Chapter 133

"Celeste, no matter what you decide, your dad and I will always have your back. Don't change your plans just because of us," Susan said, her voice full of concern.

Susan knew things had shifted recently, but she didn't want Celeste to abandon her original dreams because of it.

"Don't worry, Mom and Dad. I've had enough of being alone abroad for the past three years. I just want to come back and be with family and friends," Celeste replied, hugging Susan tightly.

"Or is it because Alexandra's back now, and you don't need me around anymore?" Celeste joked, but her words made Andrew and Susan pause.

"Silly girl!" Susan sighed. "It's not about that at all."

"We just don't want you to change your mind because of any misunderstandings," Susan added. "So, what college are you thinking of if you stay here?"

"Business administration, I think," Celeste answered without hesitation. "Compared to my brothers and Alexandra, I feel like I haven't been able to help with the family business at all. I want to study hard in college so I can contribute more after I graduate."

Andrew and Susan exchanged a surprised glance. They hadn't expected Celeste to be so determined.

"Is that really what you want?" Susan asked cautiously. Celeste nodded firmly.

"Absolutely!"

"But didn't you say you wanted to be a singer?" Susan was puzzled by the change. "You just won first place in the national song contest recently. Why the sudden change of heart?"

Celeste looked at Susan earnestly. "I was being immature before, only thinking about my own happiness and forgetting that the family needs my help."

"My brothers and Alexandra are all working hard for the family. I can't be selfish and only think about myself."

"Celeste, I've told you before, you don't have to be so responsible," Susan said, holding Celeste's hand. "Your brothers and sister can handle the family business. You just need to be our happy little princess."

"No!" Celeste protested. "I want to do my best. Mom, Dad, you support me, right?"

Susan wanted to say more, but seeing Celeste's serious expression, she found it hard to argue.

Andrew, who had been listening quietly, finally nodded. "If you're serious about learning, how about I let you manage one of our smaller subsidiaries? What do you think?"

This was exactly what Celeste had hoped for, but she still feigned surprise. "You want me to manage a company? But you know I've never studied this before. I'm afraid I won't do well."

"The company has a vice president who can help you. Think of it as a learning experience. Are you willing to try?" Andrew asked.

After hearing Susan and Andrew's conversation, he had thought a lot. Even though Celeste was adopted, he didn't want to treat her differently. So, he made this decision.

"I'm willing!" Celeste said with determination, but then she lowered her eyes. "But I don't know anything about this. Even with help, what if I fail?"

"We have plenty of companies. Losing one or two small ones won't matter. Think of it as practice," Susan reassured her. "If you don't do well, you can learn more in college. If you do well, your dad can give you more responsibilities."

"Really?" Celeste was surprised that Susan and Andrew still believed in her even after Alexandra's return.

"Of course! To us, you're just as important as your brothers and sister. If they can manage the company, so can you," Susan said, squeezing Celeste's hand. "Good girl, don't worry. Tomorrow, go with your dad to the headquarters and choose which subsidiary you want to manage."

Celeste finally smiled. "Mom, Dad, you're the best!"

She hugged Susan tightly and then ran to Andrew, throwing herself into his arms.

Andrew patted her head affectionately. "You never showed interest in the company before. Why are you so excited now?"

"People grow up, and I need to be more responsible," Celeste said, smiling up at him. "Besides, if my brothers and Alexandra can do it, so can I. I'm your daughter too!"

"That's right. We'll treat you all equally," Andrew said, emphasizing his words to reassure her.

After spending some more time with her parents, Celeste decided to go upstairs.

Susan glanced at the clock. It was already eight or nine in the evening.

She stood up. "I'll go make some pastries and take them to Alexandra."

"She had dinner with Frederick, but she might not have eaten much. I don't want her to go hungry."

Hearing this as she reached the stairs, Celeste's earlier happiness vanished instantly.

She had thought that even if she couldn't compare to Alexandra, she wasn't that far behind. But now, as soon as Alexandra left, Susan was already eager to make her pastries.

What did that mean?

It meant that in Susan's heart, she couldn't compare to Alexandra at all!

The talk about giving her a subsidiary to manage was probably just to avoid gossip.

They would likely give her an insignificant company.

Celeste's emotions surged, but she forced herself to stay calm.

From now on, she would make sure to secure her place in this family, whether it was her parents' love, a perfect marriage, or the family's assets.

Only what she held in her own hands was real. Everything else was an illusion.

Today was just the beginning. Once Celeste made up her mind, she wouldn't hold back.

Meanwhile, Susan was busy in the kitchen, finally making a batch of steaming pastries.

As she was about to take them to Alexandra, Andrew asked, "Aren't you going to take some to Celeste?"

"Celeste said she already ate," Susan replied quickly. "I'm worried Alexandra didn't eat enough!"