Chapter 87 Improper Relationship
Anniston was totally losing it lately.
Her own son went all out against her over some stand-in.
Not only was she getting booted from her spot at the Solomon Group, but even her closest allies were getting caught up in the mess.
Anniston slammed the latest financial daily in front of Darwin. "Did you do this to Geoffery? The guy watched you grow up! He's been with me for thirty years! Even if you wanna get rid of my people, you don't have to be so brutal, right?"
Darwin barely glanced at the newspaper.
"Didn't he get busted for his own shady stuff?" His tone was ice-cold.
"Busted?" Anniston scoffed, "When I tried to bail him out, the cops wouldn't let me. After some digging, I found out someone anonymously handed over a ton of photos and videos! No amount of cash is getting him out this time!"
"Photos and videos?" Darwin thought of Burl.
Yeah, he had a hand in Geoffery's downfall. Those two who ratted him out? Totally his doing.
"Don't act like you had nothing to do with this. I know it's 'cause Geoffery dissed Fiona at the meeting a few days ago, right?" Anniston sneered.
She never thought Darwin would be so head over heels for Fiona, even more than he was for Lilian back in the day.
"Mom, he had done so much shady stuff." Darwin's tone was calm. "You're a woman too. Faced with such scum, you should be glad he got caught, right?"
Outside the door, Fiona bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
She turned to look at Henry and the rest of the crew in the president's office, waving her hand to let everyone know to chill and get back to work.
When it came to being a pain, who could beat Darwin?
Moments later, Anniston stormed out of Darwin's office.
Unfortunately for her, Fiona was about to head back to her secretary's office.
"Stop!" Anniston called out.
Fiona inwardly groaned.
She turned around, putting on a professional smile. "Ms. Garcia, need something?"
Anniston walked over, eyes blazing with anger.
She raised her hand to slap Fiona.
Her grievances and anger needed an outlet.
"Ms. Woods!"
"Oh my God!"
Around them, the employees in the president's office gasped.
But the slap never landed on Fiona's face.
Fiona had grabbed Anniston's wrist.
"You!" Anniston was shocked.
Fiona flung her hand aside. "Ms. Garcia, have some self-respect, okay? I work at the Atlas Group; I didn't sell myself to the Atlas Group as a punching bag. You think you can just hit me?"
Anniston stumbled.
Darwin heard the commotion and rushed out of his office.
"Mom!" he shouted angrily, striding over.
"She hit me!" Anniston regained her composure, pointing at Fiona. "Darwin, I'm your mother. Are you just gonna stand there and let her bully me like this?"
Darwin glanced at Fiona.
Fiona said nothing.
At most, it was self-defense.
'What? Should I stand there and let his mom slap me? Dream on!' Initially, Fiona thought she would face Darwin's reproach.
Unexpectedly, Darwin stepped in front of her, giving Anniston a look that screamed warning. "Mom, did you forget what I told you that night at the nursing home?"
Anniston froze, visibly stiffening.
That day, Darwin's warning was ice-cold.
Anniston couldn't believe her own son could be so heartless.
But now it seemed Darwin's warning was for real.
"Fine!" Anniston nodded, shooting a glance at Fiona, who was being shielded by Darwin.
She turned to leave.
Seeing the onlookers' eyes, her high and mighty pride crumbled.
Anniston gritted her teeth.
If she had known this day would come, she would've kept Lilian around.
Back then, she and Brooke went all out to drive Lilian away. Now Brooke was out of her mind, and she had to face the massive humiliation brought by Lilian's stand-in.
But she always got her revenge.
'Fiona! Just you wait!'
After Anniston left, Darwin looked at Fiona. "Come to my office."
"Sure." Fiona followed him into the president's office.
After closing the door, Darwin sat down on the sofa in the reception area and motioned her over. "Come here."
Fiona walked over.
"I was just defending myself," she said.
"I know." Darwin nodded. "Good job. If anyone tries to mess with you in the future, just fight back."
Fiona stayed quiet.
"Tonight, I'm free. Wanna catch a movie?" Darwin reached out and held Fiona's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Fiona was taken aback. "A movie?"
"Yeah." Darwin looked at her. "We've been together for so long, and we haven't hit the cinema yet."
Fiona tried to pull her hand back.
Darwin held on tight. "You pick the movie."
"No." Fiona shook her head. "I have plans tonight."
"Cancel them."
"It's with Ms. Rhoads. We've been trying to set this up for days!" Fiona frowned and refused.
"Why are you still in touch with her?" Darwin pulled her into his lap. "Are you planning to use her to escape?"
Fiona was speechless.
"Yeah, I'm flying out tonight!" Fiona tried to push away his hand that was holding her waist too tightly.
Darwin heard the joking tone in her voice.
These days, although Fiona was still not as gentle as before, their interactions were relatively chill, not like at the beginning when she was always so cold.
"You wouldn't dare!" Darwin held her, pretending to be fierce.
"Let's reschedule the movie. I can't break my promise," Fiona mumbled.
Darwin listened, sensing a bit of a pout in her tone.
He was in a great mood.
"Dinner?" Darwin asked.
"Okay." Fiona nodded.
"Give me the address, and I'll drive you there later." Darwin continued to massage Fiona's hand. "My mom gave you a hard time. Is there any gift you want? I'll buy it for you."
After all, Anniston was his mother.
Darwin couldn't treat her like he did others.
He could only use other means to make up for Fiona's grievances.
"Tonight, I want to go to Thalassa's place." Fiona hesitated. "Lately, you've been taking me everywhere with you, and I haven't had time to meet her."
Darwin frowned. "She won't take you to a bar, will she?"
"Of course not!" Fiona paused. "I've already told her about our... improper relationship."
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