Chapter 61

Darien mocked. He found Rosetta's deduction absurd. "Don't interrupt my dinner," he said. Seeing his cold expression, Rosetta didn't dare say another word and quickly walked away. Homestead, she also found her own guess implausible.

After all, Autumn was aloof and usually treated Rosetta with indifference. The only person she ever warmed up to was Damien; she only ever showed him her gentle side. When Damien wasn't around, Autumn reverted to her cold and distant self. She remembered that piercing gaze all too well. As long as Autumn looked at her, she wouldn't dare speak. It had never been easy to get close to Autumn. She was nothing like Emilia, the woman Damien had brought home a few days ago.

It was immediately apparent that Emilia came from wealth. Emilia carried herself like a proud heiress but was also warm and approachable. At their first meeting, she even gave Rosetta a skincare set worth thousands of dollars. Rosetta adored Emilia immediately. She even secretly hoped that Emilia would one day marry Damien.

Darien didn't like Autumn because she was hard to get along with; still, Rosetta couldn't help missing her. When Autumn was around, Rosetta could slack off with the chores. Now, she had to manage everything herself. Lately, it had been exhausting—her back ached constantly. To her credit, Autumn had prepared a first-aid kit for her that included patches for back pain. Of course, they weren't worth much. Even if Autumn hadn't given them to her, Rosetta would have bought them herself. But she still preferred the expensive skincare set. Ella knew how to win people over, unlike Autumn.

After dinner, Darien went to the gym. After his workout, he went to his study, where he received a call from Scott. "Mr. Caldwell, sir. Mr. Dawson Faulkner is the CEO of Westgate Group." Damien had heard the rumor before but hadn't been sure, and he'd sent Scott to investigate. He hadn't expected it to be true.

Westgate Group was founded five years ago; in that short time, it had surpassed Caldwell Group. No one knew who its CEO was—only that they were extremely well-connected and part of the Chrestia's inner circle. Damien's expression darkened. Westgate Group's market value had eclipsed Caldwell Group's; the old guard might start thinking Dawson was the more capable of the two. Damien clenched his fist instinctively. He couldn't deny Dawson's capability, but he was convinced Dahlia, his rival in Cleestia, played a major role in Westgate Group's rise. So, in Damien's mind, he hadn't truly lost to Dawson.

Despite Damien's obvious bad mood, Scott couldn't stop himself from saying, "Mr. Caldwell, Ms. Gray is employed at Westgate Group." Damien's voice uttered, "Really?" Tucked away in Belara, Mr. Faulkner's ties to the country were unknown, his connection to Westgate Group even less so. Ms. Gray probably didn't know either, which is why she ended up working there. The assessment: "Ms. Gray's just a secretary—probably a junior one. I doubt she even sees Mr. Faulkner at work."

"But we have a rivalry," Dantian said. He didn't care much about Autumn, but anything involving Dawson always left a bitter taste. Scott sounded amused. If Ms. Gray were Mr. Faulkner's secretary, she would have resigned immediately. She knows that's a sore spot for you; she wouldn't dare cross that line. Damien agreed. The worst thing she ever did was talk back to him earlier that afternoon. She wouldn't be reckless enough to team up with Dawson and go against him.

Even after the call ended, Damien remained in a sour mood. But just then, he received a message from Emilia. Soon after, he changed his clothes and went to pick her up. It was Saturday, the day of their date. The time was noted as 7:00 pm. That was the day free. Tina, meanwhile, was slowly easing back into her workout routine; she decided to start with a light jog.