We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 57

Ridley’s POV

I was reviewing the quarterly financials for Sterling Design’s European division when I heard the distinctive ping of Albert’s messenger app. Normally, I’d ignore it–few things warrant interrupting my morning analysis–but the subtle shift in Albert’s posture as he read the message caught my attention.

“Something I should know about?” I asked without looking up from my tablet.

“Sir, there’s… activity on the company forum you might want to see.”

I raised an eyebrow. The company internal forum was hardly something that required my attention. “Unless it’s affecting our stock price,

I’m not interested in office gossip.”

“It involves Nest Design, sir. And Ms. Wright.”

Cedar. My fingers tightened imperceptibly around my stylus. “Show me.”

Albert hesitated before handing me his tablet. The forum page displayed a thread with an inflammatory headline: “Sterling Group

Subsidiary GM Openly Keeping Mistress.”

The post featured a photo of Thomas and Cedar in his office. The image itself was innocent enough–two professionals reviewing documents–but the angle and lighting deliberately suggested intimacy. I scrolled through the comments, each more vulgar than the last,

speculating about Cedar’s “qualifications” and how she had “earned” her position.

“When was this posted?” My voice remained even, betraying none of the cold fury building inside me.

“Three hours ago, sir. It’s already the most commented thread in the forum’s history.”

I stared at Cedar’s face in the photograph. She looked focused and professional–completely at odds with the filth being written about her. One comment caught my eye, linking Cedar to Selena Wright and the recent scandal at Wright Creatives. The connection was tenuous but

dangerous.

‘Delete it. All of it.” I set the tablet down with careful precision. “And I want the IP address of whoever posted this traced immediately.”

“Yes, sir. HR is suggesting we issue a company–wide statement about appropriate forum use.”

“No.” I stood, straightening my cuffs. “A statement would only legitimize the gossip. Instead, have technicians identify every employee who who commented negatively on that thread or spread those rumors. Deduct this month’s performance bonus from each of them.”

Albert’s eyes widened slightly. “All of them, sir? That’s at least forty people.”

“Every single one.” I moved to the window, looking outside. “And get me Thomas Coleman on the phone. Now.”

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As Albert hurried to make the calls, I considered the implications. This wasn’t just about Cedar. This was a direct challenge to my authority. Someone in my company thought they could use my own platforms to attack an employee I’d personally approved. They were

challenging me directly.

The thought of Cedar’s reputation being damaged, her work undermined by baseless rumors, ignited a protective instinct I hadn’t felt in

years. Not since Irene.

I pushed the thought away as my phone rang. Thomas Coleman’s name flashed on the screen.

“Thomas,” I answered, my voice arctic. “I understand there’s a situation involving you and Ms. Wright circulating on our company forum.”

“Mr. Sterling, I’ve just known this. I assure you there’s absolutely no truth to-”

“I’m not calling for explanations,” I cut him off. “I’m calling for your solution.”

*I… I’ll address it immediately, sir.”

After hanging up, I stayed at my desk, turning the whole mess over in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was just treating symptoms, not the disease itself. Thomas was also a problem here, and maybe it was time to do something about that. This

called for a face–to–face conversation at Nest Design.

I refused to examine why I felt so compelled to protect her. She was an employee with exceptional talent, nothing more. At least, that’s

what I told myself as I straightened my tie.

Cedar’s POV

During lunch, I stepped out of my office toward the cafeteria, catching fragments of hushed conversations that seemed to swirl around me. Whispers trailed in my wake like an unwelcome shadow.

“Did you see her often with Coleman in his office?” one voice hissed.

“Of course she got the director position. She must have slept with the manager,” another replied.

“I heard they stay late together all the time. Must be nice to skip the corporate ladder and take the horizontal route to the top.”

I frowned, puzzled by their hushed tones and secretive glances. They seemed to be spreading rumors about some female employee and Thomas. But judging from our discussion this morning, he appeared completely oblivious to any such gossip.

Maybe I should just focus on my work and stay out of this mess–office drama wasn’t my territory. I headed toward the restroom, hoping to splash some cold water on my face and shake off the mental fatigue from an intensely demanding morning.

In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face and took a deep breath. As I dried my hands, the door opened and Melissa walked in, her confidence filling the small space.

“Cedar! Just the person I wanted to see,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “That photo of you and Thomas reviewing

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designs in his office is all over our company forum. You two looked so… close. His wife might find it interesting, don’t you think?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. What photo?” I replied, genuinely confused.

“Still playing the dedicated director focused only on work, Ms. Wright? The cat’s out of the bag now. Check the company forum,” she said

with a smirk before walking out.

Bewildered, I pulled out my phone and opened the company forum. There it was–the photo of Thomas and me during our discussion, accompanied by a stream of nasty comments. I stared at the screen, stunned for a moment.

Then I examined the image more carefully. The angle was deliberately misleading, clearly taken to create the wrong impression. And from the perspective, it had to have been shot from the second row of desks near the conference room. That meant it was very likely Melissa

who had taken it.

At this realization, I let out a cold laugh. Criminals always return to the scene of the crime. It really made sense.

We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!

Chapter 58