We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 43

I reached the doorway of my office when I saw her.

She was standing precariously on a chair, stretching upward as she attempted to place a book on the highest shelf. Her pencil skirt pulled taut as she balanced and reached, outlining the curve of her hips. From my angle, I could see her slender waist, the graceful line of her body, and her long, fair legs as

she strained to reach the shelf.

Heat pooled low in my stomach before I could stop it. I clenched my jaw, forcing the unwelcome reaction down.

This tactic again. She’d already tried it once in the restroom of the executive lounge. Did she really think her figure was so enticing that I’d fall for such an

obvious ploy? Pathetic.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?” The words came out sharper than intended.

Color flooded her cheeks as she scrambled down from the chair. Caught in the act, no doubt.

She stammered something about returning my clothes as I called her out for repeatedly trying to gain access to my personal social media. Did she honestly

believe the Sterling family would miss one suit? More likely, she was manufacturing reasons to see me. I had no use for garments she’d already worn.

Take your trash with you.” I barely registered saying it–the same cold dismissal I’d perfected over years of business dealings. Yet something nagged at me

as I watched her face change. Why did her reaction matter?

I caught the flash of something in her eyes before she looked away, her lips moving in what looked suspiciously like a curse. Then she stalked out like an

angry cat.

What game was this woman playing? She deliberately asked for my contact information, then turned around and cursed me through gritted teeth.

I moved to the floor–to–ceiling windows, my shoulders tense with irritation. A moment later, I heard her speaking with Aiden in the hallway. She was…

complimenting me?

Something warm and unexpected unfurled in my chest. The rigid line of my shoulders relaxed slightly.

At least the woman knew her place,

But then I noticed something else–the way she’d spoken to Aiden, the familiarity in her tone.

The warmth vanished, replaced by a cold knot of suspicion. Since when had this woman become so close with Aiden?

‘Aiden,‘ I called out. ‘Come in.

Aiden entered quietly, closing the door behind him with the careful precision he always used when he sensed my mood,

‘Who were you just talking to?” I fixed my gaze on the small figure before me, asking what I already knew.

Aiden’s hands clasped behind his back, his posture straightening. “The new design director. Ms. Wright.”

“Are you close with her?” I asked.

1/3

4:00 pm M

Chapter 43

“I… I like the way she treats me,” he replied.

Now, a woman who’d barely been employed for a few days had somehow earned this level of regard from my normally distant, reserved son.

What kind of spell had this woman cast?

Aiden must have read something in my expression because his chin lifted slightly in that stubborn way of his. “Ms. Wright is an excellent employee with qualities we value.”

The simple declaration hit me like a physical blow. For him to offer even this much explanation for others was remarkable–he wasn’t typically talkative. So she had already managed to win over Aiden!

All her efforts focused on my child, yet she claimed to have no ulterior motives?

I studied Aiden’s earnest face, the way he stood his ground despite my obvious displeasure. This woman’s methods were truly exceptional.

Cedar’s POV

I returned to my office to continue working, but couldn’t settle my emotions.

I’d inexplicably spent hours waiting upstairs, thoroughly embarrassed myself, been humiliated, and wasted an entire afternoon in the process.

I glanced at the time: 5:30 PM, the end of the workday.

My work had piled up significantly. I had no choice but to take it home with me.

I packed my files into my bag, clocked out, and headed for the bus stop as usual. But just as I exited the Nest Design building, someone grabbed my wrist with painful force.

“Cedar! Come with me!”

Selena yanked my arm, trying to drag me toward a secluded corner.

I angrily pulled away. “Let go of me! What do you want? If you have something to say, just say it–don’t manhandle me!” I truly didn’t understand why they still pursued me when we’d already cut ties.

“Cedar, tell me right away–are you working at Nest Design under the Sterling Design Group now?” Selena stepped forward, chin lifted as if interrogating a

criminal.

I straightened my back and answered coolly, “Yes. What about it?”

“You have the nerve to ask what about it? You little tramp–you used Wright Creatives‘ trade secrets to get hired by Sterling, didn’t you?” Elara Wright’s face twisted with malice. ‘I hear you’ve become a design director. Using our family company as a stepping stone for your career?”

‘I don’t understand what you’re talking about. And we’re no longer connected.” My voice remained level.

“You’re still a Wright–we made you who you are. Don’t think you can break your leash!” Elara snarled, her grip tightening on my shoulders as she slammed me against the wall.

“My parents poured money into raising you, educating you. Now that you think you’ve made it, you want to throw us away? Not a chance—that pathetic little payoff doesn’t even scratch the surface of what we invested in you! Besides, that joke of an agreement won’t hold up in court. Legally, my parents are

2/3

Chapter 43

still your guardians! She pulled me toward a black car parked at the curb.

What were they trying to accomplish by dragging me back?

“Let go of me!” I shouted. “Even if I’m still legally tied to your family, I’m not your property! You can’t just drag me around like this! Let go or I’m calling

security!”

Selena stared at my face, unable to contain herself, and raised her hand to slap me.

In her mind, I was nothing but an ungrateful parasite who’d fed off the Wright family for years before biting the hand that fed me. People like me deserved

whatever we got.

The Wright family had given me a life; I should spend the rest of it kissing their feet in gratitude.

Selena put her whole body behind the slap, clearly aiming to do some real damage.

I fought against her hold, but couldn’t break free with Elara helping her. At the last second, I closed my eyes and braced for the hit I couldn’t avoid.

However, the stinging blow I expected never came. Instead, I heard Selena let out a sharp gasp of surprise.

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

SHARE

4:01 pm D M