Chapter 33
In the morning, Clara whipped up some breakfast before heading out. The house was now entirely hers, and she no longer had to grovel to the Bradford family. With a hefty four million dollars sitting comfortably in her savings, she wouldn’t have to beg for a mere twenty thousand in medical bills anymore.
Thinking about those bills, she quickly dug up Dylan’s number and sent him a friend request on Messenger, But by lunchtime, she still hadn’t heard back, so she shot him a text instead.
Clara: [Mr. Dylan, I still owe you two thousand dollars. Mind if I add you on Messenger?]
No surprise, Dylan stayed silent. The guy was always so distant.
Clara was at her desk when Jade strolled over, dropping a project contract in front of her.
“You’ve got to personally handle the rural development project in South Ashford. Pack up and head out now. If you can’t take the heat, feel free to quit. Honestly, the department wouldn’t really miss you.”
The rest of the team practically exhaled relief when they heard Clara got the assignment. South Ashford was dirt poor, and since it was a government project, there was no money to be made. The supposed prestige was pointless. Anyone who could get into Ferguson Corporation didn’t need it.
This was purely a tough gig.
Everyone was visibly cheerful and started throwing fake congratulations her way.
“Clara, the higher–ups must see something special in you!”
“Yeah, we would’ve loved a shot, but we never get the chance.”
Clara had already promised Dylan she’d handle the South Ashford project, but the backhanded compliments were grating.
“If you’re so keen to go, I can talk to Mr. Dylan right now. He did say I could pick an assistant, so feel free to volunteer.”
Her words immediately shut them up, and their faces turned a mix of green and white.
Clara stood up, grabbed the project documents, and made her way to the top floor. Jade wasn’t a fan and hadn’t given her much to go on, so she was in the dark about her travel companion or the exact schedule.
When she got up there, she ran into Aiden.
Aiden frowned at her. “Ms. Clara.”
“Is Mr. Dylan in? I need more info on the South Ashford project and wanted to…”
“He isn’t seeing anyone today.”
“But I need to pack and leave soon. I at least need to know the itinerary.”
Aiden didn’t even blink at her words.
Clara felt a wave of disappointment like she’d been slapped repeatedly. Since waking up in the hospital, she’d gotten used to being overlooked.
Still, she always thought Dylan was different. He was supposed to be different from the others who disliked her. Perhaps, she’d been fooling herself all along.
She felt like an isolated island; no one wanted to approach her, let alone give her any attention.
She forced a smile. “Alright, I’ll go pack my things then.”
Aiden kept ignoring her, making it clear how little he cared.
Clara went back home and packed four outfits and two pairs of sneakers. Just as she was done, Dylan
Chapter 33
unexpectedly texted her.
Dylan: [Come downstairs.]
She was a bit surprised, wondering if she’d read it wrong.
When she went down with her suitcase, she spotted Dylan’s car. It was still the same extended luxury ride. She opened the door and saw him inside, with a wheelchair beside him.
“Mr. Dylan, are you heading to South Ashford too?”
Was he the one joining her on this trip? Why would the head of Ferguson Corporation go along for a rural development project in South Ashford?
