Chapter 27
Skye added cautiously, “But… Chairman, it seems the order wasn’t placed by Ms. Welch.”
Smith’s expression darkened. “What do you mean? if it wasn’t Kathryn, then who? Don’t tell me it was that brat Charlest”
As he spoke, he spun his chair around to gaze through the floor–to–ceiling windows at the Spencer Group Headquarters, which stood in direct opposition to the Welch Group building across the street.
Just thinking about how Charles ran off with his precious daughter Kathryn, forcing him to stay on as chairman when he should’ve been retired, made Smith’s blood boil.
Skye hesitated, then said, “Probably not either. It’s a girl. We don’t know her name or background yet, but she looks… like the spitting image of Ms. Welch.” As she spoke, Skye placed a printed photo from the surveillance footage on the desk.
Smith picked up the photo and examined it. To his astonishment, the girl in the picture looked exactly like Kathryn in her younger days.
Smith looked up, his eyes wide with shock. “This… what does this mean?”
Skye stepped forward and said cautiously, “Chairman, I’ve taken a close look at the girl in the photo. She seems to be about eighteen or nineteen. It’s been nineteen years since Ms. Welch left. Don’t you think the timing is rather… coincidental?”
Smith thought, ‘Is that so?‘
Smith’s gaze lingered on the girl’s face in the photo. At first glance, she was the very image of Kathryn. A second look confirmed the uncanny resemblance. But that determined look between her brows looked just like Charles.
He wondered what was going on.
Smith’s face suddenly paled. He jerked his head up to stare at Skye, his voice trembling. “You mean… she… she’s… is she really…”
He was so overcome with emotion he could barely speak. All these years, he had stubbornly refused to contact her or ask about her life. In the blink of an eye, nearly two decades had passed. If she really did have a child, that child would be just about this age now.
He thought, ‘Who says my success means nothing? Who dares claim I have no heir!
‘Isn’t this it? Isn’t this the heir everyone’s been saying I don’t have?‘
Skye quickly said, “Chairman, please calm down! Remember, you have hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia…”
“Right, right, calm down!” Smith told himself.
Smith sat down, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “Where are they living now? Have my limo ready, no, that’s too slow! Alert the flight crew and get my private jet prepped immediately!”
Skye cast a calm glance at the Spencer Group Headquarters across the street and tactfully reminded, “Chairman, have you forgotten the agreement between our two families? If you violate it unilaterally… you could lose your claim to the heir.”
Skye’s words jolted Smith back to reality. ‘Right! How could I have forgotten about that?‘ he thought, suddenly alarmed.
‘What now?‘ Smith thought, suddenly at a loss.
Smith stood up, gazed through the floor–to–ceiling windows at the Spencer Group building across the street, and asked in a low voice, “Simon still doesn’t know, does he?”
Skye nodded. “He probably doesn’t know yet, Chairman.”
Smith clenched his fists, declaring, “Excellent! Absolutely perfect!”
Chapter 27
Now it is all about winning over my precious granddaughter’s attention, How hard could that be? After all, I’ve got the ace up my sleeve Smith though confidently
Smith banged the table and barked, “Get my son back here right now!”
Skye frowned. “But, Chairman, Mr. Welch hasn’t finished his work in Cormens yet.”
“What kind of work is that?” Smith glared at the Spencer Group building across the street. “Winning his sister’s favor is the real priority! Oh, and get the car ready, I’m heading back to the Welch Manor to share this wonderful news with my wife!”
Completely unaware that a powerful tycoon had taken an interest in her, Solana sat on the bus heading home to the suburbs, carefully taking notes as she scrolled through part–time gigs on her phone, planning to pick up another job that evening to earn some extra cash.
Just then, her phone rang, it was from the recruitment agency Solana had contacted during her job search.
She answered the call, puzzled. The woman on the other end said cheerfully, “Is that Solana? Last time you said you’d be open to tutoring younger students. Well, I’ve got a job for you, ghostwriting some summer homework. And guess what? It just happens to be for Knight International School.”
Solana thought to herself, ‘Ghostwriting summer homework for Knight International School? Seriously?
‘Damn, everyone knows the teachers at Knight International School are notoriously strict. Get caught ghostwriting homework and you’re expelled for
sure!‘
Solana was about to refuse when it suddenly hit her, ‘Wait a minute, I won’t even be a Knight International School student soon. Even if I get caught, it won’t affect me at all,‘ she thought.
The woman continued cheerfully, “Actually, this isn’t even my regular client. Word is, this client’s extremely demanding. They want at least 95% accuracy, so nobody’s willing to take the job. The job’s been passed around all the agencies in Embridge City like a hot potato, and that’s how I spotted it. Then I thought, hey, aren’t you a student from Knight International School? And honestly, the pay is fantastic!”
Solana wasn’t the least bit surprised they were offering top dollar, after all, those kids were all loaded anyway.
Solana didn’t hesitate for a second. “Sure, I’ll take it!” she said immediately.
As soon as she hung up, the bus arrived at her stop. To her surprise, Charles and Kathryn were waiting there as she stepped off.
Solana’s heart skipped a beat. She blurted out, “Mom, Dad, what’s wrong?”
Charles stepped forward, took her bag with a smile, and said, “Nothing serious. Had fun with your friends? You look a bit tired.”
Kathryn linked her arm through her daughter’s and asked with a teasing smile, “Your dad mentioned it was a boy. Is he your classmate? Where’s he
from?”
Then Solana remembered how Mateo had shown up right when Charles called. Seeing her parents‘ expressions, the realization hit her. “Wait, you guys think I’m dating someone? No way! I was just out shopping with my best friend. That guy? We just bumped into each other on the street, said hi in passing, and went our separate ways. You don’t seriously think I’d lie to you, do you?”
“Solana,” Charles said quickly, “don’t worry. Mom and Dad aren’t blaming you. We just want you to look after yourself and not let anyone take advantage of you. After all, good, responsible men like your old man are pretty rare these days!”
Kathryn immediately nodded in agreement. “Absolutely! I couldn’t agree
Looking at her not–so–reliable parents, she felt a warm glow inside. Back with the Webb family, all Robert ever cared about was what she could bring to the family. He never gave a damn about whether she was dating young.
Solana slipped her arms through her parents‘ and the three of them walked home together.
**
19:224 Wed, 27 Aug 24 (M
Chapter 27
The setting sum stretched their three figures into long shadows, enveloping them in a scans of warmth and harmony
Dinner was prepared by Kathryn. Though it was just three simple dishes and she wasn’t a master chef, her plating and sense of color were interestle, each dish looked like a work of art when served. Solana hesitated to take the first bite, not wanting to ruin such a beautiful presentation.
That night, back in her room, she lay on her bed and officially signed up for an account on a trending content platform using her phone.
When Kathryn walked in and saw Solana typing away rapidly on her phone, she glanced at the screen in surprise and teased, “Solana, are you writing a novel over there?”
Solana hurriedly closed the app and shook her head. “No, Mom, I just write in my diary sometimes.” Her eyes fell on the small locked box in her mother’s arms. She frowned. “Mom, what’s that?”
