"Mr. Watson, great news. The computer system is back up!" Coco had only just stepped out when Gilbert Watson's phone rang urgently. As he answered, a voice filled with surprise and delight came through the line.
Gilbert paused for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Alright. Go get some rest. You've worked hard."
After hanging up, a wave of relief washed over him. He poured himself a glass of water and took slow sips.
Still, something didn't sit right.
Just moments ago, the computer system had been a total mess. How had it suddenly fixed itself?
He looked up at the computer screen.
A small figure flashed through his mind—Dean.
Could it be… him?
Dean had always shown extraordinary talent, especially when it came to computers.
To nurture his interest, Gilbert had hired top international computer experts to tutor him since he was two.
He shot to his feet.
Yes, it was very likely that the kid was behind this.
He must still be upset about his mother and decided to get back at him by causing trouble.
Thinking about the Ultraman doing somersaults on the screen and the word "scumbag" flashing across it only confirmed his suspicion.
And last night, after he promised to marry Dean's mother, the kid must've been so happy that he fixed the computer himself.
That little brat! He'd completely fooled him!
A faint smile tugged at Gilbert's lips.
His son was even more capable than he was. What a headache!
—
Early in the morning, Claire arrived at Blue Sky Kindergarten.
Adam and Hilary were already five years old. Since returning to Nocta was no longer an option, she needed to find a school for them here as soon as possible.
But Blue Sky Kindergarten came with a hefty price tag.
Tuition alone for one child was seventy to eighty thousand a year, not including meals, rent, utilities…
The pressure on her was enormous.
Back in Nocta, she had worked herself to the bone with odd jobs, barely scraping by. Now in Heidelberg, everything was just beginning.
But she didn't hesitate. She signed Adam and Hilary up on the spot.
After all, she now owned fifty percent of Zanna Perfume Shop!
With her leading the company back on track, it wouldn't be long before she revived her mother's former glory and made plenty of money along the way.
At the thought of money, her eyes lit up, and her energy surged. She turned and headed toward to Zanna.
But as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she ran straight into that bastard, Gilbert Watson.
He was walking down the hallway in a sharp suit, every inch the picture of elegance. But beneath that handsome face was a chilling frost, and his gaze was dark and unreadable.
Claire paused only slightly before striding forward with indifference, not even sparing him a glance as she passed.
A heartless man with eyes as blind as his wasn't even worth a greeting. Wasting her breath on him would be a crime. Her spit had more value than that walking piece of trash.
Gilbert frowned deeply.
So early in the morning and already radiating hostility, was she trying to start a war?
His mind involuntarily flashed back to her once gentle and obedient demeanor, and his gaze darkened.
She had changed, no doubt about it.
—
In the limited-edition Rolls-Royce downstairs, Gilbert lit a cigar and took a long drag. His handsome face looked bleak, his eyes deep and somber.
Six years ago, Claire's suicide had truly shaken him.
At the time, the company had been dealing with several major clients. He had been working non-stop, sleeping every night in the presidential suite of a hotel.
By the time he finished his business, the news he received was of her death.
He rushed to the coast and stood there, staring blankly at the boundless ocean.
He hadn't loved her, but he never wished her dead.
In the six years since Claire's "death," his life hadn't been easy either.
His grandmother and mother, Amanda Taylor, had adored Claire very much.
To them, he was the one who drove her to her death, and they treated him as such with disdain and blame.
He took another harsh drag from the cigar, his gaze lifting toward the blue sky and clouds above, and a young girl's silhouette flashed through his mind. A sharp, inexplicable pain pierced his heart.
At seventeen, he had been pushed off a cliff.
As he fell, sharp branches tore through his eyes. He blacked out.
A girl had saved him.
During that time, his eyes were heavily bandaged, and he lay in complete darkness in the hospital, emotionally drained.
That girl had stayed by his side, caring for him meticulously.
Her laughter was bright, her spirit cheerful and intelligent. They shared many interests.
Though he couldn't see her face, he had fallen for her—completely.
He vowed to marry her one day.
Later, his grandmother came and took him away in the dead of night.
He never got to see the girl's face.
Years later, after much searching, he finally discovered her identity.
That girl… had turned out to be Emma Miler.
Zanna Perfume Warehouse.
"These.these as well, destroy them all." As soon as Claire arrived at Zanna, she headed straight for the warehouse. After smelling a few colorful and flashy perfumes, she tossed them aside and ordered her secretary.
The secretary hesitated, clearly uncomfortable, and didn't move.
"What's wrong?" Claire frowned.
"Miss Miler, these were specifically approved by Emma. The marketing plans have already been finalized," the secretary admitted reluctantly.
Claire's eyes turned cold, her brows arching sharply. "These perfumes contain phthalates, which leave harmful residues during synthesis. They're unqualified. Releasing them would be completely irresponsible to our customers. It would ruin our company's reputation."
"Who says they're unqualified?" A sharp voice interrupted just as she finished. Emma strode in wearing high heels, a mocking smile on her face. "Claire, do you even know anything about perfume? About running a business? Phthalates help water and fragrance blend better, making the composition more uniform and stable. Don't tell me you didn't even know that?"
In truth, the industry often includes a trace amount, just enough to boost profits. As for residues, in the eyes of most businessmen, they hardly matter.
Claire folded her arms across her chest and stared her down, sneering. "Now I finally understand why Zanna has declined so quickly over the past few years. It's not just the formula. It's a matter of integrity. Greed without principles, total moral collapse. This goes completely against the original mission of Zanna. If this continues, shutting down is only a matter of time."
"You bitch, how dare you curse my company!" Emma snapped in fury. She grabbed a nearby bottle and flung its contents straight at Claire's face.
The air filled with the sharp stench of phthalates.
Claire's expression darkened as she swiftly dodged.
The liquid splashed against a stack of cardboard boxes, instantly bleaching the yellow paper white.
Claire trembled with rage.
Phthalates are highly corrosive to the skin. She hadn't expected Emma to be so vicious. This was clearly an attempt to disfigure her.
"Emma, you wicked woman, I won't let you off today!" Claire shouted, lunging at her.
Emma, already panicked, turned and fled.
But with her towering eight-centimeter heels, she barely got far before Claire caught up and grabbed her hair from behind.
"Please, don't hit me… Help! Somebody help me!" Emma shrieked in terror, trembling like a leaf, her face ashen. She knew exactly how strong Claire could be.
"You just like venomous snake, you'll never change," Claire snapped, slapping her hard across the face. The crack echoed through the warehouse.
Just then, Gilbert Watson stepped out of the elevator and witnessed the scene.
"Claire! Who gave you the nerve to lay hands on someone in front of me again and again?" he shouted, his voice ice-cold, his entire presence radiating fury. His eyes burned with deadly intensity.
She must be insane. Attacking Emma again right in front of him. Was she here just to make trouble?
"Gilbert, help me! The moment my sister sees me, she hits me!" Emma cried out, her voice trembling with false innocence as she scrambled into Gilbert's arms, covering her face.
Gilbert's gaze turned razor-sharp as he held Emma and barked at Claire, "Claire, don't test me. I swear I'll have you thrown out of Heidelberg this instant."