Chapter 23 It was a little after 9 p.m. by the time filming finally wrapped. Chloe slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped outside-only to come face-to-face with Melanie. Melanie's eyes immediately dropped to the bag in her hand . The livestream audience had been buzzing, calling it a fake. But she knew better-it wasn't The Rhodes family had been exceptionally generous with Chloe. Luxury handbags. A custom sports car . And now, apparently, an entire talent show, just to launch her debut…. "Congrats on taking first place in the group round." Melanie said with a sugary-sweet tone laced with sarcasm. Though it looks like you've still got some work to do when it comes to personal popularity." Because in the end, it was popularity that really decided who got to debut. And Chloe had made enemies of the two most popular contestants right from the start. As she was sandwiched between them, her chances would only get slimmer going forward, Chloe crossed her arms , voice calm and indifferent. "If you can't separate personal bias from your professional role. Melanie, maybe you're not suited for your position as chief of staff. Anyone with half a brain could tell who was behind the makeup artist stunt. Snide comments were one thing but actively sabotaging someone on the job ! That kind of person was a liability. Rhodes Group didn't need people like her hanging around. Melanie froze, then forced a smile. "And may I ask, Miss Lancaster, under what authority are you removing me from my position?" She had studied abroad, graduated from Wonder University, and been personally invited to join Rhodes Group by the head of HR. And more importantly, she was very close to Michael. Professionally and personally, no one had the power to dismiss her. Chloe tilted her head slightly. "Your choice: resign, or wait for Rhodes Group to issue your termination notice." Melanie's smile faltered, her voice tightening. "Don't you think you're being a bit full of yourself? Just because Tristan favors you doesn't mean you actually have any say. Let's be real-he's old and losing it. Michael is the true head of the Rhodes family. I'm his girlfriend- the future Mrs. Rhodes. So tell me, what gives you the right to fire me?" Chloe's expression turned icy. "Check your phone, Melanie," Then she turned and walked away without another word. Melanie stood frozen, jaw clenched, fury simmering just beneath the surface. She raised her phone, about to call Michael-when a message popped up. [Melanie, due to a violation of company policy and after careful internal review , Rhodes Group requests that you complete your resignation process within three business days. Compensation will be provided in accordance with labor law..] Across the lot, Erin had been looking for Melanie to discuss a potential partnership with Lancaster Group. From a distance, she spotted Chloe speaking with her and immediately assumed Chloe was trying to butter her up. But to her surprise, Chloe walked away without even looking back -while Melanie stood routed in place, so furious she stomped her foot and hurled her phone to the ground. Erin instantly changed her mind about approaching . No way she was getting caught in that mess. She quickly turned and left Outside the building, Sarah was waiting, her face full of anticipation . "Well? Did you make it to the top! Erin nodded. "I just saw Chloe arguing with Melanie . I don't know what she said , but it made her so angry she smashed her phone. If Chapter 23 she's burned that bridge, doesn't that make our family's partnership with Rhodes Group even harder?" Sarah frowned. "She really is clueless… has no idea how to pick her battles. But I doubt Melanie knows she's the Lancaster family's eldest daughter" She paused for a moment, debating whether they should wait for Chloe to leave together. Erin leaned in and whispered, "If fans see us together-and realize we're sisters-it could really damage my image." So the mother and daughter quietly got in the car and left. Meanwhile, Chloe was being led to Rhodes Group's top floor. Tristan had already prepared a table full of late-night snacks. "Mom, your performance today was phenomenal. You must be exhausted. Come sit, eat something-get your energy back." And to be honest, Chloe was starving. By the time Chloe was about halfway through her meal, she finally noticed Michael sitting on the sofa nearby, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't figure out how to start. "You want to talk about Melanie, don't-you?" she said, setting down her fork. "That termination notice-yeah, that was me. I hacked into Rhodes Group's internal system and sent it." She'd been dabbling in software engineering lately-found it pretty fun, actually. And Rhodes Group's system? Made for decent practice. She didn't expect to crack their firewall in under a minute. Tristan blinked. "Wait, why was she fired?" Chloe leaned back into the couch. "Michael, you explain." Michael reluctantly recounted what had happened, then added, "Great-Grandma, Melanie didn't mean to cause trouble. She was just trying to fix her makeup-she didn't think it through. It was a mistake, but firing her feels a bit extreme, doesn't it?" Tristan looked incredulous. "Since when did she stop thinking about the bigger picture? Contestants were minutes from going on stage. and she pulled the only makeup artist-for herself. What if your great-grandma's team hadn't figured something out in time? Eight girls might've missed their shot -all because Melanie wanted a touch-up. That kind of failure? Yeah, that deserves a firing Michael pressed his lips into a hard line. 'Maybe we could just demote her? Put her under review?" Tristan's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "If Melanie isn't fit to be Chief of Staff, then you're not fit to be Rhodes Group's CEO." Michael's face went stiff. He'd been the golden child of the Rhodes family his whole life. Wherever he went, Tristan had praised him to the skies. At twelve, he'd been named heir and gradually started taking over the company. Tristan used to say no one was more qualified to lead Rhodes Group than him. And now , all of that was dismissed-over one incident? People made mistakes, Melanie made one. Couldn't she be given another chance? He stayed silent, jaw light. Tristan gave him a long look, then sighed and pulled out his phone. "Johnny, come up here." Johnny was the director of Rhodes Group's executive secretary department and the chairman's personal assistant. He arrived ten minutes later, a steady -looking man in his forties with glasses and a no-nonsense air. Tristan didn't waste time. "Draft a stock transfer agreement for me Johnny nodded Given Tristan's age, it wasn't unusual- veryone assumed he was linally transferring shares to Michael He quickly typed up the draft and slid the laptop across the table. 2/3 1.03 PM P P. Chapter 23 But Tristan frowned. "You got the name wrong. The shares aren't going to Michael. They're going to Chloe." He hadn't wanted Chloe to take on too much at her age. But in this world, without power, even the matriarch of the Rhodes family could be bullied. By a secretary, no less, "Don't give me that look," he told Johnny firmly. "Yes. I'm sure. Transfer it to Chloe." Johnny glanced instinctively at Michael-only to find the once-proud CEO sitting hunched over , head lowered, looking utterly defeated. If neither of the Rhodes family's most powerful members objected, then it wasn't his place to say anything. What was he going to do stand there and question Tristan's mental state! He finalized the contract, printed it out, and handed it over. Tristan reviewed it carefully, then signed his name without hesitation. Finally, he slid the document across the table to Chloe . B