Chapter 100 Bennett's Sidekick
When Adeline woke up the following day, Bennett had already left for preschool alone.
He left her breakfast, along with a note.
"Mommy, I went to preschool."
"Eat well."
"Don't get the wound wet."
"And remember this, okay?"
Beneath the note, there was a pregnancy test.
Sitting on the bed, Adeline looked at the note, the breakfast beside it, and the pregnancy test.
Her eyes moistened.
Her kids were always so thoughtful; it was heartbreaking.
After hesitating for a while, she picked up the pregnancy test and went to the bathroom.
A single line–not pregnant.
The woman laughed bitterly to herself and tossed the test into the trash.
She should have known it would take a lot of work.
Nothing in her life had ever been easy.
After freshening up, she settled at the breakfast table and mulled over her next move while nibbling on her meal.
Just then, the doorbell chimed.
Assuming it was Violet, she kept eating her breakfast sandwich while opening the door.
"Miss Wilson!!!" boomed a forceful male voice as soon as the door swung open.
Startled, she jumped.
"Hello!" greeted the man, clad in a sleek black suit and flashing a cordial smile as he handed her his business card. I'm with Foster Group's Jewelry Division Human Resources. My name is Darwin."
"This morning, Mr. Foster instructed me to inform you that you've been selected for a position at the Foster Group's Jewelry Division, within the Design Department as an... intern designer."
Adeline's face contorted slightly. "Intern designer?"
"Yes," Darwin affirmed, beaming at Adeline reassuringly. "But rest assured, although your title is that of an intern, your salary and benefits will match those of a full-fledged designer."
"Mr. Foster has great confidence in you. Although you're new to jewelry design, he believes in your talents and is certain you'll achieve great things."
Adeline squinted her eyes. This man was doing this on purpose.
Although she had omitted the fact that she was from Moon in her forged credentials, her resume still depicted her as a designer with years of experience.
Offering her an internship must be an attempt to humiliate her, right?
Clever man.
Ethan wouldn't allow him to deny her a job at the Foster Group.
A formal position would be too much for him to concede, thinking she wasn't worthy.
So, he concocted this internship role—insulting her on the one hand, and on the other, should she refuse, providing a tidy excuse to Ethan.
"Miss Wilson."
Noticing Adeline's silence, Darwin prodded her with a gentle reminder, still smiling.
Adeline snapped back to reality.
"I'll just get my things."
The woman finished the other half of her sandwich quickly. She spun around back to her room to begin packing.
Darwin was baffled.
Jasper had instructed him to approach her gently about the internship, adding that there would be consequences if she refused.
Yet, without a word of objection, she immediately started getting ready.
Frantically, he whipped out his phone to message Ryan.
"Assistant White, Adeline isn't falling for it. She's willing to come to work with us. What do we do?"
Ryan responded promptly, "Let her come."
"Let's go."
As Ryan's message came through, Adeline had finished packing her things.
Clad in white trousers and a matching shirt, she threw on a light blue cardigan and shouldered her pale yellow backpack. She radiated both vitality and calmness.
In that outfit, she looked like a young intern ready to take on the design world.
Darwin was momentarily stunned. He couldn't reconcile the woman before him with the Adeline he had just interacted with.
"Today is my first day, right?" Adeline asked, ignoring his astonished expression. She started heading downstairs and asked in a casual tone, "Could you fill me in on the work hours?"
"I might need to leave early in the afternoon; I have to pick up my son from school."
Following behind her, Darwin stumbled over his words, "You have... a son?"
She appeared to be barely in her twenties. How could she already have a son?
"Of course I do." Adeline chuckled gently. "My son is good friends with Mr. Foster's daughter."
It suddenly made sense to Darwin. No wonder she lived in this modest neighborhood and yet was friends with Mr. Foster—thanks to her son.
They left the building one after another and got into Darwin's car.
Throughout the ride, Darwin reviewed the company's policies with Adeline. She glanced out the car window, responding nonchalantly.
Darwin felt a twinge of irritation. "Adeline, why aren't you taking this seriously?"
"Some of these policies are unique to our company; if you slip up, you could get docked pay!"
Adeline's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm taking note."
How could she not remember? Many company policies were developed years ago with Jasper's input, and many were from her suggestions.
Benefits for female staff with children, provisions to make their work life more manageable—she had warmly insisted to Jasper to consider them.
"Don't tell anyone these are my ideas. They'll think you're an exceptionally compassionate boss!" she had said to him.
Jasper always responded with a light smile, playing along, "I might just say the compassionate one is you."
She believed the company would see Jasper's madam as empathetic, gentle, and virtuous.
But what was the reality?
When she got to Jasper's company, what met her was not warmth but cold indifference and rolling eyes. Some even went so far as to sabotage her, tampering with her coffee in ways they shouldn't have.
But their behavior was downright nasty when they interacted with her, unlike their courteous demeanor towards Molly, Jasper's assistant.
Molly would comfort her by saying it was because she was more approachable.
It wasn't until later that Adeline discovered why everyone at the company treated her so poorly. It was because Molly had told them.
That all those humane policies and initiatives were Jasper's creation.
And she, the CEO's wife, who knew nothing, was stealing credit.
Those memories were still vivid in her mind.
Adeline took a deep breath.
Now, she had finally become an employee of Jasper's company.
The thought seemed surreal.
Soon, they arrived at the Foster Group.
"Miss Wilson, please exit the vehicle."
"Miss Wilson!"
As soon as the car stopped, two burly bodyguards excitedly rushed to open the door for her.
Darwin raised an eyebrow. "Tim, Tom, what brings you two here today to open the door for me?"
"We're not opening the door for you. It's for Miss Wilson!"
Tim stepped past Darwin and enthusiastically greeted Adeline, "Hello, Miss Wilson. My name is Tim, and this is Tom, my brother. We work for Bennett.”
"From now on, while at the Foster Group, we'll be your protection!"
Adeline was taken aback as she stared at the two hulking men before her.
"Bennett's aides?"
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