CHAPTER 57

Chapter 57

Observing Gwendolyn’s determined expression, Bernard eventually nodded. “All right then, follow me to the study. We need to establish. some rules. If you fail to adhere to them, I might just disown you for reall” he said.

Gwendolyn’s eyes brightened. She replied, “Okay, you set the rules, and I’ll follow them.”

She collapsed again just before standing. Andrew immediately reached out to support her. Gwendolyn said with a grin, “Andrew, my legs are numb”

Bernard turned to look at them from the front and said, “Andrew, bring her here!”

Isabella, who was eavesdropping, was finally relieved.

Janelle smiled and said, “Look, I told you everything was fine.”

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Mr. Carey was terrifying”

“Gwen has never been worried. On the contrary, you seemed quite jittery, Janelle said, shaking her head.

Isabella smiled shyly. The Carey family meant a lot to her, so naturally, she felt anxious and hoped they could reconcile and regain the

original harmony.

Janelle then urged Isabella to take care of her body and not to exhaust herself. Isabella nodded at her advice. While Gwendolyn often found her mother’s reminders nagging, no one knew how much Isabella yearned for such care. Janelle did all that out of love.

Janelle and Bernard had always liked Isabella because she always agreed with them and listened attentively, unlike their rebellious

daughter.

Isabella, Gwendolyn, and Andrew left the Carey residence in excellent spirits. Tension had arisen among the Carey family ever since Gwendolyn began her acting career, causing concern for both isabella and Andrew.

Andrew pinched the back of Gwendolyn’s neck and said, “Storm clouds have finally dispersed. You can work without worry. Isabella doesn’t need to be concerned anymore.”

Isabella nodded repeatedly and replied, “Indeed. Andrew, thank you so much for today. If I were on my own, I don’t think I could have lifted

the mood.”

Gwendolyn struggled to break free of Andrew’s grip while saying, “Thanks to you this time. I’ll treat you to a big meal one day.”

“Really? Then I want to have a big feast,” Andrew replied, laughing.

Looking at Andrew, Isabella suddenly thought of Victor. She wanted to thank Victor, too.

However, she felt that Gwendolyn would not acknowledge Victor.

“Hey! What are you thinking, silly?” Gwendolyn asked while patting Isabella.

“Huh? Well, Gwen and Andrew, why don’t you come to my house this weekend?” Isabella blurted out.

Andrew and Gwendolyn were stunned.

They said in unison, “Okay!”

Gwendolyn wanted to meet Clayton, her best friend’s partner, as she had some advice for him. She felt that the last time they met, she was

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Chapter 57

drink, so it did not really count. She hadn’t had an opportunity to evaluate Clayton’s suitability for Isabella.

Of course, the evaluation might seem a bit late now, but offering some advice was still necessary.

During this time, Andrew went to change Clayton’s dressing every day and frequently stayed for meals there.

Isabella did not mention that she planned to invite Victor and decided to let them meet first.

The cooperation between Maguire Group and Vaughn Corporation went well.

Vaughn Corporation placed significant importance on this cooperation case, especially since Edmund, the CEO of Maguire Group, personally oversees it. Upon learning this, the Vaughn Corporation chairman took the partnership seriously and visited Maguire Group to meet Edmund. He also sent a message to the design department stressing the importance of the matter and requesting that they handle everything perfectly.

This made Nigel and Louisa hyped up.

Zayn was immersed in design work every day. Despite Louisa making several appointments with him to apologize, he politely declined,

citing his busy schedule.

In the company, Zayn also did not show any favoritism toward Isabella and Rihanna, which made Louisa feel more at ease. Besides, Isabella and Rihanna were the project contact persons designated by Maguire Group, so she did not dare to cause any trouble with Rihanna.

Today, Isabella was asked by other designers to do something. Rihanna and Zayn went to the site alone to check the progress.

It was almost noon when they r

returned to the company after work.

Zayn hesitated and said to Rihanna, “Let’s go get something to eat before we go back.”

Rihanna checked the time and said, “Okay!”

They headed to a clean and quiet fast–food restaurant.

“Rihanna,” Zayn said. He wanted to say something but hesitated.

“Huh?” Rihanna replied. Apart from Isabella, Rihanna was the one who communicated with Zayn the most in the company.

Gradually, she became familiar with Zayn. The quiet young man had no bad habits. He had a good character. Though he worked hard, he was not appreciated. Other coworkers who joined the company at the same time were promoted because they had connections or could impress their superiors. However, Zayn remained in the position of designer.

Zayn was a typical geek and not particularly adept at expressing himself. Despite many years in the company, he had few friends. However, Isabella and Rihanna respected him greatly, understanding his ideas and what he wanted to convey, which changed his view of them. After unintentionally causing trouble for Rihanna, he limited his interactions with them in the company.

Now, outside of the company, he wanted to talk to someone, and there was no one else except Rihanna.

“A headhunter asked me to join Maguire Group, Mr. Maguire also said that if I want, I’m welcome to join Maguire Group at any time,” Zayn said, finally summoning the courage to speak his mind.

Rihanna’s fork rested on her lips, and she suddenly felt the food in her mouth a little bitter.

She was afraid that Vaughn Corporation would soon exist in name only. Even a reserved and talented designer like Zayn had already begun to consider job–hopping. Vaughn Corporation’s design department would be barren without Zayn.

Chapter 57

She slowly poked the pasta with her fork and asked, “Have you decided?”

Zayn shook his head and replied, “Not yet.”

Rihanna looked up at him and said, “Vaughn Corporation doesn’t really appreciate you. Maguire Group should give lucrative terms, right? Why are you undecided?

Zayn paused before saying, “My father is also a designer. He was one of the first people to help found Vaughn Corporation alongside the former chairman. Our family still resides in the house they designed and built. Our connection to Vaughn Corporation spans two generations.”

a little

Rihanna was a little surprised. She asked, “How is your father now?”

“He died of illness a few years ago,” Zayn replied. His voice was low.

“I’m sorry,” Rihanna apologized.

“It’s okay. When my father was alive, I hadn’t graduated yet. I remember seeing him in high spirits. At that time, Vaughn Corporation was thriving. Over time, he became increasingly unhappy. He would often sigh and lament about Vaughn Corporation’s decline. After graduating and joining the company, I hoped to revitalize Vaughn Corporation, but I could not do so, I was just a designer and knew little about other aspects. Moreover, design is increasingly undervalued at Vaughn Corporation nowadays,” Zayn explained.

“Zayn, don’t leave!” Rihanna blurted out.

Zayn looked in surprise at the beautiful girl who was usually silent.

He always felt a unique connection with her, so he was willing to share his thoughts with her. He did not expect Rihanna to offer advice, but

she decisively asked him to stay.

Rihanna calmed down and said, “Zayn, stay at Vaughn Corporation for another year. The project with Maguire Group will take at least a year. Finish the project first. This is your effort. Regardless of which company you’re with, many people will live in your designs in the future. Won’t you be happy to revisit here again?”

Rihanna looked at Zayn, her tone sincere.

Zayn could see himself in her beautiful eyes. They were so pure.

He asked slowly, “Will you stay in Vaughn Corporation?”

Rihanna lowered her head and said, “If I pass the assessment, I will stay in Vaughn Corporation.”

Zayn finally made up his mind. “Okay! Then I’ll stay,” he said.

Rihanna pursed her lips and said, “Stay here. Vaughn Corporation won’t be like this forever. We just need to wait for Vaughn Corporation to restore its original glory.”

Zayn smiled. Although Rihanna’s thoughts were naive, he was still willing to stay with her.

For Zayn, design was not only his passion but also the mission bestowed upon him by his father. Unlike others in the office, he held a deep attachment to Vaughn Corporation because it bore the marks of his father’s dedication. Staying here felt like he could still feel his father’s

presence.

However, Rihanna was in a somber mood, She couldn’t help but sigh as she stood downstairs and gazed at the magnificent building of Vaughn Corporation..

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“Rihanna, what’s wrong?” Isabella asked. After getting off work and walking out of the building, Isabella finally breathed a sigh. She was exhausted today, but then she heard Rihanna’s sigh.

“Nothing, really. I just can’t help but feel that Vaughn Corporation, with its decades–long history, is gradually declining,” Rihanna said lightly.

Isabella shared the same sentiment. She said, “I heard Vaughn Corporation was quite successful under the old chairman. It used to be one of the industry’s top players, but now we’re not even in the top ten. Even after we managed to secure a collaboration project with Maguire Group, it wasn’t until now that the company leaders realized we needed to build a good relationship with them. Some still think they’re industry leaders.”

Rihanna said expressionlessly, “A fish rots from the head down. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Isabella sensed that Rihanna held a bias against the management of Vaughn Corporation, perhaps because of her straightforward nature.

She smiled and said, “There’s nothing we can do. Rihanna, I plan to invite my friends over for dinner this weekend. Would you like to join us?”

A faint smile appeared on Rihanna’s face. She replied, “Sorry, my brother is still ill. I want to spend the weekend with him. I’m not coming,”

There was a slight disappointment on Isabella’s face, but she still asked with concern, “Is your brother all right? One of my seniors is a doctor

at Central Hospital. Do you need me to ask him for help?”

Rihanna shook her head and said, “It’s okay. My brother is much better now. Thank you!”

“Thank me for what? We an

are good friends. It’s a pity that you can’t come to dinner, I also want to introduce my other best friend to you. You will definitely like each other, but it doesn’t matter. Let’s find another chance next time,” Isabella said.

Rihanna smiled faintly and replied, “Okay. Next time, when I have a chance, I will definitely attend your party and eat the dishes you cook.”

The two of them parted happily.

Back home, Kayson and Weston were busy in the study. Clayton was sitting on the couch in the living room, reading a book.

“What are you doing out here? Why are you sitting? Be careful of the wound,” isabella said as she changed her shoes.

Clayton stood up and walked toward her with a smile. He said, “I’m almost recovered now. I don’t have to lie down all the time.”

In fact, he had already been out of bed during the day. He only lay back down before isabella returned every day. He happened to forget the time today and decided to drop the pretense.

Kayson and Weston came out of the study to greet Isabella. They said, “Mrs. Murray, you’re back.”

Isabella nodded. She was accustomed to them addressing her as Mrs. Murray and knew they wouldn’t change their ways anyway.

“Let’s stay for dinner tonight. I bought a lot of dishes. You are going out to eat later anyway. Why don’t we eat together now?” she suggested. She then showed the bags in her hand, but her gaze was fixed on Clayton. If Clayton did not nod, Kayson and Weston wouldn’t dare to stay.

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