Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 12

Back when she was doing due diligence, Eliza had visited Helios Group many times. She knew the place inside out, and her introductions flowed with ease, polished, professional.

Even President Cedric, the boss himself, looked at her with admiration.

The staff at Helios Group were just as friendly. From engineers to security guards to janitors, everyone greeted her warmly.

“Secretary Grant, are you leaving today? If not, come to my place for dinner later! My wife’s been wanting to thank you in person if you hadn’t helped us find that school, my son might’ve dropped out.”

It was Noah, Helios Group’s chief engineer, rushing over to thank her.

“How’s your son doing at his new school?” Eliza asked with a smile.

“Great, great! It’s exactly what he loves–eSports. He’s motivated, and his teachers say his grades are excellent. His mother and I used to think gaming was a waste of time. If not for you, we’d never have realized it could be a career. We owe you so much!”

“You’re exaggerating, Noah. I just happened to know a little more from an eSports project. I was glad I could help. Please tell your wife she doesn’t need to be so formal.”

“No, no, you don’t know how big a problem you solved for us. We really must thank you properly.”

“I’ll likely be heading back to Washington tonight. But I appreciate the thought.”

Noah was disappointed to hear she was leaving so soon.

Cedric said with a smile, “Since Helios Group and Everest have reached a deal, there’ll be plenty of chances to host Secretary Grant in the future.

No need to rush.”

“You’re right. I’m just impatient. But next time, Secretary Grant, you must come!”

Eliza gave no clear answer.

Because soon she would be leaving Everest.

Whether Calvin agreed or not, she was determined.

“Secretary Grant sure is popular,” Medea remarked.

Cedric laughed. “More than popular. If we ranked likability, she’d outrank me!”

Medea’s tone was hard to read–half praise, half pointed.

“I’ve been abroad too long, it’s hard to adapt to all this complicated social finesse. I’ll have to learn from Secretary Grant.”

Calvin’s lips twitched in a half smile. “No need. You’re the investment director, not PR.”

That made Medea beam, her voice softening to a playful lit. “I just want to be as thorough as Secretary Grant.”

“No need. I know you don’t like those things. Don’t force yourself.” His tone carried a tenderness he had never once spared for Eliza.

Cedric, watching from the side, saw it all clearly.

12:02

Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen

3.4%

Chapter 12

As the two walked off, he turned to Eliza. “This Director Wynn, isn’t she your President Young’s girlfriend?”

Eliza opened her mouth, but even words felt hard to form. “I’m not sure.”

After all, Calvin had never made it official. She had no right to define them.

Though she knew it was only a matter of time.

Cedric, however, was certain. “She seems like it. I hope I didn’t offend your future boss’s wife just now.”

Then he jogged to catch up with them.

Eliza stayed where she was, pain clawing at her abdomen.

Who enjoyed schmoozing, really?

For years, she had forced herself to be flawless, to please every potential partner Everest might one day need.

In Calvin’s eyes, it was worth nothing.

All her sacrifices, in the end, became reasons to belittle her.

She stood still for a long moment, then slowly crouched down, pressing both hands to her stomach.

The painkillers had stopped working.

When Cedric returned with Calvin and Medea, Eliza was sitting on a chair, sipping brown sugar water a cleaner auntie had made for her.

“Secretary Grant, are you sick?” Cedric asked, worried by her pallor.

“Just not feeling well. Nothing serious.” Eliza brushed it off, as always.

The cleaner clucked. “Menstrual pain isn’t a small matter. You need proper care.”

Calvin frowned, finally speaking something that resembled concern.

“If you’re unwell, go to the hospital. Why pretend you’re fine?”

“It wouldn’t help.” Eliza rose. “Are we done here?”

“I still want to see that side,” Medea interjected.

“That’s the new workshop,” Cedric explained. “Still under construction, nothing much to see.”

But Medea was curious. “I want to. What we saw earlier was all staged. It’s not representative.”

“It’s messy, still being built,” Cedric hesitated.

“It’s fine. Just a quick look. Since I’ll be handling this project, I should understand it better.”

Calvin’s face was impassive, clearly indulging her,

So Cedric could only agree. “Alright. But it’s a construction site–you’ll need hard hats.”

“Ugh, will I look awful in one?” Medea pouted softly to Calvin.

12:02

Seven Years a Fool, One Day a Queen

3.5%

Chapter 12

“Calv. don’t stare at me too much, or I’ll ruin my perfect image in your eyes.”

“How could you? You’re perfect to me.” Calvin’s gaze softened.

She laughed, mollified, no longer minding the hat.

Eliza had no desire to go.

But before she could refuse, Medea invited brightly,

“Come with us, Secretary Grant. You explain things so clearly. I get lost in President Hill’s technical jargon.”

Until now, Eliza had held no grudge against Medea.

It wasn’t her fault Calvin’s heart had strayed.

But this time, she felt the woman’s edge.

Another woman could hardly be ignorant of how debilitating cramps were.

And yet she insisted Eliza tag along.

Still, Medea’s smile was guileless, her tone innocent.

As though she truly only wanted help.

The new workshop was unfamiliar to Eliza, but she followed anyway.

The site was cluttered, chaotic. Cedric warned them repeatedly to be careful.

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