Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Skyline International Corporation, top floor, CEO's Office.

Richard was slumped at his desk, staring at the mountain of resignation letters.

With Emily and Jason's help, he'd smoothly taken over Skyline International Corporation. But ever since he stepped in, whispers about the company's future had been floating around. Major shareholders were talking about pulling out, and a bunch of top-notch employees had handed in their resignations one after another.

Sure, employee turnover happens everywhere, but when it's this high, it spells trouble for the company's stability and growth.

This month, the resignation letters were piling up again.

After Ethan bounced back and got his health in check, Richard had offered to hand Skyline International Corporation back to him. But Ethan had turned him down, saying he'd fought hard during his prime and now wanted to focus on Emily and the kids.

A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Come in!"

Without even glancing up, Richard grabbed a resignation letter and tore it open. Footsteps echoed closer and closer.noveldrama

Richard tossed the resignation letter on the desk and snapped, "Take them all away. Approve every single one."

A woman had already reached the desk, her long, fair fingers resting on it, but she didn't say a word.

Richard looked up, ready to unleash his frustration, but froze.

"Lacey?"

Lacey crossed her arms and gave him a knowing smile.

Richard jumped up from his chair, hurried around the desk, and hugged her tight.

"Lacey, when did you get back? Why didn't you give me a heads-up?"

In the short time Lacey had been there, she could already feel the weight Richard was carrying as CEO.

Lacey had always been both tough and tender with him. Right now, Richard felt like a vulnerable kid in front of her.

Lacey patted his back and smiled, "I figured you might need me, so I came. Didn't tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise."

Just then, the sound of high heels clicking came from the doorway, followed by a sharp, hurt voice.

"Mr. Windsor, who is she?"

Hearing this, the long-separated siblings let go of each other and turned to look.

A fashionably dressed woman with flawless makeup stood at the door, an LV handbag dangling from her arm. She walked in, her eyes shooting daggers at Lacey.

Lacey quickly sized her up, realizing this must be one of Richard's romantic entanglements.

Lacey gave her a once-over, thinking she looked familiar, like a popular star, but couldn't quite place her name.

The woman was fuming at Lacey's calm demeanor and amused look, so she clung to Richard's arm, looking all hurt and resentful.

"Mr. Windsor, did I do something wrong? Just tell me, and I'll fix it," she pleaded.

Lacey suddenly remembered her name-Ellin Mitchell.

"Who let you in without permission?" Richard snapped, clearly annoyed.

Ellin hadn't expected Richard to treat her like this in front of another woman, and her

face fell. She stomped her foot in frustration and pointed at Lacey.

"Mr. Windsor, what does she have that I don't? She looks way older than you," Ellin spat out.

"Get out!" Richard roared.

Ellin was taken aback.

Sure, Richard had his moods, but he'd never yelled at her like this, especially not in front of someone else.

Feeling hurt and humiliated, Ellin's eyes filled with tears. She turned and ran out of the office, sobbing.

Lacey found the whole thing amusing. "Richard, I didn't expect such a dramatic welcome back."

Richard made a cup of coffee for Lacey and handed it to her, looking a bit helpless. "Lacey, I was never serious about her. I'm done with immature women."

The coffee was just the right temperature, but Lacey didn't drink it. She got serious and said, "Richard, you need to grow up. Take your relationships seriously. You can't keep hurting people with your casual attitude. I don't want another Sophie situation."

Richard nodded after a moment.

"Lacey, I get it."

His response surprised Lacey a bit.

In the past, whenever she brought up Sophie, Richard would cut her off impatiently. Maybe he really had grown up.

Meanwhile, the temperature had dropped suddenly, and Sophie, still in a short skirt, must have caught a chill. She sat in the classroom, sneezing repeatedly.

The professor was running a PowerPoint presentation, explaining a marketing course.

During an "Innovative Ideation" event by the Empire Artistry Group, Emily had noticed Sophie's knack for marketing planning. So Emily had enrolled her in a marketing course at the state university, making up for Sophie's missed college experience.

Sophie finished her class at 9:30 PM.

But there were still parts of the lesson she didn't get. A male classmate who worked at a Fortune 500 company offered to help her out.

They were the last ones to leave the school, still discussing the material as they walked.

Sophie took her studies seriously. She valued this learning opportunity more than anyone because it was so rare for her.

As soon as she stepped out of the school gate, she saw Richard leaning against a black Bentley and wondered if she was seeing things.

The male classmate was still chatting away with Sophie until he noticed her stunned expression and followed her gaze.

At this moment, Richard's expression was very displeased, just like that day on the yacht-it was the prelude to his anger.

The male classmate had initially wanted to offer Sophie a ride, but seeing the Bentley behind Richard, he didn't dare say anything and quickly bid Sophie farewell.

Sophie clutched her book tightly and walked towards him.

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Sophie asked, "What are you doing here?"

Sophie didn't think it was because of her; she knew her place.

"Who are you trying to seduce dressed like that?" Richard retorted angrily instead of answering, his anger evident.

"What's wrong with my outfit?"

Sophie looked down at herself in confusion. She was wearing a sleeveless chiffon top and a knee-length skirt, just normal attire.

"Where's Abby?"

Richard probably realized he was overreacting, so he changed the subject.

"Abby's at home," Sophie said softly.

Richard got angry again. "What kind of mother are you, leaving her alone at home when she's so young?"

Sophie explained, "I have to attend class. Don't worry, she's very well-behaved at home. She watches TV for a while and then goes to bed on her own. I've taught her not to touch anything dangerous."

Richard became even more irritable as he thought about how he hadn't fulfilled his responsibilities either.

Richard said in a questioning tone, "Aren't you worried at all? Instead of going home right after class, you're here flirting?"

Hearing the words "flirting," Sophie felt a bit heartbroken.

Sophie said, "Is that what you think of me? I was asking for help with a question."

Richard snorted, "Asking for help? What question?"

To prove she was indeed asking for help, Sophie opened her book and pointed to the question.

Richard grabbed the book, looked at it for a long time, and just when Sophie thought

he would answer it for her, he threw the book back at her.

Richard said with a sneer, "What were you even listening to in class?"

Richard had already opened the car door and sat inside, glancing back at her.

He said, "Aren't you getting in?"

Sophie hurriedly got into the passenger seat, clutching her book.

After starting the car, Richard cleared his throat and said, "I was worried about Abby."

Sophie was stunned for a few seconds before she realized Richard was explaining why he had come to pick her up.

"I know," she said.

"What do you know?"

Richard sounded displeased again.

Sophie lowered her eyes and said softly, "I know you came because of Abby. I know

you hate me and don't want to see me."

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The car came to a sudden stop.

If she hadn't been wearing a seatbelt, Sophie felt she might have hit the windshield.

She looked at him in confusion, and Richard glared at her angrily.

After a moment, he restarted the car and threw out a sentence.

"At least you know your place!"

Sophie sighed inwardly.

Over the years, she had stopped hoping for anything more.

Emily said it was because she was too compliant, but Sophie didn't think opposing Richard would make him see her differently. She should have known better by now. When they arrived home, Sophie got out of the car, and Richard followed. "Do you want to come up for a bit?" she asked cautiously.

Richard was already walking ahead, saying in a low voice, "Don't get any ideas. I'm just going up to check on Abby."

When they opened the door, the TV was still on, and Abby was asleep on the couch, clutching the remote.

Sophie put down her book and was about to pick her up, but Richard got there first, carrying Abby to the bedroom.

After tucking Abby in and making sure she was asleep, Richard came out of the bedroom to find Sophie already asleep on the couch, a book open on her chest.

Her hair was a bit messy, and she looked visibly tired, curled up on the large couch, looking even more pitiful.

After she turned over, her skirt rode up a bit, revealing her fair and slender legs.

Richard averted his gaze, went to the bedroom to get a blanket, and covered her with it before leaving.

Lacey's first task upon returning to Skyline International Corporation was to hold a large recruitment fair. At the same time, the Empire Artistry Group urgently provided manpower support, transferring some talents over, including Sophie.

Sophie felt anxious and even wanted to back out when she heard she was going to Skyline International Corporation.

But Emily said that Skyline International Corporation was a bigger stage than the Empire Artistry Group. She also said, "If you don't get closer, you and Richard will never

be together."

The day they were taken to Skyline International Corporation, a senior executive informed them that Richard would personally come to meet them.

After waiting in the reception room for about half an hour, Richard finally arrived with a group of people.

Sophie stood up with everyone else but felt too afraid to look at him.

She had been transferred at Emily's suggestion. Would Richard think Sophie was deliberately trying to get close to him?

Everyone marveled at how young and handsome Richard was and expressed their determination to do their jobs well.

Sophie was the only one who remained silent from start to finish.

Richard instructed the HR department to assign them positions based on their work experience at the Empire Artistry Group.

Just when Sophie thought he was about to leave, he suddenly walked towards her. Seeing the black leather shoes stop in front of her, Sophie didn't dare to look up.