Chapter 358

Chapter 0358

With Coral came her parents, Amber’s Uncle Kolten and Jazzy Patel.

They were the salt of the earth, carrying bags of vegetables. After greeting Patrick and the rest, they offered a bashful smile and

said, “Brother—in—law, we didn’t bring anything fancy. Just these.

veggies...”

“Here, let me help with that.”

Amber quickly moved to take the vegetables, her arms full, her face beaming. “We're family here. no need for formalities! Coral,

how’s the internship at the company? I’ve been all wrapped up in ‘ Crystal Elegance Skin‘ stuff and haven’t caught up with you in

ages!”

Since that scary day in Kingstown when Coral was drugged and Alexander came to her rescue, she had interned at New Chesire

Group and landed a permanent spot. In just under two months,

she’s climbed up to Deputy Director of Quality Inspection.

Quality

y was the backbone of the business, and Coral, being family, was just the right fit for the job.

“Why, Amber, you've been out of touch!”

Coral pursed her lips with a sly twinkle in her eye, “Deputy GM Thomson promised that once our

new branch in Zabaleta is up and running, he’ll promote Mister Yacko to General Manager there. And guess what? That means

I'll be taking over as the head honcho of the Quality Inspection

Department!”

“What are you talking about?!”

A few steps away, Carmela’s eyes popped wide open in shock. She glanced between Coral and Patrick before letting out an

indignant howl, “No way! How can Coral, that little upstart, become a department head? And why can’t my Cirroc be Deputy GM,

huh?!

“If he can’t be Deputy GM, what about the Head of Security? Alexander’s just the guy who married into this family. Why can’t his

job go to Cirroc? He’s a hundred times better than Alexander!”

“Enough!”

The Koltens had just arrived when Patrick, whose face had just begun to settle down, flared up again at Carmela’s fresh insult to

Alexander. “I've warned you before; no one disrespects my son- in-law! To me, Cirroc doesn’t even come close to being worth

one of Alex’s fingers!”

“You...”

Fuming. Carmela shook all over, spun on her heel, and dashed to a nearby GAC Trumpchi. She

+15 BONOS

fall short, huh? How is he any less than Alexander? Look at my brother-in-law, he’s ready to throw punches!”

From the car, Missus Thompson emerged unsteadily, gripping her cane. She waved a weary hand at Patrick and sighed.

“Patrick, please, let's have peace. Carmela and Susanne are blood sisters. and Susanne is your wife. We're all family here!”

When the matriarch made her wishes known, Patrick was quick to oblige, moving to the cid woman’s side with a softened look

on his face. “Mom, I'll do as you ask. I'll call HR and set up an interview for Cirroc. However, it's on him to make the cut.”

“Patrick!”

Carmela was fuming, her face twisted in anger as she stomped. “What are you saying? Coral’s on the verge of becoming a

minister, and you're telling me Cirroc has to interview? Family is family. Who are you to judge?”

She lunged forward, shaking Missus Thompson’s arm and bursting into tears. “Mom, think about Cirroc. He’s your own nephew!

Tell Patrick to make him vice president. He won't settle for anything less!”

The grandmother looked on, a picture of resignation, about to interject when her eyes suddenly sparkled. She waved frantically

toward the mountain path. “Oh, Susanne, thank goodness you’re here!

“Quick, quick, quick! Carmela and Patrick are at it again. Come over, fast!”

There was Susanne, indeed.

She had been in the kitchen with the nanny, putting the final touches on the feast, worried sick

over Carmela’s no-show. With Olivia in tow, she had zipped over in the tour cart, her heart sinking at the sight of the commotion.

An argument?

“Mom!”

Susanne scrambled out of the cart, passing Olivia to Amber, and joined Patrick in steadying Missus Thompson. “What’s going

on? On such a joyous day, why the fuss?”

“It's your husband's doing!”

Carmela’s cheeks burned with fury, her neck bulging as she bit back her anger. “Sis, let’s be honest, didn’t we support you when

you had nothing? Now that you’re on your feet, I’m just trying

to get Cirroc a job. You should ask your husband how he feels about being such a lousy uncle. It’s

+15 BONOS

Little Olivia, trembling in Amber’s embrace, was terrified. At the tender age of five, she was petrified by shouting and fighting.

Carmela’s snarling face was enough to scare anyone, let alone.

a child.

“Olivia, come to daddy.” Alexander sald, stepping closer to scoop his daughter into his arms. He gently patted her head, his eyes

returning to Carmela with a gaze that intensified by the second.

He knew all about the old days.

When Amber’s family had nothing. Carmela had watched with disdain, mocking them. When Amber’s father, Patrick, struggled

with his leg injury, Carmela had been cruel, taunting him with the word ‘cripple’, and heaping shame upon him.

Awoman so spiteful, with eyes only for her own gain, could not possibly have understood the meaning of family ties.