"You finally moved out of the hotel!" Rona Muir didn’t bother with formalities as she entered, kicked off her shoes, and walked barefoot across the carpet. She flopped onto the sofa and called out, "Ah, I’m exhausted. I just spent twenty hours on planes and switched flights three times. Seriously, I’m wiped!"
Cecilia Gu smiled as she poured her a glass of water. Wendy immediately went to the kitchen to prepare some simple snacks and set them on the dining table.
Seeing this, Cecilia said to Rona Muir, "You must be hungry, right? Have something to eat first."
"Good idea." Rona Muir stood up. "The airplane food was terrible."
As she ate, Rona Muir started, "Let me tell you, this time I’m determined to make this brand succeed. I studied abroad for so long and went through so much—it wasn’t for nothing. I’ve made up my mind: no matter how much Sean Kerr tries to reach me, I’m not wasting my time on men. By the way, Cecilia, if you’re not too busy lately, come with me to Fujian."
"Sure," Cecilia Gu replied gently.
She was always especially gentle and soft with her friends.
"Also, I heard Ethan Yin and Miles Gu are here too?" Rona Muir had just finished asking when the sound of footsteps came from upstairs, followed by the voices of two sweet boys: "Godmother, did you come to see us?"
Rona Muir couldn’t even finish eating—she grabbed both boys and kissed them, one in each arm. "Of course! I missed you so much!"
"We missed you too, Godmother!" Ethan Yin and Miles Gu said sweetly, their words dripping with honey. "Godmother, you’re still as beautiful as ever, and you’ll only get prettier!"
Rona Muir was absolutely delighted. "So sweet! When you boys have girlfriends in the future, don’t forget what you said today!"
Cecilia Gu couldn’t help but laugh. "They’re so young—girlfriends, really?"
"Well, I’m just staking my claim early," Rona Muir declared shamelessly.
After greeting Rona Muir, Ethan Yin and Miles Gu ran over to Cecilia Gu. "Mommy, we’re hungry too."
Cecilia Gu immediately said, "Alright, alright, go wash up first. You’ll be able to eat soon."
"Okay!" Ethan Yin and Miles Gu followed the servant back to their room to wash up.
Rona Muir glanced at the extra people in the room and asked, "Are they new here?"
Cecilia Gu nodded with a smile. "Yes, three new assistants. They’re all pretty interesting."
Rona Muir looked them over, and with her sharp feminine intuition, could tell these three girls were pretty decent.
That’s good.
She couldn’t stand those with ulterior motives, always trying to climb the social ladder.
Mia Dou quickly finished preparing breakfast.
Coco Shen tidied up the living room, then brought over the fresh juice Wendy had prepared. She helped Ethan Yin and Miles Gu settle down and served them breakfast.
"I still have some paperwork to handle." Rona Muir quickly finished her breakfast and said to Cecilia Gu, "I won’t bother you and your boys these next few days while you spend time together. Once I’ve wrapped up my paperwork, you’ll come with me to Fujian. I’ve checked out a factory over there—it’s got a nice environment and brand-new production lines. If I buy it, we can start using it right away. There are just a few details I need to discuss in person."
"Alright," Cecilia Gu replied with a smile. "Helping you is exactly why I came back this time."
"Help? This is our thing!" Rona Muir waved her finger in disagreement. "You’re going to be the general manager and vice chairman one day!"
"Whatever title you give me, I’ll take it," Cecilia Gu said, not bothering to argue about the big promises. "If you need me, just say the word."
"Actually, there is something." Rona Muir took a sip of juice and said to Cecilia Gu, "Help me sign a lease contract. I’ve found an office building I want to rent, but I don’t have time to sign. Can you do it for me? I’ll send you the address later."
"Sure," Cecilia Gu nodded. "Don’t worry."
After eating and drinking her fill, Rona Muir said, "I’m going back to my room to catch up on sleep. I’m exhausted. Where’s my room?"
Mia Dou immediately stood up. "Miss Muir, please come with me. Your room is on the east side."
"Thank you." Rona Muir glanced at Mia Dou and followed her upstairs.
Cecilia Gu said to Ethan Yin and Miles Gu, "You heard me—I have things to do today, so can you go home for now?"
"Alright." Miles Gu nodded. "We’ll come back tonight to keep you company, Mommy."
Ethan Yin’s chubby little hand tugged at her, looking pitiful. "Mommy, come home early, okay? I’ll miss you."
Oh, that little face—how could anyone not feel heartbroken?
Cecilia Gu couldn’t say no anymore. "Alright, I’ll hurry back as soon as I can."
Only then did Ethan Yin and Miles Gu cheer up.
After finishing breakfast, Cecilia Gu had someone send Ethan Yin and Miles Gu home, then headed out with her three assistants.
The address Rona Muir gave was for an office building near the busy pedestrian street downtown.
Every inch of land here was worth its weight in gold—definitely a prime spot.
Following the directions, Cecilia Gu found the elevator and was about to go up.
A few people approached, chatting enthusiastically.
Coco Shen, who was right behind Cecilia Gu, suddenly froze when she saw one of them.
Instinctively, Coco Shen wanted to turn and leave, but then a man’s voice rang out: "Coco? What are you doing here? This is ridiculous! You don’t belong here! Go home, now!"
Those words made Coco Shen feel utterly humiliated.
Everyone else in the world encouraged and supported her, but her biological father always put her down.
Cecilia Gu paused when she heard that, turning to look at Coco Shen.
Coco Shen’s eyes shimmered with tears, but she stood her ground stubbornly. Cecilia Gu immediately understood what was going on.
"What are you doing here? Haven’t I told you before? Your mother and I are divorced. Don’t expect a penny from me!" The man grabbed Coco Shen and tried to drag her away.
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"Let go!" Coco Shen yanked her hand free, her eyes cold. "Where I go is my own business. It has nothing to do with you, Mr. Shen."
"You dare talk back?" The man raised his hand to slap Coco Shen across the face.
But the expected slap never came. Coco Shen opened her eyes to see Mia Dou gripping his wrist tightly, stopping him mid-air.
"Who do you think you are!" Mia Dou lifted her chin proudly, glaring at Mr. Shen. "How dare you act out in front of our Miss!"
"Who are you? I’m disciplining my daughter—what’s it to you?" Mr. Shen stomped his foot. "Coco Shen, look at the kind of friends you’ve made! Now they even dare lay hands on me?"
Cecilia Gu walked over to Mr. Shen. "Coco Shen is my assistant now. If you want to hit her, did you ask me first?"
"Ha, and who are you?" Mr. Shen looked Cecilia Gu up and down, impressed but still harsh. "You look good enough, but are you someone’s kept woman? I know exactly what Coco Shen is capable of. You made her your assistant? You must not be much yourself!"
Wendy stepped forward. "Sir, are you attacking our Miss? If so, you’d better be ready!"
You’d better be ready for our CEO’s revenge, you idiot!