CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: THE NEW COLLEAGUE

Inside the restaurant’s private room.

Ethan Fuller spoke up, "I have already collected the evidence on my end. The posts and videos online have been removed, and the accounts spreading the rumors have been suspended."

Clara politely thanked him, "Thank you, Attorney Fuller."

"It’s my duty, after all. Your husband provided quite a generous legal fee as well," Ethan Fuller replied with a smile.

Clara turned her gaze toward Silas Sheffield.

The man had sharp, cold features, and his jawline was defined, showing his usual aloof and noble demeanor.

At this moment, those cold, beautiful hands were picking fish bones for her.

Clara loved eating fish; she enjoyed it steamed, braised, or boiled, and it was a must-order dish when having Chinese cuisine.

Whenever Silas was around, he would always help her pick out the fish bones without being asked.

Kevin Kensington chuckled and said, "When are you two planning to have the wedding? I’m waiting to be the best man."

Upon hearing this, Clara was slightly taken aback.

A wedding?

She hadn’t thought about that yet.

Her mom had been recovering well after surgery, which had put her mind at ease for a while.

But she hadn’t graduated yet, and there were lots to do at school like the thesis, defense, graduation ceremony, and more.

Moreover, she was preparing for postgraduate exams.

She could have directly secured a spot for postgraduate study the previous year.

She always had excellent grades, ranking first in her department for four years, earning national awards every year, and publishing two highly regarded professional papers, beloved by all her teachers.

She could have directly enrolled for postgraduate studies, or even applied for a direct doctorate.

But back then, Isaac Sutton persuaded her to give up her postgraduate study opportunity, saying he wanted to marry her soon.

Clara, foolish as she was at the time, gave up her postgraduate study opportunity for Isaac Sutton.

Later, when her mom got seriously ill, she didn’t have the heart to continue her studies.

Now, her mom’s surgery was very successful and her recovery was going well. The doctor said her mom’s current condition is stable, and she would be discharged soon.

After much thought in the recent days, Clara decided to take the postgraduate exam and continue her studies.

She discussed her thoughts with her mom, who was very supportive.

Attorney Fuller noticed Clara Sterling was lost in thought and called out to her.

"Clara, when do you plan to have the wedding with Silas?"

"I..." Clara noticed Silas Sheffield’s eyes also looking her way.

She thought it would be a good time to tell Silas about her plans.

"I want to take the postgraduate exam and continue my studies. Can we wait until I graduate to have the wedding?"

Silas Sheffield nodded, "Sure, it’s up to you."

In a pampering tone.

Ethan Fuller raised an eyebrow, "Clara is quite something, a girl who loves learning and has ambition, not bad."

"If you take the exam this year, you’ll start school next year. So doesn’t that mean you’ll graduate in four years?" Kevin Kensington said, looking at Silas Sheffield with a smile, teasingly, "Someone will have to wait another four years."

Silas Sheffield placed the deboned fish on Clara’s plate, his deep black eyes revealing no emotion, "It’s okay, just four years."

He could wait.

He waited seven years, so what was four more?

Besides, they were already legally married, and the wedding was merely a formality.

The next day was Monday.

Clara, as usual, went to work.

Many colleagues in the company had seen the rumors and videos about her online.

Although Ethan Fuller had collected the evidence and compiled a list of defendants, and Silas Sheffield had those posts and videos deleted,

the rumors had already spread.

Wherever Clara went, there were whispers behind her back.

That morning, when Clara walked into Julian Hawthorne’s office with her finished report, Julian was taking his medicine.

"President Hawthorne," Clara handed over the report.

Julian Hawthorne put down the stomach medicine in his hand.

Clara noticed it was the box she gave him last time.

Julian took the report and smiled slightly, "The medicine you gave me last time was quite effective, thank you."

Clara nodded, kindly reminding him, "Taking medicine is only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. You still need to regulate your diet to really heal the stomach."

Julian’s gentle and warm eyes held a faint smile, "I’ll keep that in mind."

He looked down to review the report.

A moment later, Julian nodded, looking at Clara with an approving gaze.

"You’ve done very well. I’m considering promoting you to be my special assistant. What do you think?"

"Me?" Clara was slightly stunned, "President Hawthorne, I might be leaving in about two months."

Julian Hawthorne slightly frowned, "You’re resigning?"

"Yes, I’m planning to take the postgraduate exam and further my studies."

Her thesis draft was already finished, now she was just preparing for defense and revisions.

Clara planned to start preparing for the exam in May, first while still employed, then resign after graduation by the end of June, and start full-time preparation in July.

She was confident in herself, believing that starting full-time preparation in July would be sufficient.

Julian Hawthorne nodded, a fleeting emotion passed through his eyes, which Clara didn’t catch.

"Furthering your studies is indeed a good choice. In that case, I’ll have to leave the special assistant position to someone else."

"Alright."

Returning to her desk, Lisa Holloway leaned over and whispered, "A new assistant has arrived."

Clara followed Lisa’s gaze to see Sarah Cheney, the department administrator, introducing a new colleague to everyone.

Soon the new colleague came over to them.

"Hello, I’m Anabelle Spencer, the new director’s assistant. Please take care of me in the future."

The new colleague seemed about the same age as Clara, of medium height, around five-foot-three, with slightly wavy long hair, wearing a black and white professional suit, looking quite pretty and had a demure and delicate charm.

Clara Sterling greeted her with a smile, "Hello, I’m Clara Sterling."

Anabelle Spencer paused upon seeing Clara Sterling’s face, something flashed in her eyes.

Lisa Holloway: "Hello, I’m Lisa Holloway."

Anabelle’s expression quickly returned to normal, and she nodded to them with a smile.

Clara, however, noticed the unusual look on Anabelle’s face for just an instant.

After the greetings, Anabelle went to her desk.

Her desk was where Jonah Shaw used to sit, directly facing Clara, with a partition in between.

It seemed to Clara that Anabelle kept glancing at her, albeit unconsciously.

At that moment, Lisa Holloway sent a message on WhatsApp.

[Wow, she’s pretty~]

[She looks about our age.]

Clara: [She probably is.]

Remembering what Julian had said, Clara reminded Lisa Holloway.

[President Hawthorne is planning to promote an assistant to special assistant, so do your best.]

Lisa Holloway: [Me? I don’t think I’m up for it. I imagine you’d be the one for the special assistant position; you’re so capable, and President Hawthorne is very impressed with you.]

Clara: [I’ll probably be resigning by the end of June.]

Lisa Holloway: [Huh? Why? Aren’t you doing well here?]

Clara told Lisa about her plans to resign and take the postgraduate exams. Although Lisa was reluctant to see her go, she was very supportive.

Lisa Holloway: [Let’s keep in touch. You’re my first friend I’ve made in Veridian.]

Clara: [Sure.]

A few minutes before getting off work in the afternoon,

Anabelle Spencer suddenly suggested taking Clara and Lisa out for dinner.

"Thanks for showing me around today. I’m a fresh graduate without any work experience, and I might need more of your guidance in the future. Do you have time tonight? I’d like to treat you to a meal."

Lisa Holloway readily agreed, "Sure!"

She even pulled Clara’s hand with a smile, asking, "Clara, you don’t have plans tonight, right? Let’s go together."

Anabelle Spencer smiled warmly, looking at Clara.

The new colleague was inviting them to dinner on her very first day, and with such sincerity.

Being in the same department, especially sitting close to each other as director’s assistants, Clara felt it would be impolite to refuse such a genuine offer, so she agreed.