Meanwhile, Millie, immersed in her tasks, was interrupted by a call from Celeste.


    Cold and curt, Celeste’s voice pierced through the receiver, “Meet me at the café downstairs. Don’t


    dawdle.”


    Millie sighed, her anticipation heavy with unease. Celeste’s tone carried the telltale signs of discord. It


    appeared a confrontation of an unpleasant nature awaited her.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    However, obligationpelled her attendance.


    With determination, Millie rose from her seat and descended the staircase to the ground floor.


    Seated by the window, Celeste tracked Millie’s approach, her brow furrowing in displeasure.


    Unexpectedly, Millie had found her way into the Thomas Group. The woman Celeste had endeavored


    to expel was now entrenched within thepany’s ranks, a disconcerting departure from her


    intentions.


    Marcus had evidently made his decision—Millie would stay.


    “Mom,” Millie addressed her, easing into her seat.


    Celeste’s gaze remained fixed on the coffee she stirred, a deliberate avoidance of meeting Millie’s


    eyes.


    “Who granted you the privilege of being a part of the Thomas Group?”


    Celeste’s nce flickered to Millie’s employee badge on her chest. The emblem was an aspiration for


    many—a ticket pursued with relentless effort.


    “I earned my ce based on merit,” Millie responded calmly.


    Celeste’s gaze, a frigid de, met Millie’s as she lifted her badge off her chest.


    “Merit, you say? I’m aware that the so-called evaluation process bears the imprint of Marcus. Your high


    scores and subsequent admission to the Thomas Group are products of his intervention.”


    Rage painted Celeste’s cheeks crimson, though Millie remained unperturbed, her voice steady.


    “You may harbor doubts, but I advise you to ce your trust in Marcus.”


    Millie’s conviction was unwavering, a resolute gaze much like that which defied the prospect of divorce


    before—a sight that fanned Celeste’s simmering anger.


    Her son was behaving irrationally. Enchanted by Millie, he moved into a dpidated dwelling alongside


    her. When Millie chose to return to her humble origins, he willingly followed suit.


    Now, he seemed resolute in facilitating Millie’s integration into thepany. Was he contemting


    bequeathing the entire enterprise to her someday?


    “Indeed, I have faith in my son. Who do you think you are? You possess no authority to instruct me,”


    Celeste retorted, her frustration tangible.


    She had introduced manydies to him before, but he refused without hesitation. He only wanted Millie.


    But she held no affection for Millie. Initially, her resentment stemmed from Millie’s substitution for Mia in


    marrying Marcus. Later, it stemmed from the fortune teller’s prophecy—an ominous future linked to


    Millie that threatened disaster for Marcus.