Chapter 4

The other end of the line was silent for a moment. Jared's face broke into a smile as he waited for Yvonne's eager agreement.

However, an unfamiliar female voice stammered in reply, "I-Is this Mr. Ford? Yvonne forwarded this number to the office. She said she doesn't want to be disturbed during work. When she's back, I'll inform her that you tried to reach her."

Jared was at a loss for words.

His phone never once rang even as working hours ended. He then took the elevator to the 17th floor.

Wayne hurried over to greet Jared. "What brings you to the projects department, Mr. Ford?"

In the past, Jared would always make a call whenever something came up. He never came in person.

"I was passing by and just thought I'd stop by." Jared glanced inside but didn't see Yvonne.

Wayne keenly caught it and said, "The projects department is understaffed, and the venue and guests for the jewelry exhibition still aren't confirmed. Ms. Jamison has been handling everything herself. Do you need me to call and have her come back?"

A fleeting look of barely noticeable disappointment flashed in Jared's eyes. His face immediately fell. "Who said I was looking for her? Also, she's no longer my secretary—I have no need for her now."

Looking at his retreating back, Wayne couldn't understand why Jared had come over personally.

…

Yvonne wanted to make a cup of coffee before her meeting the next day. Just as she stepped into the break room, she saw Shirley rummaging through items with her name on them.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice cold.

Shirley shyly explained, "You know I'm now responsible for Mr. Ford's well-being, Yvonne. Even though he never tells me off, I'm worried that I might affect his work if I don't do well enough."

"What's that got to do with me?" Yvonne glanced at the coffee beans spilled across the table and coldly reminded, "Even if I didn't teach you, don't you know the most basic manners, Ms. Ember? This is the projects department. If you need to do something, please do it at the secretarial department."

The commotion in the break room caught the attention of their nosy colleagues, who gathered around to watch.

"Are you still angry, Yvonne?" Tears filled Shirley's eyes immediately as she shifted uneasily in place. She choked out a sob and said, "I'm here as a secretary just to repay Mr. Ford's kindness for sponsoring me. I never wanted to take your place.

"I'll apologize to you with this cup of coffee, Yvonne. After all, you've been making coffee for Mr. Ford all these years—no one knows his taste better than you. So please, teach me how to brew it."

She then rushed over with a freshly brewed pot of hot coffee. Yvonne stepped aside to avoid her.

Shirley ended up bumping into the table and knocking over the coffee pot. The hot liquid scalded the back of her hand, causing a large patch of skin to redden immediately. "Ouch!"

"Shirley!"

All the rubbernecking colleagues immediately stepped back when Jared showed up.

He rushed over and grabbed Shirley's hand, running it under cold water. Upon seeing her tremble in pain in his arms, he frowned and said, "Your burn is too serious. I'll bring you to the hospital."

"It's fine. I was being too careless—it's not Yvonne's fault." She started sobbing as she explained, "I just want to learn how to brew a good pot of coffee, Mr. Ford. I'm just too clumsy!"

"I know you're doing this for me, Shirley." Jared softly comforted Shirley. He then turned to look at Yvonne, who remained indifferent to what was happening.

He grew annoyed and said, "Is this how you act when Shirley comes to you for advice? Don't bring your personal emotions into the office, Yvonne.

"You're the one who chose to leave the secretarial department, so don't think about going back after you chose to stay in the projects department. The secretarial department has no place for you anymore!"

Yvonne didn't feel angry even as she watched Jared help Shirley out.

What a well-played scene. Shirley was using the same old tricks again. Did she really think Yvonne would care?

"Wait," Yvonne suddenly said.

Jared stopped in his tracks, throwing a condescending look at her. "Have you realized your mistake? If you can correct it and get along with Shirley, you might be able to transfer back."

"I just want to remind Ms. Ember." Yvonne smiled and pointed at the break room. "She should clean this up properly so it doesn't affect our department's use of the space."

Her words angered Jared. "Remember what you just said, Yvonne!"

He'd initially wanted to offer Yvonne a way out so she could transfer back to the secretarial department. But since she didn't appreciate it, he'd see just how long it would take before she came back crying in regret.

Jared barked, "Call the cleaning staff to clean up!"

It wasn't until both Jared and Shirley left that Yvonne's colleagues from the projects department gathered around, curious to see her reaction.

Yvonne took a deep breath and turned to address the crowd. Waving her phone, she said, "Since we can't use the break room, I'll buy everyone coffee for the afternoon."

Once everyone had their takeaway coffee, Yvonne called for a meeting. There were six members in her team for the jewelry exhibition. They were currently discussing the guest list.

Someone suggested, "We could invite Professor Jean Weedle. She's well-known both abroad and in Jeriton City. Having both rising and top-tier designers on the same stage would be the exhibition's biggest selling point, and it fits perfectly with our 'Legacy' theme."

Yvonne nodded in approval. "I'll personally extend an invitation to Professor Weedle."

…

Yvonne arrived at Jean's residence, bringing a fruit basket with her. She sat waiting in the living room.

Upon seeing an elegantly dressed middle-aged woman coming downstairs, she stood up politely. "Hello, Professor Weedle. I'm Andrew Jamison's daughter, Yvonne. Do you still remember me?"

"I remember you. Mr. Jamison mentioned that his daughter has a talent for design," Jean said with a kind smile.

"I'm here on behalf of Ford Corporation to extend an invitation to you." Yvonne handed over the proposal she'd brought and explained the purpose of her visit.

"I know you've been having some trouble with your eyes recently and even turned down the National Museum Exhibition. I do have a personal reason for inviting you, though—some pieces in the exhibition are your works," she said.

Jean was impressed with Yvonne's proposal presentation. "Why didn't you follow in your father's footsteps and pursue a career in jewelry design, Ms. Jamison?"

"I only have one piece." Yvonne flipped to the last page of the proposal, revealing an emerald sculpture titled "The Wishful Girl".

"This is your work?" Jean's eyes glinted in surprise. She immediately grabbed Yvonne's hands and said, "I was there when this emerald sculpture was auctioned abroad. Unfortunately, the designer remained anonymous.

"I could tell that this piece came from a woman's hands. The emerald sculpture became a part of someone's collection after being sold at a high price. I've always regretted not being able to meet the designer—and it turned out to be you."

"I stopped designing after my father passed away." Yvonne smiled sincerely. "This exhibition is the last project before I leave my job. I want to showcase my work, which is why I invited you, Professor Weedle. I hope you can honor us with your presence."

"Alright, I'll attend the exhibition. I believe Mr. Jamison would be pleased as well," Jean replied.

After finalizing the details for the exhibition, Yvonne suddenly asked, "Do you know who bought my work, Professor Weedle?"

"I believe it was the Hovers who bought it at the auction," Jean said.

After leaving Jean's house, Yvonne called Isabel in the car.

Isabel said, "Before our divorce, I heard from my bastard ex that the heir of the Hover family had always been abroad. After the sudden passing of the eldest son of the Hover family, Mr. Hover Senior started grooming a new successor.

"I think the second son returned to Jeriton City recently. I bet there's a long line of people who want to meet him."

Yvonne said, "Even if it's hard to meet him, I have to. My work is part of the Hover family's collection."

"Good luck, babe," Isabel replied.

…

Yvonne drove straight to Hover Group. She walked over to the reception and handed her business card over. "Hello, I'd like to meet Mr. Hover."