We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Cedar’s POV

Thomas’s face went pale as he turned toward the sound. Then I saw Ridley approaching with that characteristic stride of his.

At one–thirty in the afternoon, what was the CEO of Sterling Group doing here?

Thomas shot me a quick, meaningful glance–almost like he was trying to tell me something urgent. Before I could decipher what he

meant, I noticed Ridley’s expression shift dramatically. His eyes turned cold, dangerous, as they fixed on the space between Thomas and

1. me.

“Thomas Coleman, Ridley said with deliberate calm, “you’ve done commendable work at Nest Design.”

Thomas’s face flushed red as he lowered his head. “Not at all, sir. There’s still much room for improvement…” His voice came out strangely

high–pitched, and I could see a thin sheen of sweat forming at his hairline.

“Nest Design is merely one subsidiary of Sterling Group. Your talents aren’t being fully utilized,” Ridley continued smoothly. “Starting

tomorrow, you’ll be Regional General Manager based in Milwaukee, overseeing operations for our three subsidiaries there. You can report

to your new office this afternoon.”

Thomas froze completely, his mouth slightly open as if the words hadn’t quite registered.

“Congratulations, Mr. Coleman!” I offered sincerely. Thomas had been nothing but professional and supportive during our brief time

working together.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Sterling.” The words sounded hollow, and I noticed

his hands trembling slightly at his sides.

“The district office is an hour’s drive from here. You should head over now,” Ridley said coldly.

Thomas nodded quickly and practically fled the office, leaving me alone with Ridley and a growing sense that I’d just witnessed something far more complicated than a simple promotion.

Ridley’s POV

After Thomas left, I kept my eyes fixed on Cedar, feeling a touch of displeasure despite the cold smile playing at my lips. “Thomas has a wife. Were you aware of that?”

She visibly stiffened, her delicate brows furrowing. “Excuse me? What exactly are you implying, Mr. Sterling?”

“Married men are best kept at a distance,” I replied, my voice deep and cold. “I don’t want to see something like this happen again.”

She instantly bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, squaring her shoulders and glaring up at me. “So, Mr. Sterling believes I

Chapter 60

was deliberately getting close to Mr. Coleman? If you’re so convinced there’s something inappropriate between us, why not just fire me outright?”

I frowned. Had I said that?

I’d only intended to warn her to keep her distance from other men. When had I expressed distrust?

If I didn’t trust her, I would have sent Thomas Coleman packing much earlier. It was precisely because I knew there was nothing inappropriate between them that I’d merely reassigned Thomas and kindly reminded her to stay away from married men.

This woman was so ungrateful.

Cedar bit her lip, stubbornly maintaining her posture. “Whether you believe me or not, I’m innocent, as your tech department has already proven. I have work to do this afternoon, so I won’t waste any more of your time.”

She turned to leave.

“Stop right there,” I commanded, displeasure evident in my tone.

I’d driven all the way over here, and I certainly hadn’t come to be on the receiving end of her attitude.

A man of my position had no reason to tolerate insolence from an employee.

“I won’t comment on your innocence,” I said coldly, “but giving attitude to your superior–do you still think you’re in the right?”

I stepped forward, blocking her path.

“Mr. Sterling, I need to get back to work. Please move aside,” she said, clearly annoyed.

Cedar gritted her teeth and suddenly bent down, attempting to dart past me.

I instinctively reached out to grab her arm, which was merely a reflexive action. But my hand connected with something soft and yielding.

Cedar went completely still, and when I slowly looked down, I realized my hand was pressed against her breast.

“Ahhh!‘ Cedar screamed in shock.

She shoved me away and raised her hand, swinging it toward my face. “You pervert!”

I reacted quickly, tilting my handsome face to avoid the slap aimed with such fury,

Yet I couldn’t escape her nails entirely. I felt a sharp sting across my jaw, and when I touched it, my fingers came away with traces of

blood.

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Chapter 60

I stared at her coldly.

A man of my stature was accustomed to countless women fawning over me daily. I was well acquainted with women’s eager glances and

flirtations.

But she seemed determined to keep me at arm’s length. Whether genuine or an act, it frustrated me. I’d never allowed a woman to affect

my mood before.

She appeared to come to her senses all at once, her gaze shifting nervously while shame flickered across her features. I… I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling!”

“Seriously? It was just a little touch. I didn’t mean to. You’re totally overreacting.”

Suddenly, Cedar’s face flushed a deep crimson.

“Just a little touch?” Her voice shot up an octave. “Your hand was right on my-” She was shaking with fury. “That’s sexual harassment! Workplace assault! I barely grazed you when I defended myself, so don’t even think about coming after me for it!”

I had been quite annoyed, but watching her expressions shift so transparently, I found the corner of my mouth quirking upward.

She was rather adorable sometimes, like little Oliver, who remained defiant after mischief, pretending to be fearless despite his obvious

concern.

I suddenly felt an urge to tease her.

Maintaining my stern expression, I stepped forward, firmly gripped her wrist, and pressed her against the wall.

Cedar’s eyes widened in shock.

“W–what are you doing now?” she stammered, both frightened and angry, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Since I’ve already been struck, I might as well do something to fix it,” I said, bending slightly to look directly into her eyes.

“Mr. Sterling, whatever this is about, we can discuss it calmly. Would you please let me go first?” she pleaded.

“Letting go would make it difficult to proceed,” I replied.

Cedars face burned scarlet.

“What…” I moved two inches closer, my thin lips curving slightly. “What do you want?‘

“My jaw got scratched–shouldn’t you tend to it?‘ I released her suddenly and said this coolly.

Pulling a wet wipe from my pocket, I held it out to her. “You do it.”

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Chapter 60

Cedar’s face twisted with reluctance. “Mr. Sterling, you should probably do it yourself. I’m not very gentle, and I might hurt you.”

“Who caused the injury?” I asked pointedly.

Cedar accepted her fate and stepped forward. Rising on her tiptoes, she carefully cleaned the blood from my jaw with the damp wipe.

She stood very close to me, less than two inches between us. Her breath whispered against my chest, creating an unusual sensation.

I lowered my gaze, observing her fair face, clear eyes, delicate nose, and the elegant line of her collarbone…

From my vantage point, I could glimpse the shadow beneath her collar…

Suddenly, I recalled the earlier sensation.

Soft, softer than the plushest cotton…

A heat swept through my abdomen, and my thin lips pressed tightly together.