Chapter 254 To Rise to Prominence
“Diana, wait.”
In Evans Group’s executive office on the top floor, Diana had come in to have Liam sign some documents. As she was about to leave with the paperwork, Liam suddenly called her back.
“Liam, is there something else?” Diana paused, turned around, and faced him with a gentle smile and professional poise.
Ever since returning to work after her miscarriage, Diana had been dressing immaculately and working more diligently each day. She treated Liam with increasing respect as if no other relationship had ever existed between them beyond employer and employee, as if the little life that had once begun inside her had never been at all.
The two never spoke of anything but work.
“Check if this watch is available. If it is, buy it at any cost,” Liam instructed, pulling out an issue of an international fashion magazine and placing it on a corner of his desk.
Diana glanced over and saw a spread featuring the latest limited edition diamond women’s watch from one of the world’s most renowned brands.
Its dial was crafted entirely of precious stones, and the lustrous golden strap was anything but tacky it was absolutely stunning.
“Understood,” Diana said calmly, her heart tearing just for a moment. She picked up the magazine and strode out of the room.
Back in her office, where no one could see her, Diana bit her lip and took a deep breath.
Day by day, it became crystal clear to her that Liam had never harbored any affection for her, not even a smidgen. Still, the sharper the realization, the more determined she became to live a life of ease and excellence, just to show Liam that she was no damsel in distress who needed a man to thrive.
After composing herself, Diana got right to business. She called the exclusive boutique for a high-end watch brand and was told that a single piece had just arrived from Switzerland. If Diana wanted it, she had to head to the store right away or risk losing it to another customer.
With the store attendant’s urging, Diana agreed to hurry over. After giving Liam a quick update, she made a beeline for the boutique. What she didn’t expect was to find Yvonne, Liam’s mother, browsing watches when she arrived. Oddly enough, Yvonne was looking at men’s models, not women’s.
Diana thought it best not to approach Yvonne, who didn’t recognize her and, given the circumstances, wasn’t the same Mrs. Evans she once was. She went straight to inquire about the watch with the clerk.
“Diana, are all the employees my son trained as rude as you?” To Diana’s surprise, just as she was about to follow the clerk into the VIP lounge, Yvonne called out to her.
Diana was taken aback but quickly regained her composure, turned with a smile, and said calmly, “I’m sorry, ma’am, I didn’t realize you were here, too.”
Yvonne looked at Diana without any hint of anger but with a smile. She made her way over after telling the clerk something and said, “Diana, come, let’s go inside for a chat.”
With that, Yvonne headed straight for the VIP lounge. Diana followed without hesitation.
“Diana, do you know who Liam is buying that watch for?” Once inside the lounge, Yvonne sat down on the sofa, looked up at Diana with a gentle smile, and asked warmly.
Diana wasn’t naïve. Given Yvonne’s approach, it wasn’t hard to deduce a thing or two. Clearly, bumping into Yvonne here was no coincidence but rather a calculated move. And considering Liam’s dealings with her and Tessa, Yvonne might have known it all along.
Yvonne had been cast out from the Evans family, and Diana had already learned from Teresa that there was a rift between Yvonne and Liam. This meant that Liam himself couldn’t have been the one to tell Yvonne about his issues with her and Tessa.
“Ma’am, I’m just an assistant. It’s not my place to concern myself with whom Liam gives a watch,” Diana replied smoothly, keeping her gaze steady on Yvonne.
“You’re quite shrewd and aloof, aren’t you?” Yvonne sneered at her, a mocking smile on her face. “Just letting the man you fancy slip through your fingers to someone else.”
It was apparent that Yvonne knew the intricacies between Liam, Diana, and whatever was going on with Tessa.
Without changing her expression, Diana looked at her silently, choosing not to respond.
“Diana, you’re educated, attractive, and highly competent at your job. You’re in no way inferior to other women. What you lack is just a little boost,” Yvonne continued to tempt her, “I can give you that opportunity to rise to prominence as part of the Evans family. A real game-changer.”
Yvonne stood up, walked over to Diana, and took something out of her purse, handing it to her.
Diana saw it was a new SIM card.
“If you want to climb the social ladder, use this SIM card and call me,” Yvonne said, noticing Diana’s hesitation. Without waiting for her to accept it, Yvonne slipped the card directly into her pocket, her smile lingering. “Even if you don’t call, don’t be smart and spill anything about our meeting today. If you do, your future won’t be comfortable,” she warned.
With those final words, Yvonne strode past Diana and left.
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