Chapter 112 Only an Undergraduate Degree
Daisy couldn't help but stand up and walk a few steps closer, wanting to hear what they were saying.
His voice dipped, tight with unease. “I took this job because of you, and now Vincent’s got me cornered. Tell me, how am I supposed to get out of this?”
Vanessa's voice was also low, but her tone was sharp. "Didn't I give you money? What more do you want? If you don't even have the ability to get yourself out of trouble, you shouldn't have taken my job in the first place."
Get out of trouble? What did Vanessa ask this person to do? It sounded like it had something to do with Vincent?
Daisy's heart skipped a beat, and her feet moved forward again without thinking.
"Ms. Hart!"
Felix's voice came from not far away. He hurried toward her, relief breaking through his breath. “Ms. Hart finally. I’ve been searching everywhere.” At the sound, Vanessa spun around, only to find Daisy standing there.
Her expression changed, and she frowned. She slipped away in silence, her steps quick and deliberate, while he lingered only a second before lowering his gaze and heading off the opposite way. Daisy watched them part, a quiet unease settling in her chest.
"What's wrong? What are you looking at?" Felix walked over and followed her gaze, but saw nothing.
Daisy shook her head. "Nothing. Did you finish whatever your mom wanted?"
Felix reached for her hand, a quiet excitement in his touch. “My grandfather’s here I want you to meet him,” he said. “He hasn’t stopped mentioning you since the birthday party.”
Daisy followed him through the long gallery to the other side.
Randall was standing in front of a painting, talking with some old friends.
At the sight of Felix approaching with Daisy, his face lit up at once, and he stepped forward to greet them. “So Ms. Hart has arrived come, come closer.”
Daisy walked over with a smile. "Grandpa Connor, hello."
Randall’s gaze swept over her before a pleased smile surfaced. He pulled open his jacket, revealing the scarf tucked neatly inside. “See? I’m still wearing the one you gave me.” I've been wearing it for several days now."
Daisy smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
A friend nearby asked, "Connor, who is this? Aren't you going to introduce us?"
"This is Ms. Hart, my grandson's friend. She works at Reed Corporation, a rising star in the research field. You might not recognize her yet but it won’t be long before she’s impossible to ignore.
Daisy blushed a little from the praise and quickly said, "I'm not that amazing."
She greeted each of Randall’s friends in turn, exchanging handshakes as they welcomed her warmly, their curiosity sparking a steady stream of questions.
Daisy responded to each question in turn, and just as the conversation began to flow, a middle-aged woman approached. She wore a deep purple dress with a pearl necklace around her neck. She had an elegant manner, but her expression was cold.
She glanced at Daisy with some scrutiny in her eyes.
Felix stepped in at once to make the introduction. “Mom, this is Ms. Hart.” Then, turning to Daisy, he added, “Ms. Hart, this is my mother, Violet Connor.” Daisy offered a polite smile and a slight nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Connor.”
Violet nodded, the scrutiny in her eyes intensifying. She asked, "I heard Ms. Hart works at Reed Corporation?"
"Yes."
Violet’s smile lingered, carrying a subtle, knowing edge. “So Ethan Reed from Reed Corporation… he’s your senior?” she asked. Daisy paused, caught off guard, a flicker of surprise crossing her face at how easily the information had surfaced.
She had never called him Ethan in front of outsiders, but she still politely said, "Yes, we had the same advisor."
Violet nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
But Daisy felt like there was more to her words, as if she was testing something.
Daisy’s gaze briefly shifted to Felix, only to find his expression tightening as well, the same realization settling over him. Violet, after all, came from a well-established, influential family. Although her marriage to Felix's father was a business arrangement, the two had always had a good relationship.
Over these thirty years of marriage, they had been through all kinds of ups and downs. She came here today specifically to see this "Ms. Hart" that her son kept saying was so wonderful.
Felix had mentioned Daisy several times at home recently, saying she was good at research, that she was beautiful, that she had a good personality, and that he really wanted to date her.
The only complication was Daisy’s past, her previous marriage and her daughter and he couldn’t shake the concern that his family might not accept it.
Both the old man and her husband were very casual about it—if you like her, go after her.
But Violet’s thoughts didn’t linger on that concern. She understood her son well enough, if he wasn’t truly serious, he wouldn’t keep bringing someone up so often.
If he just wanted to date, he wouldn't need to bring it up at home—he could just date openly.
The fact that he brought it up so seriously meant he was hinting to them that he wanted to marry this woman.
That realization made Violet more guarded not because Daisy had a past marriage or a child, but because Felix was her only son, and every decision involving him carried greater weight.
He would take over the entire Connor family in the future, a company worth billions. His wife had to be a strong woman who could work with him to protect this family business.
She knew too well how much influence a woman could have on a family.
As the matriarch’s potential daughter-in-law, she knew approval wasn’t optional, it was essential. So before Daisy ever stepped through the door, Violet had already quietly sent people to look into her background.
The results made her even more alert.
There were rumors going around that Daisy had an unusual relationship with Ethan.
They said the reason she could get into Reed Corporation, get so many projects, and make a name for herself in the industry was all because she was Ethan's mistress.
Violet couldn’t tell whether the rumors held any truth, yet they weren’t something she could simply dismiss. Only moments ago, she had crossed paths with Vanessa at the gallery. She certainly recognized Vanessa and knew about Daisy and Vanessa's relationship, so she asked a few questions in a roundabout way, like casual chat.
Vanessa didn't say a single bad word about Daisy.
This is what she said:
"Daisy is very capable. Though she holds only a bachelor’s degree and never pursued a master’s, Mr. Reed’s discernment sets him apart, he has no issue with her past as a housewife. As soon as she joined the company, he gave her the best projects and every opportunity. It's really enviable!"
Violet immediately understood what Vanessa was implying.
Ethan’s company was built on rigorous research, she knew just how exacting the standards in this field were. And yet, he had chosen to hire a woman who’d once been a housewife, without even a master’s degree to her name.
Why?
It didn't take much thought to figure it out.
Violet really didn't have a good impression of Daisy, but out of personal courtesy, she didn't say anything harsh—she was just very cold.
It was getting dark. Daisy glanced at the time, it was nearly eight. “Grandpa Connor, I should get going. I have work tomorrow.” With a gentle smile, she bid Randall farewell.
"Leaving so soon? Come to my place for dinner."
"Next time. I have a child at home waiting for me."
Felix stood nearby. "I'll take you."
Daisy didn't refuse and followed him out.
The two stepped out of the gallery into the cool air, where plane tree leaves whispered as they drifted down, blanketing the ground in a soft, rustling layer.
The streetlights were on, casting an orange glow on the stone path—a quiet, beautiful scene.
“Try not to take my mother’s attitude to heart,” Felix said after a moment, a trace of helplessness in his voice. “She’s like that with everyone never quite warm, never outright cold.”
Daisy smiled. "I don't mind. Your mom is fine."
The two walked to the car. Felix opened the passenger door. Just then, Vanessa came out of the gallery, and a car drove up and stopped not far from them.
It was Vincent's car.
Of course Daisy would recognize it.
It was clear he’d come for Vanessa. Vincent stepped out of the car, and his gaze fell unerringly on Daisy.
Daisy behaved as though he didn’t exist, slipping straight into Felix’s car without a glance. “It looked like he was watching you.”
After getting in the car, Felix said this.