Chapter 36 Targeted
“So that was the story,” Hillary said.
Nancy’s heart sank as she finally understood the subtle dejection she had sensed in Gideon.
Even someone as distinguished as Gideon carried a painful past.
Later that night, they spoke for a while before returning to their rooms.
By morning, everyone had risen and departed one after another.
Gideon headed back to Fuller Group’s subsidiary.
Not long after, Winter called and sobbed, “Gideon, why didn’t you accept my gift? Is there something else you want?”
“There’s no need for that, Ms. Seabourne,” Gideon said coldly, ending the call.
After wrapping up his work, Gideon rose from his desk and headed for the door, only to find his assistant, Corey Lawson, pacing anxiously in the hallway.
“Is something wrong?” Gideon asked.
The moment Corey saw him, his nerves spiked. After a brief hesitation, he quickly tucked a small box behind his back. “No, Mr. Fuller. Nothing at all.”
Gideon’s tone remained calm. “What’s that?”
Corey’s forehead was beaded with cold sweat. He was finished.
There was no way he could let Gideon see what he was holding.
As Gideon’s personal assistant, Corey knew one of his absolute taboos was that Gideon never accepted gifts on his birthday.
The only reason Corey hesitated this time was that the gift came from Nancy.
Now that he had come back to his senses, he realized it wouldn’t make a difference even if the gift was from Nancy. Even a deity wouldn’t be allowed to give Gideon a gift that day.
“It’s really nothing…” Corey replied, only to see Gideon extend his hand.
A strong wave of pressure washed over him. Steeling himself, Corey took out the gift box. “Mr. Fuller, it’s from Ms Moore. That’s why I wasn’t sure if I should give it to you.”
Corey squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for what would come next.
But after a long while, the chilling air around Gideon faded.
Corey opened his eyes and found Gideon looking at the open box.
A faint smile appeared on Gideon’s icy face, and there was even a glimmer of warmth in his eyes.
Corey blinked in surprise, wondering what was going on.
Chapter 36 Targeted
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“You did well. From now on, anything Nancy gives me, bring it straight to me,” Gideon instructed.
“Yes, Mr. Fuller,” Corey replied.
Gideon studied the obsidian rosary beads in the box, along with the card. The handwriting was both delicate and bold.
“People say that obsidian can absorb all worries and usher in new beginnings. Somewhere in this world, there is someone who wishes for your happiness every single day. May this bring you good fortune.”
She hadn’t spoken a word, yet Gideon knew she understood everything.
He knew his mother loved him dearly, yet a deep sense of self–reproach weighed on him.
He despised his birthday and wished he could avoid the day altogether.
But then he realized that if his mother could see him now, she would be even more heartbroken. She had loved him with all her heart.
Gideon tightened his grip on the bracelet, the cool touch clearing the fog in his mind.
Meanwhile, at Duran Corporation, sales were still skyrocketing.
The entire company buzzed with excitement.
With salaries tied directly to performance, this month’s paycheck would be the highest anyone had ever seen.
But where joy bloomed, sorrow was never far behind.
At Blossom Corporation, Rebecca had just arrived at the office when, shortly after clocking in, she received a notification from HR.
“You’re late. As per company policy, your perfect attendance bonus will be deducted.”
Rebecca was taken aback. “But this is the first time I’ve ever been late.”
HR responded, “Do you really think we don’t know about the other times you’ve come in late?”
The company had never called her out before, so she’d assumed a few minutes past start time didn’t matter, especially since she’d landed the job through connections.
Frustrated, Rebecca gritted her teeth and vented to a colleague, but they only offered a few polite, noncommittal words before turning back to their work.
She got through the morning and had lunch with a few others who had also left Duran Corporation Afterward, they headed to the restroom together.
Not long after, voices drifted in from outside.
“Haha, that’s hilarious. You know what Rebecca told me today? She was complaining about the company deducting her pay! Who else can she blame for being late? Honestly, she’s got no work ethic. It’s probably what you’d expect from someone who came from such a small company.”
