CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 96: LISTEN, FAYE TOWNSEND, I WON’T LET YOU SUCCEED.

I remember when we were kids, the bond between us siblings was really strong.

The brother I remember wasn’t like this at all.

But now... how did things end up this way?

"Your only serious ’business’ is trying to kick me out of the company, isn’t it?

Didn’t I already tell you? No way in hell.

From now on, I’m coming to the company every day. Let’s see what you can do to stop me."

"I can’t do anything to you.

Fine, forget it. I’m not going to waste my breath.

Since you’re planning to show up every day, this works out perfectly.

I’ve got a project for you. Do you dare to take it on?"

Richard tilted his head and sneered, "Why should I take on a project assigned by you?

If I want a project, I can find one myself, can’t I?"

Faye licked her lips in frustration. This kind of person really made her want to pin him to the ground and beat some sense into him.

"Listen, you can’t just freeload at the company forever.

Right now, you’ve already become a burden to the company.

If you don’t want people gossiping about you, you need to deliver results to prove yourself.

The project I have is guaranteed to be profitable.

I’m giving it to you because I want you to succeed, to make the people here see you in a different light.

I don’t want anyone to go around saying Edward Townsend’s son is just a useless clown."

"Hah! You, being so kind? Who would believe that?"

"Brother," Faye sighed in exasperation. "Can’t you be serious for once?"

Hearing the note of helplessness in Faye’s voice, Richard raised his eyebrows and sat down. "Fine, tell me, what’s the project?"

"Children’s entertainment facilities."

"What? You want me to work on such a dime-a-dozen project?" Richard crossed his legs, his face full of disdain.

"Faye, are you deliberately setting me up for failure so you can watch me lose money and have an excuse to kick me out?"

Faye slammed her palm on the desk in frustration. "Can you not jump to conclusions after just three sentences?

What good would it do me to kick you out?"

"Plenty of benefits for you, I’d say.

Aren’t you mad right now because I’ve hit the nail on the head with my accusation?"

Faye exhaled heavily, feeling drained. "Do you even know how much parents are willing to spend on their kids nowadays?

I’ve done market research, and it’s an impressive sum.

Sure, children’s entertainment venues are plentiful these days.

But the market is far from saturated.

What we’re aiming for is a nationwide one-stop service for infants and toddlers.

We’ll consolidate this market and profit from its integration.

Covering everything from early education and learning to entertainment and play.

As long as parents walk into one of our locations with their kids, there will always be a reason for them to stay.

The children’s market is just like the women’s market—highly lucrative.

Today’s young parents are willing to spend on their kids.

If you just put in a little effort, profitability is a sure thing.

And I’ve even found a partner for you. It’s a guaranteed win-win."

Richard smirked, stood up, and started walking out. "If it’s such a boring project, why don’t you do it? I’m not interested."

He left in a swagger, leaving Faye staring at the meticulously prepared materials she’d placed on the desk for him.

What a waste of worry.

You can’t make something out of nothing.

Fine. If he can’t appreciate the small profits here, then I’ll do it myself."

Faye pressed her intercom. "Secretary Rivers, come in for a moment."

Declan Rivers walked in respectfully. "Director Townsend, what do you need?"

"Relax, Declan. There’s no one else here. You don’t need to be so formal."

"Director Townsend, you... still remember me?"

"What do you think? I haven’t seen you in a few years, not decades."

Faye handed him the materials. "Take these and review them. Start preparing this project in the next few days."

"Understood, Director Townsend."

As Declan turned to leave, he stopped midway and walked back.

"Faye."

Faye looked up at him. "The heir has always been like this.

Don’t let it upset you. Keep at it; I’ll always have your back."

"Thanks."

Faye smiled faintly. "Uncle Rivers is staying at my place now. Come over for a meal if you have time."

"Okay."

After Declan left, Faye picked up her phone and dialed a number.

When the call connected, Faye spoke cautiously and respectfully, "Uncle Forrest, it’s Faye."

"Faye, is there something you need, calling me at this hour?"

"Uncle Forrest, I’m sorry... Remember I said I’d give the children’s entertainment facilities project to my brother? It seems that won’t work now."

"You don’t need to apologize.

I told you that day—your brother is the type who overestimates himself and dismisses small profits."

"Uncle Forrest, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take on this project instead. What do you think?"

Timothy Forrest chuckled warmly on the other end of the line. "Compared to your brother, I trust you more.

Faye, you’ve got potential.

Don’t focus only on big projects when you’re just starting out.

The larger the project, the fiercer the competition.

And most of the competitors are willing to cut their own profits just to win.

In the end, the actual profit from winning those projects isn’t always greater than these smaller ones.

Sometimes, it’s the small projects that can truly boost a company’s profits.

I’ve been in business all my life. I can see some things more clearly than you can.

Trust me on this—this deal is guaranteed to make you money.

Remember, even tiny drops of water can eventually form an ocean."

"Uncle Forrest, I really need to visit you sometime so you can teach me your business secrets."

"You’re welcome anytime. I’m bored staying at home all day.

Oh, how I wish I had a daughter. Nothing’s as thoughtful as a daughter."

Faye chuckled softly. A knock came from the door, and she said, "Uncle Forrest, something’s come up here. I’ll call you back later."

"Alright, talk to you later."

After hanging up, Faye looked up at the door. "Come in."

Brielle Golden appeared at the doorway. "Director Townsend, the handover with Director Turner’s side can’t happen this afternoon. The venture capitalists we scheduled days ago are arriving."

"Alright, got it."

"There’s one more thing..." Brielle hesitated.

Faye raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Regarding Faye, people only knew her by her reputation.

Arrogant, spoiled, difficult to deal with.

Some matters, especially non-work-related ones, made Brielle, an experienced secretary, decidedly cautious.

Working closely with leadership meant even unrelated issues could blow back on her if handled poorly.

"Spit it out."

Adjusting her jacket, Brielle stepped forward. "Director Townsend, the first-floor reception desk called to say... Second Master Warren sent a truckload of flowers, and they’re asking if they should move them to your office."

"What?" Faye was momentarily stunned, thinking she’d misheard. "Who did you say?"

"Second Master Warren," Brielle repeated nervously.

Faye blinked several times before realizing she heard correctly.

Hunter sending her flowers? How absurd.

In the past, he hadn’t even given her a single flower. Not even a petal.

Faye frowned. What was he trying to do? Smack her down before throwing a sweet treat her way?

Did he seriously think she was that gullible?

"Director Townsend, the front desk is asking if they can let the movers bring the flowers up..."

Brielle’s uncertain voice interrupted Faye’s thoughts.

"Not a single stem is allowed in here.

Tell them to take everything back where it came from.

This isn’t a botanical garden."

"Got it." Brielle left, exhaling in relief.

At least she avoided being yelled at—better than expected.

Faye rested her forehead on her hands, her mind in chaos.

The words "a truckload of flowers" had brought back memories.

Back then, when she was pursuing him, just to catch his attention,

she’d ordered a truckload of flowers and had them delivered to his company.

Her intention was simple: to declare her territory. To warn the women at his company to keep their flirtatious thoughts in check.

And she’d sent those flowers every day for half a month.

As she reminisced, her phone buzzed relentlessly beside her.

Faye glanced sideways at the caller ID. The name displayed was none other than Hunter Warren.

She directly declined the call.

Last night, lying in bed, she hadn’t been able to sleep for half the night. Many things had gradually clicked in her mind.

Before returning to the country, she could remain calm and composed because out of sight meant out of mind, and she was too busy to dwell on past pain and heartbreak.

But avoiding thinking about something didn’t mean the scars had healed.

The source of her pain still existed. Coming back and confronting certain people had torn the wounds open again, making her emotions extreme and her thoughts diverge from her expectations.

Now that she’d identified the problem, she needed to treat it at the root.

The phone rang again. And a third time.

Hunter Warren had always been tenacious.

Finally, there was another knock at the door.

Declan Rivers walked in nervously. "Director Townsend, Second Master Warren is here. Should I..."

Before he could finish, Hunter pushed the door open and strode in.

Declan thought this was turning into a terrible day. First, the elder brother barged in, and now the second master.

He cast a nervous glance at Faye.

Faye waved him off. "You can leave now."

Declan shut the door on his way out.

Faye leaned back in her chair.

Hunter stepped forward, standing across the desk and surveying her. "Not bad. You look every bit the part of a CEO."

"What are you doing here?" Faye’s tone wasn’t friendly.

"You’re officially at work now. As your husband, shouldn’t I come congratulate you?"

"Husband? Ha!" Faye laughed coldly. "Hunter Warren, don’t you think you’re being shameless? How can you go back on your word?

Six years ago, you were the one who wanted me gone, who wanted a divorce.

Why haven’t you signed the divorce papers yet?"

"Going back on my word, huh?" Hunter casually sat down, crossing his legs and meeting her gaze.

"Don’t you think we’re a perfect match?

We’re both masters of going back on our words.

Before you left, you claimed you’d never done anything to betray me. Yet now you’ve come back, and you brought all the evidence along.

I have to admit, though, the Warren Family genes are indeed exceptional."