Chapter 364: Changes Coming to the Foley Group Old Mr. Foley said that Kelvin had never painted for anyone else before. This portrait of her was his first and last work of art. Not even Abbie had that privilege.
When he was caught, the stubborn teenager had insisted that it was just practice and had prepared to discard it. He had actually thrown it in the downstairs trash bin. 'Cheyenne, do you know? At the time, I really wanted to laugh. He clearly had a crush on you, but he was just being stubborn and wouldn't admit it.' 'Later, I saw him go back to the trash pile specifically to search for this painting.' 'When he couldn't find it, he even had a big argument with the management company. That's when I knew that arranging your engagement was the right thing to do.' 'Because I've never seen any emotion other than aloofness on Kelvin's face. Try to forgive him. He was so cold and stern because he was deeply scarred by Gracie.' 'He's afraid to trust others, afraid to let anyone get close to him. He's built a protective shell around himself, using indifference to hide his true feelings.' The conversation downstairs grew quieter and eventually returned to a calm tone.
When Iker cout of his room again, old Mr. Foley and the butler had already left. He saw Cheyenne had taken the oil painting she had thrown in a corner and placed it back on the table.
She was sitting on the couch, her legs curled up, hugging her knees, and burying her head in them. Her eyes stared blankly at the painting.
Her posture made her look like a scared little chick hiding in its eggshell, extremely lacking in a sense of security, igniting a desire to protect her.
Cheyenne rarely appeared this way. She was always confident, her smile vibrant, and occasionally a bit absent- minded. But in this moment, Iker deeply realized one fact: Cheyenne was just a vulnerable girl.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe was so focused that she didn't even notice when he arrived. Feeling the room darken slightly, Cheyenne raised her head, meeting a pair of sharp, deep-set eyes. Her red lips parted, and she called him, 'Master Iker.' Iker sat down beside her, and his large and heavy frcaused the couch to sink deeper. That was the difference in weight between a man and a woman. 'What are you thinking?' he asked.
His gaze also landed on the oil painting, the one Kelvin had painted. She had known the truth, and she had even disliked it...
A hint of turmoil passed through her eyes, but she shook her head to dispel those unsettling thoughts. 'Nothing.' 'Really? What did old Mr. Foley say to you that left you in a daze? Cheyenne, I'm not used to seeing you like this.' She couldn't help but roll her eyes. 'Master Iker, you're being too concerned. Don't worry; I'm perfectly clear- headed.' Yes, Kelvin was very pitiful...
But she wasn't doing any better.
His paranoid personality wasn't a reason to harm her...
At least, that child was his flesh and blood.
Cheyenne got up, picked up the oil painting, and headed towards her room. She thought she would find an opportunity to return it to Kelvin. The past was in the past, and there was no need to continue dwelling in memories and pain.
The next morning, after a simple morning routine, Cheyenne wrapped the oil painting in old newspapers and took a taxi to the Foley Group headquarters.
Unfortunately, she arrived at an inconvenient time. Kelvin was in the middle of an early meeting with the employees. They were discussing the acquisition of Abbie's shares and a new round of restructuring for the board of directors.
The Foley Group had remained strong and prosperous in Akloit and even nationwide because of years of internal and external reforms and strict requirements.
Abbie's abilities didn't match her position, and she had made several detrimental decisions as a shareholder that had seriously affected the company's profitability.
The acquisition of her shares and her removal from her position had been approved by other shareholders. The meeting today was essentially a 'criticism session' for Abbie. She hadn't signed the documents yesterday because she wouldn't give up until she heard Kelvin say it himself.
Now, the man she had been longing for appeared.
When Kelvin showed up at the company today, there were dark circles under his eyes, and his overall appearance didn't look too good. He was still wearing the sblack suit from two days ago, now slightly wrinkled and dusty. This was unprecedented for him, considering his usual cleanliness and attention to detail. This morning, when he entered the office in his disheveled state, even Chris was taken aback and immediately asked where he had been yesterday and why his phone had been turned off. Kelvin didn't say a word, he just asked Chris to prepare a meeting notice.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFor Abbie, yesterday had also been a sleepless night. She tossed and turned in her own bed, unable to sleep. Recent events had taken a toll on her, and she even considered whether she should return to the Berry family and seek her uncle's help.
But then she thought again... If she went back, she might have to endure Jane's mockery, especially since she had previously used her father's will to threaten her uncle.
She couldn't cup with an answer even as dawn broke. She cto the office with dark circles under her eyes, her mind blank. As soon as she entered the building, she bumped into Kelvin. She was abou to approach him with excitement to talk, but all she received was his cold remark, 'Director Berry, please go to the conference room. The meeting has started.' Director Berry...
When had their relationship becso distant? From the moment she entered to now, Abbie hadn't absorbed a single word. She stared blankly at Kelvin, who sat dominantly at the head of the long table.
Throughout the meeting, Kelvin never once looked at her, not even a glance. Had she somehow becso repulsive to him?
It wasn't until Chris placed a share transfer document in front of her that Abbie snapped back to hencomposure reality she lost her composure, raised her head, E and, like a madwoman, roared as she threw the contract aside. 'No, I won't sign it! Kelvin, please, I beg you, I don't want to transfer my shares.' Kelvin rose coldly, his hands slamming onto the table, and he leaned over her with an imposing stance, announcing near her ear, 'Shut up! You have no right to calllike that!' His presence was overwhelming, sending shivers through everyone in the conference room, and the atmosphere froze to an icy point.
Before, everyone had thought that Mr. Foley and his wife were divorcing because he was going to marry Miss Berry. The two famines had a deep, ten-year friendship, and Miss Berry seemed to be the rightful successor to the title of Mrs. Foley. Observant people could see that Mr. Foley was quite displeased with Miss Lawrence. But now, it seemed that the situation had taken a different turn.
Abbie felt a bitter taste in her throat, and she gritted her teeth as she uttered a phrase, 'Mr. Foley.' Tears fell silently.
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