Chapter 157 Your Father Has Passed Away

"Oh," Fiona replied coldly.

"Take them away," Stuart directed the people behind him, who quickly stepped forward to remove the flowers and alcohol.

Fiona placed her own offerings, her sunglasses concealing the tears streaming down her face. Gazing at the smiling faces on the tombstone, she silently thought, "Mom, grandparents, I hope you can forgive my absence these past five years. My babies have grown up healthy, protected by your spirits."

She tenderly touched the children's heads.

"Charles, Chicago, these are your grandmother, great-grandfather, and great-grandmother," Fiona introduced.

Ashton had briefed the children beforehand, and Fiona had recounted their family stories to them many times.

Charles was the first to react. He knelt down immediately and bowed his head. Chicago hesitated, then followed suit.

"Grandma and ancestors, don't worry about Mommy. Charles is strong and will protect Mommy and his big brother," Charles declared, clumsily joining his hands together in a solemn promise.

Fiona laughed. "It's the big brother's job to protect his little sister."

Charles shot back, "Charles is a warrior!"

Fiona let the children's playful banter continue by the graveside, hoping it would bring some liveliness to the solemn setting.

After their respectful gestures, Ashton led Chicago to the convenience store for snacks.

"Your mom wanted this ice cream for a while, but it's not as good as she remembered, right?" Ashton said, tasting her ice cream. The children sat next to her, each with their own treat.

Fiona remained by the tombstone, speaking to her relatives.

"Godmother, I'm scared," Charles suddenly confessed, tugging at Fiona's sleeve.

"What's wrong? Did you see something?" Ashton asked, alarmed.

"I saw Mommy's picture over there!" Charles said, disappointed. "I heard only dead people have pictures on black stones!"

"That's not a black stone; that's a tombstone," Ashton corrected, remembering the memorial Dagmar had erected for Fiona. "Charles, it's hard to explain right now. You'll understand when you're older."

Charles gave Ashton a knowing look, which filled her with guilt.

Unable to sit still, Chicago quickly joined Charles in chasing butterflies.

Charles sat with Ashton, quietly eating ice cream.

"My dad was a bad person, wasn't he?" he asked abruptly.

Ashton was taken aback. "What?"

"He made Mommy fake her death and stay away for years," Charles stated matter-of-factly.

Ashton felt as if she were speaking to Darwin himself. "Charles," she said firmly, "your godmother told you before, your dad is dead."

Charles searched her face for the truth.

"He died horribly," Ashton continued, "and as you said, he wasn't a good person. Since he's gone, there's no need to focus on the negative."

Charles looked towards Fiona, silent. He knew adults often tried to deceive children with words, but he wasn't easily fooled.

Fiona lingered at the graveside for a long time, leaving as dinner time approached. She glanced into the administrator's office, remembering the caretaker, Chris, who had retired due to illness. Grateful for his years of service, she had arranged for his boss to provide him with a monthly stipend and covered his medical bills. Five years had passed, bringing a sense of closure with the changes.

In the days that followed, Fiona showed Charles and Chicago where she grew up and ate at familiar restaurants. After two days, they returned to Bay City.

On the second day back, Fiona met with Roy, the boss of her upcoming project. He was eager to collaborate after Fiona's recent success in revitalizing a national brand.

At the golf course, Fiona, dressed appropriately, was greeted by Roy. He was taken aback by her youthful beauty, having expected someone more conventional.

"Roy, nice to meet you," Fiona said, offering a handshake.

"Your reputation precedes you," Roy responded, shaking her hand.

Fiona, skipping small talk, asked, "How's your golf game, Roy?"

"Not bad. And you, Chelsea? You don't seem like a regular player," Roy observed.

Fiona redirected the conversation. "I hear you collect Legos, Roy. Let's make a bet: if I win, you get a collector's edition Lego set."

"Deal," Roy agreed, intrigued. As they played, he realized Fiona's skill level was professional.

After Fiona won the first round, Roy commented, "I didn't expect you to be so skilled!"

"The elderly at home enjoy golf, and I often join them," Fiona said.

"I'm no match for you. Let's have your son visit and pick a toy," Roy suggested.

"Let's discuss business," Fiona proposed, and they moved to the lounge.

There, they encountered Lilian, who was startled by Fiona's resemblance to someone she knew.

Fiona introduced herself as Chelsea from C Investments, and Lilian paled, mistaking her for someone else.

"You look unwell, Miss Robbins. Need a doctor?" Roy asked.

"It's nothing," Lilian recovered, noting the resemblance between herself and Fiona.

Roy noticed it too but found Fiona more striking.

"People often say we look alike. Maybe I have a common face?" Fiona joked.

Roy laughed, dismissing the idea. "You're far from common."

Lilian, flustered, watched as Roy and Fiona left for their meeting.

Alone, Lilian compared the information about Chelsea and Fiona, finding no connection except their uncanny resemblance.

Fiona, ready to confront Lilian, sensed her possessiveness over Darwin and resolved to keep out of sight.

During their meeting, Roy expressed his admiration for Fiona, noting that their potential collaboration depended on her proposal.

Fiona assured him, "My team will deliver."

They discussed Roy's ambitious ideas, and Fiona took careful notes, surprising him.

"Why didn't you dismiss any of my ideas?" Roy asked.

"It's my role to analyze and realize what's possible. You've just shared your vision; it's not time for rejection," Fiona explained.
After Fiona left, Roy realized why he felt at ease. Fiona's demeanor was polite and genuine, not sycophantic.

Roy lamented that someone as competent as Fiona was married with a child.

His assistant reminded him that they had never confirmed her marital status.

Roy mused on the secretive nature of aristocracy, intrigued by the Rhoads family's mystery.

As he was about to leave, Lilian, looking alluring, asked for a lift. Despite her slightly less striking appearance than Fiona, she had a captivating charm.

"Of course," Roy agreed, and Lilian suggested dinner as thanks.

"I should be the one to treat you," Roy insisted, aware of her connections to Darwin.
The Substitute's Revenge: From Secretary to Queen
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