Chapter 107 Her Position
Ms. Metz put down her wine glass, leaned back in her chair to reflect for a moment.
"She came to me, but it wasn't truly her."
That was a cryptic way of putting it. Daisy remained silent , waiting for her to continue.
Ms. Metz picked up her chopsticks and took a bite. After a deliberate pause, she spoke .
"Black Group and Metz Group have worked together for years, as you know. I used to deal directly with Vincent , but but as he grew busier , Vanessa became my primary contact ."
Ms. Metz smiled slightly, "You understand the implications , don't you ?"
"Last month, Vincent defied the board's opposition to give her some of his shares, bringing her into the executive circle and appointing her vice president."
"When she conducts business, she basically represents Vincent himself."
Hearing Ms. Metz put it that way, Daisy completely understood.
She lowered her eyes, put the food in her mouth, chewed it - it had no taste.
She couldn't help thinking back many years ago, when she had also thought about working at Black Group.
She had just graduated not long before, her major was relevant , her abilities weren't bad either. She had mentioned it to Vincent once, saying she wanted to try working at the company.
Vincent was looking at documents at the time. He didn't even look up, just said dismissively, "You don't need to work, just stay home and take care of of the household ."
Vincent was the type who didn't like his wife getting involved in company matters. That was his principle.
Only now did she realize that so-called principles could be compromised for someone you truly loved.
"Consultant Daisy?" Ms. Metz's voice pulled her back.
Daisy snapped out of it and smiled, "Sorry, Ms. Metz, please go on."
Ms. Metz glanced at her, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, but she didn't ask more.
"There's not much else to say. Anyway, Vanessa has a high position at Black Group now, and Metz Group is so deeply tied to Black Group, which is why I brought her along last time."
Daisy nodded, saying nothing.
From the proposal Vanessa presented last time, her actual abilities were mediocre . She got to where she is today entirely due to Vincent promoting her.
And Vincent clearly knew this too, which is why he personally helped adjust that proposal last time - to help her really establish herself in the company.
Such devoted effort!
"Daisy, eat." Ethan put a rib in her bowl, interrupting her thoughts.
Daisy looked down at the ribs in her bowl . "Thanks."
Ethan glanced at her, lowering his voice, "You okay?"
Daisy shook her head, "I'm fine."
She bit into the ribs. The meat was tough from stewing. As she chewed, a bitter feeling welled up inside her.
Noah sat across from them, quietly listening to their conversation.
He was extremely smart - the meaning behind Ms. Metz's words was obvious.
She was clearly saying that Vanessa's real abilities were just average, but she'd risen quickly through her relationship with Vincent.
What Noah hated most in life were people who didn't deserve their position, who got ahead through connections.
That's why he kept giving Daisy a hard time, mocking her repeatedly, opposing her. But after spending time together, he discovered that Daisy wasn't the empty-headed fool he'd imagined.
Meanwhile Vanessa, who he'd gotten along well with, was actually the one who got ahead through connections - a "trophy"?
This sense of displacement really stuck in Noah's throat.
He'd already been writing his resignation email, planning to leave Reed Corporation after finishing the project and go to Black Group, but now...
Better wait and see.
Halfway through the meal, Daisy got up to use the restroom.
She stood at the sink, looking at herself in the mirror.
Her face was flushed - whether from the alcohol or something else, she didn't know.
She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face. The coolness seeped through her skin, pushing down all those messy thoughts.
When she returned to the private room, her phone vibrated.
She took it out and saw it was a message from Vincent. He'd sent a photo.
It was that group photo taken at the playground that afternoon.
Sunlight came from the side, falling on them. Though they were all smiling, Luna's eyes and brows showed hurt, and she herself looked troubled.
As for Vincent—
He also seemed to be thinking about something, but his thoughts ran too deep for Daisy to read.
She pressed on the photo, wanting to save it to her album, but when her fingertip touched Vincent's face, her finger trembled slightly and slipped, deleting the photo.
He probably still thought she was the only one who cared about that photo, right?
But she'd stopped caring long ago.
Those old memories, when she thought of them now, only left her feeling wronged.
After dinner, the group headed out.
The restaurant entrance was brightly lit, several cars parked by the roadside. Some people waved for rides, others stood chatting nearby.
Daisy walked with Ethan, discussing tomorrow's work schedule.
"Ms. Hart, look over there." Amy came over, somewhat urgently tugging her sleeve and nodding toward the parking lot.
Daisy looked up and saw Vincent standing next to a stretch Lincoln, talking to someone.
He was facing sideways, his expression unclear, but his posture relaxed.
The car door was open. Vanessa got out, holding a jacket, and naturally draped it over Vincent's shoulders.
Then she turned and led Luna out.
Luna had changed out of her athletic clothes and was wearing a deep pink princess dress, holding an ice cream cone, looking up and saying something to Vanessa.
Vanessa bent down, smiling as she wiped the corner of her mouth.
The three of them standing together looked just like an ordinary family of three - warm and harmonious.
Daisy glanced once and looked away. "Oh, it's them. What a coincidence, they're eating here too."
Ethan saw them too. He frowned and said quietly, "Let's go, I'll take you home."
Daisy waved him off, "No need, I'll just get a cab. It's not far from here."
Just as she was about to leave, Vincent suddenly turned and saw her.
His gaze paused on her for a moment, then moved away as he lowered his head to say something to Vanessa.
Vanessa also looked over, her brow furrowing, but quickly smoothing out again.
Since they'd already seen each other, might as well go over and say hello openly. Leaving without a word would seem less gracious.
Ethan walked forward and greeted Vincent.
"Mr. Black, what a coincidence."
Vincent nodded. "Mr. Reed."
The two men shook hands and exchanged polite pleasantries.
Daisy said nothing, only nodding slightly when Vincent looked her way.
Vanessa stood beside them, holding Vincent's arm, smiling as she said, "Ms. Hart is here too. I didn't see you earlier. If I'd known, we could have all eaten together."
Daisy smiled. "Eat together? Miss Drake, aren't you afraid I'd ruin your appetite?"
Vanessa's face darkened and she fell silent.
After a few more words, just as they were preparing to leave, Vincent suddenly called out to Daisy.
Daisy turned back. "Yes?"
"...Never mind. Luna was very happy today. Thank you."