Chapter 138
Listening to my daughter's words, my heart felt sour and bitter, yet warm and aching all at once.
What comforted me was that my Milly was so understanding, so considerate of me. In her little heart, she had already grasped so much about the helplessness and choices of the adult world.
What saddened me was that she was only five years old. This should be an age of innocence and carefree joy, an age to naturally enjoy all her parents' love. Yet because of the terrible marriage between George and me, she was forced to mature early, learning not to be greedy, learning to hide her own desires and disappointments.
George and I had together destroyed what should have been her complete childhood.
But this sadness was quickly replaced by a firmer resolve.
It was precisely because I didn't want her to repeat the mistakes of my past life, didn't want her to continue being hurt in that cold and twisted environment, or even lose her life, that I had to get divorced.
I wanted to give her a brand new, safe environment filled with love.
Divorce was the only way to cut off the past and protect the future.
I wrapped Milly in a soft towel and held her tightly in my arms, my voice choking up a bit, "Milly, my baby, I'm sorry. Mommy didn't handle things well, but Mommy promises you that from now on, Mommy will love you twice as much and give you the best life."
"We'll have our own home, our own happiness, and we'll never need to beg for scraps from others again."
"Okay!" Milly nodded hard, her wet little head resting on my shoulder. "I believe in Mommy! I love Mommy the most!"
That night, both Milly and I slept especially well.
Perhaps because we'd opened up our hearts, or perhaps holding onto the warmth and hope we'd regained, we both slept deeply and peacefully.
The next day, there was an internal meeting at Star Tech.
I organized the progress and key points of several recent projects I was responsible for and gave a clear, concise report.
William announced the good news that the Aviation Administration project cooperation had been officially confirmed, and also conveyed the Aviation Administration's requirement that we provide timely responses for future system maintenance and upgrades.
"Also," William said with excitement on his face, "the government has several new smart city construction projects out for bid. The technical direction matches ours well. I've already had people doing preliminary research and preparing proposals. This is a rare opportunity, so I hope everyone will push hard and bring their best in the coming days!"
The meeting atmosphere was enthusiastic, and everyone was full of energy.
After the meeting ended, William called me to his office.
He closed the door, gestured for me to sit down, his face showing a hint of deliberation.
"Grace, there's something. Mr. Thomas contacted me again yesterday." William got straight to the point. "The Morgan family—that's Atticus's family, you know—they're an artistic family, but they're also involved in some high-tech investments and research."
"This time they're bidding on a peripheral support project for the Aviation Administration. It's not core, but it has extremely high requirements for data security and server stability."
I nodded, indicating I knew about the Morgan family. But I was a bit puzzled about what this had to do with me.
William continued, "The Morgan Group submitted a preliminary plan, but the Aviation Administration's technical assessment team feels the server architecture and data processing plan are still somewhat vague. They hope they can provide more detailed technical proof that can stand up to scrutiny."
"Mr. Thomas knows that Atticus is an old acquaintance of yours and knows you fairly well. His idea is to ask you to take some time, in your capacity as Star Tech's technical consultant, to go to the Morgan Group and actually look at their server room, evaluate their existing hardware and architecture, and see if they can really handle that project's data volume and concurrent pressure."
I was somewhat surprised, "Mr. Thomas knows I know Atticus?"
My interactions with Atticus were actually very few, almost negligible.
William smiled, his eyes showing some understanding and emotion, "Although Mr. Thomas is devoted to technology and doesn't pay much attention to mundane matters, he cares about you, his final and most important disciple, much more than you think."
"During those years after you got married when you weren't doing well, he was actually always keeping track of news about you. It's just that he's stubborn and won't actively say anything, but he remembers it all in his heart."
He paused, his tone serious, "So this time when he's asking this favor, it's both about being careful with the Morgan Group's project and giving you an opportunity—a chance to demonstrate your value in your professional field and build more connections and reputation. Don't let down his good intentions."
A warm current surged in my heart, and my nose tingled.
So during those years when I thought I'd been abandoned by the whole world, struggling alone in the darkness, there had always been someone quietly watching over me, worrying about me.
This care from my mentor, unspoken yet heavy with meaning, moved me deeply.
"I understand, William. I get his intention," I said solemnly. "I'll definitely help with this."
But then I thought of a question, "Does Atticus just want me to go alone?"
After all, it was in Star Tech's name, and it involved technical assessment. Logically, it would be more appropriate for William or other core team members to accompany me.
William seemed to have just thought of this too. He frowned slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the desktop, "Atticus and George seem to be good friends. People in this circle can always find connections if you dig deep enough."
"If you participate in this project's assessment, as the project progresses, you'll inevitably have indirect contact with the Smith Group as an investor or related party, or with George himself."
He looked at me, his eyes apologetic, "Sorry, Grace. I didn't think this through. I was only thinking about the technical side and Mr. Thomas's reputation, and forgot this connection might make you uncomfortable."
"If you feel it's inappropriate, I'll find someone else right away and explain to Mr. Thomas. He'll understand."
I shook my head, almost without hesitation, "No need to change people, William. I can go."
I looked at William, my eyes firm, "I can't let down my teacher's trust. This isn't just a technical assessment—it's also a path my teacher is paving for me."
"I can't back down because of irrelevant personal connections."
"So what if I do run into George? I can face him calmly now."
"Business is business, personal is personal. Making money, developing my career, building professional capital—those are what's most important."
"Those little personal grudges and entanglements don't matter compared to these things."
William looked carefully at my expression, as if confirming the sincerity of my words.
After a moment, he nodded, his face showing an approving smile, "Good. With this attitude, I'm relieved."
But he clearly still wasn't comfortable letting me go alone to face the potentially complex situation.
"However, I won't let you go alone." William's tone left no room for argument. "Last time Emily went with you to meet with Sarah, and when she came back, she told me all about what happened that day."
"That bastard Terry, and Sarah—even though she won't be at the Morgan Group this time, who knows what other people you might run into. I have to go with you. At least I can protect you and not let those messy people have a chance to bully you."
I froze for a moment and instinctively wanted to refuse, "William, you really don't need to trouble yourself, I..."
"It's settled." William cut me off directly, his tone relaxed but firm. "I'm actually a bit interested in the Morgan Group's project anyway. It'll be good to check out their technical foundation. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."
As he spoke, as if afraid I'd refuse again, he immediately picked up his ringing phone and walked to the window to take the call, giving me no chance to continue refusing.
I looked at his back, feeling both grateful and a bit helpless.
William's protection and care for me was always so thoughtful and meticulous, even somewhat domineering.
But I knew he genuinely had my best interests at heart.
So the next morning, William's car was parked downstairs right on time.
I had just come downstairs with Milly when William opened the car door and got out, his face wearing a gentle smile.
"William." Milly was happy to see him and called out sweetly.
"Good morning, Milly." William smiled and walked over, naturally bending down to give Milly a light hug. Like magic, he pulled an exquisitely packaged children's vitamin gummy from his pocket and gave it to her. "Here, you be good today too."
Milly happily accepted it, her big eyes smiling into crescents, "Thank you, William."
Then Milly let go of William, turned around, and reached out her little hand toward me, her face showing a hint of mischief and anticipation.
I was a bit surprised but still walked over and crouched down, "What is it, Milly?"
Milly stood on tiptoe, stretched out her two little arms, hugged my neck tightly, then planted a loud kiss on my cheek and said softly, "Mommy, I love you. Do your best today too."
In that instant, my heart felt wrapped in the softest clouds, incredibly warm, so moved I almost cried.
I hugged her back hard and kissed the top of her head, "Mommy loves Milly the most too. Mommy will do her best."
After dropping Milly off at kindergarten and watching her skip happily into the classroom, William and I drove to the Morgan Group.