her side.

I was choked with sobs and couldn't speak.

Not long after that, the heart rate on the bedside monitoring instrument completely turned into a straight line...

At about one o'clock in the morning, after I finished dealing with the hospital's affairs, I saw Ben's circle of friends that had just been updated.

[Because of you, my world has become glorious!]

[My greatest wish in this life is to pray to God to make this moment eternal!]

He had a puppy in his arms. With his left hand holding Miley and his right hand holding Jessica's shoulders, there was a super luxurious three-layer cake on the table.

[Happy birthday to my beloved dog!]

Everyone's face was filled with happiness and joy.

I wiped away my tears and sent him a comment.

[Please tell Miss Griffin and Miss Parker for me. After I go abroad next month, I will never come back.]

[Also, I wish you three a long life and eternal happiness.]