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Yvette raised an eyebrow, surprised at Zachary’s resolve. She replied with a calm, deep gaze, “When I have proof, I’ll deal with Claude myself.”
Zachary knew it wouldn’t be easy. Even if they gathered evidence, the Carters had moved to Mysonna, a place riddled with powerful underworld ties. Tracking down Claude there would be no small feat. He nodded, though his face remained tense, clearly still worried.
“Alright,” he said quietly, “I’ll follow your lead.” He tried to mask his concern, but the strain was evident.
Noticing his unease, Yvette closed her eyes, pressing her lips together before murmuring, “He won’t escape.”
Zachary took her words as a reassurance, thinking she was merely trying to comfort him. Only later would he understand the weight of that promise–no matter how far he ran, Claude would never be beyond her reach.
The following morning, after the police came by for their routine inquiries, Lucas handled their questions and saw them off. He then arranged the driver’s duties as instructed before heading to Zachary’s study.
“Mr. Chambers,” Lucas said respectfully, “the police have left, and everything you requested has been handled. Ms. Zeller went to school this morning and will return in the afternoon.”
Zachary put out his cigar, his face serious as he sat in contemplation. Lucas remained silent, waiting patiently by his side. After a long pause, Zachary looked up with a pensive expression and asked, “Do you think my health might not be as good as it used to be? I’m feeling a bit weak these days.”
Lucas blinked, momentarily thrown off. He had ho idea what to make of Mr. Chambers‘ words. After a pause, he carefully responded, “Mr. Chambers, you’re still as strong as ever. You even had an extra bowl of yogurt this morning. There’s no need to worry yourself.”
Zachary eyed Lucas and wondered why he wasn’t catching his hint. He thought, ‘Am I being too subtle?‘
Zachary sighed, rubbing his temples, appearing genuinely distressed. “My health,” he murmured with feigned concern, “it must be deteriorating. If not a physical illness, then it’s a psychological one–a serious ailment, indeed.
And with such an illness, how can I keep up with work at the company? And if I’m unwell, who will lead the Chambers Group?”
Zachary’s tone turned wistful. “I only have Yvette, but I don’t know who else could help shoulder this responsibility.”
Finally, Lucas understood, a glimmer of realization dawning on him. Mr. Chambers wasn’t simply concerned for his health -he wanted Ms. Zeller to step up at the Chambers Group.
Lucas chuckled inwardly at Zachary’s roundabout way of hinting, knowing that Yvette would resist any direct offer. Mr. Chambers certainly had his tactics.
Lucas, playing along, asked, “Mr. Chambers, psychological conditions are quite serious. Perhaps I should inform Ms. Zeller?” Zachary nodded approvingly. “Yes, yes. Although…” he hesitated, feigning reluctance, “I wouldn’t want to trouble her.
Lucas could barely keep a straight face, finding this role more exhausting than his actual work.
Just as Lucas was about to put the phone, Zachary quickly added “Yes, give Yvette a call, She’s so concerned about me I can’t keep this from her. No, she has to know.
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Lucas nodded, fully on board now, and dutifully made the call.
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The cafeteria at Argrol University buzzed with chatter as news of Winona’s death hit the headlines, sparking conversation among students.
Yvette, however, sat unfazed in front of five plates, each filled to the brim with pork ribs. She raised an eyebrow, taking a moment before settling in to eat.
Andrew, poking at his measly three ribs, sighed. “Yvette, someone spread a rumor that you love ribs, huh? Looks like you’ve got a secret admirer doing the heavy lifting lining up for you.”
With a mischievous grin, Andrew snapped a photo and sent it off to Jeremiah, knowing the jealous streak it would surely ignite in him.
Chuckling to himself, Andrew’s smile faded as he thought about Bonnie. Ever since he left, she had been taking an unusual amount of time off, claiming to be back in her hometown.
Calls went unanswered, or when Bonnie did pick up, she brushed Andrew off with a rushed “I’m busy.” He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
“Yvette,” Andrew asked, a bit gloomy, “have you heard from Bonnie at all?”
Yvette paused, savoring a rib before answering, “She reached out three days ago. She mentioned being busy but didn’t elaborate.”
Andrew sighed, losing his appetite. S sensing his mood, Charles silently pushed his own plate of ribs over to Andrew, who looked up in surprise.
“Ribs? Nah, I’ve lost my appetite,” Andrew grumbled.
Charles was about to offer comfort, knowing dealing with love troubles is tough. But before he could speak, he saw Andrew pick up the ribs and eat them with gusto.
Charles muttered under his breath, “So much for no appetite…”
Lowering her eyes, Yvette calmly said, “One week. If she’s still not back by then, we’ll go find her.”
Andrew’s spirits lifted immediately. “Yvette, you’re the best! Unlike Charles here, trying to fatten me up. What am I supposed to do if I lose my charm?”
Charles rolled his eyes in resignation.
Just then, Yvette’s phone rang. Lucas’s voice came through the line, unusually solemn. “Ms. Zeller, you should return as soon as possible. There may be an issue with Mr. Chambers‘ health.”
Yvette’s set down her fork. Without another word, she stood, her face expressionless as she turned to Andrew and Charles. “I have to go.”
With that, she left the cafeteria, her commanding presence, parting the crowd around her. No one dared to block her path- after all, a force like Yvette’s wasn’t something anyone wanted to mess with.
**
Yvette sped all the way back to the Chambers residence. As soon as she stepped inside, she found Lucas pacing anxiously in the living room.
“Where is he? Yvette asked calmly.
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Lucas, his eyes still red from being irritated by the peppers in the kitchen, approached Yvette sheepishly.
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Lucas stepped forward. “Ms. Zeller, you’re finally back! Mr. Chambers wasn’t himself this morning, and he started running a slight fever by noon. He’s been in a strange mood, sighing non–stop. He’s upstairs resting now.”
Lucas lowered his head, feeling the strain of his involvement in Zachary’s scheme. Mr. Chambers had gone to lengths to sell the act, even sweating it out in the sauna and using hot towels on his forehead to mimic a fever.
Yvette raised an eyebrow and unexpectedly sat on the sofa, making no rush to go upstairs. She glanced at Lucas with an unreadable expression, speaking slowly, “Did he see a doctor?”
Lucas felt a flicker of doubt. He thought, ‘Does Ms. Zeller actually care that much? She seems calm… maybe Mr. Chambers overestimated her reaction?‘
Quickly, Lucas replied, “Mr. Chambers wouldn’t allow it. Just took some medicine and went upstairs, but he didn’t even eat lunch. How is his body supposed to hold up like this?”
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Yvette looked at Lucas with a faint smile, leaning back on the sofa and drumming her fingers idly. She wondered, ‘What is Zachary trying to achieve with this charade?‘ She couldn’t quite tell but found Zachary’s antics mildly entertaining.
Yvette said, “Oh, it’s just missing one meal, don’t make a fuss.” Her attitude was as indifferent as could be, leaving Lucas even more puzzled.
Lucas wondered if something had happened between Ms. Zeller and Mr. Chambers that he didn’t know about. Lucas was baffled. But since the scene had reached this point, he had to brave it, thankfully backed by decades of experience.
With a heavy sigh and a seasoned poker face, Lucas continued, “Ms. Zeller, food is essential, especially at Mr. Chambers‘ age. He can’t go skipping meals with a fever.
His health just isn’t what it used to be, and he’s never been a big eater. It would mean a lot if you’d go upstairs and check on him.”
Yvette raised an eyebrow and glanced toward the staircase, where she noticed a faint shadow behind the column.
With an amused smirk, Yvette gave Lucas an order. “Fine. Go tell him I’m here. If he doesn’t come down and eat, he’ll deal with the consequences himself.”
Lucas’s mouth twitched at her bluntness–Nothing like a daily dose of Ms. Zeller’s no–nonsense charm.
Before Lucas could respond, Zachary emerged from behind the column, stumbling down the stairs with a hand on his forehead, face pale and moving as if every step had taken a monumental effort.
Feeling surprised, Zachary called out, “Oh, Yvette! I had no idea you’d be here. I specifically told Lucas not to bother you. You do not need to worry about something so minor.”
Lucas froze for a moment before turning to see Zachary coming downstairs. Mr. Chambers’s words, even the slyest pretenders couldn’t beat his act.
Lucas was almost in tears but could only nod reluctantly. Mr. Chambers was completely under Ms. Zeller’s control. After hearing what she said, Mr. Chambers headed downstairs without another word–a classic, doting father to his core.
Turning dutifully to Yvette, Lucas said, “Ms. Zeller, I’m afraid the call was my decision alone. Mr. Chambers didn’t ask me to call you.”
Zachary sank onto the sofa beside Yvette, coughing weakly as he gave her a pleading look. “Now, don’t be hard on Lucas. He was just worried. Next time, don’t trouble her over such a small issue,” he told Lucas, clearly trying to maintain his “fragile”
act.
Lucas gritted his teeth, wishing that Mr. Chambers would stage his own drama next time without pulling him into it.
Yvette gave Zachary a cool, amused glance, crossing her legs as she rested her chin in her hand. ‘Not bad, she thought, ‘He’d certainly perfected the “frail heart” act.
Out of courtesy–and curiosity–she decided to play along, wondering what exactly he was up to.
“Why aren’t you taking your medicine? And why skip a meal?” Yvette asked.
Caught off guard by her direct questions, Zachary hesitated. He thought, ‘If I had actually taken medicine or eaten, she probably wouldn’t have rushed back.
But Zachary couldn’t risk saying that out loud—Yvette had little patience for nonsense. So he gave her his best pitiful look. “Yvette, the medicine is too bitter… and anyway, it won’t fix what’s really wrong,” he sighed, looking thoroughly miserable.
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This is a psychological issue, you see, and medicine can’t cure that.”
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Lucas kept his head down, struggling not to grimace. His inner critic marveled at his boss’s ability to “play up the charm,” while inwardly, he found the performance a bit too much.
Yvette’s delicate fingers stilled as she fixed Zachary with her striking gaze, cutting right through the act. “Speak plainly.
Zachary straightened up instantly, the power in those two words snapping him back to attention. Even Lucas gave an approving nod. It seemed only Yvette could keep Mr. Chambers in line.
Clearing his throat, Zachary patted his chest and ventured, “Yvette, I think I may be struggling with depression. I looked up the symptoms online, and… well, I fit all of them.”
His expression was so earnest that even Lucas, who knew the whole scheme, had to admit it was convincing.
But Yvette just raised an eyebrow, sipping her tea as she stared him down. “Diagnosing yourself online?” she replied, voice cool. “Well, you should know that online diagnoses start with cancer, at the very least. Didn’t you know?”
Zachary blinked in confusion and looked over to Lucas, utterly baffled. He thought the online diagnosis was popular. He clearly had a lot to learn about the subtleties of modern life.
Lucas had no choice but to step forward and ease the situation. “Ms. Zeller, Mr. Chambers has been unwell for quite some time now. He’s been feeling down, lacking appetite, and often seems lost in thought.
In fact, he’s even made a few costly mistakes at work, losing billions in revenue. The family doctor recommended he take a good rest, but he’s been too worried about the company to follow through. Things are only getting worse.”
Zachary couldn’t have been prouder of Lucas’s smooth performance. Lucas’s left leg was trembling a bit under Yvette’s gaze. You can’t blame him; no one can withstand the intensity of Ms. Zeller’s stare.
Zachary nodded, adding, “Yes. But don’t you worry, Yvette? I’ll keep pushing through. I’ll make sure the Chambers Group stays in good hands.” He then put on a show of weakly covering his mouth, faking a small cough, looking pitiful.
The Chambers Group was no longer Zachary’s; it now belonged to Yvette. In reality, Zachary was just a highly paid employee–though that was something outsiders didn’t know.
Yvette watched the two of them, and as the dots connected, her eyes narrowed slightly. So, this whole act was to convince her to take over the company. She could practically feel Zachary waiting for her to say, “Fine, let me take over for now.”
Then Zachary would effortlessly hand over the company to Yvette, which was a perfect plan.
But as Zachary looked at her with hope and anticipation, Yvette gave a calm nod and replied, “Since you’re convinced you can handle it, keep working then.”
Zachary’s expression froze, and a wave of disappointment washed over him. Lucas shot him a sympathetic glance; the grand plan had crumbled right before their eyes. Yvette, as ever, was not one to bend easily.
Zachary’s crushed expression nearly brought a smirk to Yvette’s lips. After a pause, Zachary finally gave in with a sigh, ending his performance.
He said sadly, Fine. I’ll take my medicine and eat. Go on back to class, then. We’re having steak for dinner–come home and join us.*
Yvette looked at Zachary blankly and started to walk toward the door but paused before stepping out. ‘Might as well let him have a little victory, she thought.
Without turning back, Yvette said in a cool tone, “One week. I’ll manage the Chambers Group for one week.”
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After Yvette left, Zachary’s demeanor shifted completely from his earlier fragile act. He lounged comfortably on the sofa, savoring a glass of red wine with a smug look on his face.
Lucas, returning after seeing Yvette out, couldn’t help but twitch at the sight. He wished Ms. Zeller could witness this scene.
Lucas said, “Mr. Chambers, Ms. Zeller has returned to campus.”
Zachary took another sip of his wine, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “Well, Lucas, age and experience have their perks. I knew Yvette would respond better to subtlety.”
Lucas blinked, surprised. “So that last part… was intentional?”
Zachary nodded, chuckling slightly. He’d gone to great lengths, crafting this whole performance to set Yvette on a path to leadership.
His tone grew more serious as he turned to Lucas with a firm instruction. “Pass on a message to the Chambers Group’s executive team. Starting tomorrow, Yvette will be stepping in as acting head in my place.
“During this time, all decisions will go through her, and no one needs to report to me. She’s in charge.”
Lucas hesitated, a bit concerned. The senior executives were a tough, set–in–their–ways group who might resist the idea of Yvette’s sudden authority.
Lucas said, “Mr. Chambers, the top brass might not take kindly to Ms. Zeller’s sudden role. I worry they’ll make things difficult for her…”
Zachary shot him a knowing look. He had already anticipated this and saw it as a test for Yvette. After all, Yvette would eventually need to assert her authority and decide who among them was trustworthy.
This, he figured, was the perfect opportunity for her to handle things on her own.
And as for those old guys thinking they could bully his daughter, they should first see if they have what it takes.
“Don’t worry, Lucas. Do you really think they can handle Yvette? The most they’ll throw at her are some corporate power plays. And as for anything physical? Well, that would be their last mistake,” Zachary replied with a smirk.
“Announce her new position without any fuss. Everything’s in place,” he added.
Hearing this, Lucas felt a wave of relief. Mr. Chambers was absolutely right. With Ms. Zeller’s personality, she was always the one dishing it out; anyone who dared disrespect her would be in for quite the show.
Bus Route 1 was a direct line to Argrol University. Yvette had turned down Lucas’s offer to drive her, preferring to take the bus back to campus herself,
Sitting at the very back, she adjusted her baseball cap and checked Jeremiah’s message on her phone.
[How were the pork ribs? Better than mine?]
Yvette had a slight smile in her eyes, amused by Jeremiah’s odd sense of rivalry, even with the cafeteria lady.
Meanwhile, at Betrico’s First Military District, Jeremiah’s phone chimed as a soldier was mid–report. Jeremiah picked up his phone, and the room fell silent as the soldier hesitated. Jeremial gave a quick nod, prompting him to continue
Seeing Yvette’s reply (Not as good as yours.) Jeremiah’s cold and stern expression softened, and he typed back: [See you in
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three days.]
On Seacrity’s Route 1, Yvette stashed her phone and leaned her head against the window, watching the city pass by.
Suddenly, a shrill voice pierced through the quiet bus.
“Hey, young lady, don’t you know about respecting elders? I’m old enough to be your grandma, and you won’t give up your seat? How did your parents even raise you? No consideration for us seniors! Everyone here–don’t you agree she should stand up for me?”
The voice belonged to a sharp–featured woman, likely in her sixties, who stood over a young girl seated nearby. The frail and unassuming girl looked up helplessly as the older woman loomed over her.
This kind of scene–disputes over giving up seats–was all too familiar on the bus, so most passengers initially remained indifferent. But gradually, some began to weigh in.
“Young lady, why don’t you just give up your seat? Save us all this noise–it’s disturbing everyone.”
“Exactly, respecting elders is a virtue in Clusia. You look young, probably just graduated, maybe? You should know better.”
“Right, it’s just one seat. Just get up. Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Stop pretending you can’t hear us! Stand up and give her your seat.”
The young girl slowly looked up, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, yet she seemed to hold them back with all her strength.
Staring down at her lap, she whispered softly, “I’m sorry, I can’t give up the seat.”
Hearing this, the onlookers and the older woman grew even more agitated, showering her with sharper words that made the girl tremble as she gripped her bag tightly.
Just as the older woman raised her hand, ready to hit the girl, a tiny silver needle flew across the aisle, striking her wrist. The woman gasped, feeling a sharp pain that forced her hand to freeze mid–air. She looked down, only to find the needle had dropped to the floor–a small detail most passengers overlooked.
“Who
says she has to give you her seat?”
The voice was cold and laced with authority, casting an icy chill over the bus that seemed to silence everyone.
Eyes darted around, searching for the source until they all looked toward the back row, where a girl in a baseball cap sat with only half her face visible under the brim.
The older woman glared at Yvette. “Who do you think you are? Butt out! Maybe you’re in on this with her. It’s called respecting your elders–it’s only right she gives up her seat!”
The passengers on the bus quickly split into two camps–one group siding with the elderly woman, the other opting to remain uninvolved. Clearly, Yvette, from the old woman’s perspective, did not seem as easy to bully as the other young girl.
“Oh, young lady, no one needs to make it a rule. It’s common decency! Respect for the elderly is something we all should uphold,” one woman insisted.
While another added, “You look young. Seems like people your age just don’t care about these things anymore. It’s disappointing.”
Yvette stepped forward, positioning herself between the young girl and the old woman.
Her gaze swept the crowd, her expression cold and unreadable. Oh, I see. You two over there care a lot about respect for
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elders, right? Why don’t you give up your seats for her?”
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The old woman’s face lit up, forgetting about the pain in her arm as she looked over expectantly. The man and woman who had spoken up looked like they’d swallowed something bitter, clearly regretting their words.
Reluctantly, the man sighed and stood up, gesturing stiffly for the old lady to take his seat. He shot Yvette a glare as he moved aside, but she paid him no mind, her attention fixed elsewhere.
The old woman, pleased with herself, sat down with a satisfied smirk, oblivious to the fact that the effects of that needle jab would leave her unable to lift her arm for at least two weeks.
Yvette turned back to the young girl, who looked down and murmured softly, “Thank you.”
Yvette glanced at her left foot and replied calmly, “It’s nothing.”
The girl instinctively moved her left leg. They both remained silent all the way to the final stop at Argrol University.
Chapter 384
The next day, at the Chambers residence, Lucas was waiting downstairs for Yvette. Today was the day to visit the Chambers Group.
Following Zachary’s instructions yesterday, everyone in the company knew that the young lady would be visiting today, and who knew what kind of buzz might be at the office.
Zachary certainly knew how to enjoy his free time. He went off to the countryside to grow flowers, completely handing over such a large company to the young lady. Lucas thought it was unfair that Zachary didn’t take him along for the getaway.
While Lucas was lost in thought, Yvette came down from upstairs. As soon as he heard footsteps, Lucas immediately stood at attention, adjusting the wrinkles on his suit since he had made sure to dress neatly that day.
After all, he didn’t want to embarrass himself standing next to Yvette.
When Lucas looked up, his smile froze. Yvette was coming down the stairs unhurriedly in a dark tracksuit with cartoon patterns, and it made his head spin.
He thought, ‘Could Yvette plan to wear that to the office? Absolutely not.‘ Lucas could only try to hypnotize himself with such thoughts, but moments later, Yvette was standing right in front of him.
After a pause, taking her time, she glanced at Lucas‘ outfit, then at his face, and casually asked, “Are you going on a date?”
Lucas felt embarrassed. At his age, the idea of dating was ridiculous. Yvette was teasing him. Lucas quickly denied it, waving his hands dismissively.
He then said, “Ms. Zeller, please don’t joke about that. I’m too old for blind dates. For the next seven days, I’ll stay by your side, just let me know if you need anything.”
Yvette nodded slightly. “Okay, let’s go.”
Lucas paused for a moment, following Yvette. He was caught in thought and eventually asked just before they got into the car, “Ms. Zeller, are you planning to wear just that?
“There’s a board meeting today, and I’m worried the board members might have comments about your outfit.”
Yvette gave a slight smile, with her hands in her pockets, and slowly asked a question that left Lucas speechless and stunned, “Can they take a punch?”
Lucas nodded. He wasn’t sure if they could take a hit, but they definitely couldn’t handle one from Yvette.
In the car, Lucas watched Yvette as she relaxed in her seat with her eyes closed, resting. He silently prayed for the Chambers Group executives, hoping nothing would happen to them from provoking her, knowing Yvette’s temper could easily lead to a disaster.
At the entrance of Chambers Group’s landmark building in Seacrity, the entire 30–plus floors belonged to the Chambers Group.
Zoe looked at the resume in her hand, then her empty left leg with only a mechanical prosthetic visible. Normally, it wasn’t noticeable under a skirt. Gazing up at the tall skyscrapers, she appeared timid, her palms sweating.
After standing for a good half hour, she finally gathered the courage to walk into the Chambers Group.
As soon as Yvette and Lucas got out of the car, the manager, who was already waiting at the Chambers Group entrance, rushed over with a group of people, bowing deeply at ninety degrees with a respectful demeanor.
He then said, “Hello, Ms. Zeller. I’m Jackson, the manager of the promotional planning department.”
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“Nice to see you, Ms. Zeller.“,
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Zeller.”
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Yvette nodded at the sharply dressed man. She exuded a cool and aloof vibe, with a strong aura that warned others to keep their distance.
Jackson felt a wave of nervousness. She was the future head of the Chambers Group and known as the “Goddess” who had represented the country and triumphed over Ybaulla. It was also rumored that she was an internationally renowned artist.
Any one of these achievements could easily outshine ordinary people. If he could catch her eye, it would be like striking gold and rapidly achieving success.
In the private elevator, Lucas was surprised when he heard Yvette say she wanted to go around on her own. Then he said, “Ms. Zeller, are you planning to inspect the company? It might be easier if I come with you.”
Yvette casually said, “No need, you can wait for me on the top floor.”
Lucas nodded, knowing that at Chambers Group, even if Yvette caused a stir, it wouldn’t be a problem..
On the tenth floor, it was the Chambers Group’s recruitment day. Women dressed in elegant and stylish attire kept arriving on the tenth floor, with the whole level bustling with interviewees from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Zoe sat in a corner, holding her number. She was number 36, and number 20 just got in. She guessed she’d need to wait a while, with over fifty people lined up behind her.
It was no surprise that everyone was vying for a spot at Chambers Group here in Seacrity. It was tougher to get into than working in the government.
Zoe clutched her resume tightly, continuously cheering herself on in her mind.
Not far away, a woman in high heels and a designer suit noticed Zoe, her look unfriendly.
The woman thought, ‘An illegitimate daughter with a limp was trying to interview at Chambers Group? How absurd. Does she think this place takes in just anyone off the street?‘
This woman was none other than Zoe’s half–sister, Vivian. She was also here for an interview today, coincidentally for the same position.
Vivian walked over in her high heels. She looked down, pretending not to notice Zoe, and gave her a casual push. Caught by surprise, Zoe awkwardly fell to the ground, her resume papers scattering everywhere.
The scene caught the attention of everyone else waiting for the interview. Suddenly, all eyes were on Zoe, who was sprawled on the floor.
A gasp came from the crowd. “Look, she doesn’t have a left leg.”
“Why is someone with a disability even here for an interview? That’s just ridiculous.”
“Having a disabled person work at the Chambers Group would be inconvenient. I don’t want to work with someone who would be a hassle.”
Lagree. People with disabilities tend to have issues, and I’m sure working with them would be difficult.”
People kept talking.
Vivian stood on the side as the ringleader, hiding in the crowd and watching the drama unfold. She saw Zoe desperately clutching her left leg, looking panicked and flustered.
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Filled with malice, she thought, ‘Serves her right. Who told her to come and ruin the interviews?‘
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Even without looking up, Zoe could feel the unusual stares around her. She could clearly hear every word of their whispers. In distress, she covered her ears to block them out, but it was no use.
She thought, ‘I have worked so hard, yet why is it still not enough? Why couldn’t I face the crowd confidently?‘ In her daze, she caught sight of Vivian’s malicious face in the crowd.
She gritted her teeth but didn’t even have the strength to stand up, left to endure the pointing and gossip.
Just when Zoe was losing hope, she heard a familiar voice. “Get up.”
Though the words were soft, they somehow calmed Zoe’s heart. She mustered the strength to lift her head and saw the girl who had helped her on the bus yesterday.
Though the girl was wearing a baseball cap, Zoe, naturally sensitive to voices, couldn’t forget the voice she heard. Yes, it was undeniably her.
The noisy crowd instantly quieted down. Due to Yvette’s presence, wherever she went, people automatically moved aside to make way for her.
Yvette, wearing a black baseball cap, walked unhurriedly to Zoe’s side. Her expression was icy, with her delicate features slightly raised. When she noticed Zoe’s mechanical prosthetic leg, her expression didn’t change at all.
With her hands in her pockets, she said, “This little gadget is pretty cool.”
Everyone there was stunned. The comment “This little gadget is pretty cool” caught everyone by surprise.
Zoe’s eyes
widened. For the first time, she didn’t see fear, disdain, or curiosity in someone else’s eyes. It was as if it was just another ordinary thing.
Yvette lowered her eyes, looking at Zoe with a gaze that grew more intense. Her voice was cold and without any warmth, “Get up on your own.”
Zoe was taken aback but seemed to regain a bit of strength. She braced her legs and stood up shakily. Her voice quivered with a sobbing tone, “I’m sorry for letting you see me like this again.”
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Yvette wore a baseball cap, her black mask covering most of her face. She took out a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to Zoe. Her blue eyes were deep. “Dry your tears.”
Zoe carefully took it and hastily wiped her tears. Yvette turned her gaze to a woman in the crowd and said to Zoe, “Two choices: pretend it never happened or fight back. You decide.”
Zoe was stunned for a moment. She quickly understood what the words meant. She wanted to fight back, but with the Houston family’s influence behind her, they may cause trouble for this girl.
Yvette tilted her head slightly, noticing Zoe’s hesitation, and narrowed her eyes. Zoe whispered, “She’s from the Houston family. I’m afraid she’ll cause trouble for you. It’s not worth it for me.”
Yvette let out a soft chuckle. “Do you want to hit her?”
Zoe wiped her tears and nodded without hesitation. “Yes, in my dreams.”
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Vivian realized that an unexpected protector had appeared for Zoe. Knowing it was unwise to cause trouble, she planned a discreet exit from the scene.
Just as she turned around, someone called out, “Stop!” Everyone turned to look at Vivian, and as if on cue, they all dispersed, leaving Vivian standing there alone.
With all eyes on her, she had no choice but to turn around and face Zoe and Yvette. “What do you want from me? She fell on her own. What’s that got to do with me?”
Vivian, not realizing how desperate she seemed to separate herself from the situation, appeared even more suspicious. Without saying a word, Yvette stepped forward, grabbed Vivian, and pulled her over to Zoe’s side.
Vivian, completely baffled, watched as she was thrown to the ground, her high heels snapping off in the process. She let out two ear–piercing screams.
She shouted, “What are you doing? Are you crazy? Let go of me. Who are you? If you have the guts, show your face.
“Ah, let me go. If you dare to touch me, the Houston family won’t let you get away with it.”.
Zoe looked at Vivian, who lay helpless on the ground, cursing and yelling, and suddenly tears welled up in her eyes. Before she turned eighteen, she had spent every day being bullied by Vivian. But seeing her like this now, she felt a sense of relief.
The reason she was bullied was because she wasn’t strong enough. If only she had been as strong as Yvette, Vivian would never have bullied her for so many years.
Before anyone could react, Zoe grabbed Vivian’s dress and slapped her hard, making her cheek swell instantly.
Vivian went crazy, lunging at Zoe. “You slut, bastard! How dare you hit me? Just wait, the Houston family won’t let you get away with this.”
Vivian glared fiercely at Yvette. “And you, how dare you help Zoe bully me? You’re finished. I’ll make sure you can’t stay in Seacrity anymore.”
As Vivian was shouting, Jackson came down from the top floor. He heard there was a commotion on the tenth floor and rushed over. These interviewees hadn’t even passed the initial screening, and they were already causing trouble.
“Move aside, make way, the Chambers Group’s department manager is coming,” someone said.
Upon hearing this, Vivian felt like she’d found a pillar of support Zoe was making trouble at the Chambers Group. Even if Vivian didn’t do anything, the Chambers Group would blacklist her. She wondered how Zoe managed in Seacrity then.
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Jackson had a gloomy look. The crowd parted, and before he could see clearly, something unidentified rushed towards him.
Frightened, Jackson instinctively kicked Vivian in the ribs. Vivian got hit hard again.
Vivian asked, “Sir, why did you kick me?”
Jackson saw it was a girl who looked alright, and her face looked weird. She had been beaten. Someone dared to start a fight at Chambers Group. They were doomed.
Vivian completely disregarded her appearance, crying and sniffling. “Sir, look, these two dared to hit me at the Chambers Group. Is there no justice? You must help me. I want to call the police and get a medical check.”
Vivian was wrapped up in her accusations against Zoe and her friend, not noticing Jackson’s face growing more tense, and his body trembling steadily.
Jackson’s mind was buzzing. He never expected the troublemaker on the tenth floor to be Yvette. He wondered, ‘What’s going on?’
Jackson was so annoyed that he wished he could shut this woman’s mouth. He thought, ‘Call the police? Get checked for injuries?‘
After Vivian finished speaking, she realized it was completely silent around her. She looked up to see Jackson approaching a woman wearing a baseball cap and mask.
Amidst everyone’s incredulous stares, he bowed respectfully. “Ms. Zeller, you are here. People on the top floor are waiting for you.”
Everyone’s jaws dropped. One man at the interview even dropped his briefcase, swallowing hard.
“Did you hear that? The manager called the person in the baseball cap ‘Ms. Zeller‘?”
T
“We’re not deaf, those words were loud enough for everyone to hear.”
“So she’s the Chambers family’s heiress, Yvette? The Goddess of Clusia?”
“A few days ago, the news said she returned to Seacrity, and it’s true. Wow, this is incredible. I can’t believe I saw the Goddess here!”
“I have to take a picture. My daughter likes her.”
What was supposed to be a tense fight scene instantly turned into a fan meeting. Vivian was baffled. She had no idea what was happening.
Vivian thought, ‘She’s the Chambers family’s heiress? No way, how could the Chambers family’s heiress know someone as insignificant as Zoe and stand up for her?‘
Vivian couldn’t believe what was happening, she stayed off to the side, now completely unnoticed.
Zoe stiffly turned her head and looked at Yvette beside her, equally surprised. Ever since she watched the competition, she had become a fan of Yvette herself.
Little did she know that the person she admired was right next to her, and not just once, but twice, Yvette had come to her
rescue
Jackson was nervous. Yvette’s expression was indifferent as she said calmly, “Pull up the surveillance footage for this floor, and charge her with intentional harm.”
Jackson immediately looked toward Vivian. Of all the people this unlucky fool could run into, it had to be Yvette.
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Vivian was scared and wanted to plead for mercy, but Yvette didn’t glance at her again and went straight into the elevator.
To Zoe, who was still in shock, Yvette said coldly, “Bring your resume over.”
Under the envious gazes of all the job seekers, Zoe held her resume and followed Yvette into the elevator.
Jackson turned around, looked at the trembling Vivian, and said sternly, “Go and hire a lawyer, or you’ll be toasted.”
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Vivian came to her senses and collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. She thought, ‘Hire a lawyer? Suing the Chambers Group? Which lawyer in Seacrity will dare take the case? Even if someone does, the surveillance evidence clearly shows me intent to harm Zoe.
In the elevator, Yvette took Zoe’s resume and flipped through it casually, reading quickly, ten lines at a glance. She finished in less than a minute and handed it back to Zoe.
She asked, “Are you applying for the design department?”
Zoe nodded, a bit reserved, and now that she knew Yvette’s identity, she felt not only grateful but also an admiration. Zoe explained, “Well, I majored in finance in college, but no one wants an investor with a disability, so I thought I’d try a different job.”
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Yvette showed no expression, her gaze calm. She pulled out a candy from her pocket, slowly unwrapping it as she asked unhurriedly, “Want to change a job?”
Zoe was stunned in place, then nodded blankly.
At the top level of the Chambers Group, a meeting was held in a conference room that could fit hundreds of people, although only a few dozen were there now.
Among them were the shareholders from the Chambers Group and the managers from various departments. Today, th were all gathered together.
Today was the first day the eldest lady of the Chambers family took charge of the Chambers Group. No one would dare be late. That would just be asking for trouble. However, everyone sitting here had their agendas, each with a mind full of
schemes.
Currently, aside from the 55% of shares held by Zachary, which gave him absolute authority, the largest shareholders were Nelson and Warron, each with 10%. They had always used their shares to exert influence.
Though not initially on good terms, after finding out yesterday that Yvette would join the Chambers Group, they quickly teamed up. Just a girl who’d won an international chess competition. It showed her chess skills. But this was business, being good at chess was meaningless.
Yvette was a girl who hadn’t even finished college. She couldn’t easily take charge of the Chambers Group. The cake wasn’t that big, and it was enough to have the two of them in the company. Besides, they heard Zachary went on a countryside
vacation.
Without Zachary to support her, a young girl like her could do nothing. Nelson and Warron came prepared today. They had a tough case ready, specifically to make Yvette erhbarrassed.
In the conference room, Nelson took a sip from his coffee cup and then pretended to glance at the door.
Nelson said, “Why is she always late? There are only three minutes left, and she doesn’t realize everyone is waiting for her. Young guys today just aren’t mature.”
Warron was a lean man in his fifties. He clearly understood that Nelson was trying to smear Yvette’s reputation, and he was more than willing to contribute to tarnishing her image.
Warron added, “Well, she’s the boss here, so it’s right for us to wait. But my body’s not what it used to be. Waiting a bit makes me feel so tired.”
Nelson laughed heartily and praised Warron, “Come on, you’re still as strong as ever. You’re being modest. The Chambers Group can’t go on without you.”
The praise was as flattering as it could be, making Warron glow with happiness. The two of them bounced remarks off each other effortlessly. The veteran executives at the Chambers Group immediately understood what was going on.
The two people who usually didn’t get along were suddenly on the same side. They decided to join forces, creating an unprecedented harmony between the two factions in the meeting room.
At exactly 1:30, the door of the meeting room opened. As soon as the person standing at the entrance was seen, everyone suddenly fell silent. The whole large meeting room became so quiet that breathing seemed almost inaudible.
Yvette stood at the door, wearing a cartoon–style tracksuit and a black baseball cap. Only her cool eyes were visible, and she stood there casually, radiating a carefree and laid–back vibe.
Lucas stood behind her on the right, with another person on her left. Yvette glanced up and scanned the meeting room,
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saying lightheartedly, “Quite lively, huh?”
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Nelson, Warron, and the rest of the Chambers Group’s executives snapped back to awareness at her words. They had all expected Yvette to come to the board meeting in formal attire.
Her outfit made her look like a student, showing a blatant disregard for the meeting. It was a humiliation for them. It was simply too much.
Nelson’s dissatisfaction was evident on his face. Warron, usually wearing a fake smile, couldn’t hide the disdain in his eyes no matter how hard he tried.
Lucas, standing behind Yvette, glanced at their expressions and sighed. It seemed unlikely those two would leave the meeting without incident today.
The Chambers Group had become a chaotic mess because of these two, constantly pushing people in and acting as if they were the major shareholders.
For minor issues like this, Zachary usually turned a blind eye, since together they hold twenty percent of the shares. Plus, Plus, they were veterans at the company, making it hard to confront them directly.
This had emboldened them over time, and now they were starting to get a bit too arrogant.
Yvette calmly walked past everyone and sat at the head of the table. It was Zoe’s first time seeing such a grand scene, so she stood nervously beside Yvette, still feeling a bit anxious.
Just a moment ago, she had agreed to be Yvette’s secretary for a week. Whether or not she could stay at the Chambers Group after the week, she needed to work diligently every moment to live up to Yvette’s guidance and trust.
Yvette casually took off her baseball cap, allowing her long hair to flow down. After she removed her mask, the conference room was left in stunned silence, with some people unable to hold back their exclamations of surprise.
I
She was incredibly beautiful. It was the first time they had thought someone could be described as stunningly beautiful.
Even Zoe was taken aback. On TV during the competition, they only showed distant shots of Yvette. After the coffee shop stream, no replay was available. So, only a small number of people truly experienced Yvette’s beauty.
The rest had only seen the competition on TV, which didn’t compare to the impact of seeing her beauty in person. Everyone would be attracted by her.
Yvette looked up, her eyes dark and bright, and she frowned slightly. Her fingers tapped on the table. “Let’s start the meeting.”
Those words sent a shiver through everyone present. Her voice was chilling. Warron and Nelson exchanged glances. Yvette certainly had a distinctive presence, but that didn’t affect their plans.
Warron was the first to speak, proudly addressing Yvette, “Ms. Chambers, I’m Warron. I hold ten percent of the shares in the Chambers Group. If there’s anything you don’t understand when you join the company, feel free to come to me.
“My office is below yours. You haven’t graduated from college yet, right? The company’s matters are numerous and complicated, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure about something.”
After speaking, he took a sip of his coffee, waiting for Yvette’s reaction with a cheerful smile. When people heard this, their expressions in the conference room subtly changed.
Right off the bat, Warron tried to cozy up. He was practically undermining Yvette’s authority with those words.
If she didn’t handle this well, Warron would overshadow her just after she joined the company, and it would be tough to regain her authority and command respect.
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Yvette pulled out her phone and opened a cute pet game. Recently, her virtual husky was having puppies. The app had just introduced a puppy delivery simulation. She focused on her phone, completely ignoring Warron.
Seeing her watching her phone without speaking, Warron became angry. He thought, ‘Playing with her phone on such an occasion? Does she really think she is at home?‘
Just as Warron was about to make a mocking comment, Yvette looked up at him. She raised her eyebrows, displaying a bit of a rebellious and carefree aura.
Her long legs were crossed as she leaned back comfortably in the chair, a smirk on her lips. “Is ten percent of the shares considered a lot?
“Why should I turn to you for help? Who do
you
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Warron’s expression changed. He thought, ‘How could Yvette be so out of line, daring to publicly embarrass me like this?” The department managers exchanged looks, heads lowered.
They were like small fry in the struggle between Yvette and Warron, even more so now, making them afraid to speak up.
Lucas saw Warron getting put in his place, his face turning red with anger. He deserved it. Lucas stepped forward immediately.
He then said, “Ms. Zeller, this is Warron, a director at the Chambers Group. He was responsible for the HR department.”
Lucas‘ words completely shattered Warron’s facade, leaving him trembling with anger. Those present understood what was happening and couldn’t help but admire Lucas.
It was no surprise he’d been with the chairman for so many years. He truly knew the art of conversation. With just a few words, he made Warron a nobody. That was impressive.
After speaking, Lucas stepped aside, ignoring Warron’s murderous glare. If Yvette wanted someone dead, he’d take care of it. One look wouldn’t intimidate him. He wasn’t afraid of anyone.
Nelson saw things were turning bad. As an ally of Warron, he had to side with him. When faced with the choice between letting Yvette take over or sharing power with Warron, he’d choose the latter without hesitation.
Nelson chuckled to break the tension. “Ms. Zeller, Mr. Osborne is just straightforward. Please don’t take it seriously. We’re all here for the benefit of the Chambers Group.”
After speaking, he gave Warron a look. Reluctantly, Warron muttered, “Sorry, Ms. Zeller. I shouldn’t talk to you like that.”
Yvette looked at them both, her icy eyes showing no warmth. “Continue,” she instructed.
Everyone in the conference room let out a deep sigh. This was truly a tense situation. Yvette was showing Warron no mercy at all. With this attitude, it seemed the Chambers Group was up for some changes.
For this board meeting, department managers had been preparing since
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In the city office, Wyatt waved his secretary away while holding the phone, and politely said to the person on the other end, “Ms. Zeller, what can I do for you?”
In the Chambers Group meeting room, Yvette spoke with a somewhat cool tone over the phone, “Is it okay if I put it on speaker?”
Wyatt quickly agreed, “Of course, no problem. Since everyone we’re discussing is someone Ms. Zeller knows.”
After placing her phone on the table, Yvette pressed the speaker button in front of everyone in the meeting room. A voice, both familiar and unfamiliar, came through, “Hello, what do you need?”
Lucas, behind Yvette, lifted his head immediately. He wasn’t sure if others recognized the voice, but he was quite familiar with it, having heard it just a few days ago. Yvette was really brave. When she fought back, it was fatal.
It was funny that Nelson and Warron tried to scare Yvette with Wyatt. Now Yvette called him directly. Lucas was curious about what they do next.
Everyone else in the meeting room exchanged puzzled glances. They were discussing the case about the eastern suburb project and wondering why Yvette was suddenly on a call with a stranger.
People below started whispering, “Who is Ms. Zeller calling during the case discussion? How did it end up in a phone call?”
“I wonder if it’s a big shot Ms. Zeller is contacting to pull some strings.”
“He doesn’t seem like it at all. Have you ever seen someone powerful be so approachable? The way she’s talking doesn’t sound like someone asking for a favor.”
“I think so too. Do you think… Could she have called Mr. Langford, the mayor?”
“Stop dreaming. How would she have the mayor’s private number? You’re crazy to even think that. Wake up. Even our chairman probably doesn’t have his number.”
“You’re right too. I’m just kidding. But what if she does know him? Ms. Zeller returned from Betrico, so it’s quite normal for her to be acquainted with some big officials.”
“Do you think all officials have nothing to do? With their status, why would they casually call up a chess player? That’s absurd.”
Just then, the man on the other end said, “This is Wyatt.”
Everyone’s eyes instantly locked onto the phone on the table. Their faces were frozen in shock, eyes wide with surprise, and a few even showed clear disbelief.
Nelson’s hand shook as he held the cup, looking incredibly shocked Hot water spilled onto his hand, but he couldn’t even bother about the pain.
No wonder this voice sounded so familiar. He had just heard it on the news this morning. Warron’s smug look was suddenly wiped off his face, leaving him in a mix of emotions. No one could tell whether he was laughing or crying.
He looked at a loss. He never thought Yvette had Wyatt’s phone number.
On second thought, it was not just about the phone number, but her attitude too. The way she treated the mayor was not proper.
She wasn’t asking for a favor. Unless they were close, they wouldn’t talk like that. Thinking about this, Warron felt a shiver run down his spine.”
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Nelson tried hard to steady his trembling hands as he awkwardly set down the cup he was holding.
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The cell phone on the table was now the center of attention, with the person on the other end being the top dog in Seacrity, a big shot one would see on the evening news.
Yvette raised her eyelids slightly, crossing her legs as she lazily glanced around at everyone in the meeting room.
She spoke calmly into the phone, “The Chambers Group’s bid for the east suburb project is all set, but the city keeps delaying the review process, expecting some benefits from us. Now, should I give them those benefits or not?”
As soon as she said that, nobody in the meeting room dared to lift their heads or even breathe too loudly. This was incredibly intense. This was something that minor staff like them shouldn’t listen to.
Yvette was amazing. She was not asking for a favor. She was complaining to Wyatt that the departments below weren’t doing their jobs.
Giving rebates like this was quite normal, but this time what they were asking for was too much, which was why the chairman hadn’t agreed, causing the project to be delayed.
But they understood the idea of officials protecting each other. Wyatt wouldn’t change his officials just for Yvette.
He was probably just going to pacify her with a few dismissive remarks, and that would be it. Nelson and Warron felt somewhat relieved inside.
They initially thought Yvette was smart, but she turned out to be so foolish as to accuse the mayor’s team of corruption right in front of him. It was absolutely insane.
No leader would accept something like this. And she even openly talked about it.
The fear that held them a moment ago had mostly disappeared. They didn’t care if she knew the mayor. If she was asking for trouble, she deserved it. Now they were just waiting to enjoy the show.
The meeting room was completely silent. One could hear a pin drop. Everyone was waiting for Wyatt’s reaction, or rather, his outburst.
Wyatt, on the other end of the phone, felt tense. He was supposed to return to Betrico for his position by the end of the year, yet he couldn’t believe there was still someone slipping through after all his efforts to tighten things up.
These fools believed they could get benefits from the Chambers Group. He thought, ‘Do they even recognize the status of the Chambers family now?‘ They were practically future in–laws to the marshal, not someone these people could extort.
And it just happened when Yvette joined the Chambers Group, landing right in her hands. Now he’d got a huge headache.
Wyatt quickly assured, “Ms. Zeller, don’t worry. I will thoroughly investigate this matter. If anyone is found taking advantage for personal gain, I won’t let it go and will deal with it strictly.
“I’ll personally handle the case of the east suburb, and as long as all paperwork is complete, I’ll expedite the approvals. I’ll ask my secretary to contact someone from Chambers Group soon. Is that OK, Ms. Zeller?”
Every single word from Wyatt over the phone was crystal clear. As minutes passed, the expressions on the faces in the meeting room became more interesting.
They couldn’t believe what they heard. Wyatt was the mayor after all.
They thought, ‘Isn’t his attitude towards Ms. Zeller a bit too respectful? He said he’ll deal with it personally? Not letting them go? Not only did he not criticize her, but he also didn’t get angry? And his attitude is so good?‘
He even cared about if Yvette was OK with it.
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Everyone looked at Yvette, sitting quietly at the head of the table without any expression. It made them shiver inside.
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The way Wyatt spoke made them think Yvette was the mayor. The world had gone mad. Everyone had gone mad. People
were crazy.
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Nelson couldn’t hold onto his coffee cup anymore and dropped it on the floor. To cover his embarrassment, he picked it up quickly.
Looking uncomfortable, he respectfully said to Yvette, “Sorry, Ms. Zeller. I couldn’t hold it steady.”
In stark contrast to his earlier confidence, Nelson now seemed a bit flustered. He thought she was just a naive young lady, new to the world.
It turned out that she was someone so well–concealed, even making the mayor talk to her with such caution. Nelson wasn’t stupid.
If the mayor was so respectful to her, Nelson shouldn’t show off here. He lowered his eyes.
His eyes deepened with thought, and his face was full of calculations. He was pondering if his alliance with Warron was still necessary. This might lead to trouble, with unimaginable consequences.
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Yvette tapped her fingers on the table and slightly raised her eyebrows, speaking in a relaxed tone, “Hmm, much appreciated, Mr. Langford.”
Wyatt replied, “You are welcome. Thank you, Ms. Zeller.”
After the call was disconnected, the conference room fell into silence. The man who had brought up the East Suburb project looked defeated. He had openly sided against Yvette, and now it backfired, leaving him extremely embarrassed.
After a moment, Yvette raised her eyebrow, put away the phone and partially closed her eyes. “Anything else you want to say?”
Warron and Nelson glanced at each other, then lowered their heads and stayed silent. None of the other department managers dared to cause trouble. All of them noticed how polite Wyatt was to Yvette. They didn’t dare to say anything.
Zoe looked at Yvette with admiration. Yvette was truly remarkable. No one could have imagined that the future powerful businesswoman, who would dominate Seacrity, would solidify her resolve at this moment, beginning her journey of overcoming the odds.
Yvette lifted her eyes and tilted her head with a mischievous look in her eyes. “The company will conduct a review of its employees. Those who are slacking off or got in through connections and contribute nothing will be dismissed.
The dismissal list will be posted on the company website tomorrow. Secondly, I need to inform everyone here that I have a bit of a temper, so to avoid any unpleasant incidents, you should behave yourselves. Don’t cause me any trouble.”
Everyone was stunned again. She was badass as the new boss here. The Chambers Group was so big. It was inevitable that some got in through connections.
Especially Warron and Nelson. They used their positions to get people to work in the Chambers Group. Their relatives all got nice and easy jobs. Now, they were the most uncomfortable ones, sitting there like they were on pins and needles.
Yvette tapped her fingers, her face expressionless as she took in everyone’s reactions. She said, “Meeting adjourned.”
It was a simple begin and a simple ending. After an hour, everyone in the conference room finally realized one thing. That was Yvette was not to be messed with.
After the meeting, Nelson and Warron left one after the other, while managers from various departments exited in an orderly manner. The whole process was silent, clearly reflecting the change in their attitude toward Yvette.
Left in the conference room were Yvette, Lucas, and Zoe. Lucas stepped forward, a bit worried that those two wouldn’t
behave.
In a quiet voice, he said, “Ms. Zeller, Warron, and Nelson are deeply entrenched in the Chambers Group. I’m worried they might try some underhanded tactics behind your back.”
Yvette raised an eyebrow, and leaned back in her chair, spinning her phone absentmindedly. “Well, I’m quite looking forward to it. Having someone to amuse myself with isn’t bad.”
Lucas was unsure whether to laugh or cry. Yvette had an unusual way of thinking, treating Warron and Nelson as her amusement. If those two found out they had been her source of fun and jokes, they’d probably be devastated.
Lucas suddenly felt a bit sorry for them. Facing Yvette, who never followed the rules, Warron and Nelson should pray for themselves. If they insisted on fighting against Yvette, no one could stop them.
Yvette glanced back at the nervous Zoe, who was anxiously picking at her fingers, and said calmly, “For the next week, she’ll
assistant. Make sure to arrange it.”
be
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Lucas paused for a moment before nodding. So Yvette went out and brought back a girl to be her assistant.
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Zoe was so moved. She never thought Yvette would be thinking of her at a time like this. She vowed to work her hardest for Yvette. Unintentionally, Yvette had gained another admirer.
Meanwhile, in Warron’s office, after the meeting, he and Nelson planned to meet there.
Nelson pushed the door open and saw Warron pacing back and forth, clearly anxious. His expression was serious. “I’m here.”
Warron quickly welcomed him in. After checking to ensure no one was around, he promptly closed the door and pulled down the blinds.
Warron said anxiously, “Yvette is much harder to deal with than we thought. Now it’s difficult to proceed. She’s already starting to lay off people, clearly trying to weaken our influence in the Chambers Group.
“And she even knows Mr. Langford. How does a young girl like her know the mayor?”
Nelson’s face was full of contemplation. A single phone call from Yvette could make Wyatt change his attitude. It was ironic that something they had worked on for half a year was resolved with one call from her.
Nelson said, “Yvette is ambitious and enthusiastic. Being new to her role, it’s understandable she wants to achieve something. But layoffs aren’t that simple. What if an employee gets into an incident because of the layoffs? That would be a real mess.”
When Warron heard this, his eyes lit up. If something like that happened, and the employees fought back. If they pretended to do something drastic like jumping off a building, Yvette would be in big trouble.
Having just joined the Chambers Group, if something as serious as this occurred, she’d have to leave the company in disgrace. Warron looked at Nelson sitting on the couch. Both had different expressions, each with their own hidden motives and plans.
Warron gritted his teeth. “That’s a good plan, but who will take charge of it? If it’s one of our people, won’t it be too obvious? We should pick someone from the list of layoffs announced tomorrow, someone unknown to both you and me.
“We can’t leave any evidence for Yvette to trace back to us.”
Nelson nodded. He couldn’t risk any involvement in this, not even a little. If it was discovered that they were behind the scheme, it would spell disaster. The two of them were in perfect accord and started planning how to execute the scheme without a hitch.
At the Chambers Group, all the employees were restless today. All the department managers had gone to the meeting, leaving just the regular staff.
All the staff wondered, ‘What would the new young lady in charge say? Would she come up with some chaotic, unrealistic plans and projects, and the ones left to deal with the hard work and stress would be us at the bottom?‘
When the department managers returned to their departments, the employees sitting at their desks all turned their eyes toward their respective bosses.
The director of the administrative department, who usually had a very cordial relationship with his subordinates, waved his hand. “Alright, I know you’re all curious about today’s meeting. Ms. Zeller has decided on layoffs. The list will be announced
tomorrow.”
Upon hearing this, the employees‘ faces went pale. They thought, ‘Layoffs? How can this happen?‘ Seeing their shocked expressions, the manager refrained from saying anything more. Once the list was revealed tomorrow, everyone would know.
For now, there were things better left unsaid. Nobody truly understood what Yvette was thinking.
At the Chambers residence, when Yvette returned, Zachary was already seated at the dining table. His dream of escaping to
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Yvette sent a short text message: [Come back.] He was a bit cautious on this. He didn’t want to get into trouble after all. By now, he knew his daughter’s temperament. Being late to the Chambers residence by even a minute meant walking into a
storm.
After weighing the pros and cons, Zachary obediently packed his things and returned from the countryside.
As soon as Yvette and Lucas entered the house, they saw Zachary beaming with a big smile. “Yvette, hey, how’s your day?” Zachary made it clear how delighted he was.
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Feeling Zachary’s flattering behavior shameful, Lucas had his eye twitched. Zachary had tried to escape but was scared back by Yvette’s short message.
At this moment, Zachary, who was spineless in Lucas‘ eyes, stood up full of enthusiasm. “Yvette, I cooked all these dishes just for you. Come and try them.”
Yvette leisurely walked over and sat down. She looked at the table full of delicious dishes and raised an eyebrow.
There were shrimp cocktails, grilled steak, fried chicken wings, chicken soup, and a serving of salad. It was obvious Zachary made them, as the presentation would have been much more elegant if they were prepared by the servant of the Chambers family.
Standing aside, Lucas mentally mocked Zachary, “After all these years, Mr. Chambers only knows how to make these few dishes. Knowing Yvette likes eating, he even learned to flatter her with food.”
Yvette sat down and casually took a few bites. She felt the taste was quite good, but it still fell a bit short compared to the dishes Jeremiah made.
Yvette tilted her head thoughtfully and gave her review slowly, “It’s not bad.”
Zachary was full of confidence, only to feel frustrated by Yvette’s casual review of his prized cooking skills.
He tried to explain himself to Yvette in a friendly tone, “Well, it’s not that I went on some vacation. I was checking on some old friends at the old manor out in the countryside.
“I planned to come back today. I didn’t mean to leave you to deal with the mess in the Chambers Group. You know that, right?”
Zachary was eager to prove that he did not desert in the face of trouble. Yvette put down her chopsticks, lifted her head slightly, and smirked. “That’s a pretty bad excuse. Try another one.”
Too embarrassed to say anything more, Zachary pretended to cough a couple of times. He knew his excuses were terrible, but what he had said was probably the best one.
After dinner, the two were lounging on the couch, and Yvette absentmindedly picked up a fashion magazine. As she saw the headline, her eyes narrowed. Sienna had submitted her article to the fashion competition.
[Nameless burst onto the scene at the Mysonna International Fashion Competition and easily took the first place.]
[Who is the designer of Nameless? When will the person behind Vibe finally show up?]
Zachary placed a nicely peeled apple on the plate in front of Yvette. “Yvette, have some apples.”
Yvette set the magazine aside and nodded. “Thanks.”
Zachary felt like he finally saw a glimmer of hope. Previously, he was like a lifeless actor going through the motions every day. Now with Yvette by his side, he truly understood what happiness and contentment meant.
After thinking it over, Zachary asked, “Yvette, have you prepared the layoff list yet?”
He was quite surprised when he first heard about the layoffs, but since it was Yvette’s decision, he fully supported it. It was about time for the Chambers Group to deal with those freeloaders who were getting by on connections.
With a slight frown, Yvette casually said, “Yes, it’s been drafted. Lucas is handling it.”
Zachary did not ask further. He trusted that Yvette had her reasons for wanting to fire those people.
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- ng. She glanced at the screen: it was Sienna calling. She pressed to answer, and a cheerful
At this moment, Yvette’s phone rang. voice came through.
Sienna said, “Hey Yve, your design Nameless won another award. Since it won, will you forgive me for secretly submitting it to the competition?”
The last sentence was the main point, and Sienna’s voice got a bit quieter as she said it.
Yvette moved the phone away from her ear. Since freeing herself from Nathan’s entanglement after aborting their child, Sienna was back to her energetic self.
She was obsessed with her work every day. Vibe‘ for this quarter consistently ranked in the top three. The other two
were century–old brands, and only Vibe managed to outdo all the new brands and reached the top three.
Yvette said casually, “Alright. No vacations for you over the next three years.”
On the other end of the phone, Sienna’s face fell. She complained mentally, “Yvette, you’re really ruthless. My vacation plans are ruined. No more beaches, handsome guys, or delicious food… Everything is gone.”
Sienna continued, “Yve, Mr. Winslow said she’d like you to think about teaching in her school. She knows you don’t enjoy being restricted, so she’s offering a special arrangement: just three classes a semester.
“I think it’s pretty great. Besides, it could attract some new designers to Vibe.”
Yvette raised an eyebrow. Her voice was cool as she simply declined, “I’m not interested.”
Less than half a minute after Yvette hung up, the phone rang again. Zachary paused mid–peel of an orange. He was annoyed and muttered to himself, “Who is this inconsiderate guy interrupting my family time?”
The call was from Jeremiah. After it connected, there was a brief silence, and then Jeremiah said, “I’m at your door.”
Yvette quietly got up and headed out. As she walked, she said, “Okay. Wait for me.”
As soon as Zachary heard those words, his ears perked up and he sat up straight. He pretended not to care while watching Yvette leave, and he noticed that she had not even put on a coat. That phone call was definitely suspicious.
Yvette’s demeanor while she answered this call was completely different from earlier. A light bulb went off in Zachary’s head “It must be a guy on the other end of the line. Which no–good dude is daring enough to try and fool my daughter?”
An hour later, Zachary sat on the couch in the living room. When he looked at the man across from him, his face showed pure disbelief and disapproval.
He had this gut feeling earlier that the scoundrel trying to whisk away his daughter was this guy named Jeremiah. His feeling was right. Now Jeremiah dared to waltz right in here.
Zachary did not care if this guy was a major general. To him, Jeremiah was just some older guy with a bit of charm trying to take Yvette away.
Across from him, Jeremiah looked striking and confident in his black suit and deep blue tie. His brown hair was slick, his eyebrows were thick and straight, and his eyes held a sharp intelligence.
His lips were thin and slightly pursed, his features sharply defined, and he was tall and slender without being rugged. Like an eagle soaring through the night, he was both aloof and commanding.
Despite the grumpy vibes coming from Zachary, Jeremiah maintained a perfectly polite smile…
Sitting in the middle of the couch, Yvette watched the glances exchanged between the two. She leisurely munched on an apple.
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This was a scene she was witnessing for the first time, so she wanted to observe closely. She was considering who she should support if her boyfriend and dad started fighting.
Just moments ago, as Yvette stepped out of the Chambers residence, she spotted Jeremiah waiting at the door. Jeremiah joked, “Since we’ve been together, I need to visit my future father–in–law,” and that is why he was there.
Feeling a flutter of unease, Lucas stood to the side. It seemed like Zachary and Jeremiah could clash at any moment. He hesitated if he should try to calm Zachary down.
He thought, “Zachary’s body is not what it used to be in its prime. Compared to Jeremiah, who is a major general seasoned by the battlefield, Zachary could not go head–to–head. It’s about being smart in fighting, not just strong.”
Jeremiah gave a charming smile to Zachary. “Mr. Chamb
