Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 123: Little Help

Chapter 123: Little Help

Ellen took a deep breath as she stepped through the large glass doors of Coldwell Enterprises. She looked around, taking in the sleek, polished marble floors, the modern furniture, and the impressive, high ceilings that made the lobby feel even more imposing. People hustled around, some with papers in hand and others chatting quietly on their phones.

She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, trying to steady her nerves. Ellen walked straight toward the reception desk even though her heart was pounding slightly faster than usual. The receptionist, a young woman with perfectly styled hair and a crisp white blouse, looked up as Ellen approached, she kept her professional smile going strong.

"Good afternoon," the receptionist greeted politely. "How can I assist you today?"

Ellen offered a small smile in return. "I’m here to see Mason Coldwell."

The receptionist’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a brief flicker of surprise in her eyes. "Do you have an appointment with Mr. Coldwell?" she asked, her fingers already hovering over the keyboard in front of her.

Ellen hesitated for a moment. She hadn’t exactly planned this visit, and the last-minute nature of it was starting to feel more daunting by the second. "No, I don’t," she admitted.

The receptionist’s polite expression shifted slightly, her tone turning more apologetic. "I’m sorry, but without an appointment, I can’t allow you to meet with Mr. Coldwell. He has a very strict schedule."

Ellen opened her mouth to say something, unsure if she should insist or try to explain herself. Her mind raced with thoughts of how she might convince the receptionist to let her through, when suddenly, a voice called out from behind her.

"Mrs. Coldwell?"

Ellen turned around, her eyes widening as she saw a woman approaching her with a warm smile on her face. Recognition flickered in Ellen’s mind. This woman had been at her wedding.

"Esther, right?" Ellen asked, sounding a little unsure but friendly.

The woman’s smile grew wider, a delighted sparkle in her eyes. "I can’t believe you remember me!" she exclaimed, clearly pleased. "It’s been awhile."

Ellen smiled in return, grateful for the familiar face. Esther was the finance manager at Coldwell Enterprises. She had come to the wedding, one of the few from Mason’s professional life who had been invited.

"Of course I remember," Ellen said, feeling a bit more at ease now. "You were at the weddin. It’s so nice to see you again."

Esther nodded, her expression still glowing with friendliness. "It’s wonderful to see you too. What brings you here today?" She glanced over at the receptionist, who now looked slightly uncomfortable, sensing the shift in the interaction.

Ellen sighed softly, then explained, "I came to see Mason, but I didn’t have an appointment. The receptionist was just telling me that I wouldn’t be able to meet him without one."

Esther’s smile didn’t falter, but she gave the receptionist a quick, understanding nod. "I’m so sorry about that, Mrs. Coldwell. The receptionist is new here and probably didn’t recognize you. It’s completely understandable. Let me assure you, you can absolutely see Mr. Coldwell." She turned to the receptionist, who now looked visibly apologetic.

"I’m so sorry," the receptionist said quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. "I didn’t realize—"

"It’s fine," Ellen said gently, waving her hand to dismiss the awkwardness. "You’re just doing your job. No harm done."

The receptionist looked relieved but still a little flustered as she nodded. "Thank you for your understanding, Mrs. Coldwell."

Esther smiled again and gestured toward the elevators at the far end of the lobby. "I’ll walk you to the elevator, Mrs. Coldwell. I’m sure Mr. Coldwell he’ll be happy to see you."

Ellen nodded, grateful for Esther’s help. "Thank you, Esther," she said, following her toward the elevators.

When they reached the elevator, Esther pressed the button and waited alongside her. "It’s really nice to have you here, Mrs. Coldwell. You should come by more often," Esther said with genuine warmth. "I know everyone here would love to see more of you."

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and Esther gestured for Ellen to step inside. "Take care, and say hello to Mr. Coldwell for me."

"I will," Ellen said, stepping into the elevator.

Esther leaned in slightly and said, "Oh, right. You’re heading to the 20th floor, that’s where Mr. Coldwell’s office is. It’s the executive level, you can’t miss it."

Ellen nodded, feeling a bit more reassured now that she had a clear direction. "Thanks again, Esther," she replied with a grateful smile.

"Anytime," Esther responded warmly before the doors finally slid shut, leaving Ellen alone in the quiet space of the elevator.

With a soft chime, the elevator then slowed to a stop, and the doors slid open again. Ellen took a deep breath, steeling herself before stepping out onto the executive floor. The hallway stretched out before her. It was every bit as impressive as she imagined—quiet, efficient, and somewhat intimidating.

Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she walked toward the end of the hallway, where Mason’s office was located. As she neared the door, her eyes were drawn to the desk stationed just outside it. That must be Philip’s. But the desk was empty, Philip nowhere to be found.

Ellen hesitated for a moment, standing in front of Mason’s office door. She reached out to knock but stopped when she noticed that the door was already slightly ajar. The crack in the door tempted her to push it open just a little more, to peek inside and see if Mason was alone or in the middle of something important. She hesitated, fingers just inches from the door, uncertainty making her pause.

Should she just walk in? Or knock, even though it was partly open? She didn’t want to get in the way.

Before she could decide, she felt a light tap on her shoulder, startling her. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly turned around to see who had touched her.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.