We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 129

Victoria’s POV

I sat alone at my desk, my face darkening with each passing second.

My fountain pen stabbed through the design proposal before me,

leaving a perfect hole in the middle of what should have been my

signature.

Why her? Why does Cedar Wright get everything?

First the promotion to Design Director at just twenty–six. Then the major projects that shouldn’t have been hers. And now one of the free apartments as a “reward” for her supposed brilliance? It’s been barely

two months since she joined Nest Design!

I had just witnessed her on the rooftop terrace with the Sterling heir.

Little Aiden Sterling, normally so reserved, was practically hanging

on her every word. The sight made my stomach turn,

How calculating can one woman be? Cultivating a relationship with a

six–year–old child to get closer to his father. If it weren’t for her

connection to the Sterling boy, there’s no way she would have

received an apartment as a reward.

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I looked up and turned toward the window just in time to see a black

Bentley pull up outside. Ridley stepped into the vehicle.

Ha! What good does charming the kid do anyway?

Aiden might be the person in charge in the future, but Ridley Sterling

still controls everything now. That’s who I need to impress. W

Cedar’s POV

The bistro on Michigan Avenue was relatively quiet for a workday

until our design department–all thirty–something of us–arrived and

instantly brought the place to life.

“Come on, everyone! Let’s toast to Cedar’s new apartment!” a senior

designer raised his glass enthusiastically. We all clinked glasses and

took a sip of our cocktails before settling down to eat.

Away from the office, my colleagues transformed into much livelier

versions of themselves, laughing and joking around the table. The

food was excellent, and the atmosphere festive.

“Cedar, you’re truly incredible,” Jane said, looking at me with genuine

admiration. “Twenty–six and already Design Director! Two months at

the company and you’ve already landed the Nest project. From now

on, you’re officially my career goal!”

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Others chimed in around the table: “Cedar makes us veterans look

bad. I need to step up my game!”

“Maybe you could teach us your secrets, so we can all get Gold Coast

apartments too!”

I smiled awkwardly, never comfortable being the center of attention.

Just as I was about to deflect with a joke, a commotion at the

entrance caught everyone’s attention.

“Wow, looks like the Tech Department is here for lunch too,” Jane

whispered, leaning closer to me. “Cedar, check out their Deputy

Manager–total Northwestern alumni heartthrob…”

“Jane! How can you talk about other men when Mr. Sterling is right

there?” someone interrupted.

“Wait–Mr. Sterling is here?” Jane’s eyes widened.

All heads turned toward the entrance. There, in the center of the Tech

Department crowd, walked Ridley Sterling. His imposing six–foot–two

figure commanded attention in a perfectly tailored suit, his presence

immediately drawing every eye in the restaurant.

I couldn’t help but look up. The moment I did, he turned his head in

our direction, and our eyes met across the crowded space. My heart

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stuttered, and I momentarily forgot to breathe. My face flushed with

heat.

There was something unsettling about locking eyes with someone in

a crowd of people–a sudden intimacy that felt both intrusive and

magnetic.

“Oh my god, Mr. Sterling just looked at me!” squealed the woman

beside me, clutching her chest dramatically.

“He was obviously looking at me! I swear I’m gonna faint!”

“You’re both crazy. If he was checking anyone out, it was obviously

1. me. I mean, I’m basically the star of the design department!”

As my colleagues bickered about who had caught Ridley’s attention, I silently scolded myself for my presumption. I casually looked down at my plate and pretended to be fascinated by my quinoa salad, hoping

no one had noticed my reaction.

“Hey, Cedar, we should invite Mr. Sterling to join us,” someone

suggested, causing me to nearly choke on my water.