Chapter 72 The Daughter Lost for Years
Ophelia was thrilled to have received the interview invitation and didn't waste a moment to respond. When she arrived at Parks Corporation, she realized the sheer volume of applicants. The lobby was packed with at least five hundred people.
Ophelia was just standing in the lobby, picking up bits of conversation, which was all it took for her to gauge the day's competition: a multitude of fresh graduates, all with impressive diplomas and a lineup of other job seekers with substantial experience.
Her situation wasn't too different from the tough battle she had fought to get her foot in the door at Abbott's Corporation.
Survival of the fittest in a bottleneck race.
However, Ophelia wasn't one to throw in the towel easily. The greater the challenge, the fiercer her spirit.
Clutching her resume, she joined the queue to get a ticket, waiting for her turn to be called in for the interview.
After getting her number, Ophelia found a spot to sit and rest. Her menstrual cramps were making it unbearable to stand for too long.
Two cups of hot water later, the pain had somewhat subsided.
"Here for the interview?" a fellow fresh grad and striking young woman approached her to make conversation.
"Yes," Ophelia replied politely.
The woman sat down and inquired, "Which school did you graduate from? I've heard Parks Corporation is a major player in the industry. Getting a job there would be incredible. I've been around, and there are so many with higher qualifications. I'm afraid I might get weeded out in the first round."
"Don't lose heart," Ophelia smiled encouragingly. "you've got to try to know if you'll make it."
"I'm just here to give it a shot." The woman smiled back. "What's your name?"
Their chat continued as Ophelia was oblivious to the new arrivals at the lobby entrance.
Finnegan had walked in, keeping it low-key with only Atticus by his side.
He was there on an invitation to discuss business at Parks Corporation, where Dovie Parks, the chairperson, was waiting to greet him personally, along with her assistant. Sporting short, curly hair and donning a professional women's suit, Dovie was in her fifties, yet her vitality and warm, engaging smile made her approachable.
"Finnegan," Dovie extended her hand, showing genuine admiration for Finnegan, who was a standout among the younger generation.
"Aunt Dovie," Finnegan responded, shaking her hand.
Dovie’s face was all smiles. "Come, let's go inside. Niamh was just talking about you the other day. She'll be thrilled to know you're here."
The Parks and Abbott families had been close for generations and were even bound by an engagement arrangement.
The marriage arrangement between the two families was set by the patriarch of the Parks family, George Parks, and the matriarch Mrs. Abbott, originally intended for their children. However, as the children didn't fulfill this expectation, the hope had since been passed down to the grandchildren.
Young lovers in their time, George and Mrs. Abbott never managed to tie the knot due to certain reasons. They harbored a hope that their descendants would realize their dream of uniting the two families through matrimony.
As the most outstanding among the Abbott grandchildren, Finnegan was naturally the prime candidate to fulfill this marriage pact. Besides, as Niamh was the sole heiress of the Parks family, it was certain she'd be the one if the families were to be joined by marriage.
However, after George passed away and Mrs. Abbott succumbed to dementia, the topic of the marriage agreement wasn't broached any further between the two families.
Finnegan casually chimed in, "Niamh's back from abroad?"
"She returned last week," Dovie Parks responded with a smile. "Took a tour around, that girl—always had a bit of a wild streak."
Though her words seemed light-hearted, Dovie's eyes were filled with adoration when she mentioned her daughter.
Niamh was Dovie's long-lost daughter, who was kidnapped by an enemy twenty-five years ago and was only found when she was fifteen. Naturally, Dovie was extremely fond of her reclaimed child.
Finnegan didn't pursue the conversation, instead following Dovie towards the elevator.
Atticus, trailing behind Finnegan, glanced back at the waiting area for job interviews and caught a glimpse of Ophelia.
'Is Ophelia here for an interview at Parks Corporation?' Atticus thought.
Atticus didn't dare to dally and quickened his pace to catch up with Finnegan.
Just before entering the elevator, Atticus murmured to Finnegan, "Mr. Abbott, I just saw Ophelia here applying for a job at Parks Corporation."
Finnegan's gaze darkened momentarily—Ophelia was certainly quick on her feet.
She really had no intention of coming back to Abbott's Corporation.
Finnegan discreetly gestured to Atticus to keep an eye on things, and then followed Dovie into the elevator.
Atticus caught Finnegan's cue and chose not to enter the elevator.
In the elevator, Dovie expressed her concern. "Finnegan, you're not getting any younger. When do you plan on settling down?"
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