We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 126

We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!

Chapter 126

Cedar’s POV

The next morning greeted Chicago with brilliant sunshine. I spent

the early hours moving my rain–damaged items from the balcony up

to the rooftop to dry properly before heading to work. My mind was

still processing everything that had happened yesterday.

Things at Nest Design had been gradually falling into place since our

Gold Coast exhibition. The new design concepts had received

exceptional market feedback, and the atmosphere in the Design

department felt noticeably lighter. I had just settled at my desk when

my phone rang.

“Ms. Wright, could you please come to Human Resources?” The voice

was professionally cheerful.

I made my way down the hallway, puzzled about the unexpected

summons. When I entered, the HR Director was waiting with a wide

smile.

“Ms. Wright, Congratulations,” she exclaimed. “Your Gold Coast

exhibition broke our company’s ten–year record for client acquisition.

We unanimously decided to reward you with a condominium as part

of this quarter’s performance bonus.”

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She extended her hand, revealing a set of keys. “It’s in the North

Tower complex next to our office. One hundred forty square meters,

fully furnished, move–in ready tonight if you’d like.”

I stared at the keys, my brain momentarily shutting down.

“Ms. Wright? Are you alright?” She quickly poured me a glass of water.

“Here, you look like you need this.”

The cool water helped bring me back to reality. “I’m sorry, did you just

say the company is giving me an apartment? As in, it’s mine to keep?”

“Absolutely,” she confirmed. “Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, north-

south exposure, premium finishes. The deed has your name on it, all

paperwork complete.”

My eyes widened further. I’d been researching Chicago real estate

prices extensively, desperate to establish roots in this city. Properties

near our River North office averaged around $1000 per square foot. A

condo this size would cost approximately $1.6 million.

This couldn’t be happening. I’d only been with the company for a few

months, and suddenly they were handing me a million–dollar

property? Something felt wrong.

“What about the other team members?” I asked carefully. “Are they

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receiving similar rewards?”

Victoria smiled warmly. “This particular recognition is exclusively for

you, Cedar. The company wanted to acknowledge your exceptional

contribution.”

And just like that, everything clicked into place. The cold realization

washed over me like yesterday’s flood water.

Last night, Ridley had destroyed my apartment. This morning, he was

replacing it with a luxury condominium.

A million dollars might be significant to me, but to someone like

Sterling, it was pocket change–the equivalent of a weekend shopping

spree. He was casually gifting me an apartment like it was nothing

more than a consolation prize.

What did he think I was? Someone he could just buy off?

I straightened my shoulders and met the HR director’s expectant

gaze. “I appreciate the recognition, but I only did what was expected

in my position. I don’t deserve such an extravagant reward, and I

must respectfully decline. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have several

pending projects requiring my attention.”

Before she could respond, I walked out, closing the door firmly

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behind me.

I maintained my composure all the way back to my office. I’ve never

believed in getting something for nothing–if it wasn’t earned

through my own efforts, I wouldn’t touch it, no matter how

desperately I wanted my own place.

The morning passed in a blur of productive work. I almost convinced

myself the condo incident had been a bizarre hallucination–until

lunchtime.

“Cedar! There you are!” Jane practically bounced over to my table in

the break room, her voice carrying across the space. “Have you heard? The exhibition was such a success that major design publications are

featuring it! They’re saying Nest Design is pioneering a whole new

approach to integrated living spaces!”

She dropped into the chair beside me, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“And get this–headquarters decided to reward the top ten contributors with condos! Like, actual luxury condominiums in the

North Tower! I heard they’re worth over a million each. God, I’m so

jealous of you right now!”

I froze mid–bite. “Wait–the company is rewarding ten employees with

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condos?”

“Yes! The ten most outstanding contributors! And you’re on the list!”

Jane clutched my arm. “The company is being so generous. I mean, I

know I won’t qualify for a condo, but maybe I could hope for a car

allowance or something…”

I glanced around the break room. Other departments‘ staff members

were equally animated, discussing the unprecedented rewards.

Besides me, nine other department heads would receive condos—and

nobody seemed to find it strange.

I suppose when you’re CEO of the Sterling Design Group, gifting ten

luxury condos as performance bonuses wasn’t entirely outlandish.

But my heart raced uncomfortably. Ridley had orchestrated this entire

charade just to ensure I would accept his “gift” without question. This

roundabout approach seemed unlike the direct, commanding man I’d

encountered.

If I refused again, what other scheme might he devise?

I sighed deeply.

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