Chapter 42 Chapter 42

Chapter 42 Chapter 42
MARTHA'S POV:

When I finished my class, I stepped out of the classroom feeling my heart swell with happiness for the first time.

Getting my stepmother arrested and gathering the evidence to charge her in court made my heart swell with joy.

The majority of my course mates surrounded me, bombarding me with questions.

"Martha, is it true that you got your stepmother arrested?"

"Martha, did your stepmother maltreat you since your father's death? Do you think she killed your dad?" Most of the female students rushed to meet me. Since I had arrived late for class, they hadn't been able to question me. But now that class was over, they all wanted to know.

"No comments. Enough questions!" I shoved their hands away, rushing out of the classroom and hurrying toward the university exit.

Once I stepped out, I was stunned to see a familiar black car parked at the front. Mark emerged before I could think straight. He wore a blue shirt and black trousers, paired with polished black shoes. Then he strode to meet me.

"Martha, Martha, wait," Mark called after me as I turned to leave and find a taxi to take me to the restaurant where I worked.

I firmly clutched my handbag as I spun to face Mark.

"What do you want?" I asked him coldly, thinking he had come to pick up my sister. We studied at the same university, but she was in mass communication while I was in business management.

Mark cleared his throat and said, "Martha, you got your stepmother arrested. You didn't even care to ask about the company, and how the shareholders are calling for her release or to crash the efforts of the company that your father built."

My brows furrowed upon hearing what Mark said. It hadn't crossed my mind to pay a visit to the company. Ever since Sandra took the reins and led the Rogers Corporation, I stayed away.

"I can't come there today. How about tomorrow?" I asked Mark, meeting his gaze as he stood taller before me.

Before Mark could respond, Elena rushed out of the gate and squealed, "Mark, you're here?"

His gaze shifted away from me to her.

"I got to go," I moved away from Mark, then rushed to the bus and got in.

Sighing, I tried not to look back at them as the other passengers got onto the bus. The driver started the engine and drove off to the restaurant.

Upon my arrival at Silvers Restaurant, I paid my fare and got off the bus. I walked to the restaurant and went into the first floor. The air was thick with the smell of perfume and delicious food.

I dashed to the dressing room to keep my bag and pick up my apron.

When I stepped out of the room to resume my duty for the day, the clock showed 4 p.m., and my stomach growled, a constant reminder that I hadn't eaten.

Judith peered at my face with a serious expression.

"Good afternoon, Judith," I greeted her, as she stood there in a red top and black skirt, supervising the other waitresses on duty. Her gaze was sharp, her cold eyes locked on mine.

"Get to work, Martha," she replied dismissively, and my lips curled into a smile as I went to attend to the arriving guests at their table.

My eyes darted to Mr. Weston's office, and I wondered if he was around.

My cheeks flushed scarlet, and I wondered why I was beginning to worry or check on my boss. He had stood up for me, so I knew that I owed him.

My heart raced when I recalled that I hadn't even stopped at a bank to check the cheque and see if it was fake or real.

"Excuse me, miss. I already picked out my order. Where is your mind?" The patron sitting on the white plastic chair asked. He was a young man wearing a white shirt and black trousers. His two colleagues, who wore similar plain shirts and trousers, chimed in. "I guess she's not serious about her job. Women who need money but can't work for it."

My brows furrowed upon hearing the second man's statement. Before I could reply, the third man, who sat across from the first, chimed in, "She looks familiar. Are you the lady who trended last night and got King Kendrick's attention online?"

My cheeks flushed, but I chose not to clarify.

"I will serve your order." I turned away from them and went to place their order at the server station.

I requested their meal, picked it up, and carried it carefully to their table. The atmosphere thickened around me as I glanced back just after I finished serving the meals.

I spotted him—Mr. Weston arriving. He strode into the first floor, his gaze sharp, his eyes locked on mine.

Where had he gone to? Why was he just coming to work? I wondered, but I didn't want to dwell on it.

So I moved to attend to other customers.

As the day rolled by, I prepared to leave after a hectic day at work. When I went back to the dressing room to retrieve my bag, I set out to leave for home.

My mind raced. Where am I going to? Mr. Weston's house.

As I turned to leave the changing room, the door swung open and Judith entered. Her expression was firm as she said, "Mr. Weston asked for you."

Judith didn't wait for me to ask her why. She pulled the door open and left the room.

Breathing out heavily, I strode to the door, pulled it open, then walked out of the room.

I made my way to Mr. Weston's office to see him. I also wanted to ask him if I could leave for his house when he wasn't there. I did not even have the spare key. Should I just go back to my father's house?

Would Mark and Elena plot against me? After all, my stepmother was still locked up in the police station.

Before I could reach Mr. Weston's door, my phone rang, the vibration startling me out of my trance.

I paused, retrieved my phone from my bag, and saw that it was an unknown number.

My brows furrowed as I wondered if Mark was the one calling me, but I answered.

"Hello," my voice was cold as I picked the call.

"Hello, this is Mr. Felix Elliott calling. Am I speaking with Martha Rogers?" he asked, as if he didn't know who he was calling.

"Yes, sir. How can I help you?" I asked, my voice steady but calm.

"Alright. Did Mark already inform you that the shareholders are clamoring for a withdrawal after your mother's arrest? The scandal and accusations are affecting the Rogers Corporation's prestige. Do not forget that your stepmother is still the CEO, at least now that you haven't taken the reins," he said, his voice cold but firm.

"I am aware. I will get married and take the reins soon. For now, I know that you were my late father's assistant before you became my stepmother's assistant. Just try to take care of the company and talk to the shareholders. Then I will resume the CEO position soon."

"Mmm. Are you sure you can handle the company? You have no work experience," Mr. Elliott pointed out. I smiled.

"I will. See you tomorrow."

"Alright." The call ended, and I put my phone away and stared back at Mr. Weston's office. Taking a deep breath, I raised my knuckles to the door and knocked gently before pushing the door open.