Chapter 8

The next morning, I was woken by a knock at the door.

Chloe was standing outside. "Vivian, Stella said there's a meeting in the Design Department at nine. She'd like you to join her."

"I'm not going," I replied.

"But Andrew already has the driver waiting outside."

"Let him drive Stella instead."

Chloe looked a bit troubled. "Stella said the Wedding Collection was your design, and she's afraid she might not get it all."

"Everything's explained in the materials," I replied.

"She said she'd prefer to hear it from you directly." Chloe hesitated.

I threw off the covers and got out of bed. "Chloe."

"Yes?" she replied.

"Who's in charge of the project now?"

"It should be Stella."

"Then you should tell her to work it out on her own."

Chloe was a little taken aback.

She'd been working for the Shea family for years.

This was probably the first time she'd ever heard me say no so calmly.

I'd refused before, but I'd always end up getting angry, demanding answers, or slamming the door.

But in the end, Victoria would cry, Andrew would lose his temper, and Charles would tell me to think about the bigger picture.

And in the end, I'd still end up going.

Because I couldn't stop worrying about the project, and I didn't want to see Shea Group take a hit because of their crazy choices.

So they slowly figured out that as long as they dumped everything on me, I'd never really let go.

But now, things were different.

The project no longer belonged to me. Shea Group wasn't mine anymore, either.

After I finished washing up, I went downstairs.

In the dining room, Stella was dressed in a light pink suit, her hair pulled up in a soft and refined style.

My external hard drive was right there on the table.

She hadn't slept well, and there were bluish shadows under her eyes.

When she saw me, she immediately stood up. "Vivian, are you really not coming to the office with me?"

"I'm not going," I replied.

"But I don't understand your project schedule."

"Someone in the Design Department will."

"They're not willing to work with me."

"Why?"

She bit her lip. "They probably think I stole your position."

"Is that so?" I asked.

"Of course not," Stella rushed to explain. "Andrew wants me to fill in for now. Once you're feeling better, you'll take over again."

I pulled out a chair and sat down.

The table was covered with all her favorite breakfast foods, including sweet creamed custard, shrimp sealed pocket, and custard‑filled sweet pastry.

I wasn't a fan of sweets.

Chloe brought me a cup of black coffee.

Stella stared at my cup. "Vivian, are you still mad at me?"

"No," I replied.

"Help me, please?" She came over and gently tugged at my sleeve. "The Wedding Collection was your design. If I screw it up, Lucas will be disappointed."

"What does his disappointment have to do with me?" I replied.

Stella's eyes welled up with tears. "Vivian, I know you still haven't moved on from him. Helping me is really helping yourself, too."

I took a sip of coffee.

It was bitter, but it snapped me awake.

"Stella," I said.

"Yeah?" she answered.

"You wanted my fiancé? I handed him over. You wanted my room? I let you have it. Now you want my job? Fine, take it. But you can't take my place and still expect me to do your work for you," I said.

Stella's face drained of color, bit by bit. "I didn't..."

"The meeting's at nine," I said, glancing at the clock. "You've got twenty minutes."

She stood there, frozen.

Andrew walked in from outside.

With his suit jacket slung over his arm and a stormy look on his face, Andrew asked, "Why aren't you in formal wear?"

"I've got something else to do today," I replied.

"Drop it."

"I can't."

"What could be more important than the company?"

"My own business."

Andrew gave a cold laugh. "Now that you're out of Shea Group, what could you possibly have to do?"

I didn't say anything.

Andrew walked over and grabbed the external hard drive. "Come to the office. It's Stella's first time handling a project. Finish the handover, then you can go."

"I've already handed everything over," I replied.

"She can't figure it out."

"Then maybe she's not fit for the role."

Stella's tears started to fall. "Andrew, I'm too dumb. No wonder Vivian doesn't want to help me."

Andrew's face darkened. "Vivian, don't let your problems with the family affect your work. If the project goes south, it's Shea Group that takes the hit."

"Shea Group isn't mine anymore," I said.