Chapter 28 Rhodes Group Headquarters. Two towering skyscrapers-one tall, one slightly shorter-stood proudly along the Erord River, forming an iconic part of the city's skyline. As the car pulled up to the main entrance, an assistant hurried forward to greet them. He opened the door for the CEO, expecting Michael to step out. Instead, Michael walked past him and opened the rear door himself. The assistant figured it must be someone important. But then, a girl stepped out. Too young to be called a woman-she was clearly still in school, judging by the backpack slung over her shoulder. She and Michael walked side by side toward the executive-only elevator, riding it straight to the top floor. Johnny had already received word and was waiting respectfully outside the elevator. He welcomed Chloe into the Chairman's office and neatly placed a stack of documents on the desk for her to review. Only after that did Michael head downstairs to meet the visiting executive from Hamilton Group. Just as he entered the conference room, Melanie arrived at the Rhodes Group building, holding Rose's hand. As soon as she walked in, several secretaries from her former department rushed over. "Melaniel Why didn't you tell us you were leaving? We were planning a farewell party!" "Oh, come on-clearly Mr. Rhodes wants her to stay home and be a full-time wife now . She's about to become Mrs. Rhodes! So jealous!" "Be sure to invite us to the wedding, okay !" Melanie gave a polite smile . "Nothing's official yet. You all get back to work I'm heading up." She walked toward the CEO's office with Rose in tow, One of the secretaries she was close with quietly brought in a cup of coffee and leaned over. Just so you know-Mr. Rhodes came in this morning with a girl. Couldn't be older than twenty. They seemed really close." Melanie's smile froze . It had to be Chloe. No one else could get that close to Michael. She thought, So that's what this is about. Chloe fired me just to slide into my spot-so she could get close to him." She forced a light chuckde. "She's a distant relative of the Rhodes family . About to graduate. She's just here for an internship. Keep it to yourself, okay? If Mr. Rhodes finds out you're spreading rumors, it won't end well." The secretary quickly nodded and zipped her lips. Once the room was quiet again, Rose pouted. "That Miss Lancaster is so annoying. She's always hogging Daddy. I hate her, hate her, hate her! She's even worse than Lucia!" Back then, Lucia always wanted to stick close to Michael. So one day, Rose serretly slipped a necklace into Lucia's backpack. After that. Michael started to distance himself from Lucia Another time, she pretended Lucia had pushed her and made herself fall, Michael had scolded Lucia so harshly that Lucia never dared approach agin Now just led to come up with a way to get rid of "Miss Lancaster" "Who's my hule Rose mad at today?" The door opened, and Michael walked in "Daddy !" Rose ran up and truew herself into his arms. "I made a at school today! The teacher said we could give it to our 104PM P P · Chapter 25 favorite person. I picked you ! " He took the drawing-it was simple: green grass , blue sky, a few clouds and flowers. Not much else. But he still smiled warmly. "So I'm your favorite person, huh ? " Rose twirled in her dress. "Of course! That's why I'm wearing the princess dress you bought me!" The same one that cost 70 thousand dollars. And she did look adorable in it. Michael picked her up, about to respond, when a knock came at the door. Johnny stepped in. "Mr. Rhodes, the Chairman has asked to see you in her office. Melanie's expression tightened She thought. Tristan has come too? Is he here to back Chloe in person! ' If word got out that Chloe is the Rhodes family's chosen future granddaughter-in-law… wouldn't that make me, Melanie, the biggest joke in the company?" Melanie gently nudged Rose. "Daddy, are you going back to work again?" Rose blinked, and fat teardrops welled up instantly. "I really wanted to have dinner with you …. and tell you all the fun stuff that happened in kindergarten today, Can't you just stay with me for dinner ? Please, Daddy …" As her crying escalated, her breathing suddenly turned short and rapid. Melanie's face changed dramatically. "Michael-something's wrong. Rose's asthma is flaring up! Please, just agree to have dinner with her. If you don't, she'll cry herself into a full -blown attack-Tm begging you!" Michael's heart clenched as he quickly scooped Rose into his arms. "Alright, Daddy will eat with you. Don't cry, okay ? Be good." Rose sniffled hard. "Let's go now !" Michael turned to Johnny. "Whatever it is, handle it later."" Then he walked out with Rose in his arms. Melanie followed, smiling to herself. She thought . So what if Chloe has Tristan's backing ? In the end, all it takes is a few tears from Rose to make Michael drop everything The three of them stepped into the elevator and left. Johnny returned to the chairman's office, looking a bit embarrassed . "Melanie's daughter had an asthma episode . Mr. Rhodes had no choice-he left with them? Chlor looked up. "Ts. Khodes Group always this lax? Even a former employee can just waltz into the executive offices?" Johnny straightened up immediately. "Apologies. I'll take care of it today ." He had assumed Chloe was just a young girl who didn't know anything. But after working with her for less than half an hour , she'd completely shattered that image . One clear, decisive instruction after another this long-held assumptions were crumbling fast Chloe got straight to the point. "There are two dungs fint scrap the current firewall HOW Dŋe-We need a full rebuild. Second, there's something off in the purchasing department's accounts. Who's in sharge of buying the anmaal festival employer benefit? I wam that person in sy office now Johnny immediately called purchasing *That's under Team Lead Gordon. But he's already left for the day. He probably won't be available until tomorrow," P Chapter 28 Johnny frowned. "It's only 5:45. Official end of work is still fifteen minutes away," "Yeah, well.. Gordon's Mr. Rhodes's brother-in-law. We don't really dare question him when he comes in late or leaves early. I mean, if his sister-Melanie-says something to Mr. Rhodes, what are we supposed to do? People like us can't afford to offend them As a senior member of the board's staff, Johnny hadn't even known about the family connection. His face darkened as he ended the call. Tll personally follow up on this-" "No need." Chloe cut him off. She thought. This is supposed to be Rhodes Group's star successor? She tapped a finger on the file, "Everything's in these accounting records. Call the police." Johnny froze. "But what about Mr. Rhodes?" "I gave him a chance, Chloe said coolly. "He chose not to show up." She'd originally planned to settle it quietly. But s since they insisted on testing her patience , she'd let the authorities handle it. Meanwhile… Michael had taken Melanie and Rose to the most exclusive restaurant on the Erord River. It was one of their usual spots. The manager personally came out to welcome them and led them to a private dining room. Dinner was served as night fell, and the lights along the riverside began to glow one by one. In a city where every square yard of riverfront was priceless , dining with a view like this was the height of luxury. More than an hour later, they finally finished the meal . Out of habit, Michael reached for his wallet to pay-then paused. Right. His credit cards had all been frozen. No problem-he still had some balance in his bank account. He took out the card and handed it to the manager. The manager swiped it. "Tm sorry, sir.. the balance is insufficient."