?Chapter 1435:


    But Isabe had told her she didn’t have any money and refused her. Ruby had pleaded, exining she was scraping by on recycling earnings, only for Mack to seize her money. Her situation was dire. However, Isabe had insisted she was equally broke.


    Ruby seethed. Isabe pulled in tens of thousands every month, yet she balked at parting with a mere few thousand?


    She called Isabe ungrateful, and Isabe cut the line without hesitation. When she tried again, Isabe refused to take her call. With no other options, Ruby swallowed her pride to seek Brenna’s aid.


    Tears streamed down Ruby’s face, and Katie offered quietfort to her.


    Soon, Lorna stepped out of the elevator and walked over. “I’m Ms. Harper’s secretary. Follow me,” Lorna said to Ruby, her tone t, her expression devoid of warmth.


    Ruby’s heart sank. The secretary’s frostiness hinted at Brenna’s likely cold demeanor. She resolved to tread carefully, appealing to Brenna’spassion without sparking conflict.


    “Alright, thank you,” Ruby said, trailing Lorna into the elevator.


    The pristine, luxurious interior made her shrink back, uneasy. She retreated to a corner and asked softly, “Is Ms. Harper doing well?”


    “She’s fine,” Lorna replied, her response clipped and dismissive.


    When they reached the fifty-eighth floor, everyone turned to look at them.


    “Wait here,” Lorna said to Ruby. “I’ll inform Ms. Harper.”<fn1113> Readplete version only at findnovel</fn1113>


    Ruby stood outside Brenna’s office, watching the flurry of employees nearby, her heart heavy with nostalgia. The Barrett Group had oncemanded apany just as vibrant.


    Inside her office, Brenna was deep in conversation with Greta about the promotion to Regional General Manager in Plieca.


    Greta said, “Ms. Harper, I’ve made up my mind. I’m ready to take on the challenge.”


    stepped hesitantly into the office. Her eyes fell on Brenna, seated behind the wide executive desk. The poise and authority she radiated made Ruby feel unbearably small.


    “Brenna.” The name broke from Ruby in a sob before she could string together another word. She moved toward the chair across from Brenna but could not bring herself to sit.


    Brenna regarded her with a detached expression, reclining in her chair.


    Though Ruby’s heart twisted with sorrow, she did not beg outright for money or a ce to live. Instead, she turned her distress into me, directing it toward her two children.


    “They’re both ungrateful. Isabe used to be so close to me. She told me everything, even letting me handle her earnings. We had such a good rtionship. But ever since she moved to Plomond, I’ve barely seen her. Most of the time, she ignores my calls. Recently, the property manager came demanding payment for property management and heating, totaling seven thousand dors. You know I’ve been scraping by, collecting recybles to sell. I can’t possibly save that kind of money. When I turned to Isabe for help, she just yelled at me…”


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