I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 438

Chapter 438

It was really George who had given the instruction to return the gifts.

Kate froze in place. She couldn’t believe it.

In her mind, George had always been the picture of a gentleman, especially careful never to embarrass a lady. That kind of refined charm had captivated her deeply.

It was precisely because of that that she was so infatuated with him.

Holding the returned gifts in her hands, Kate forced a smile.

A woman’s jealousy was indeed powerful.

In her mind, she was certain that Rhea had asked George to do this. After all, Rhea had even deliberately provoked her earlier.

She simply said, “I see.” She then turned and left.

In the car, Alfonso said nothing. He quietly started the engine and left the Snider residence.

After several minutes, Kate suddenly said, “Stop.”

The car screeched to a halt.

She rolled down the window. The wind and snow blew in, nipping at Kate’s cheeks. Without hesitation, she took the returned gifts and tossed them into a trash bin outside a low–end neighborhood.

“Let’s go.”

She had no interest in keeping the things that were returned to her.

At the Pearson residence, Connor gestured for Kate to sit when she arrived.

The father and daughter were barely closer than strangers now. “What’s the matter? Sawyer’s been busy lately, I’ll arrange for you to meet him later. Right now, our priority is to salvage our family’s reputation.”

Reputation?

Kate almost laughed.

Did the Pearson family still have any reputation left? Rhea had ruined it all.

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Chapter 438

+25 BONUS

“I’ve already contacted Sawyer to get you placed as a foreign language translator at a large company. Given everything that has happened, if the public sees you working diligently to survive, it’ll improve their impression of you. I’ll also have the media write a few pieces to cement your image as a resilient, refined young lady from a scholarly family.”

Though an academic, Connor was well–versed in managing public opinion.

“You’ll have to work hard for a while. But once you get through this period, and if things work out with Sawyer, everything will turn around,” Connor instructed.

He had been busy lately.

He was doing everything possible to revive the Pearson family. However, since they lacked business acumen, they could only make moves in the academic world.

So he spent a fortune buying two unpublished books, planning to put them under his name.

Other than that, he was searching for the female college student from back then. If he wanted to destroy the evidence, getting rid of the person involved was the most foolproof method.

Kate asked, “Which company?”

“Solaris Ventures. It has operations in many industries, and the CEO is friends with Sawyer. They’ll treat you well there.”

Kate had barely worked before, so Connor worried about how she would adapt.

He looked at her earnestly. “Kate, it’s just us now. If we drift apart any further, our family will be completely finished. I’m old, and when I’m gone, it’s over for me. But you’ll have to carry all of this for the rest of your life. We have to work together now. Do you understand?”

Kate lowered her gaze. “I’ll be at the company on time.”

The next day, Rhea had just woken up when Liam called her to the study.

“Have you decided? New year, new start. Why not work somewhere new? Don’t go back to Colburn. Louie’s company is stable now anyway.”

Rhea was wrapped in a loose black tunic, her face radiant. She smiled sweetly. “Alright. I’ll listen to you, Dad. I’ll go to Solaris Ventures.”