The Scent of 199

Chapter 199

Celeste said, “You guys go ahead. I won’t be joining.”

Jordyn blinked in surprise. “Huh? Mom, you’re not coming?”

“Mm.” She gently patted Jordyn’s head. “I’m heading off first. Have a great meal.”

“Oh…”

Celeste smiled but didn’t say more. Without looking back, she turned and left.

Trevor watched her retreating figure but didn’t call her back. Instead, he said to Jordyn, “Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

As soon as they got in the car, Trevor’s phone rang. It was Martha calling.

The moment he picked up, she gritted her teeth and demanded, “Did you approve a project for the Lockets and the Shaws through Fleming Group?”

Trevor gave a calm hum in response and then chuckled. “You’re only finding out now?”

“How dare you!” Martha was livid. “What are you trying to do? Are you… planning to divorce Cel?” Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so blatant about it.

For him to openly bring the Lockets and the Shaws into the Fleming Group’s business meant he wasn’t afraid of her finding out.

It also meant that he had already made up his mind.

Before he could respond, Martha snapped, “I don’t agree! And if you insist on going forward with this project, fine –but you need to replace them. If you don’t, then I will—

“Grandma.” Trevor’s tone was as composed as ever. “Before I got married, I upheld the conditions I promised you Now, I ask you to do the same–stop interfering in my decisions.”

In other words, she was not to touch the Lockets and the Shaws.

“You…”

Ever since he took over Fleming Group, the company had only grown stronger under his leadership.

Over the years, the board members and senior management had come to realize that following Trevor’s direction was the best way forward.

If she tried to oppose him, the first ones to object wouldn’t be him–but the other shareholders.

Simply put, the Fleming Group needed Trevor more than he needed them.

It was useless to use the company as leverage against him. What about emotional leverage?

As he had just reminded her, his marriage to Celeste was already a compromise he made for the family.

Martha knew him well–he was never someone who would keep making concessions for others. Once he had set his sights on what he wanted, he would stay true to himself

And if he were pushed too far…

Martha fell silent. That silence meant she had conceded.

1/2

Chapter 199

Trevor casually asked, “Have you eaten?”

She hung up on him.

Trevor looked at his phone and chuckled.

Jordyn peeked over curiously. “What happened?”

Trevor put his phone down, his expression relaxed. “Your Nana is mad.”

“Huh? Did you make her mad?”

“Mm.”

“Aren’t you going to make it up to her?” Jordyn asked.

“Not right now. I’ll deal with it later.”

“Oh… Okay.”

Back at the office, Matthias saw Celeste return but didn’t ask about the parent–child event. He only asked, “You’re back. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Come on then, let’s grab a meal.”

Celeste smiled. “Alright.”

11

When they arrived at the restaurant, they unexpectedly ran into Ethan, a senior executive from Fleming Group, who was there with his family.

Ethan sent his family ahead to a private dining room, then turned to Matthias and said, “I honestly thought we’d have another chance to collaborate. But now…”

“It is. Since Mr. Fleming personally approved it, there’s basically no room for mistakes.”

“Oh.” Matthias’s response was indifferent, his tone cold. Then he asked, “I also heard the Lockets and the Shaws

have a pretty significant role in the project. No objections from the rest of your company?”