Chapter 234: Noah's Guidance

Chapter 234: Noah's Guidance

"I'll work hard, Ms. Archer," Phoebe said softly.

Quinn stared at her expressionlessly and extended her hand. "Remember what you just said."

Their hands touched briefly in a cold, perfunctory handshake, completely devoid of warmth.

William gave a few more earnest reminders and said some nice words to Quinn before leaving.

As soon as he left, Quinn sat back down in the CFO's chair and asked Phoebe several finance-related questions. Phoebe stammered through her answers.

Phoebe's face turned bright red, and Quinn's expression grew even darker. With a stern face, she said, "Tell me, what work should I assign you? If I ask you now to do bookkeeping, financial analysis, prepare a project budget, or do tax planning, which of these can you actually do?"

Phoebe was momentarily speechless.

She truly couldn't do any of these things.

In fact, she had only just figured out the meaning of some professional terms in the past couple of days.

Quinn impatiently waved her hand at her. "Go back for now. This afternoon, thoroughly learn the most basic professional terms in finance and taxation, then come back to work tomorrow! Otherwise, forget about doing any work—I'm worried you won't even understand what we're saying!"

At this moment, anything Phoebe said would be useless.

She had indeed learned quite a bit these past few days, but if she claimed she didn't need to go back and study, and Quinn asked another question she couldn't answer, Quinn's dissatisfaction with her would probably grow even worse.

"See you tomorrow, Ms. Archer," Phoebe said goodbye to Quinn, then picked up her bag and walked out of the office.

After the door closed completely, Quinn snorted coldly. "Backing down after just a few words—what kind of future can she have?"

Phoebe took the elevator downstairs and left the company somewhat awkwardly under everyone's curious gazes.

She had imagined various scenarios for her first day at work, but never expected it to be this embarrassing—spending only half a day at the company before being sent home by her supervisor.

Phoebe looked back at the Foster Enterprises sign, frowning slightly, really unwilling to just go back like this. She unconsciously walked slowly along the sidewalk, her mind full of thoughts about how to get along with Quinn.

If every day were going to be like today, then besides getting scolded, she wouldn't learn anything at all.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

Phoebe picked up her phone and saw it was a call from Noah.

"How's it going at the company?" Noah asked.

Phoebe lowered her eyes. "Not bad."

New employees probably all have to go through this, right?

"Really?" There was a hint of amusement in Noah's voice. "Not bad enough to get kicked out?"

Phoebe fell silent.

She pressed her lips together tightly, gripping her phone as she looked around.

A Maybach was driving slowly about ten yards behind her. When she turned around, it honked gently.

Behind the Maybach, several passersby were openly taking photos or videos.

It seemed the Maybach had been following her for a while; otherwise, it wouldn't have attracted so many onlookers.

She had just been too absorbed in her thoughts to notice the commotion behind her.

#Shocking! Noah Comforts Girlfriend on Street, Affectionate Gesture Draws Crowd#

#Maybach Crawls Down Street, All to Please His Lady#

Phoebe could almost imagine what headlines the gossip media would come up with once these photos or videos were posted online.

She turned around, walked to the Maybach, opened the door, and got in. "Is this fun for you?"

"I honked earlier, but you just moved aside without looking back." Noah turned the steering wheel, merged into the main road, and pressed the accelerator.

Phoebe fell silent.

She had thought she was blocking the car behind her.

But the most embarrassing part was that she had just said things were going well at the company, only to be immediately exposed.

"Why did you come?" Phoebe changed the subject.

"It's not that far away," Noah said. "I thought you might not be having an easy time at the company, so I came to check on you."

The topic had circled back to the starting point.

Phoebe didn't respond. In fact, whether in the past or present, she hated being looked down upon.

Right now, with Noah saying this, it was as if he hadn't believed in her from the start.

"It's not that I don't believe in you." Noah seemed to see through her thoughts.

Noah continued, "The way Quinn is treating you has little to do with your personal abilities. It's mainly about your identity."

"Identity?" Phoebe turned to look at him.

"Quinn is a veteran employee at Foster Enterprises. She used to be your grandparents' right-hand person. Like your grandparents, she doesn't really approve of William. When William suddenly joined Foster Enterprises and eventually took control, her dissatisfaction with him reached its peak."

"You're William's daughter, so naturally Quinn harbors resentment toward you," Noah explained.

Phoebe frowned slightly. "Veteran employee?"

But Quinn only looked like a middle-aged woman. Had she really been working at Foster Enterprises that long?

"All things considered, she's probably in her fifties now, but I heard she takes good care of herself and looks quite young." Noah turned to look at her, then suddenly freed one hand and gently touched her head.

Phoebe instinctively pulled back, staring straight at him.

"I bought you some books and had them sent to the company. Take a look at them yourself, and if there's anything you don't understand, ask Quinn. She may be tough on the outside, but she's not a bad person. If you ask her more questions, maybe she'll treat you better." Noah continued speaking as if he hadn't noticed Phoebe's resistance, his expression casual.

Phoebe paused. "Thank you."

"Compared to verbal thanks, I prefer action." Noah glanced at her.

Phoebe looked into his eyes, momentarily stunned.

He really was becoming less and less like the person in her memory.

But his kindness toward her didn't make her feel romantic or happy; instead, it filled her with panic.

He was like two completely different people when he loved her versus when he didn't. She was afraid of losing herself in his tenderness, yet unable to hold onto him.

—They were both still young, the future was full of uncertainties, and human hearts were the easiest things to change.

Phoebe turned to look at the scenery flying past the window.

Rather than depending on a man's love, she hoped to become strong herself.

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the drive.

Noah watched Phoebe through the rearview mirror, his brows slightly furrowed.

He looked ahead and initiated several topics, but each time Phoebe only responded briefly, showing a deliberate distance compared to recent days.

The car finally stopped in front of Foster Enterprises. As soon as it stopped, Phoebe pushed open the door and got out.

"I've had a few interactions with Quinn. Want me to go in with you?" Noah also got out of the car, standing in front of her with one hand in his pocket, looking down at her.

Phoebe took a step back and said coolly, "No need. I can handle it myself. You should go back. Goodbye."

With that, Phoebe turned and walked into Foster Enterprises.

Noah watched her retreating figure, his thick lashes hiding the expression in his eyes.

The mistakes once made still stood between them, difficult to erase easily.

Phoebe picked up the books Noah had ordered for her from the reception desk. When she hurried to the CFO's office door, Quinn was on the phone, looking quite displeased.

Seeing this, she pulled back the hand that was about to knock and stood quietly outside the door.

"We agreed on payment three days ago, and now you're saying you can't pay temporarily. That reason doesn't make sense, does it?"

"Don't give me these excuses. I know what's going on with the Bell Group."

The conversation wasn't going well. Quinn finally hung up with a dark expression and sat heavily in her chair.

Phoebe took a deep breath and steeled herself to knock on the door.

"Did you forget everything I told you at noon?" Quinn looked at her coldly, not inviting her in. "Or do you think that because your dad has your back, you can ignore what I say?"

Phoebe lowered her head and said, "You've misunderstood. I just don't want to give up halfway. If I left just because you criticized me a few times, that would be disrespectful to you and the company."