After sending off the York Family sisters, Silas Everett took an ice pack from the office mini-fridge and headed to Stella Fletcher’s workstation.
"Here, take this. I’ve heard cold compresses can reduce swelling."
Silas Everett handed the ice pack to Stella Fletcher, who was diligently working.
Stella Fletcher was a bit surprised, as were her colleagues nearby.
Originally, they were speculating that Stella Fletcher came out of the office with a red face, as if she had been hit.
Now it was almost certain that Stella Fletcher had been hit, most likely by those two new clients who might fancy President Everett, thus targeting Stella Fletcher.
After all, President Everett especially cares for Secretary Fletcher in the company.
At the moment, it was evident that President Everett seemed very concerned about Secretary Fletcher, sparking curiosity among colleagues about their relationship.
"Thank you, President Everett." Stella Fletcher didn’t refuse, reaching out to take the kind gesture offered by Silas Everett, with a trace of joy in her heart.
Stella Fletcher took the ice pack, gently pressing it against her face, seemingly alleviating some of the pain. She looked at Silas Everett with gratitude in her eyes.
Silas Everett nodded slightly and said, "In the future, when you encounter such situations, don’t just swallow your grievances. Even though you’re my secretary, you can also be yourself."
Stella Fletcher felt warmth in her heart; she hadn’t expected Silas Everett to say something .
She nodded and said, "Thank you, President Everett, I’ll remember that."
The surrounding colleagues watched this scene and began whispering.
Some envied Stella Fletcher for receiving President Everett’s attention, some speculated about their relationship, and others began to feel jealous of Stella Fletcher.
Night fell, and the lights began to illuminate the city.
In a high-end club, music sounded, and women on stage danced freely, while men and women below also began dancing to the rhythm.
In a private booth, a man wearing a mask sat with his legs crossed, dressed in a tailor-made black suit that highlighted his perfect physique.
"Counting the days, Vivian Lynch should be about to give birth, right?" The man picked up a pack of cigarettes on the table, casually drawing one out, speaking in a leisurely tone.
The man beside him quickly offered a lighter, lighting it for him, responding, "Yes, I’ve heard the due date is after the New Year, something like February 18th."
The masked man smiled slightly, took a deep drag on the cigarette, then slowly exhaled.
Instantly, the smoke surrounded him, shrouding him in a mysterious and inscrutable aura.
"Good, having been dormant for so long, it’s time to act. At that time, let’s give Caden Hawthorne a big surprise."
The man lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile, yet in those dark eyes lay concealed menace and coldness.
"Understood." The several men beside him, also wearing masks, were obedient to the mysterious man on the couch.
In this mysterious club booth, the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.
The masked man’s words seemed to carry endless intrigue, sending chills down the spine.
And the people beside him were like shadows in the dark, ready at any moment to execute his orders.
Suddenly, the company reached the time for the New Year holiday, and Caden Hawthorne extended the holiday to have more time to accompany Vivian Lynch, resuming work in March. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fıre·net
Caden Hawthorne also prepared benefits for the employees, so everyone could enjoy a delightful New Year.
The Sutton Group was no exception, as Zachary Sutton announced the start of the holiday in the morning, and employees began selecting their New Year benefits in the afternoon.
Everyone was excitedly choosing, except Riley Hawthorne, who sat nonchalantly at her desk.
A female colleague noticed and curiously asked, "Riley, everyone’s busy picking New Year benefits, why aren’t you choosing?"
Riley Hawthorne shrugged, showing a lack of interest, "My family doesn’t lack anything. These things, I simply don’t need."
The female colleague was surprised, "Your family doesn’t lack anything? Riley, you wouldn’t happen to be a rich second-generation, would you?"
Realizing that the company’s employees were still unaware of her identity as the Hawthorne Group’s heir, she quickly said, "Rich second-generation? Do I look like one? My family runs a supermarket, so I don’t lack these things."
"Running a supermarket is impressive, don’t you think? I’d say your family is worth millions, right?"
Riley Hawthorne smiled; she could say her family’s assets had already reached tens of billions.
But she’s afraid speaking out would scare them to death.
Forget it, better keep a low profile!
Riley Hawthorne made a small gesture with her fingers, awkwardly smiling, "Not really! We just have a bit of money in the family."
Suddenly, other female colleagues hurriedly gathered around her. Previously, they hadn’t noticed that Riley Hawthorne’s clothes were all name brands and that the bag she carried was a limited edition Chanel.
"Riley, this bag isn’t cheap, right?"
"Yes! Riley, your clothes also look pretty expensive; how rich is your family?"
"Honestly, if my family ran a supermarket, I wouldn’t even want to work."
Riley was surrounded and questioned by colleagues, feeling a bit helpless.
She waved her hands and said, "Oh, my family isn’t as wealthy as you think. My mom bought this bag and clothes for me; I don’t even know the price. I came to work to challenge myself, not to make my family think I’m living off them."
The colleagues clearly didn’t believe her and began discussing. "No way, your entire outfit costs tens of thousands."
"Yes, can running a supermarket be this lucrative?"
"Riley, you need to stop hiding the truth from us."
Riley Hawthorne found it hard to explain, so she simply stopped talking. She thought to herself about the trouble that might arise if they discovered her true identity. Better to stay quiet to avoid bringing trouble to herself and her family.
At this moment, Zachary Sutton came over. "What are you all doing here? Why aren’t you picking your benefits and just standing around?"
The colleagues saw Zachary Sutton and quickly dispersed. Riley Hawthorne also breathed a sigh of relief, gratefully glancing at Zachary Sutton.
Zachary Sutton looked at Riley Hawthorne, slightly frowning. "Why aren’t you picking benefits? Not interested?"
Riley Hawthorne shook her head, "No, I just think these things are unnecessary for me."
Zachary Sutton pondered for a moment, "True, as the Eldest Miss Hawthorne, you lack for nothing, of course, you wouldn’t care about these small perks."
Upon hearing this, Riley Hawthorne’s eyes twinkled, and she immediately said, "Zachary, if you truly want to give employee benefits, how about treating me to a big dinner tonight? Just consider it your employee benefit for me."
Upon hearing this, Zachary Sutton reached out to tap Riley Hawthorne’s head, "You little rascal, trying to trick me, are you?"
Riley Hawthorne rubbed her head, pouting in dissatisfaction, "How can this be a trick? This is your special privilege for me, okay? I’ve been with the company for over half a year now; can’t you reward me a little?"
Zachary Sutton smiled helplessly, "Alright, I’ll give you a special privilege, treat you to dinner tonight as an apology."
Seeing Zachary Sutton agree, Riley Hawthorne finally relaxed, "That’s more like it."