Chapter 9
Jacob’s expression darkened as he accused Celeste of taking advantage of her position. “This isn’t the right work attitude to
have, Ms. Rodriguez. Do you think this is your home?”
Celeste picked up her bag, unfazed. She retorted, “If you’re dissatisfied, you’re welcome to dismiss me right now.‘
“You-” Jacob began. Although he had accompanied Trevor to Andostan, he was aware that Celeste had already submitted her resignation. (2)
Even though he had Trevor’s trust, the company didn’t revolve around him. He didn’t have the authority to fire her on the
spot.
Moreover, Martha favored Celeste. If she went to Fleming Manor to complain about him, Jacob knew he wouldn’t come out unscathed even if he had Trevor’s support.
Not bothered to get a response from Jacob, Celeste walked past him and left.
Jacob’s face turned purple wither as he w
stormed
the secretarial office.
Zeke noticed his sour expression and asked, “What happened?”
Instantly, Jacob recounted their whole exchange.
Zeke was surprised. He had worked closely with Celeste and had a good understanding of her character, like something Celeste would do. Could there have been a misunderstanding?”
This doesn’t sound
“There’s no misunderstanding. That’s exactly how it went down. In my opinion, Celeste is just nowhere near as good as you usually claim she is,” Jacob ranted.
abusing
her position. She’s
Zeke hesitated. “Maybe she’s slacking off because she’s already resigned?”
But Celeste had been as diligent as ever recently, and she didn’t show any signs of a change in behavior.
Just then, Trevor approached from a distance. “What’s going on?”
“Ms. Rodriguez left work without finishing her tasks,” Jacob reported. 1
“If you’re dissatisfied, terminate her employment according to company protocols,” Trevor said coldly, showing no interest in
the matter. 1
Zeke and Jacob exchanged glances and were taken aback. It wasn’t that they found Trevor’s indifference surprising, since he had always been detached about matters concerning Celeste.
What caught their attention was his apparent lack of awareness that Celeste had already resigned. Wasn’t he the one who wanted her to resign? Had they misunderstood something?
Before they could say anything further, Trevor’s phone rang as a call from Wynn came in.
Without looking back, he walked toward the elevator while answering the call. “I’m off work now. I’ll be there soon…”
Zeke and Jacob watched him leave, feeling puzzled
“Maybe he forgot?” Zeke suggested.
“That’s possible,” Jacob agreed.‘
After all, Trevor had never shown much concern for Celeste’s affairs.
Meanwhile, Celeste was on her way to Betty’s place.
Jordyn had always been close to Betty. Whenever she was home, Celeste would bring her along when she went back to the Rodriguez residence.
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But despite being back in the country for several days, Jordyn hadn’t called her even once. Instead, she constantly called Wynn and missed her dearly after only a few days apart.
Because of this, Celeste saw no need to make Jordyn go back with her. Besides, Betty would be deeply upset if she found out that Jordyn had gotten so attached to Wynn.
Therefore, Celeste went back alone this time.
The traffic was heavy, and by the time she arrived, it was already past 6:00 pm.
Betty’s face lit up when she saw Celeste. However, her expression turned somber as she reached out to touch Celeste’s face.
You’ve lost weight, my dear.”
Celeste looked down as she replied, “I’ve been busy with work lately.”
Betty sighed and advised, “No matter how busy you are, you need to eat well.”
“I know, Granny. I’ll be more mindful,” Celeste replied.
Celeste sat beside Betty, resting her head on her shoulder and soaking in her warmth.
When the lamb stew was almost ready, Betty instructed the staff to serve Celeste a bowl of stew to warm her up. Listening to Betty’s kind words, Celeste felt tears well up as she thought about everything that had happened recently.
2
Afraid of worrying her, she quickly composed herself and asked, “Are Aunt Adeline and the others still away on a trip?”
“They are. They got carried away and said they’d extend it by another week,” Betty replied.
“What about Uncle Ivan? Is he out for a business gathering again tonight?”
“When he heard you were coming, he canceled his plans and said he’d come back to join us for dinner. He should be here
soon.”
TAM
Just as they finished speaking, Ivan walked in, smiling warmly. “Cel, you’re here!”
Then, he remarked with a frown, “You’ve lost weight. Haven’t you been
ing
well?”
Celeste laughed softly. “I’ve just been busy lately. I’ll eat more tonight, I promise.”
Satisfied, Ivan began piling meat onto her plate once dinner was served. Though he commented on her weight loss, Celeste
could see that he too Ipoked worn out.
Even though she didn’t work at Rodriguez Corporation, she knew it was struggling. Ivan had been overwhelmed with work, yet he was unable to pull the business back from the brink.
Over the years, several projects could have been salvaged with Trevor’s help. Save for Martha’s intervention on two
occasions, he hadn’t lifted a finger. 1
Celeste thought bitterly that if it hadn’t been for Martha, Trevor might have actively sabotaged Rodriguez Corporation, given
his misconceptions about her. (3
As this thought crossed her mind, the lamb stew in her mouth suddenly tasted bland.
Ivan had never pressured her to seek help from Trevor, even when the family desperately needed it.
After dinner, while Betty was dozing off, Celeste handed Ivan a bank card with seven million dollars in the account.
“Cel, there’s no need-”
“It’s not much use to me.” She pressed the card into his hand firmly. “This is all I can do for now.”
Though she excelled in academics and research, she knew she wasn’t cut out for business.
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Thankfully, her early work in AI had earned her patents, and the tech company she co–founded with Matthias provided annual dividends. Even without lifting a finger, she received tens of millions of dollars each year. 7
Ivan looked ashamed. “You’ve already given me so much, yet the company…”
It was barely getting by.
“I’m the one who’s incapable here,” Ivan lamented.
“Transitioning a business takes significant time and funds. Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Celeste comforted.
She thought of Matthias‘ words from their recent meeting. He had said that the AI field was advancing rapidly. With her past capabilities and his operational skills, their company might already have been worth hundreds of billions and even be at the forefront of the industry had she not left to get married. Luckily, there was still room for growth. So, he hoped Celeste would
return soon.
If she could regain her former abilities and help the company thrive, she would be in a better position to support her family.
By the time Trevor returned home, it was past 10:00
Jordyn rubbed her eyes sleepily. “You’re finally home, Dad.”
“Yeah,” he replied. “Go to bed if you’re sleepy.”
“Okay. Goodnight, Dad.”
“Goodnight.”
After Jordyn went upstairs, Trevor drank the water Peter handed him and then headed upstairs himself.
The master bedroom was dark, and it seemed to be empty.
3
Trevor paused for a bit and turned on the light. As expected, no one was there.
3
