Chapter 22 Concerns for the Future
After the incident in the break room, Abigail carried on with her work as if nothing had happened.
Near the end of the day, she used the office intercom to call Olivia in.
Olivia entered and asked, “Ms. Winchester, how can I help you?”
“Actually, I won’t be attending the dinner tonight. You’ve been working so hard lately. Please look after everyone for me,” Abigail instructed.
With everything that had been going on, it might be uncomfortable for everyone to have her around.
“Of course, I’ve got everything covered,” Olivia replied with a nod.
Olivia was reliable, and Abigail trusted her.
“Great! Have a good evening!” Abigail said.
Olivia lingered for a moment, then finally spoke up. “Ms. Winchester, do you mind if I leave with you?”
At first, Abigail thought Olivia meant she wanted to share a ride
home.
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They used to take the same route, and she had given Olivia lifts a few times.
But remembering that she had severed ties with the Winchester family, Abigail shook her head, replying with regret, “I don’t live with the Winchesters anymore. It’s not on the way.”
Olivia clarified, “No, I didn’t mean going home together. I mean, I want to leave the company with you.
“Ms. Winchester, I want to work for you in the future!”
Abigail was taken aback by her bold declaration.
She said softly, “But you heard what they said today. They think I’ll be nothing without my identity as a Winchester. Why would you want to work with me? You could have a better future if you stay at the Winchester Group.”
Abigail hadn’t really considered this before.
Caroline was clueless and would undoubtedly need a capable assistant when she took over.
If Olivia stayed, she would likely land a significant role in the
company.
Abigail worried that following her would mean throwing away Olivia’s bright prospects.
Olivia stepped closer, sincerity in her eyes. “Ms. Winchester, when I first joined, I didn’t know anything. You trained me
Chapter 22 Concerns for the Future
every step of the way. I don’t want to leave you to support someone who takes credit for your work.”
Olivia’s honesty made it clear how she felt about Caroline.
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She understood that the success of the Winchester Group was largely due to Abigail’s efforts.
If Abigail left, the company’s prosperity would likely be short–lived.
Fearing rejection, Olivia assured her, “Ms. Winchester, I’m not afraid of hard work and I’m ready to start anew with you.”
Abigail hesitated.
Just because Olivia was willing to endure hardship didn’t mean Abigail wanted to lead her into a tough situation.
“Let me think about it,” Abigail replied. “There’s still time before the Envision Group project wraps up. Make sure you consider this carefully.”
Her decision to leave the Winchester Group wasn’t made on a
whim.
She had a backup plan and some cards up her sleeve.
But if she wanted to take Olivia with her, new plans would be
necessary.
Olivia nodded eagerly. “I’ll wait for your response, Ms.
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Winchester. Don’t worry. I didn’t make this choice lightly, and I won’t regret it.”
With that, Olivia left the office for dinner with her colleagues.
At six o’clock, the sky began to darken.
Abigail finished her last email, powered down her computer, and grabbed her coat from the chair as she prepared to leave.
As she descended in the elevator, thoughts of the day’s events overwhelmed her, and a troubling realization struck her.
After her confrontation with James, she feared that life wouldn’t be easy once she left the company.
James might retaliate by targeting her in the industry.
Even if he didn’t have that intention, Caroline would likely provoke him to do so.
Abigail doubted Caroline would let her have a smooth life moving forward.
The thought made Abigail’s head spin.
“It’s over! I’m going to be broke!” she lamented.
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