The phone rang for a while before someone answered.
"Hi, Uncle Fred. This is Avery Tate. Do you remember me?"
"Avery Tate? Of course, I remember you! Our company wouldn't have gone under if it weren't for you! How dare you call me? Did you lose all of your money abroad and want to borrow some from me? Let me tell you right now that you won't get a penny from me!"
Avery remained calm despite the hostility coming from the other end of the line.
"That's not why I'm calling. I was just wondering if you have plans to switch companies."
"Switch companies? Are you a headhunter now?"
"I'm planning on rebuilding Tate Industries. If possible, I'd like to bring back the old staff. If all of you are willing to come back, I can double your current salaries."
Fred Dover's jaw dropped!
"Are you interested?" Avery asked.
Fred took a deep breath, then said, "Did you hit the jackpot? Do you know how much doubling everyone's salary would come up to?" "I can afford it," Avery responded.
"If you're serious about it, then, of course, I'll come back! I have nothing against money!" Fred said without hesitation, then muttered, "Did you actually hit the jackpot?"
"Not exactly, but rebuilding Tate Industries isn't a problem. By the way, I'll need you to find out who bought the old company building before. I'd like to buy it back."
"Looks like you're for real! Give me some time... I'll check it out right away! I'll let you know once I find out." 2
Avery glanced at the time, then said, "It's late. Ask around tomorrow! I'm calling you now because I'm happy to be home."
No matter how well things were abroad, she had always felt like she had never belonged there.
The next morning, Avery took Layla out for a tour of the private preschool in the neighborhood.
The preschool was designed and built to look like a castle.
It was only natural for a preschool in a high-end neighborhood to be impressive.
"Miss Tate, if you're worried that Layla might not be used to things here, you're more than welcome to send her here for a trial period," said the school's director.
She was especially fond of Layla because she looked as beautiful as a little princess.
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