Chapter 17
Daphne took a car key out of her bag and twirled it around her fingers. Tridriving myself.”
“Got it, Ms. Show,” Zoe said with a firm nod. She grabbed her stuff and hurried after Daphine into the elevator, chatting excitedly about the company’s layout and staff as if they were old friends.
When they reached the parking lot, Daphine paused by her car and turned ● Zec. How are you getting home?”
For glanced around, suddenly aware she had gotten a bit too close. Her checks flushed as she admitted. “My place is over by Section C. Fl just take
the number four bus.”
Daphne chuckled at her overly detailed answer. “What are you going to give me your whole address too?”
“I–I’m just a bit nervous” Zoe felt embarrassed, wanting to vanish.
Daphine raised an eyebrow. “Nervous about what? Afraid I’m going to bite you or something?“.
Zor quickly shook her head. Then, with a hint of shyness, she replied, “It’s just because you’re so pretty. That makes me nervous.
Even though she had been around many beautiful women in the industry, none captivated her like Daphuse. With her noble grace and cool Hegance, Daphne had a presence that was hard to ignore
At first, Zoe thought Daphne was the typical standoffish beauty. realized Daphne was much more approachable,
y, the kind one
could only admire from afar. But as she’d gotten to know her, Zoe
She even found Daphne pretty adorable. At that moment. Daphne wasn’t acting like the boss she was cracking jokes and keeping things light, which made Zor feel totally comfortable
Blushing, Zoe said, “Ms. Shaw, Fm being serious. I’m not just trying to flatter you.” Normally, she wouldn’t even think of sucking up, but for Daphnet Zord praise her all day, even without a reason.
“Thanks for the compliment” Daphne’s eyes sparkled wih h amusement.
Zoe giggled, feeling less like a professional assistant and more like a goody kil
Daphne pressed the car key, making the little white car beep and flash its lights. “Come in. I’ll give you a ride home.
“Thanks, but no need Zoe’s jaw dropped in disbelief. It was a bit weird for the new vice CEO to give her assistant a ride on the first day of duty,
Daphne joked, “What You think I’m going to use my position to take advantage of you?”
Zoe shook her head rapidly, stammering, “I just don’t want to bother you?
Daphine opened the car door and slid inside. If you’re not scared, get in. We’re headed in the same direction.
With no polite way to decline her invitation now. Zoe hesitated for just a moment before climbing in.
The drive was surprisingly good, and Zoe started to relax. She became more animated and even began sharing some office gossip with Daphne.
There were stories about an executive who was a bit sketchy, as rumored by a lady from the cleaning crew, and another about a colleague secretly
dating someone in the office
Dupline introed patiently and chimed in with her own comments from time to thine. If one really wanted to understand how a company operates, getting the scoop from the employees was the best bet. It often brought some surprising insights…
excitedly added, “I heard from the girl in group Z that Miranda’s dad is on the board”
Miranda? Daphor asked.
the one with the high ponytail and that night white dress, sitting in the second row on the right during the meeting today.”
processed that description, and instantly, the image of the woman she’d forced to wash her face in the bathroom came flooding back.
fads on the board, huh? No wonder she acted so full of herself Daphne’s lips curled into a slight smile, her gaze tunning cold. She was curious
After dragging for off. Daphne drove back to the Shaw residence. As she approached, she noticed a familiar black sedan parked outside the gate.
A sense of unease washed over her and just as she got out of the cat, the saw Hannah step out of the villa, beaming and waving. Right behind Hannah was Yancey, wearing lus usual indifferent expression
10:53 AM –
Chapter 17
“Not him again” Daphne thought, cursing her bad luck under her breath. She quickly looked away, not wanting to deal with Yancey,
Before their divorce, she barely saw him for weeks, She used to think about him constantly, hoping he’d come home soon, but he never did.
Now that they were divorced, she didn’t want to see him at all, yet somehow, they’d ended up crossing paths more in the last few days than they had in all of last year.
“Daphne, you’re back. Mom and Dad really missed you” Hannah walked over with a warm smile, her voice dripping with sweetness. She reached out to link her arm through Daphne’s, trying her best to act like the doting sister.
Daphne sidestepped quickly, avoiding Hannah’s hand. “Don’t touch me,” she said coldly. Her disdain for Hannah was clear, she practically wanted to
For a moment, Hannah’s smile faltered, and her hand clenched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and pulled back.
Yvonne noticed the interaction and look on a stern tone, scolding Daphne like only a mother could. “Daphne, I’m not trying to lecture you here. But you’re already an adult, so why can’t you ever stick around at home?
“We were all waiting for you to come back for dinner. The food is cold now and nobody complained. But you come in here acting like this? What happened to your manners?”
sharp tongue typical of someone from a small town
Her words perfectly illustrated the sharp
Daphne shot her a sideways glance before turning to Mason and extending her hand. “Where is it?” she asked, referring to the item Mason mentioned on the phone–something Yolanda had left behind.
Mason looked at Daphine’s outstretched hand, frowning “Haven’t you heard what Yvonne just said? Have you forgotten all your manners! Can’t you even say hello properly!”
Yvonne let out a heavy sigh. “Daphne, I get that you don’t like Hannah or me, and it’s fine. But that’s your dad. How can y you treat him like this?”
Her words only fueled Mason’s anger. With a scowl on his face, he snapped, “You’ve completely lost it. Daphne. You don’t even know how to behave anymore. What do you want to do, exactly?”
Daphne frowned, fed up with the situation. Im just here to grab my stuff, not to listen to your life lecture. Just give it to me, okay
and I’ll be on my way.
Since discovering the truth about Yolanda’s death and dealing with Hannah and Yvonne’s presence, Daphne hadn’t shown any kindness to Mason They’d had more than a few arguments like this one.
Typically, Daphne wouldn’t waste her time arguing with them. To her, trying to reason with unreasonable people was a complete waste of time and
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