New Year’s Gift


    Ste’s eyes turned cold as she looked at me.


    I began to piece things together and concluded that Annalise’s death wasn’t as straightforward as it


    seemed.


    Ste quickly corrected herself, “What I meant was that there could never have been a future for them.


    It wouldn’t have worked out even if she hadn’t died!”


    “If Annalise held such a special ce in Mr. As’s heart, it must’ve been tough for you, too,” I pointed


    out. “It affects you directly.”


    Herposure wavered, but she masked it with a bigger smile. “I don’t concern myself with such


    things. Even if a thousand Annalises appeared, he’d still be mine. I won’t allow anything else.” Her


    arrogance


    knew no bounds.


    I nodded. In reality, she had a point. The formidable Pierce family stood solidly behind her.


    “How did Annalise die?” I brought up a topic I had avoided. However, Ste kept bringing her up,


    indicating she wanted to tell me something more.


    I wanted to hear Ste’s version of Annalise since I had already gleaned some clues from her slip–ups.


    Annalise’s death was undeniably linked to Celine.


    Ste stated matter–of–factly, “She fell off a cliff and died. When they found her, my mom had As


    identify the body. They say it was a horrifying sight.”


    “How could Mr. As bear it?” I felt a twinge, imagining how As must have felt then.


    “It was like the end of the world for him,” Ste said, her eyes holding a cruel glint. She spoke with


    eerie


    satisfaction.


    “Did you witness it yourself?” I looked at Ste, searching for answers.


    She scrutinized me as if trying to discern my intentions. “I couldn’t bear to look. I only knew that As


    was in despair.”


    “Perhaps, for you, this was a fortunate turn of events,” I remarked, voicing a harsh truth even though I


    wasn’t sure why I said it.


    Suddenly, Carol knocked and entered. ‘Ms. Chloe, it’s time for your meeting.”


    I was happy with her quick thinking and nodded. “Alright, I’ll be there in a moment.”


    Then, I turned to Ste and said, “I’m sorry, I have a meeting. We can catch up over tea sometime.”


    Ste had no choice but to stand up. “Of course, I’ll take my leave. I just dropped by to see you. Oh,


    and…


    She reached into her bag and produced a small, elegantly wrapped gift. She ced it on my desk and


    said, “You can leave it in your car. It has a particrly refreshing scent.”


    “Thank you very much!” I smiled. “I didn’t even get the chance to prepare anything!”


    “Don’t mention it, just a little trinket!” She remarked before making her graceful exit.


    “Carol, please escort Ms. Ste out,” I instructed.


    When Carol returned, she muttered, “She just wouldn’t stop talking. Who does she think she is?”


    I smiled at Carol, giving her an approving look. “That was clever of you! Well done!”


    Carol burst outughing


    Then I pondered for a moment. “Get Grayson for me.”


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    He entered promptly, and I gestured for him to take a seat. I decided to speak candidly despite my


    hesitation.


    “Grayson, there’s something I’m not sure how to tell you.”


    “Just tell me what you need, Ms. Chloe,” he replied, unwavering.


    He seemed to sense my apprehension and put me at ease. “I’m loyal to my boss. Since Mr. As


    rmended me to you, I pledge my loyalty to you. You’re the only one I’ll take orders from!”


    His words moved me. “Help me investigate Ms. Ste thoroughly. The more detailed, the better.”


    “Yes!” He nodded, then left to carry out his task.


    As I watched Grayson depart, I reassured myself that taking risks was sometimes necessary.