CHAPTER 151: CHAPTER 151: RISING THROUGH THE RANKS

Melanie Lloyd had been waiting for Ethan Lloyd downstairs at the company for a long time. Although Ethan Lloyd didn’t know why he relented and allowed her to enter the company, he still wouldn’t permit her to go upstairs. She could only sit on the sofa on the ground floor, enduring the odd looks from people coming and going.

After calming down, Melanie Lloyd realized how foolish her actions were that day. She and Ethan Lloyd were on the same boat now, falling out with him was definitely not a wise move, which is why she’s been waiting here these days.

During the wait, she went to the restroom to touch up her makeup. Just as she was about to leave, she overheard people conversing nearby.

"Hey, do you think Avril really struck it rich and turned into a phoenix overnight? These past few days, I’ve seen her leaving the company with President Lloyd in her car."

"Who knows? But it’s probably true. Last time I went to deliver documents to President Lloyd, I saw Avril sitting on his lap."

"Doesn’t that mean she’ll soon climb the ranks?"

"Likely, I’ve heard that President Lloyd has been staying at her house recently. Once she gets pregnant, she’ll definitely rise up."

"What do you mean ’heard’? I live in the same neighborhood as Avril, the Jinyi neighborhood, you know? I’ve seen with my own eyes President Lloyd getting out of her car, and the two of them entering the house together."

The women walked out of the restroom while talking, and upon seeing Melanie Lloyd standing by the mirror, they abruptly fell silent, hastily washed their hands, and left.

Melanie Lloyd, however, stood motionless, her hand gripping her bag so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and her nails dug into her palm, but she didn’t react.

So that’s how it is... She snorted, turned on her heels in her high heels, and left.

Seraphina Sinclair received the news while discussing a collaboration project with Simon Finch. There had been quite a few things happening earlier, so the project kept being delayed until now for detailed talks.

"Okay, I got it. Let me know if there are more updates." Seraphina Sinclair said before hanging up the phone.

Since learning about Ethan Lloyd and Avril, Seraphina Sinclair had arranged everything. The conversations Melanie Lloyd overheard today were orchestrated by her.

Even Avril’s neighborhood had been arranged by Desmond Fairchild, allowing Melanie Lloyd to enter unimpeded and reach Avril’s home smoothly, while Seraphina Sinclair could receive immediate updates.

Given her understanding of Melanie Lloyd, she believed there’d soon be a good show to watch.

"Simon Finch, let’s settle the collaboration project like this. When the weather clears up in a couple of days, we’ll go onsite together." Seraphina Sinclair signed the document and said.

"Of course, here’s to a successful collaboration." Simon Finch nodded without objection, extending his hand.

The two shook hands, and Simon Finch was about to invite Seraphina Sinclair for lunch when Rosalie Quinn suddenly appeared.

"Hey, Simon Finch, what are you doing here?" Rosalie Quinn asked, somewhat surprised.

"Didn’t I tell you before? I’m working on a collaboration project with him recently." Seraphina Sinclair saw her expression and said without reservation.

"Oh, I forgot. So, have you two finalized it? Come on, I’ll treat you to lunch." Rosalie Quinn said indifferently.

She had been wanting to go out these days but had no one to accompany her, which was driving her bored to death. Besides, she wasn’t intending to return abroad for now.

"Why are you so free today? Aren’t you eager to return to South Korea?" Seraphina Sinclair said as she packed up the documents on the table.

"I’m not going back." Rosalie Quinn’s face fell at the mention.

"Trouble in paradise?"

"No." Rosalie Quinn looked a bit distressed, and seeing that she didn’t want to elaborate, Seraphina Sinclair didn’t press further.

In the evening, when Desmond Fairchild returned, Seraphina Sinclair casually mentioned it.

Desmond Fairchild still remembered the scene they saw last time on the street. Listening to Seraphina Sinclair, he insisted she explain who Simon Finch was, only then feeling satisfied.

"I can’t believe you’re like this, getting jealous of everyone." Seraphina Sinclair was somewhat amused and exasperated.

Jude Sinclair, who had been quietly lounging to the side with a tablet, overheard Seraphina Sinclair, and chimed in: "Mommy, daddy is just a big vinegar jar." He said proudly, glancing at Desmond Fairchild before snuggling into Seraphina Sinclair’s embrace.

Desmond Fairchild watched Jude Sinclair’s antics, his temples throbbed. Unable to resist, he gave in to the impulse to pull Jude Sinclair from Seraphina Sinclair’s arms.

Jude Sinclair was pulled from Seraphina Sinclair’s embrace by Desmond Fairchild and placed on the opposite sofa. Just as Desmond Fairchild turned to sit beside Seraphina Sinclair, Jude Sinclair, puffed up with anger, tugged at Desmond Fairchild’s clothes, refusing to let go.

"Let go." Desmond Fairchild squinted at him.

"No! Unless you put me back!" Jude Sinclair retorted unceremoniously.

Desmond Fairchild gritted his teeth, stretched his arm to grab Jude Sinclair’s collar again, using his reach advantage to place him back on the sofa.

"Mommy! Look, daddy is being mean to me because he’s jealous!" Jude Sinclair pleaded to Seraphina Sinclair upon realizing he couldn’t break free.

"Desmond Fairchild, how old are you? Still acting so immature?" Seraphina Sinclair remarked, looking at the silly and childish rivalry between the father and son, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Hearing Seraphina Sinclair call him immature, Desmond Fairchild finally let go and drew Seraphina Sinclair entirely into his arms, gritting his teeth as he said, "You want to say it again, I’m immature?"