Chapter 188 In the end. Ollie merely made a dismissive gesture. "What's the point of opening the door? You'll just disrupt my business talk with Miss Rowland.
At that, the assistant withdrew his hand.
Thea chuckled, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Thank you very much, Mr. Windrow." She then slipped into the private room, preking out to see the people outside enter, ask a few brief questions, and then leave.
Once they were gone, Ollie promptly, though impatiently, showed her the door. "You'll be leaving now, Miss Rowland, correct? I assI don't need to invite you to stay for dinner." Thea remained calm as she pulled out her phone, her tone perfectly open. "Due to certain special circumstances, I won't be showing up at public events much going forward. So, we'll need to exchange contact information." Ollie's eyes narrowed with an amused smile as he studied her. "You look so young. I have to wonder just how long Sparkle Rocks will hold out under your management." Thea raised an eyebrow. "You won't be disappointed. After all, you've done business with us for years, and I'm sure this partnership is only going to continue. Mr. Windrow, here's to a successful collaboration," As Thea walked out, Ollie absentmindedly fingered the ring on his index finger, lost in thought, The assistant beside him murmured. "The new president of Sparkle Rocks really is named Thea, but I never met her. That woman just now didn't look like a president. Could we have been deceived?" Ollie chuckled softly. "And if she did deceive us, so what? Is there anyone in Silvercreek who'd dare to mess with me?" A faint trace of fragrance lingered in the air, a reminder of Thea's recent presence. Ollie's lips curved slightly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Interesting. Send someone to Key Biskane to dig into Thea's background. Find out if she's connected to the Rowland family I'm thinking of," he said.
"Yes, sir, the assistant nodded quickly.
When Thea returned to her place, she found her phone nearly flooded with notifications. Message after message from the people at Sparkle Rocks popped up, all asking why she hadn't attended the dinner with Ollie that day. She gave them a casual excuse, saying she hadn't felt well and would reschedule soon.
One senior executive openly criticized her in the group chat, saying she was rude and irresponsible for leaving them to negotiate prices with Ollie alone, adding that Then clearly couldn't handle such an important role.
Thea shot back without hesitation. "I only recently took over Sparkle Rocks. So are you tellingthat before I arrived. Sparkle Rocks was just a mess?"The company pays you all quite well. Is that just so you can eat for free and do nothing? If you think you're not up to it, messageprivately, and I'll happily show you the door," Her words quickly silenced everyone. However, Thea knew there were likely still plenty who resented her behind the scenes.
What puzzled her was that Sparkle Rocks had been operating smoothly for over two decades without major issues. Surely, if Joshua had known how tangled things were internally, he'd never have handed it over to her. Why is it that everything gets complicated right when I take over? Something doesn't add up." Thea thought.
MON, NO Chapter 188 294%E Today's incident was a reminder. Thea knew she couldn't reveal her real identity just yet. She'd have to be patient and want for the bigger fish to surface.
She didn't worry about Ollie betraying her. If he had wanted to, he'd have done so today. In fact, he might even be rooting for Sparkle Rocks' internal situation to becmore chaotic.
After sthought, Thea decided she'd need to find an actor to temporarily stand in for her. That way, those lurking in the shadows wouldn't know what she truly looked like.
As Thea considered where to find a suitable actor, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call. It was Joyce. Instantly, Thea perked up. She hadn't been able to reach Joyce lately and had been worried sick. "Joyce, where are you right now?" On the other side of the video call, Joyce appeared with flawless makeup and an elegant gown, though her expression looked weary, and her eyes were faintly red as if she'd been crying recently. Yet she'd hidden it well.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThea frowned, about to ask whose event Joyce was attending, when Joyce suddenly spoke up. "Thea, could you cback for a while? I'm getting married." "Getting married?" Thea froze, wondering if she'd misheard. "When did this happen? I never even heard you had a boyfriend." Joyce's lashes trembled, and for a moment, it looked like she might cry again. She forced a weak smile as if trying to reassure Thea, but the sadness and unease in her eyes betrayed her reluctance.
"It was from a recent matchmaking meeting. Both sides were very pleased, so we decided to get married," Joyce explained. "Who's the groom? Thea's heartbeat quickened, a wave of worry rising in her chest. Joyce was definitely being forced into this Shaking her head, Joyce replied, "I can't tell you yet, but you'll know when you cback. I want you to be my maid of honor." Of course, Thea wouldn't refuse. She spoke gently, her heart aching. Wait for me" Joyce hurriedly ended the call, her shoulders trembling as she began to cry Click! The door creaked open. Max, tipsy, staggered in. Noticing Joyce hastily wiping away her tears, his handsface darkened with anger.
He walked over and seized her wrist. "What are you putting on an act for! You pushed your parents to arrange this marriage, and now you're trying to act innocent as if you didn't want this?"
Joyce lifted her head, her face streaked with tears, but her gaze remained steady and defiant. "I pushed my parents to force melinto this marriage? Are you kidding? I know you don't want to marryand believe me. I don't want to marry you either." Max let out a cold laugh, releasing her with a scornful tone he couldn't hide. "Thea's just like you, always pretending she doesn't want something, yet scheming to get 1. IL.
"You both act being so innocent, hiding behind that facade, but in om reality, you're both cunning and ruthless. It's no wonder you two are friends. That sdevious nature, you're a perfect match."
Joyce could no longer stay silent. She stood, shoving Max hard. "Stop talking nonsense! You can insult me, but leave Thea out of it. She's given ve you people so many chances, and it's you who couldn't appreciate them. You're not worthy to be her family!" Enraged, Max grabbed Joyce and pushed her toward the bed, pinning her down. Joyce was terrified, her body trembling. "Letgo!" Mon, Nov Chapter 188 Max's face was clouded with menace. "We held our engagement banquet today, and you're now officially my fiancée Anything I do with you is perfectly legal." "You bastard! Stop!" Joyce was furious, feeling a murderous rage well up inside her.
П Just then, Max's phone began to ring. With a slight grunt of irritation, he pulled it out, but after a single glance