Chapter 199

Chapter 199
Celeste said , “ You guys go ahead . I won’t be joining . ”
Jordyn blinked in surprise . “ Huh ? Mom , you’re not coming ? ”
“ Mm . ” She gently patted Jordyn’s head . “ I’m heading off first . Have a great meal . ”
“ Oh … ”
Celeste smiled but didn’t say more . Without looking back , she turned and left .
Trevor watched her retreating figure but didn’t call her back . Instead , he said to Jordyn , “ Let’s go . ”
“ Okay . ”
As soon as they got in the car , Trevor’s phone rang . It was Martha calling .
The moment he picked up , she gritted her teeth and demanded , “ Did you approve a project for the Lockets and the Shaws through Fleming Group ? ”
Trevor gave a calm hum in response and then chuckled . “ You’re only finding out now ? ”
“ How dare you ! ” Martha was livid . “ What are you trying to do ? Are you … planning to divorce Cel ? ” Otherwise , he wouldn’t be so blatant about it .
For him to openly bring the Lockets and the Shaws into the Fleming Group’s business meant he wasn’t afraid of her finding out .
It also meant that he had already made up his mind .
Before he could respond , Martha snapped , “ I don’t agree ! And if you insist on going forward with this project , fine –but you need to replace them . If you don’t , then I will—
“ Grandma . ” Trevor’s tone was as composed as ever . “ Before I got married , I upheld the conditions I promised you Now , I ask you to do the same – stop interfering in my decisions . ”
In other words , she was not to touch the Lockets and the Shaws .
“You … ”
Ever since he took over Fleming Group , the company had only grown stronger under his leadership .
Over the years , the board members and senior management had come to realize that following Trevor’s direction was the best way forward .
If she tried to oppose him , the first ones to object wouldn’t be him – but the other shareholders .
Simply put , the Fleming Group needed Trevor more than he needed them .
It was useless to use the company as leverage against him . What about emotional leverage ?
As he had just reminded her , his marriage to Celeste was already a compromise he made for the family .
Martha knew him well – he was never someone who would keep making concessions for others . Once he had set his sights on what he wanted , he would stay true to himself
And if he were pushed too far …
Martha fell silent . That silence meant she had conceded .
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Chapter 199
Trevor casually asked , “ Have you eaten ? ”
She hung up on him .
Trevor looked at his phone and chuckled .
Jordyn peeked over curiously . “ What happened ? ”
Trevor put his phone down , his expression relaxed . “ Your Nana is mad . ”
“ Huh ? Did you make her mad ? ”
“ Mm . ”
“ Aren’t you going to make it up to her ? ” Jordyn asked .
“ Not right now . I’ll deal with it later . ”
“ Oh … Okay . ”
Back at the office , Matthias saw Celeste return but didn’t ask about the parent – child event . He only asked , “ You’re back . Have you eaten ? ”
“ Not yet . ”
“ Come on then , let’s grab a meal . ”
Celeste smiled . “ Alright . ”
11
When they arrived at the restaurant , they unexpectedly ran into Ethan , a senior executive from Fleming Group , who was there with his family .
Ethan sent his family ahead to a private dining room , then turned to Matthias and said , “ I honestly thought we’d have another chance to collaborate . But now … ”
“ It is . Since Mr. Fleming personally approved it , there’s basically no room for mistakes . ”
“ Oh . ” Matthias’s response was indifferent , his tone cold . Then he asked , “ I also heard the Lockets and the Shaws
have a pretty significant role in the project . No objections from the rest of your company ? ”