Chapter four

At the crack of dawn the following day, Kathy chose not to immediately seek out Mr. Hubbard, the individual responsible for overseeing the Topcom brand. Instead, she decided to visit an elderly man who possessed extensive knowledge and skill in both traditional and digital art forms.

Despite not being widely recognized, this elderly gentleman had a profound understanding of trad and digital art. Unlike most people, Mr. Hubbard held a distinct fascination with art and had little interest in expensive auction items. Instead, he displayed a keen interest in the works of folk art masters.

As Kathy contemplated her past, she couldn't help but mock herself. In her previous life, the Havard group's triumphant contract agreement with Topcom had heavily relied on the influence of Gordon Gilmore's art. However, she was resolute in avoiding the same blunder in this new life.

Kathy had a distant connection with Gordon, making it relatively easier for her to establish a close relationship with him compared to others. Rather than directly approaching him, Kathy decided to meet his wife, Camille, and within a single morning, the two of them grew acquainted with each other.

Around noon, under the pretense of work, Kathy departed. Just as she turned the corner, she unexpectedly encountered Xavier, who was carrying pricey health products and appeared to be intending to meet with Gordon.

A sardonic smile played on Kathy's lips. She doubted that Xavier could replicate the success of signing a contract with Topcom solely through acquiring Gordon's art, as he had done in their previous existence.

Unintentionally, Xavier's brows furrowed.

"Kathy, have you come here for the sake of art? I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away from me. Return, and I won't hold what happened before against you. Your position will remain unchanged when you come back, and you will still be in charge of this project. However, there is one condition: you must bring Bridgette and the others back with you." He tilted his head slightly and spoke with a forgiving expression.

Kathy's lips curled upwards, and her crimson smile radiated an enchanting charm under the sunlight.

"Such a dreamer…" After her remark, she sidestepped him and made her way to leave.

Xavier's brows furrowed as he grabbed her arm, displaying a hint of annoyance.

"Kathy, can't you stop with these games? I may have suggested letting bygones be bygones, but you should also recognize when to release your stubbornness."

Kathy arched an eyebrow and regarded him with a sarcastic gaze.

"And where do you find the audacity to label me as stubborn, Xavier? Let me reiterate it once more. We are finished. We are strangers now. Don't attempt to casually approach me, understand?!"

Xavier's frustration and embarrassment began to transform into anger. He tightly grasped Kathy's arm.

"Kathy! Are you certain you want to speak to me in this manner?! This is the final time I am asking you. Will you return or not? You are well aware of my temper!"

Indeed, she was familiar with his temper. He had never exhibited any patience towards her. Thus, in their previous life, she consistently accommodated him, endured his flaws, and worked tirelessly. But what did she gain in the end?! She was left with a tarnished reputation and met a wretched demise on the streets.

Kathy's eyes welled up with tears, tinged with a flicker of hatred. Xavier had crossed a line in their previous existence by involving her family. In a bid to coerce her, Xavier and Alexia had conspired to ensnare her father in a gambling trap, leading to his demise in despair.

Shortly after, her mother followed suit. Left alone, Kathy found herself unable to settle her father's overwhelming gambling debts and suffered the brutality of having her legs broken by unknown assailants before succumbing to a wretched fate on the streets.

Even in the present, Kathy vowed to bury this profound hatred deep within her heart, never allowing a moment to pass without remembering the pain inflicted upon her and her family.

Xavier found himself taken aback by Kathy's piercing gaze, causing his heart to skip a beat. It had been quite some time since he had witnessed such intensity in her eyes, and he suddenly realized that Kathy was unlike anyone he had ever compared her to, particularly Alexia.

In Xavier's perception, Alexia resembled a delicate flower nurtured in a greenhouse, while Kathy exuded a distinct allure. She possessed an independence and beauty that was impossible to overlook. At times, he even felt overwhelmed by Kathy's radiance, leading him to subdue her presence, just as he felt now under her penetrating gaze, which made him distinctly uncomfortable.

A slight frown creased Xavier's brow as he coldly inquired, "What's with that look?!"

"Let go! Xavier, let me make it clear to you. You disgust me. If I don't leave now, even in the future, in this lifetime, I want nothing to do with you. You taint me!" Kathy forcefully pushed him away and turned to depart. If she didn't leave at that moment, she feared she might unleash her fury upon him!

Once Kathy was out of sight, Xavier finally regained his composure. Suddenly, a surge of anger consumed him, and he vented his frustration by kicking the nearby tree. "Damn it!"

In the past few days, Kathy had solely interacted with Dominic and had yet to formally greet her colleagues at Henderson Corp. Due to Kathy's abrupt arrival, the documents regarding the personnel department's transfer had not been disseminated, and the regular staff remained oblivious to the fact that a new director had joined their company.

Kathy proceeded directly to the structuring department when suddenly a woman emerged in front of her, obstructing her path. "Hey, you're new here, right?! Take these documents and make copies!" The person speaking was none other than Maricela, a member of the structuring department. She promptly placed a stack of materials into Kathy's hands.

Maricela had a history of being unkind to new employees. With her extensive tenure at Henderson Corp and the fact that her uncle was the current director of the structuring department, even if employees were directly instructed by her, they wouldn't dare to voice their grievances. In the present job market, finding a position with favorable benefits was challenging, and they didn't want to jeopardize their employment over such a trivial matter.

Due to her colleagues' prevailing attitude, Maricela progressively grew more arrogant, frequently delegating her work to new employees. Maricela locked eyes with Kathy, who remained motionless, and suddenly directed a fierce glare at her.

"What are you staring at?! Get moving! Who are you trying to charm with such a fancy outfit? You look like a sly fox!" Envy and anger colored Maricela's gaze as she observed Kathy's beautiful face.

Kathy casually glanced at her and returned the materials to Maricela's hands. "Firstly, I am not your subordinate. Secondly, this task does not concern me. And thirdly, kindly treat me with respect in the future!"

Maricela's eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed at Kathy. Abruptly, she placed the materials on the desk next to her and assumed a defiant stance, hands resting on her hips.

"Do you even know who I am? How dare you speak to me like that?! Whether you believe it or not, I can have you fired right now!" She tilted her nose arrogantly, issuing a threat.

Kathy raised an eyebrow, scanned her surroundings, and noticed her colleagues feigning busy work, heads down. It dawned on her that this woman's behavior was not an isolated incident.

"What? Are you the head honcho of Henderson Corp?"

Maricela seethed with anger, feeling a lump in her throat. Being accustomed to giving orders, this sudden obstacle ignited her fury and she believed she had been humiliated in front of her colleagues.

"Even if I'm not the boss, I can still have you ousted from this company!" Maricela clenched her fists, her face contorted with rage.

Kathy interlaced her fingers and smiled with intrigue. "Oh?! Then I'll eagerly await it."

"You! You're quite something. Just wait and see!" Maricela angrily pointed at Kathy and stormed towards the director's office. She harbored malicious thoughts of using her familial connection to have Kathy dismissed and teach her a lesson about pride.

Soon, Maricela emerged from the office accompanied by the current director, Mr. Wesley.

"Sir, look, it's this new employee. Not only does she arrive late for work, but she also neglects her duties. You must reprimand her to prevent her from dampening the enthusiasm of our colleagues."

Kathy couldn't contain her eagerness and raised her voice even before they approached.

Mr. Wesley approached with determined strides, his face revealing a tinge of anger. His niece had been mistreated, and it was only natural for him to come to her defense. However, the closer he got, the more familiar Kathy's face appeared. As he reached her, he abruptly halted, his expression undergoing a series of changes.

Maricela wore an air of arrogance and pride as she gazed at Kathy, convinced that she would reduce this woman to tears and make her beg for forgiveness.

"What are you staring at? Why haven't you apologized?!" She arrogantly pointed at Kathy.