Chapter Five
1248 Words
"Okay, here's the deal, I want to marry you and take care of you for the rest of your lives," Lucas said straightforwardly. "It'll make my grandma happy, and you'll live a life of luxury and comfort as the only wife of the Rodriguez group."
Celine couldn't help but find the situation funny. She casually adjusted her hair and looked at Lucas. "Take a good look at me. Do I seem like someone who can't find a partner?"
She was undeniably beautiful, perhaps even stunning.
"Miss Thunwood, that's not what I meant. Do you want to marry me or not?!" Lucas's impatience started to show.
"Though you're successful and attractive, I'm not interested in you, and I have no desire to marry you," Celine replied confidently.
Lucas' handsome face revealed a slightly startled expression. It seemed that he was not attractive at all to this woman. "Oh well, it's all for good anyways," he thought to himself.
"I hope you can visit my grandmother in person, Miss Thunwood," Lucas said, realizing only she could stop his grandmother's wishes because in his heart he was also responsible for another woman.
Celine paused for a moment, then asked with squinted eyes, "So, you really acquired Ceramétoire International group?"
"Yes, I'll be your boss from now on, so don't worry, I'll take care of you," Lucas assured her. Even though he couldn't marry her, he intended to look out for her at work.
Upon hearing this, Celine flinched. "Alright, alright, fine! Goodbye, President Rodriguez," she said, eager to end their conversation and escape the pressure from the whole Rodriguez family.
Lucas was taken aback by her blunt dismissal. Never before had a woman disregarded him so openly.
With that, he stood up and left. As he exited, Celine let out a small sigh. Suddenly, Rachel knocked on the door and inquired, "Celine, what were you discussing with President Rodriguez? Does he have a crush on you?"
"Who said that?"
"Everyone's been gossiping about how he's been staring at you in the conference room," Rachel informed Celine, adding fuel to the office saga.
Upon hearing this, Celine felt irritated. It seemed Lucas was causing complications for her at work. As her boss, he should act professionally. She resolved to simply work under him and hoped he would refrain from interacting with her in the future.
Standing in front of the tall window that reached from floor to ceiling, Celine lifted her phone and dialed her father's number.
"Hello, who's calling?" A familiar voice greeted her from the other end.
Celine's eyes stung as she responded, "Dad, it's me. It's Celine."
"Celine? Where have you been all these years? I've been searching for you." James sounded pleasantly surprised.
With the bond between father and daughter now connected, how could old hurts still linger? Tears filled Celine's eyes as she admitted, "Dad, I'm sorry. I've been living overseas, but now I'm back to work here in our country."
"Alright, as long as you're back. When will you come home?"
"I-I'll be home in three days."
"Okay, just make sure you're healthy and safe. It's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you away."
"Let's put the past behind us," Celine comforted him, weary of revisiting old wounds.
"Alright, come back soon." James sighed.
Celine ended the call and took a deep breath. Truthfully, she wasn't quite ready to return home yet. As long as her father was safe, that was all that mattered.
At that moment, Landon knocked on the door and entered with a box in his hands. "Celine, I'm here to bring you something."
Celine glanced at the box he placed on the table, surprised. "What's this?"
"Guess," Landon teased.
Celine eyed the box labeled "Skyview Suite No. 1." It sounded like the name of a building. "Just tell me," she said with a smile, not in the mood for guessing.
"Skyview Suite No. 1 is a luxurious, spacious condo unit spanning 520 square meters, valued at 180 million. It's flawlessly renovated and decorated with lavish furnishings, ready for you to live in. You deserve it," Landon explained, opening the box to reveal five keys and a door card inside.
Celine frowned. "Is this for me?"
"Celine, this is a special gift from President Rodriguez. He's upgraded your apartment to Skyview Suite No. 1. Aren't you thrilled?" Landon asked, expecting excitement.
"Take it away, I don't want it," Celine replied coldly. She couldn't accept any help from him or his family, still holding onto anger towards the Rodriguez group since her mother's cancer was discovered after the incident with the young master."
Landon was dumbfounded for a moment. "Did she just refuse such an amazing gift?" he wondered.
"Celine, tell me you're joking! This benefit is meant only for you!" Landon, 37 years old and single, had also fallen for Celine's youth and beauty, but he hadn't expected Lucas to have already seized the opportunity.
"Tell President Rodriguez that I don't need any special treatment in the company," Celine replied firmly.
After Celine finished speaking, she pushed the box toward Landon and reiterated her words. "Take it back."
"Don't put me in this position. How am I supposed to explain this to him? Just accept it!" Landon could see Lucas's interest in Celine.
However, Celine remained resolute. "Return it. I truly do not need it. Thank you."
Seeing her determination, Landon reluctantly took the box away. Meanwhile, Lucas didn't return to his other companies but instead began working at FireArt's main office.
"President Rodriguez, Celine refused to accept it no matter what I said," Landon reported helplessly.
"Well," Lucas muttered, his eyes clouded with resignation. He had anticipated this outcome, but he wished he could settle his debt with material possessions rather than binding himself to Celine through marriage.
At the Thunwood residence, James had just returned. He glanced at his wife, who was engrossed in watching TV on the sofa, then let out a contented sigh. "Angelina, guess who called me today?" he exclaimed.
"Who?" Angelina responded, her curiosity piqued.
"It was Celine! Can you believe it? After all these years abroad, she finally reached out to me," James said, beaming with happiness.
Unaware of the change in his wife's expression, James continued, "I think there's been a misunderstanding. Celine isn't the person we thought she was. Besides, it's been so long. Let's just move past it."
"What misunderstanding? Janet caught her red-handed, frequenting questionable places at night. The evidence is undeniable," Angelina retorted, her resentment towards Celine evident in her eyes.
"Perhaps she's noticed our company's success and wants a piece of the pie? Well, she won't get her hands on anything. Everything belongs to our daughter, and I won't let Celine jeopardize that," Angelina thought to herself, growing increasingly bitter as James defended Celine.
Sensing his wife's discontent, James decided to drop the subject and headed upstairs, feeling a bit weary.
Meanwhile, Angelina wasted no time and dialed her daughter's number.
"Hey, Mom," Janet answered.
"Guess who's back in town?" Angelina said, her tone dripping with disdain.
"Who?" Janet inquired, intrigued.
"That troublemaker Celine. She contacted your father today," Angelina replied venomously.
"What? How did she even dare to show her face again?" Janet exclaimed.
"She's probably eyeing our family's wealth and wants to reclaim what she lost. But with me here, she won't get a chance," Angelina declared, her bitterness evident.
"I drove her away once, and I can do it again," Janet stated confidently, unfazed by Celine's return.
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