Ten minutes later, Ashley Shaw finally coaxed the truth out of the store manager.
"I-I didn’t intentionally hide it from you. It was Young Master Prescott who told me not to tell you, so I..."
Faced with the uneasy store manager, Ashley Shaw didn’t regain her composure from the shock for quite a while.
So, the person behind arranging this wasn’t Grandpa Prescott but rather... Warren Prescott?
Now Ashley Shaw really couldn’t figure out what Warren Prescott was up to.
She didn’t want to attempt to understand Warren Prescott’s inner world, because even in her past life, after spending many years, she still couldn’t step into his heart even a little.
But since this matter was closely related to her, she really had to think it over.
If the intention was good, then even if she didn’t accept it, out of politeness, she would have to properly say thank you.
If the intention wasn’t good, she wouldn’t show a good face to the other party either.
There couldn’t be a Prescott on every street in the whole of Westcroft.
The Prescott Group hasn’t grown to dominate to that extent just yet.
The more Ashley Shaw thought about it, the worse her expression became.
The store manager watched on, trembling.
"I’m really sorry, Shaw."
The tone seemed quite worried she’d get mad at him for keeping it a secret.
Ashley Shaw realized her expression was frightening, and she quickly reined in her emotions.
"Manager, I’m not angry. But you should still change back my schedule and let the sister from before return to work. I can’t, with a clear conscience, snatch someone else’s job like this."
"But..."
"Just consider it me asking you a favor."
The manager couldn’t refuse and reluctantly agreed.
"Alright, I understand. Just a moment, I’ll go find her now, she lives in a dorm nearby."
"Okay. I’m really sorry, because of me, you’ve had to handle so many things."
"No, no, you don’t need to apologize to me."
The store manager waved his hands repeatedly and quickly went out the door.
At this hour, it was already time for working people to go to work, so there were few customers.
Ashley Shaw looked at the ceiling fans spinning in circles hesitantly, and after much deliberation, she still dialed the number she originally planned to delete.
However, just as the dial tone started ringing, the store’s automatic door chimed with a "ding-dong" sound.
Ashley Shaw looked up and saw Cillian Xavier entering the store, an expression of surprise spreading across her face.
"Cillian..."
While speaking, her fingers accidentally hit the end call button without realizing that the call she had just placed had been answered.
Cillian Xavier seemed a bit resigned.
"I’ve told you, you can call me Cillian, Archie, or even Grant is fine. When you use my full name like that, it feels like the teacher is calling out my name in class."
Ashley Shaw was unexpectedly amused and let out a laugh.
Then she quickly stifled her smile.
"Alright then. Can I call you... Archie?"
She had heard others call him that.
Cillian Xavier laughed, "Sure."
Anything is better than "Cillian Xavier."
"Did you need something from me?"
"No, I just happened to hear from a friend that you’re working part-time at this convenience store. I was nearby and thought I’d drop by."
Cillian Xavier spoke while pointing to the shelf beside him.
"Can this rice ball be heated up?"
Since he was a customer, there was no reason to kick him out.
Ashley Shaw nodded, "Yes, pick a flavor and I’ll heat it up for you."
Cillian Xavier picked an Orleans-flavored one from the shelf and handed it to her.
Ashley Shaw turned around and placed the rice ball in the microwave.
When she turned back, she saw a flyer had appeared on the counter.
It was placed there by Cillian Xavier.
Before she could inquire about it, Cillian Xavier explained first.
"This is for my sister’s new cake shop, and she’s really short-staffed right now. I thought since you’re out for a part-time job, you might as well work for my sister."
Ashley Shaw remembered Cillian Xavier’s sister.
In her past life, when she and Warren Prescott held that grandiose wedding, she was one of the few guests genuinely blessing her.
Still, she already had a job now.
But before Ashley Shaw could figure out how to decline, Cillian Xavier spoke again.
"The pay over there is higher than here, but it’s also a bit more demanding."
"You’re not going to have time to learn how to make cakes now, so you could only work as a delivery person if you go over."
"But there are benefits to being a delivery person, pay is calculated per order."
"Her shop is newly opened and doing quite well. On the best days, a delivery person’s daily wage can reach over four hundred."
"Also, you don’t have to answer me right now. I’ll have her hold the position for you, but she can only wait up to three days at most."
Just as Cillian Xavier finished speaking, the microwave emitted a "ding."
In silence, Ashley Shaw retrieved the rice ball.
"It’s eight bucks in total."
Cillian Xavier took out a ten-dollar bill, grabbed a bottle of water, and then left immediately.
Ashley Shaw didn’t even have the chance to say "thank you" before he was already seated in his Maybach parked on the roadside.
She looked down and picked up the flyer.
It was for a private cake shop named ’Pastoral Song’; besides desserts, they also sold drinks and light meals.
And it was located right on the main street of Westcroft’s CBD.
Ashley Shaw recalled that Cillian Xavier’s sister had always yearned for rural life, and by the time she met her in her previous life, she was already the general manager of The Xavier Group.
Probably because of this longing, she named her cake shop as such.
Ashley Shaw stared at the flyer for a long time before finally folding it neatly and putting it in her pocket.
...
Meanwhile.
At the Prescott Group headquarters.
People in the conference room exchanged looks with each other.
They had already reported on several major projects of this quarter, but the person seated at the head of the long table remained silent with pursed lips.
Everyone couldn’t help but feel a bit apprehensive.
Did they say something wrong?
This Crown Prince, brought in by the chairman to familiarize himself with the group’s operations ahead of time, had fallen into an eerily quiet state ten minutes ago.
Yet at the beginning, this young master was offering his insights every time they finished a part of their presentation.
Sometimes his keen eyes instantly spotted where a project proposal lacked thoroughness.
And sometimes when they talked about certain projects, he would directly ask about parts he didn’t understand.
This made the old foxes realize that this just-turned-adult Crown Prince wasn’t just a naive brat only capable of goofing around and making trouble, as was rumored.
He’s certainly not someone who can be easily brushed off in his presence.
But ten minutes ago, he suddenly stopped speaking.
And he looked so gloomy it seemed like he could drip water from his face.
Everyone exchanged glances, waiting to see who would break the silence first and inquire.
Eventually, the duty was laid upon the lowest-ranking project manager.
Manager Hollis had spent quite some time mustering the courage to stand up.
He had no idea why he was nervous facing a kid younger than his own son.
But the aura emanating from the person, reminiscent of Elder Prescott’s fierce presence, was undeniable.
"Mr. Prescott Jr., was there anything we just..."
Before Manager Hollis could finish, Warren Prescott suddenly stood up, his movement causing the chair to emit a sound as its wheels rolled across the floor.
"That’s all for today. You can go about your business."