I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 459

Chapter 459

Just as the women were about to gossip a little more, the sound of movement drifted over from the

conference room.

The translation team members immediately straightened in their seats, dropping their chatter.

Members of the project team began walking past, one after another. Among them was a woman with a cool expression and a sharp, commanding presence. She didn’t glance left or right as she walked by.

Kate noticed her.

During lunch break, Kate went with the translation team to the cafeteria. “I just saw a really striking woman earlier with a strong presence.”

The colleague seated nearest to her, Heidi Guthrie, perked up at that. “That’s Annie Levy, team leader of Project Team One. Honestly, before Ms. Ravelle showed up, we all thought she was going to be promoted to director.”

Kate gave a thoughtful nod. “Enjoy your lunch. I just remembered something I need to do.”

“Okay.”

Kate didn’t get food from the cafeteria. Instead, she slipped out of the building and went to a nearby salad bar, packing up two portions to bring back.

The office was quiet during lunch hour.

The company wasn’t small. Besides the translation team, there were project, tech, secretarial, PR, and finance departments.

It had eight full floors. The translation team and the project team shared one floor.

Annie sat in her office, her face dark with frustration. She had been like this since last week, ever since she found out that a nepotism hire had been dropped in as their new director.

She simmered with frustration. She had toughed it out until the last director left and believed that her opportunity had finally arrived. But why was it taken from her?

What gave some young lady in her 20s the right to suddenly sit in that chair? Did they think anyone with a pulse could walk into the investment world?

Annie was so angry that she didn’t even want lunch.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

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“Come in,” she said coolly.

Kate pushed the door open. “Hi, Ms. Levy.”

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“And you are?” Annie had never seen her.

“I’m new on the translation team. My name’s Kate Pearson,” she replied, smiling warmly. “I noticed that you didn’t go to the cafeteria, so I brought you something from a salad bar nearby. I’m not sure if it’s to your taste.”

Annie glanced at the brand on the bag and folded her arms. “You’re one of Ms. Ravelle’s translators.”

She was indirectly asking Kate why she was bringing her food when she wasn’t her boss.

Kate sighed softly. “Ms. Ravelle and I have been close friends for many years, so I know her temperament well. She can be rather straightforward, perhaps because she grew up as a young lady of privilege and is used to people catering to her. We’re newcomers here, so you’re our senior. If she’s said or done anything to offend you, I hope you’ll forgive her.”

Annie let out a scoff. “I do have a problem with her. A young nepotism hire being appointed to a director position will not sit well with senior staff. You two should keep that in mind.”

She glanced at the food. “Thanks for lunch, though. How much was it?”

Annie wasn’t afraid of offending Rhea. If it came to that, she could quit and find another job.

“Don’t bother.” Kate waved it off politely. “It’s nothing, really. It’s just a meal. Anyway, I’ll let you get back to work, Ms. Levy.”

As she closed the door behind her, the corners of her lips curved faintly. Annie having a problem with Rhea was exactly what she wanted.

Kate’s first day at work passed easily. She hardly had any real tasks.

Heidi explained that unless the project team needed to travel abroad or meet with foreign partners, the translators mostly handled contracts, which left their days pretty light.

By 5:00 pm, Gloria notified everyone that there would be a company dinner that night hosted by Rhea. Anyone with prior plans could skip, but otherwise, they were encouraged to join.

Most of the people in the company were foreign residents with few friends or family there, so of course they attended the company dinner. And since the new director was footing the bill, skipping it would look unfriendly.

Rhea had reserved one of the Ravelle family’s grand restaurants. It was also a famous spot in Draventh. Its luxury left more than a few employees stunned.

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The project team wasn’t familiar with her family background, but the translation team was.

At the restaurant, each department clustered together, sitting in groups without mixing.

On the translators‘ side, a woman muttered under her breath, “Is she trying to show off how rich she is?”

Kate said, “Not really. Don’t take it the wrong way. Rhea has always been generous. She’s never stingy with friends. To her, this is just pocket change.”

So their new project director was someone who only knew how to burn through money? Could a boss like that really lead them anywhere worthwhile?

The women rolled their eyes silently. Still, with Kate being so close to Rhea, none of them dared speak up. They feared anything might reach her ears.

Heidi asked, “Have you and Ms. Ravelle been together all your lives? So you’re best friends?”

Kate’s eyes flicked toward the project team’s table, where Rhea sat surrounded by attention.

She withdrew her chilly gaze, smiled, and shook her head. “Not exactly. We hadn’t seen each other in about six years. She wasn’t in Draventh.”

“She went to study abroad?”

“No. She was married and moved to another city with her husband.”

After saying that, Kate suddenly covered her mouth. “Sorry, I… I shouldn’t have said that. Just pretend you didn’t hear a thing.”