Horace paused, his mind immediately jumping to Eleanor. He followed news in the research world and knew Eleanor''s reputation was skyrocketing. There were even rumors that high-level government officials had consulted her a level of recognition Faye had yet to achieve.


    "I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have asked about work," he said quickly. "But I''m doing well here at your father''spany. He seems to value my work and has given me some important projects. I—" Horace couldn''t help but want to boast about his progress, hoping to impress her.


    "Manager Horace," Faye cut him off, her tone impatient. "I''m very busy. If you want to seed at my father''spany, just work hard."


    The light in Horace''s eyes dimmed. He nced down at his own thousand-dor, off-the-rack suit, then at Faye''s designer handbag and expensive clothes. A wave of inadequacy washed over him.


    They had once been colleagues, equals in theb, sharing dreams and ambitions. Now, he was a mid-level manager at her father''spany, while she remained aloof and unattainable. He knew it wouldn''t be easy to win her affection.


    "Just do your job, Horace," Faye said, then delivered her final blow. "I''m working in Joel''s division now."


    The message was clear: she was still interested in Joel, and Horace shouldn''t entertain any foolish ideas about winning her over.


    She walked past him toward her father''s office, leaving Horace frozen in ce, his hand tightening around the handle of his briefcase.


    Was she just going to cast him aside now that she had gotten what she wanted?


    He watched her retreating back, a look of hurt in his eyes that quickly hardened into something more determined, a mix of obsession and resentment.


    He had joined Yeaton Holdings and was climbing the corporatedder for one reason: to one day be worthy of her, to stand by her side again.


    Faye entered her father''s office, smoothing her hair andposing her expression. She decided she would have to avoid Horace in the future to keep him from getting any ideas.


    Just then, a middle-aged woman carrying a stack of files walked in. She flinched slightly upon seeing Faye, then quickly regained herposure. "Faye, you''re here."


    "Cathie, it''s been a while," Faye greeted her.


    Cathie was a rtive from her mother''s side of the family. A finance graduate, she had been giverra job at Yeaton Holdings by Faye''s mother and had since be the finance manager.


    "You''re looking more beautiful than ever," Cathieplimented.


    Faye studied Cathie for a moment. She knew there was gossip about her in the family. At forty-six, Cathie was unmarried and childless, an old maid in their rtives'' eyes.


    "You look as young as ever, Cathie," Faye returned thepliment.


    "Your father-Mr. Yeaton-just stepped out. Did you need to see him?"


    "No, not really. I was just in the area and thought I''d stop by," Faye said, her gaze sweeping the office with an air of ownership. One day,pany would be hers. She was merely inspecting her future assets.


    Vanessa would marry into the Goodwin family, with their billions, and wouldn''t be interested in the father''s smallpany. Everything her father was working for would one day belong to her.


    "Cathie, how has thepany been doingtely?" Faye asked, sinking into her father''s chair as if it were her own.


    Cathie stood before the desk, her eyes fixed on the chair Faye now upied. A flicker of a well-hidden emotion crossed her face, which was lined with fine wrinkles.


    "Faye, thepany has been growing steadily since we went public," she said, maintaining a polite smile.


    Faye nced at the time. "Well, I should get going." She didn''t want to risk running into Horace again.


    The moment Faye left, Cathie''s smile vanished. She pressed a hand to her chest


    and let out a soft breath, as if she had been holding it in fear.


    Then, her gaze fell upon the empty chair, and a slow, meaningful smile spread across her lips.