Chapter 83
“Don’t lie to Angel, Sylvia. There’s no way you have Master Cameron’s autographed book,” Joanna scoffed.
Angel was just about to stand up for Joanna when Sylvia cleverly diverted her attention with this tactic.
Sure enough. Angel grew suspicious. “Sylvia, what’s the point of lying to me? You don’t even know Master Cameron personally. Where could you possibly get his autographed book?”
Without a word, Sylvia picked up her bag from the chair and pulled out a book with an exquisite cover.
This was an economics reference book she had arranged to publish with a foreign press earlier this year. The first batch had just hit the market, with Master Cameron’s signature gracing the title page.
Angel’s eyes lit up instantly when she saw the book. “Sylvia, let me see that. Wait? Is this the Practical Economics Guide that was trending online recently and sold out everywhere?”
This book was an instant hit, selling out within minutes of its release. Now, countless readers were eagerly awaiting the next print run.
Angel had exhausted all her connections but still couldn’t get the book, so seeing it now sent her into a frenzy.
Sylvia gave a faint nod and handed the book to her.
Angel carefully flipped through a few pages, her eyes lighting up. “That’s it. This is the book.”
The title page even bore Master Cameron’s signature, sending Angel into raptures. All thoughts of standing up for Joanna vanished as she gazed at Sylvia with shining eyes. “You’d really give this to me?”
Just as Angel was bubbling with excitement, Joanna cut in and burst her bubble. “Angel, don’t celebrate too soon. With so many fakes out there, how do you know this book’s the real deal? And that signature? What makes you think it’s really Master Cameron’s?”
Angel hesitated for a moment, then looked back at Sylvia with a frown. “Sylvia, you’re not trying to fool me, are you?”
Sylvia sneered, “Angel, can you please not be so stupid all the time? Someone says a couple of words, and you start doubting?
“Don’t you know authentic books have verifiable serial numbers? And the signature? Can’t you just check it yourself?”
Angel froze for a second, thought it over, then quickly snapped a few photos of the book Sylvia had given her and sent them to her overseas alumni group chat.
Angel: [Guys, can you help me verify if this book is genuine?]
The group chat instantly exploded.
[OMG. Is that Master Cameron’s autographed book?]
[OMG. It’s definitely real. My brother recently had to pull some strings to get his hands on a copy like this. It cost him over a million bucks.]
[Angel, where did you get this book? You have to sell it to me. I’ll give you 650 thousand dollars. The first edition is totally gone now.]
Angel’s cheeks flushed red with excitement as she read the replies in the group chat. Now there was no doubt. The book was the real deal.
She clutched the book tightly like a priceless treasure. But before Angel could even savor the moment, Sylvia reached over and snatched the book right
back from her.
Angel’s face darkened as she snapped, “What’s that supposed to mean? Going back on your word now?”
Sylvia said coldly, “Did I ever promise I’d definitely give it to you? And given our relationship, why on earth would I hand it over?”
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Chapter 83
Angel’s face flushed red with anger as she gritted her teeth. “Sylvia, just tell me. What will it take for you to hand over that hook or buy it if that’s what you want.”
Sylvia waved her hand dismissively before laying out her terms. “If you want this book, it’s simple. Go back to the Blair residence Immediately),
“If I’m not mistaken, Byron is probably chewing out my son, Zack. You need to stand up for him.”
Since Zack had stayed over at her place last night, Sylvia knew that Byron definitely wouldn’t give him a warm welcome when he got home tonight. After dinner, Zack was probably in for an earful, or maybe even a spanking.
“Is that all?” Angel asked, hardly believing it.
Zack was all Sylvia could worry about right now. Frowning, she pressed, “Well? Are you in or not?”
“Piece of cake. I’m in.” Angel grinned mischievously, snatching the book from Sylvia’s hands in one swift motion. With a triumphant huff, she declared, “This book’s mine now. I’m heading home.”
Clutching her prize tightly, Angel dashed out of the restaurant in a flurry.
Joanna stood there seething with anger, her face turning pale. She had brought Angel over to back her up, but now Sylvia had easily bought Angel off with just one little favor. So much for having her support.
“Angel, wait up.” Joanna suddenly realized that staying was pointless and rushed out after her.
After the commotion died down, the assistant, Ryan, addressed Sylvia respectfully. “Master Cameron, I’m really sorry. I honestly didn’t realize Joanna was trying to cause you trouble, and I agreed to meet with her.”
Sylvia sat down at the dining table, her face expressionless, and waved a hand dismissively. “Consider this matter closed for now. You may leave, but your monthly bonus is forfeited.”
Her good mood had been completely ruined, and she needed someone to vent her frustration on.
‘This is so unfair,’ Ryan thought, but with Sylvia’s decision already made, he didn’t dare to defy it.
He didn’t leave immediately. He knew full well that walking away now would mean kissing his bonus goodbye.
“Ms. Sullivan, may I help you cut your steak?” Ryan offered politely.
“Yes, please. Thank you, sir,” Ruby replied cheerfully. Her clumsy hands were struggling with the steak, and her mother had been too busy earlier to help
her.
Ryan set his sights on Ruby. He’d always adored the adorable little girl, and now he was turning on the charm, showering her with attention.
Ryan attentively cut Ruby’s steak into bite–sized pieces. Ruby waited with her mouth wide open like a baby bird, clearly expecting to be fed.
Only when Ryan placed a piece into her mouth did she begin to chew, her face lighting up with a beaming, satisfied smile.
Sylvia glanced at Ryan, her tone softening. “Let Ruby down. Your bonus is safe this time. But keep a close eye on the domestic film project. If anything goes wrong, I’m holding you responsible.”
Sylvia now exuded the commanding presence of a true leader, masterfully balancing rewards with discipline. Only by leading this way would her subordinates truly cherish their jobs.
Ryan was so overjoyed that he was nearly in tears. He nodded eagerly in agreement before hurrying out of the restaurant.
Meanwhile, at the Blair residence, Zack had just finished dinner and was about to toddle upstairs when a sharp command rang out behind him. “Zack, get over here.”
Chapter 83
Zack had run off to Sylvia’s place last night. Byron waited until he’d finished dinner to settle the score with him, no point punishing the kid of an empty stomach.
Zack instantly caught on to what his dad was thinking. With a pitiful pout, he pleaded, “Dad, I’ve got a ton of homework tonight. Maybe I could e upstairs and get started first?”
Byron sneered, too impatient to waste another word on Zack. In a few quick strides, he scooped Zack up, tossed him onto the couch, and delivered a firm spanking to his backside.
Before Byron’s hand could even come down and the spanking had even landed, Zack burst into tears, wailing
“Byron, what are you doing?” Just then, Angel burst in and grabbed hold of his raised hand before it could come down.
This was the promise Angel had made to Sylvia. She couldn’t let Zack get a spanking.
“Angel,” Byron’s face darkened instantly as he said, “Why are you stopping me? Don’t you know exactly why Zack deserves a spanking?”
Truth be told, Angel thought, ‘Zack really deserves a spanking. He is just so disobedient.‘ Last night, even after Angel called him, Zack stubbornly refused to come home from Sylvia’s place.
“Come on, Byron, Zack just went to Sylvia’s place. She’s his mom, after all. Can you really blame him for that? Why are you so set on punishing him?” she
said.
Angel had no choice. She’d promised Sylvia, so she couldn’t just go back on her word. Besides, Sylvia had given her an autographed book by Master Cameron.
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AD
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