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After the press conference, I went viral again, riding the wave of my previous trending topic.
But public opinion about Bethany and me had completely flipped.
“I can’t believe that Bethany, who looked so pure and innocent, could be so calculating.”
“Exactly! Not only did she steal her classmate’s research, but she also went after her own sister. That’s terrifying–best to stay away from someone like that.”
“The worst part is that she used scholarship money to threaten others. That’s just evil!”
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, the University of Chicago issued a statement announcing Bethany’s expulsion.
I took the initiative to find Sally before the Palmer family could make their
move.
Sally smiled shyly and said, “Actually, Mr. Herbert Palmer already came to see me, but I had a feeling you would come too, so I’ve been waiting for you.
“I’ve studied for so many years, always hoping education would change my fate. I worked so hard to get into the University of Chicago and then to secure my graduate position. If everything was ruined because of Bethany, I’d truly have nowhere to go.
“Thank you, Ms. Yates. If there’s ever anything I can do to help you in the
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future, I’ll give it my all!”
I couldn’t help but hug her.
In some ways, we were very similar.
We were both people forced to the edge by our circumstances, desperately clawing our way toward the only light we could see.
Sally said she would come work for our company after graduation.
I didn’t have her sign a contract. Girls like her deserve a bigger stage, and I didn’t want to limit her choices with some notion of obligation.
Meanwhile, the Palmer family finally couldn’t sit still any longer.
Herbert the “failure” alone wasn’t enough to threaten them, but with me in the picture, everything changed.
The other members of the Palmer family began planning to seize Herbert’s remaining shares, intending to kick us out of the Palmer family for good.
But I couldn’t care less. After all, from the beginning, my target was never Palmer Group.
I named my company “Waitlight,” symbolizing that the future would eventually bring bright prospects.
After completing the research and development, I contacted a factory. Now that “Waitlight” had gained recognition thanks to Bethany’s “help,” I was determined to succeed in this venture.
I took Herbert and Sally out for dinner, and we dreamed about the
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company’s future together.
But when I woke up the next morning, I had a missed call on my phone.
It was from the factory owner.
My heart sank immediately, and an uneasy feeling crept over me.
“Ms. Yates, I’m terribly sorry, but our factory simply doesn’t have the time or resources to fulfill your order this year. We’ll transfer the deposit and penalty fee to your account. Please find another factory.”
My heart plummeted to rock bottom.
I couldn’t believe it. Everything had been agreed upon, so why did they suddenly back out overnight?
We u
If we couldn’t launch the product on schedule, just fail to repay our loan–we’d be buried in debt.
Herbert had returned his black card when he cut ties with the Palmer family.
was utterly dejected.
Just as I was leaving the office, an unexpected figure appeared at the
entrance.
Cedric’s handsome features and commanding presence made him impossible to ignore. His tall, straight posture drew glances from every woman passing by.
Seeing me, he flashed a faint smile, opened the car door, and gestured for me to enter.
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“May we talk, Ms. Yates?”
“I’m busy,” I said coldly.
Cedric had never been rejected so directly before, and his expression froze. instantly.
“Business matters should be discussed at the office. Personal matters aren’t up for discussion.”
He looked at me intently, as if trying to detect some sign that I was playing hard to get.
But there was nothing.
This realization stunned him.
“If you have no business here, please move your attention–grabbing car away from my company entrance. It’s in the way.”
With that, I turned to leave.
“Ms. Yates.” He caught up to me, his previous arrogance gone from his face. “Are you free? I’d like to invite you to dinner.”
“No, I’m on a diet.”
I caught a glimpse of the large bouquet of roses on his passenger seat.
If it had been Bethany, she would have rushed over in excitement, but I knew him too well.
“Then just name a time that works for you. I really want to get to know you,
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even if it’s just as friends.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t need more friends,” I said sarcastically. “Mr. Palmer, you have so many friends already. You don’t need to add me to the list.”
I quickened my pace.
“I heard that Ms. Jeanette Yates’s factory contract was canceled. If I told you
I could help, would you consider becoming my friend?”
I froze in my tracks.
“Was this your doing?” I asked in shock.
Cedric displayed his polished smile again and extended his hand once more. “Please.”
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