Chapter 108 Cody Meets Scarlett
"Isn't that what you said yourself?" Scarlett retorted, her face a mask of indifference as she pulled her hand from Ambrose's grasp.
"I really shouldn't have interfered in your company's business. I crossed a line."
The words hung in the air, drawing a new, unwelcome distance between them. The formality grated on Ambrose, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Scarlett seized the opportunity.
"I'll go now."
She moved toward the exit, but just as she reached for the handle, the door swung inward. An elderly man leaning on a cane stepped into the room, his progress halting abruptly as he laid eyes on her.
Scarlett didn't recognize him, but the aura of authority and sternness he projected was strikingly similar to Ambrose's. She guessed this must be Cody.
She pressed herself against the wall, offering a polite nod to clear the way.
But the man didn't move. He just stood there, his deep-set eyes fixed on her. "You're the girl from the Mellon family?" He asked, his voice gravelly.
Scarlett met his scrutinizing gaze without flinching. "Hello, sir. My name is Scarlett."
Cody's expression remained severe, but he was secretly running through the intel he'd gathered on her. She'd skipped grades throughout her schooling, becoming the final and most important disciple of the renowned architect Finn at a young age, and had even won international awards.
Clearly, she was brilliant. It was a damn shame she was a divorcée with a kid. Otherwise, she would have been a perfect match for Ambrose.
The Boleyn family prized genetics above all else, believing that intelligent mothers produced intelligent offspring—and the century-old Boleyn empire needed heirs with high IQs to sustain it.
"What are you doing here?" Ambrose's voice cut through Cody's thoughts as he walked over.
Cody snapped back to the present, casting a cool glance at his grandson. "Can't I come for a visit?" He replied flatly.
Ambrose, long accustomed to Cody's prickly temperament, paid it no mind. He looked at Scarlett. "You can go to the meeting first."
Scarlett nodded to them both and slipped out of the office. Only then did Cody step fully inside, his suspicion palpable.
"She's quite a looker," he probed. "Are you sure you won't get attached?"
Ambrose let out a short, dismissive laugh but didn't answer. He walked to his desk and pressed the intercom, instructing Ryder to bring in coffee.
"Did you come for something specific?" Ambrose asked, turning back to his grandfather.
Cody's eyes widened in feigned indignation. "I told you, I just came to see how things are."
Ambrose leaned casually against the edge of his desk, an eyebrow arched in a look of clear impatience. "I have a meeting soon."
Seeing that Ambrose was unwilling to discuss Scarlett, Cody changed tack. "I came to check on the Serene Bay Peninsula project. What's the status? Have you met with Orion yet?"
Now that they were on to business, Ambrose's demeanor shifted. He crossed the room and sat down opposite his grandfather.
"Someone in Orion's position isn't going to meet with me just like that. I doubt the Mitchell family has gotten a meeting either. You don't need to worry."
At that moment, Ryder entered with the coffee. After placing the cup in front of Cody, he retreated, leaving the two men alone.
Cody picked up where he left off. "How can I not worry? I heard the Mitchells have already made a move. They've brought in someone from the higher-ups to approach Orion. The project may be directly assigned by them."
As he spoke, Cody stared intently at Ambrose.
"The political climate is sensitive right now," Ambrose said calmly. "Who would dare to openly make that kind of assignment? If that gets reported, it's not just a job on the line."
Cody knew Ambrose was right, but the Mitchell family held a special status, a layer of credibility that even the Boleyns lacked.
"From what I understand," Ambrose continued, "Orion's principles are just like Owen's. He'd never bend the rules for a connection. If the higher-ups tried to force his hand, he'd raise hell all the way to the top."
Ambrose had made it his business to understand the habits of these men. It was why he remained so unconcerned.
"So, you're saying that even if that Scarlett went to him, Orion wouldn't necessarily give the project to the Boleyn family?" Cody's topic circled right back to Scarlett.
Ambrose crossed his legs, his posture relaxed. He could guess what his grandfather was thinking. Cody was trying to gauge if his attitude toward Scarlett had changed since yesterday. He raised an eyebrow, his tone deliberately indifferent.
"We don't need her to step in right now."
Cody's brow furrowed. "So what you said last night was just to placate me?"
Ambrose leaned back into the sofa with a soft chuckle. "Grandfather, I said it was a possibility. I never said I would definitely ask for her help."
He wondered what Cody would do if he knew Scarlett had just offered her help, and he had turned her down. Would the old man have a fit?
Cody tapped his cane on the floor twice, his tone firm. "I'm telling you now, whatever you feel for her, it's impossible between you two."
He paused, then added, "Hayden's mother is a good fit for you. You two may not have feelings for each other, but you have a child together. Marry her, let her take care of the boy, and feelings will grow over time." After another beat, Cody tacked on, "And if you really don't want to marry Hayden's mother, you can pick a gentle, virtuous wife from one of the other prominent families."
Ambrose suddenly stood up and glanced at his watch. "It's time for my meeting."
The dismissal was clear. Cody huffed, waving a hand in annoyance. "Go on, then. You're an eyesore."
"You're not heading home?" Ambrose lingered, intending to have him escorted back.
Cody shot him a glare. "Am I not allowed to stay in the company building?"
Ambrose held up his hands in surrender. "Suit yourself."
With that, he strode toward the door, leaving Cody fuming. The old man sat for another moment before rising, tapping his cane as he made his way out. The bodyguards waiting outside immediately moved to escort him away.
Shortly after, word reached Ambrose that his grandfather had left the building. He could finally start the meeting in peace.
The meeting dragged on until the end of the workday. As everyone was packing up, Ryder stopped Scarlett, informing her that Ambrose wanted to see her in his office.
"Do you know what it's about?" She asked warily. "If it's not about work, I'd rather not. My daughter is still sick, and I need to get back to her."
Ryder was aware of her situation but had no idea why the boss had summoned her. "I assume it's work-related," he offered.
Scarlett hesitated for a few seconds before heading to the office. She knocked and entered to find Ambrose on the phone. He saw her and pointed to the sofa. "Have a seat. I'll be with you in a minute."
She had no choice but to wait. As she sat, she overheard his cool, clipped tone.
"He's fine."
"You want to come see him? Maybe in a little while."
"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up. I'm busy."
A moment later, Scarlett heard the click of the phone disconnecting. Ambrose stood up and walked over.
"News just came from the detention center," he said, his voice grim. "Brielle attempted suicide. She's been taken to the hospital."
Scarlett's brow furrowed. "Is it serious?"
"They're trying to save her now," Ambrose replied, sitting down across from her.
Scarlett couldn't name the emotion swirling inside her. All she had wanted was for Brielle to face legal consequences. But this suicide attempt complicated everything.