Chapter 48
“Rule number one, take care of yourself,”
“Two, if anything goes wrong, call me,”
“And then there’s the third rule—the most crucial one. Show them you’re a force not to be reckoned with.”
A smile curled onto Cressida’s lips as she recalled Alaric’s instructions. Despite his objections, the chairman had insisted she return to work today, and Alaric had reluctantly agreed to let her go.
He wanted her to dress elegantly for the office, but she had other plans and thanks to Floria, she was now dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit—a crisp white blouse paired with fitted green trousers and a pair of heels that’d make her presence known without drawing too much attention.
As she stepped out, a delicate necklace with intertwined G and K pendants caught the light, a customized gift from Alaric that added a touch of sophistication to her outfit.
In her hand, she carried a sleek rectangular handbag, a gift from Easton. With Floria having taken care of her notebook and laptop, she was free to walk into the office unencumbered.
Just as she emerged, Rowan’s scoffing voice carried over from the patio. “Look who’s coming,” she said, nudging Amabel to glance over her shoulder. Her tone dripped with sarcasm as she added, “someone’s resuming work today.”
Amabel’s gaze drifted back to Rowan, a snicker playing on her lips. “Yeah,” she said, picking up her wine and taking a sip before sighing. “Rushing to the office so early. The same office she won’t last in. By this time next week, she’ll be stripped of her position.”
Rowan’s face lit up in agreement as she watched Cressida approach the park. “You know, isn’t it your job to victimize her at home, ma?” She said, her tone laced with malice.
Amabel seemed taken aback for a moment, her expression unclear.
“Why don’t you give her a little morning motivation before she heads to the office? You know, to get her ready for what’s waiting for her.” Rowan’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she winked at Amabel. “What do you think?”
Amabel set her wine down, a sly smile spreading across her face. “Of course, why not?” She said, rising smoothly to her feet. “After all, the goal was never to let her have peace of mind.”
Rowan let out a soft breath as she followed Amabel, keeping a slight distance between them. “Make her day stressful from home.” She whispered, and Amabel picked up her pace.
As Cressida reached the parking lot, Easton stood by the open car door, his head bowed slightly. “Thanks for the bag. I love it.” Cressida said with a smile, and Easton nodded in response.
Just as she was about to step into the car, Amabel’s voice cut through the air.
“Rushing to the office when it’s clear you won’t last?” Amabel sneered, her tone dripping with spice. “Why not stay home and enjoy yourself? You can’t win the project, so you might as well save your energy.”
A smile spread across Cressida’s face as she faced Amabel. “Thanks,” she said calmly, her tone unwavering. “That’s the only way you can think of acknowledging my dedication and hard work. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“A compliment?!” Amabel exclaimed. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she glanced back at Rowan, expecting some cue on how to react. However, Rowan’s expression was neutral, offering no help.
Amabel turned back to Cressida, undeterred, her voice rising in frustration. “I’m not complimenting you!” She declared, scoffing. “What’s so special about you? I’d waste my breath on praise?”
“I’m just advising you to give up. Save your energy!” She yelled, her anger growing at Cressida’s unflappable demeanor.
Cressida tilted her head, her expression puzzled. “Why are you shouting?” She asked, shrugging nonchalantly. “If it’s not a compliment, fine. I’m not arguing. Why’d I bother arguing with someone like you?”
Amabel’s voice escalated, her anger boiling over. “Someone like me?!” She demanded, her eyes flashing with indignation. “What do you mean by someone like me?”
Cressida’s smile remained serene, her composure unshaken. “Someone like you, who claims I’m not special, yet I’m the reason you’re losing your peace,” she said, her words dripping with confidence.
Amabel’s eyes slammed shut, her face twisted in rage.
“Calm yourself. You need this, but I’d advise you to save it for later,” Cressida continued, her voice measured. “You’ll need your voice when you’ve lost your mind.”
Cressida stepped into the car, and Amabel’s eyes snapped open, her face contorted in fury. She lunged forward, her hand reaching out to grab Cressida’s hair, but Rowan swiftly intervened, pulling her back.
Cressida placed her bag inside the car and turned to face them. “You want to pull me back?” She said. She folded her arms, leaning slightly to one side as she scoffed. “I know your goal is to stress me out early this morning, but I won’t give you the satisfaction,”
“You set a trap for me, but in the end, you’re the one who’s stressed,” she continued calmly. “And now, you’ll spend the whole day fuming about what just happened,”
She loosened her arms and adjusted her blouse before meeting Amabel’s gaze. “As the newest director in town, I shouldn’t waste my first day at work on someone unworthy,” she said with a smile and waved her hand. “Bye. See you later.”
She slipped into the car, leaving Amabel and Rowan in her wake.
Easton closed the car door and quickly got in, starting the engine. As the car glided out of the compound, Amabel and Rowan watched with seething resentment, their eyes fixed on the customized license plate that read ‘The Goddess of Palmer.’ The new car’s sleek design and advanced features seemed to mock them, and their anger only intensified as the car disappeared from view.
As soon as the gate closed, Amabel’s composure shattered. She stamped her foot in rage. “I hate that lady! I’ll do anything to bring her down!”
Rowan’s expression was calm, a subtle smile playing on her lips. “You don't have to trouble yourself, ma,” she said, shrugging slightly. “We already have plans in place. Just because she escaped this time doesn’t mean she’ll get out of the others.”
Rowan’s words dripped with venom as she continued, “if she knew what was coming, she wouldn’t be so confident. She’d be begging for your forgiveness and mercy.”
Rowan’s words made Amabel’s anger dissipate, replaced by a cold determination. She nodded, a smile spreading across her face. “You’re right. And even if she comes crawling back, I won’t accept her. I’ll make her pay tenfold for the stress she’s caused me.”
Rowan bowed slightly, her smile mirroring Amabel’s. “I’ve got your back, ma,” she pledged. She raised her head, her eyes gleaming with devilry as she added, “I just hope you won’t forget your promise to me after everything is over.”