Chapter 501 Old Items
Sophia was shocked Celeste let Patricia join the classical costume show. Patricia had no clue about it.
Everyone at Fusion Dynamics knew Celeste favored Patricia, so they treated Patricia with utmost respect.
Rumors had people thinking Sophia would compete with Patricia, making many see Sophia as overly ambitious and a dreamer.
Luckily, Sophia had a strong mindset and wasn't easily swayed. She aimed to complete her tenure at Fusion Dynamics without drama.
She kept a low profile, avoiding conflicts with Patricia. But Patricia always pushed her limits.
After work, Kathy approached Sophia with a problem. Sophia noticed Patricia nearby but still helped Kathy with a basic issue. She saw Patricia leave out of the corner of her eye.
Two minutes later, Sophia pushed Kathy away. "I haven't finished talking," Kathy protested, grabbing her. Patricia had told her to keep Sophia busy for half an hour.
Sophia sneered, shook off Kathy's hand, and walked to the window. She saw Patricia and Gabriel downstairs. Though she couldn't hear them, she guessed Patricia was either badmouthing her or confessing to Gabriel. Gabriel seemed to avoid Patricia in disgust.
Sophia found it amusing. Kathy, who followed her, was shocked to see Gabriel. She had heard a wealthy man was picking Sophia up recently and wondered who it was. Turns out, it was Gabriel!
Kathy remembered Gabriel staring at her during a meeting. But now she realized he was looking at Sophia, not her. Kathy was stunned.
Downstairs, Patricia tried to get closer to Gabriel again, but he warned her, "Ms. Brown, please have some self-respect. I'm not just any man." Patricia's face turned pale.
Celeste came out, saw Patricia and Gabriel, and greeted Gabriel with a smile, asking if they knew each other. Gabriel said, "No." Patricia said, "Yes," looking hurt. Celeste found it odd but didn't press, taking Patricia's hand and leaving.
Sophia came out after Celeste left. Gabriel opened the door for her. "Why so late?" he asked. "Discussing a design issue," Sophia replied. She knew Kathy was stalling her so Patricia could get close to Gabriel.
Sophia and Gabriel went back to the Lancaster Mansion. After dinner, Sophia played with the kids for an hour and put them to bed around nine.
Gabriel walked over with a dirty little tin box. "Found this in the ruins of Harbor Bay."
Sophia had never seen it before but remembered a warehouse with her parents' old stuff. Maybe it survived the fire.
She took it. "Thanks."
Since it was her parents' item, she had to keep it safe. The fire had destroyed everything, including photo albums of her and her parents. She didn't care how dirty the tin box was and held it close.
Gabriel smiled faintly, knowing it was special to her.
The next day, Celeste approached Sophia. For some reason, Sophia felt pressured around Celeste now. Celeste didn't seem as kind as before.
Sophia lowered her head. "Celeste, what do you need?"
Celeste smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Sophie, you're the best designer among the trainees. I think you're perfect for this task."
Sophia listened quietly.
"Patricia is entering the classical costume show competition. I want her to rank well," Celeste continued. She wanted Patricia to have excellent credentials as her successor.
Sophia had a bad feeling.
"I'm old and can't teach Patricia. Jennifer is busy managing Fusion Dynamics. After much thought, I think you're the best fit," Celeste added.
She wanted Sophia to teach Patricia and ensure she ranked well in the competition.
Sophia was about to refuse, but Celeste interrupted, "Sophie, don't you want Larry to come back? If you handle this well, I can let Larry continue his studies."
Sophia was shocked, her brows furrowing.
Celeste waited patiently.
After a couple of minutes, Sophia agreed.
Before leaving, Sophia heard Celeste's old, helpless voice. "Sophie, Patricia is my only granddaughter, my daughter's legacy. I've searched for my daughter for forty years. I don't know how long I have left with Patricia. I hope you understand a grandmother's heart."
Sophia felt a lump in her throat, an indescribable heaviness.
After that, Patricia followed Sophia everywhere at Fusion Dynamics. Wherever Sophia sat in the cafeteria, Patricia sat too. Seeing Patricia so diligent, Celeste felt gratified and was even more determined to hand over the company to her.
Sophia accepted the mission and had to tutor Patricia. Most of the time, Patricia cooperated, but she often found ways to trouble Sophia, forcing her to work overtime.
Gabriel came to pick her up several times, but Sophia hadn't finished work. To avoid delaying his work, she asked him not to come anymore.
That weekend, Sophia visited Caroline in the hospital. Caroline's body had almost recovered, but Nicholas and Lisa wouldn't let her be discharged. Declan and his wife visited daily and even made nutritious meals for Caroline.
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