Chapter 439


    George rose to his feet with William supporting him by his arm. He threw Cayden a nce. “Oh, it''s


    you, Cayden. How nice of the two of you to visit this old man. There''s really no need for you to bring


    gifts.”


    “Hello, Old Mr. Lambert, Mr. William,” Cayden said in greeting, nodding at each man in turn. He ced


    the fruit basket on the table and hurried over to help George into his seat. “Please stay seated, Old Mr.


    Lambert. I heard that you''re not in the best of health, so I came over with Avery to check in on you.


    How are you feeling?”


    “Ah, I''m fine! It''s nothing serious... So, Avery is here as well, is she? It just so happens that I don''t quite


    understand certain parts of your design n. I''ve got a few questions for you...” George said in an


    affectionate tone as he turned to Avery.


    Avery beamed and said earnestly, “Go ahead! You can ask me anything, Old Mr. Lambert. I''ll do my


    best to exin it to you.”


    “That''s wonderful. Nickie,e here and listen along,” George called out to Nicole, motioning at her to


    go over to him.


    Nicole walked over obediently and greeted him sweetly, “I''m here, Grandpa.” She smiled, but her smile


    did not reach her eyes.


    Avery felt the icy coldness in Nicole''s eyes when she looked at her. A shiver ran up her spine.


    “This is Avery, an architect from Trident Group. Thisdy has created some amazing designs at a


    young age. She is incredible!” George praised as he introduced Avery to Nicole. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Nicole masked her disdain as she looked straight into Avery''s eyes and said with feigned enthusiasm,


    “Grandpa, Avery and I have met each other before. She was a great help to me when I was filming the


    commercial at Trident Group back then.”


    At that time, Nicole had intended to torment Avery. This b*tch stole away my chance of filming that


    perfume advertisement! Ugh, I feel so angry just thinking about it!


    “Oh, so, it turns out Nickie and Ms. Rumpley have met each other before. Which school did you


    graduate from, Ms. Rumpley?” a sharp, judgmental voice asked. Avery turned toward the source of the


    question. It was Fiona.


    Fiona knew that Nicole had a crush on Cayden. She, too, thought Cayden was a fine young man, yet


    Cayden already had someone he loved.


    Fiona felt indignant and defensive on Nicole''s behalf. Although Nicole was not her biological


    granddaughter, she adored her. She had always thought of Nicole as the best of all women. How can


    this Avery evenpare to my Nickie, whether family, personality, or looks-wise?


    For those reasons, Fiona despised Avery, and she always spoke to her in a rather rude and


    confrontational tone.


    Although Avery understood the source of Fiona''s hostility, it still made her ufortable.


    After all, Nicole was always fighting with her for Cayden''s attention and affection. Naturally, Fiona


    would be on Nicole''s side.


    However, Avery refused to stoop down to Fiona''s level. She replied politely, “I graduated from an


    ordinary university abroad. It wasn''t any notable university. Anyway, I don''t think it matters where you


    studied. What matters is how you apply your knowledge after that. After all, academic qualifications are


    just a stepping stone. It''s your talents and abilities that are more important.”


    When Fiona heard Avery''s reply, she assumed that Avery had not wanted to reveal the name of the


    university because she had graduated from a low-ranking school. Her lips twitched in contempt.


    She immediately countered in a smug tone, “Our dear Nickie here graduated from the famous Lostaria


    School of Arts. It''s one of the best art schools in the world. She studied film and television there, and


    she won a Five Flowers Award for her first film after graduation. She''s not like the other international


    students who boast that they went abroad to study but in reality entered a tier three university or those


    schools that sell their degrees...”


    “Old Mrs. Lambert, even if you had all the money in the world, you wouldn''t be able to buy a degree


    from my university. The University of Ustrana has always been known for its impartiality and rigor. Its


    research team and professors are among the best in the world. Although it still falls behind some of the


    best universities, it''s still one of the top three schools in Ustrana. It isn''t the best, but it''s far from the


    worst,” Avery defended herself firmly, sounding neither too meek nor too boastful.


    Avery''s words, delivered calmly and coolly, rendered Fiona speechless.


    Nicole blushed in shame.


    Although the Lostaria School of Arts was impressive, it was ranked in the hundreds, which was far


    behind the prestigious University of Ustrana.


    Avery knew that Fiona disliked her. She did not want to provoke her, so she merely smiled politely and


    kept quiet.


    Fiona wanted to give Avery a piece of her mind, but with so many people within earshot, she could only


    bite her tongue and swallow her dissatisfaction.


    After all, Avery was a guest who hade to visit George.


    At that moment, George, William, and Cayden were deep in conversation.


    The more William spoke with Cayden, the more rmed he was by that young man. He is indeed


    relentless and upromising in business! With him heading Trident Group, the entire economy of


    Ackleton would be driven by him. After all, nearly one-third of the tax revenue of Ackleton is contracted


    to Trident Group.


    Furthermore, from how Cayden was talking about the expansion of Trident Group and the outline of the


    entire growth blueprint, William was in a dilemma, as he had evidence of the fact that Cayden had paid


    bribes.


    Should I report it?


    William did not want to ponder over the issue anymore at that moment. He would think about it again


    over the next few days before making his decision.


    Suddenly, William recalled the oldmercial district in Ackleton. He asked, “Cayden, what are your


    ns to develop the old business street?”


    Cayden was dressedpletely in ck. The depth of his aura was hidden in his dark clothing.


    “Trident Group has signed an agreement with Vivi Group. Construction will begin next week. Our two


    companies will work in cooperation, and I believe the old business district will soon be transformed,”


    Cayden replied calmly.


    “Jeffrey is a rather lucky man. Bruce was such a yboy. At that time, Jeffrey was so angry that he


    almost disowned him... Unexpectedly, he turned his life around and lived up to Jeffrey''s expectations.


    Cayden, if you didn''t already have a girlfriend, I would really want you as my grandson-inw,” George


    said, his voice heavy with emotion.


    Cayden turned his gaze toward Avery. His eyes softened as he said in a low and firm voice, “Thank you


    for your kind words, Old Mr. Lambert, but there is already a woman in my heart. We are getting married


    on the first of May.”


    He did not speak loudly, but his words were clear enough to carry across the room. Everyone fell silent.


    An array of emotions crossed all their faces.


    George was disappointed while Fiona was upset. William looked regretful and ire looked helpless.


    Avery was shocked.


    Huh? Getting married on the first of May? Why don''t I know anything about this?


    Nicole''s heart stung. They''re getting married on the first of May? That''s so soon!


    Nicole lifted her head and stared at Avery. Hatred and resentment burned in her eyes.