2026-08-24 09:09:05Charles Prescott's office was already packed with people.
Cameron Prescott stood supporting Old Mrs. Prescott, while Susan Lawson and Gloria Gordon sat nearby.Gloria's face glowed with delight as she spoke. "You see? If you'd gone to ask your daughter sooner, our family wouldn't have had to make things difficult for you.""Such a huge project, did you really think you could keep it all to yourself?"Charles's face was wreathed in smiles as well."That's right. We're
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Cameron Prescott hesitated no longer. He flipped open the contract guidelines, a document spanning over three hundred pages.The first few dozen pages contained nothing out of the ordinary, standard clauses and boilerplate language. But as he read deeper, a cold dread crept through him. Page after page detailed an elaborate web of penalty clauses and compensation provisions. By signing the contract, they had implicitly agreed to every term in the Crane Group's guidelines. If they violated any provision, the Crane Group had every legal right to take them to court, and the damages they would face went far beyond a simple double repayment."We've been played!" Cameron's voice came out strangled, barely human. He slammed the document onto the desk so hard the surface shook, then stormed toward Charles Prescott's office without another word.Susan Lawson and Gloria Gordon had no idea what had just happened. They picked up the contract guidelines from where Cameron had flun
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Cameron Prescott signed his name with a few swift strokes of the pen.Shane Dalton smiled, something meaningful lurking behind the expression. "Mr. Prescott, here's to a fruitful partnership between our two families.""Yes, yes, wonderful!" Cameron shook Dalton's hand eagerly."And if any future projects come along, please think of us at the Prescott Group. Well, the Crane Group, I should say." Dalton's correction was smooth, almost teasing."Don't worry, our Mr. Prescott is a generous man."They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Dalton took his leave.Cameron was practically vibrating with excitement. He grabbed the contract and strode into the office, holding it aloft like a trophy. "Look at this. Signed, sealed, and done!"Susan Lawson snatched the document from his hands and scanned the pages, a crease forming between her brows. "The Crane Group wants us to transfer three billion within two days." She looked up with narrowed eyes. "Isn't
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The Prescott clan was overjoyed. Without a second word, they snatched up the contract and swept out of the office, brimming with self-satisfaction.Charles Prescott slumped in his chair, utterly deflated. The energy had drained from his body the moment the door closed behind them."This is all my fault.""Celia, maybe you should just pull the project back."Celia moved closer and comforted him gently. "Dad, this isn't your fault. They're the shameless ones.""I'll figure something out. I promise I'll handle it."Nick had given her full authority over this matter, but since it involved the Prescott family, she still needed to go back and talk it over with him.After hastily arranging things at the company, Celia left Prescott Group headquarters and drove straight to the Aldermarsh residence.Nick looked mildly surprised when she walked through the door. "What's going on? You're home early today."Celia shook her head and told him everythin
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Charles Prescott's office was already packed with people.Cameron Prescott stood supporting Old Mrs. Prescott, while Susan Lawson and Gloria Gordon sat nearby.Gloria's face glowed with delight as she spoke. "You see? If you'd gone to ask your daughter sooner, our family wouldn't have had to make things difficult for you.""Such a huge project, did you really think you could keep it all to yourself?"Charles's face was wreathed in smiles as well."That's right. We're all family here. With such a good project available, does it really matter who handles it? Are we family members really going to fight over this?"The moment Celia entered the Prescott Group building and reached the entrance to Charles's office, she heard the commotion inside and realized quite a few members of the Prescott family were present.Her expression remained unchanged as she walked slowly to the doorway."I'd like to see exactly who dares try to steal a project from the
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Lydia Crane and Phoebe Whitaker were already feeling guilty, so when Celia's words reached them, cold sweat broke out on both their backs."Of course not. We were just thinking that you've been so tired today, Celia," Lydia said quickly."You've been working so hard outside. We didn't want to add to your troubles," Phoebe added.Phoebe nodded vigorously in agreement. "Exactly. We just hope you'll eat more. Look at how much weight you've lost from all this work lately."She ladled a bowl of chicken soup and set it before Celia with an attentive smile.Seeing their thoughtful gestures, Celia felt genuinely touched. "You two have been working hard as well. I think it's time I gave you both a raise."All three of them were executives at the company, so the question of salary increases was somewhat beside the point. Still, hearing Celia say this made Phoebe feel a pang of shame. Celia had always treated her exceptionally well, yet here she was harboring comp
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By the time Nick came downstairs to the living room to wait for Celia, the sounds of activity were already drifting from the kitchen. Lydia and Phoebe had started preparing dinner.He'd suggested before that they hire a housekeeper or a live-in helper, someone to share the load of daily chores. More than that, he simply didn't want the three of them wearing themselves out. But the moment he'd floated the idea, all three had shot it down without hesitation. Their reasoning was simple: this kind of easy, unhurried routine was exactly what made a place feel like home. Celia had told him plainly that cooking for him made her happy, that the warmth and bustle of a real kitchen was something she genuinely enjoyed. The simple rhythms of everyday life, the scent of dinner in the air, the presence of people she cared about, all of it gave her a sense of peace she hadn't felt in years. Since none of them objected, Nick let it go.He'd barely been sitting in the living room for a few
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