Chapter 4

4: 4

Stephanie froze for a second, then caught up fast.

"Of course, Miss. I'll see to it right away."

After the call ended, I stood and reached for my coat, meaning to head to the hospital and check on my mother.

Passing the sales department, I noticed my father wasn't at his desk.

"Where is he?"

Beside me, Adrian pushed his glasses up.

"His people say Millicent called him, and he left for the day."

"And it's happened several times this month."

I gave a cold laugh.

"If he wants to be here that little, then get someone to clear out his desk."

Adrian moved quickly.

By the time I stepped into the elevator, three people were already packing his things into boxes, every box stuffed full.

At the hospital entrance, I ran straight into my father and Millicent.

The moment she saw me, Millicent bared her teeth and lunged as if to hit me.

But my father said something in her ear, and she went quiet, gave a cold snort, and walked off.

He, on the other hand, sidled up to me with a grin.

"Iris, are you here to see your mother?"

I said nothing and kept walking. He followed.

"I haven't seen Lorraine in a while either. I'll come with you."

I stopped.

For the first time, my eyes turned sharp.

"No need."

The look on my face froze him in place.

By the time he came to his senses, I was already in the elevator.

As the doors slid shut, I heard him muttering and cursing.

"Fine, don't let me. You think I care to look at that dying old woman?"

My fists clenched, and I called Adrian right away.

"Get people on overtime. Audit every project Noel Lambert has touched over the years, tonight."

My mother was the same as before, eyes still shut, lying there quietly.

I told her a little about how the company was doing, gave a few instructions to the bodyguard and nurse posted at the door, and only then left.

At nine the next morning, the board meeting convened right on schedule.

Every director was already seated in the conference room.

I pushed the door open, and they rose.

"Good morning, Chairwoman."

I nodded and took the seat at the head of the table.

My father sat on the right.

Seeing me come in, he spoke up with a smile, trying to smooth things over.

"Iris, that thing your dad said yesterday, have you thought it over?"

Several directors turned to look, frowning.

I opened the file without lifting my head.

"This is a board meeting. We don't discuss personal matters."

The smile on my father's face stiffened, his mouth pressing into a flat line.

But he quickly slipped back into his obliging manner.

"All right, all right, Dad will listen to you. Business first."

The meeting went on.

After each department finished its report,

half an hour later, all the business was done.

I closed the file.

"Now for a personnel change, regarding Mr. Noel Lambert."

My father's hand, just reaching for his teacup, went still, and pure delight rose on his face.

I didn't look at him. I looked at Adrian.

"Hand out the documents."

Adrian nodded and passed a copy to each director.

My father rubbed his hands in excitement. Then he saw the words on the page, "Regarding the Dismissal of Noel Lambert,"

and his face changed completely. He didn't even call me daughter anymore.

"Iris Fox, you're removing me from my position?"

"Yes."

I said it flatly, no room for argument.

"And starting today, there's no place for you in the Fox family. Go back to the countryside and farm."