Wynn Shaw had been back at the Lancaster Group for just a few days when she got a call from Mr.
Shaw.
In her office, she was reviewing the Lancaster Group’s recent stock performance.
She nodded slightly, satisfied—the company’s overall situation was just as she had predicted, and it wasn’t looking good.
A few core employees who had worked with her behind the scenes sent a flurry of messages, most of them asking when she would restart the new project at the Lancaster Group to get the company back on track for its IPO.
She hadn’t replied to a single one.
“Dad, you called.”
She answered her phone.
Wynn Shaw walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the Eldoria skyline, her heart tightening slightly.
Her relationship with her father had been distant since childhood, so when she decided to leave home and strike out on her own, she hadn’t given his opinion much thought.
Coupled with their sparse contact over the years, now that she was back and facing him again, she unexpectedly found herself caring about his opinion, a flutter of nervousness rising within her.
Mr.
Shaw’s tone was curt.
He only asked how she was doing and when she planned to return to the Shaw Group.
“Dad, I still have some work to take care of in Eldoria.
I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.
Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping up with the Shaw family business, and I’ve already come to an agreement with Vincent Preston about the marriage alliance.
I think Mom told you about it when I was home last time.”
Trying to win her father’s approval, Wynn laid everything out clearly.
She didn’t want him to think she was still clueless and uncertain; she wanted him to trust her.
However, Mr.
Shaw seemed more interested in matters concerning the Preston family.
He didn’t ask anything further about how his daughter was faring.
Instead, he said:
“I’m aware of the marriage alliance.
The Shaw family recently received a partnership proposal from the Preston Group.
Both sides intend to move forward with an in-depth, cross-sector collaboration that will involve integrating our core resources.
We need to appoint someone to act as the liaison.
The Prestons think you’re a good candidate, and this will also be a chance to test your ability to get familiar with our family’s operations.”
Wynn paused.
“Dad, what are you suggesting?”
“What I mean is, the Preston Group has proposed that you take this opportunity to go and train with them for a while.
It’ll lay the groundwork for our two families’ future business integration.
You can set the pace yourself.
I believe this is an excellent chance to learn and collaborate—far more efficient than you fumbling around within the Shaw Group.
It will also help you and Vincent prepare to jointly shoulder your family responsibilities in the future.”
“I understand, Dad.
When should I go?”
The news from the Preston Group came out of the blue, just like the time Vincent Preston had suddenly appeared at the Shaw family’s front door to pick her up.
‘But this really is a great opportunity,’ she thought.
‘It will pave the way for me to take over the family business, foster my own growth, and facilitate win-win collaborations in the future.’
After all, countless people would kill for a chance to get into the Preston Group. This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
‘Vincent Preston’s methods are as unpredictable as ever.’
Mr.
Shaw’s tone remained stern and formal.
“Go tomorrow.
No matter how hard you work at that company in Eldoria, it can’t offer the same starting point as Kaelus.
You want to make a name for yourself, and I support that, but you have to choose the right path.”
Wynn nodded, her eyes firm with resolve.
“Rest assured, Dad.
I won’t let you down this time.”
After hanging up, she let out a long breath.
‘Just as I thought.
He values the family’s interests far more than our relationship.’
But that wasn’t her focus anyway.
Her career was.
‘I originally thought taking over the family business would be incredibly stressful, but now, having the chance to go train at the Preston Group for a while…
it’s a welcome reprieve.’
Wynn sat back down quietly at her desk, gathering her thoughts.
She had no intention of dealing with any of Lancaster Group’s affairs for the time being, but she wasn’t about to leave the team she had personally built behind.
She sent a message to Zoe Sinclair.
A moment later, a knock sounded on her office door.
“Come in.”
A young woman with short hair, dressed in a white blouse and black trousers, walked in.
She exuded an air of sharp competence.
She had been Wynn’s right hand for years, and the two were so close they were practically best friends.
“So, you finally decided to call me in to talk business?
Jaden Lancaster has been running himself ragged, constantly pestering me about when I’ll be back at work.
I told him you weren’t ready yet and that we didn’t have any ideas.”
Wynn smiled.
“Have a seat.
Let’s talk.”
She gathered her thoughts for a moment before meeting Zoe Sinclair’s gaze.
“All these years at the Lancaster Group, working by my side…
have you ever felt like your talent was being wasted?”
Her tone was level, not probing, but filled with sincere concern.
Zoe was taken aback for a moment.
“You were the one who took me under your wing back then.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.
Why would I ever think that?”
Wynn lowered her gaze.
“That’s good to hear.
I just wanted to know what you really think.
Of course, I’d be happy if you’re willing to stick with me.”
“You don’t even have to ask.
If I’m not following you, who else would I follow?”
“Although, back then, I never really understood why you insisted on staying at the Lancaster Group.
You clearly had better opportunities.
I won’t deny that the company is doing better and better now, but I was always worried…
if you and Jaden Lancaster didn’t end up together, who would get credit for all the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into it?”
Zoe was straightforward and knew who to thank and who to blame.
She never held anything back, which was precisely what Wynn admired about her.
She had a point.
In the past, Zoe would never have speculated that their relationship would end.
But recently, she had noticed Wynn was “deliberately slacking,” no longer working herself to the bone for the Lancaster Group without asking for anything in return.
Something must have happened.
“You’re right.
That’s what I was thinking too,” Wynn said with a soft laugh.
Having confirmed where the other woman stood, she cut right to the chase.
“So, if I asked you to follow me to a better platform—one where you can learn, fulfill your potential, and become even better—would you come with me?
The only condition is that you’d have to leave everything from the Lancaster Group behind, including your old mindsets and habits.”
Zoe’s eyes lit up.
“Is that even a question?
Of course I’m willing!
I’ll go wherever you go.
Who cares about the Lancaster Group?
If there’s something better, I’ll take it.”
Then, as if she’d just remembered something, she glanced at Wynn’s face and continued, throwing caution to the wind:
“And I’ve been wanting to say this for a long time, whether you want to hear it or not—I really don’t like Jaden Lancaster.
Besides his decent looks, I honestly don’t see what’s so great about him.
You used to be head over heels, completely devoted to him.
Now that you’re finally leaving him, I couldn’t be happier.”
Jaden had never appreciated Wynn’s contributions in the past, acting as if he’d propped up the entire company on his own.
Only now that Wynn had been gone for a few days was he starting to panic.
Wynn sighed softly.
‘Too little, too late.’
‘But thankfully,’ she thought, ‘it’s not too late to come to my senses.’
“Go get Finn and Lucas.
Tell them to pack their things.
We’re going to Kaelus tomorrow.
If Jaden asks, just say we need to follow up on an important project, and that learning from it will be beneficial to the Lancaster Group’s development.”
Zoe was genuinely impressed.
“Leave it to you.”
It was clear now: Wynn was really planning to take them all away from the Lancaster Group.
“Alright.
Wherever you go, we’ll follow.”
She turned and walked out of the office, only to come face-to-face with Jaden Lancaster, who was heading toward her.
“What were you two talking about?” he asked.