Chapter 156
The other party on the phone replied gently, “Sure. You should quickly get back to work too. Don’t disturb your father and sister during their discussion.”
Kris responded with a non-committal sound before turning off her phone. She walked over to Cameron’s pantry, retrieved a glass of lemonade, and placed it on his desk in front of Myra. For a moment, it seemed like she might say something to Myra, but when she saw the ugly expression on Myra’s face, she lowered her head and turned to Cameron. “Dad, I’m going back to work.” Without another word, she quickly left the office, the door closing behind her, leaving a strange atmosphere in the room.
Myra stared at the man in front of her. Although Cameron was 50, he looked no older than 40, thanks to his excellent health. His handsome features from his younger days still lingered, and his eyes gleamed with the sharp intelligence of a seasoned businessman.
If it wasn’t for him, my mother wouldn’t have spent most of her life feeling so lonely and in despair, ultimately leading her to take her own life in such a decisive manner. Myra’s fists clenched tightly as she stared at him in silence.
Cameron, standing up from his chair, looked at her with a meaningful smile curling at the corners of his lips. “I didn’t expect you to show up at the Stark Group, at least not so soon.”
“That’s exactly why I’m here now.” Myra’s face was expressionless. “I hate doing what people expect of me. Cameron Stark, cut the nonsense. I want the position of Design Department Director. If not, don’t bother trying to bring me back here again.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a deep drag. Despite his anger, he softened his tone considerably. “Myra, I know you’re grieving right now. You are my child. I’m sure you must be heartbroken after being wronged by that brat from the Chase Family and divorcing him. But it’s good that you’re back now. No matter how well you do outside, there’s no place like home.”
If I didn’t know the truth, I might have felt touched. The reason I left the Stark Group back then was because you threatened to kick me out of the company unless I transferred the shares my grandfather left for me to you. Myra clenched her fists as she held back the bitter emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Now that he’s about to have a son, her 20% stake in the company has become something he needs to reclaim at all costs. Myra scoffed. “Are you trying to comfort me? Are you going to stand up for all the injustice I suffered?”
“I’m your father. After all the injustice you’ve endured, who else but me could comfort you and stand up for you?”
The compassion in his voice made Myra want to laugh, but she didn’t. She did, however, smirk. “How amusing. Why didn’t you comfort me or stand up for me when Kris and her mother were harassing my mother and me? Why didn’t you comfort me when Rachel framed me for killing the baby in her womb, and the public condemned me for it? You didn’t even attend my wedding when I married Sean… And I seem to recall that you’ve been eyeing the 20% of shares I own for the past two years. Don’t you think it’s a bit too late to pretend to be a caring father? Cameron Stark, you’re despicable. You’re truly deserving of having an inferior wife and daughter who can’t even be shown in public! Don’t you dare call yourself my father. Just hearing it makes me sick!”
“Myra Stark!” Cameron’s voice was a furious shout. His eyes blazed with rage as he crushed the cigarette in his hand. Despite the fury radiating from him, he forced a stiff, gentle tone. “Those were misunderstandings in the past. Now that you’re back, those misunderstandings will resolve themselves.”
“Misunderstandings?” Her heart seemed to break as she looked at him. She smiled, but it was a mockery. “Resolve the misunderstandings? Does that mean Rachel and Kris will be kicked out of the Stark Family too? Oh, wait. I forgot about the child in her womb. Will you kick that child out too?”
“You!” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Don’t you know how much Rachel has contributed to the Stark Family over the years? If only you could move on from your mother and accept her—”
“Why should I move on from my mother and accept a black-hearted woman like her?” Myra interrupted him, her voice harsh. “Cameron Stark, don’t you dare mention those two in front of me. If you want to continue this business discussion, we can talk peacefully. Otherwise, forget it.”
Bam! Cameron slammed the lighter in his hand onto the desk. His eyes narrowed, glaring at his daughter. She still lost her temper whenever her mother was mentioned, just like two years ago. But now, she seemed more confident and courageous. He sneered inwardly, wondering if it was because she’d received 50% of Chase Group’s real estate in Hilliville. That worthless piece of land was nothing compared to the stake she held in Stark Group or the 50% ownership in the Ritz Carlton. Half of the shares in the Ritz Carlton…
Cameron leaned back in his chair, expressionless. Staring at the lemonade Kris had poured for Myra, he finally spoke. “I’ll give you a three-month probationary period as the Design Department Director. However, it’s not up to me whether you’ll get the position. The Stark Group doesn’t keep worthless trash.”
“You’re right. All you have is a Project Department Director who can’t even compare to worthless trash.” Myra didn’t waste any more time on Cameron. She’d gotten what she wanted. Turning on her heel, she left his office.
Inside, Cameron fumed with anger. Myra’s comment about Kris was a direct hit. In the few months that Kris had been in charge of the Project Department, Stark Group had lost numerous bids. If this continued…
Rachel’s words echoed in his mind: “Cameron, give Kris more time. She’s younger than Myra. Once she gains more experience, she’ll naturally become your right-hand. With your son and daughter by your side, Stark Group will grow even stronger.”
As he thought about Rachel’s pregnancy, Cameron’s expression softened slightly. The calmness that settled over him was a reflection of his growing understanding of the situation. Myra might have been back, but her return could stir up more than just business.
Myra’s office was quickly prepared for her, equipped with everything she needed. She wasn’t sure if Cameron had a hand in it. On the 22nd floor of Stark Tower, half of the space was dedicated to the design department, and the other half to the project department. Her office was directly opposite Kris’s. If they both opened their doors, they’d be able to see into each other’s spaces.
When Myra first entered her office, she smiled faintly but froze when she saw someone standing inside. The person turned around, smiling brightly. “Miss Stark, surprised to see me?”
“Tilly…” Myra couldn’t hide her shock.
Tilly rushed over, grabbing Myra’s hands with an excited smile. “What do you think? Am I like bubblegum sticking to you? Hehe! Actually, I wanted to work at the Hart Group once I graduated. But then I saw you’re here, so I thought this would be even better!”
“Why are you here?” Myra was sure she hadn’t mentioned anything about joining Stark Group.
Tilly stuck out her tongue playfully. “Hmm… Naturally, I came in through the backdoor!”
Myra was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter. She walked in, closing the door behind her to block the inquisitive stares. “Do you have connections with the Stark Family?”