Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 174

He could hardly wait to start working alongside Sweet Silvia.

With their two companies so close, it was practically like sharing the same office anyway.

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After Silvia finished onboarding the new hires, she pressed her lips together and looked at them calmly. “Tomorrow’s your first official day. You know my rules.”

“We understand. Absolutely,” they answered, nodding eagerly.

They looked at Silvia, eyes full of admiration.

“Silvia, I—” one of them began, but she cut them off immediately, pinching the bridge of her nose as if to ward off a headache.

“Just call me Silvia,” she said.

Ms. Ashford.

That title felt more like a shackle now, something heavy and uncomfortable pressing down on her shoulders.

The newcomers recalled the office gossip from earlier and seemed to understand. They glanced at Silvia again, hesitating. “Silvia, none of us have a background in design. Isn’t this a design firm?”

“We’re expanding our business,” Silvia replied coolly, her tone even. “Two departments, each responsible for their own projects. Your results speak for themselves.”

She didn’t bother explaining further; work was something you learned by doing.

Bringing in their previous area of expertise meant the company would at least have a safety net.

Laurinda’s smile twitched at the corners. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked Silvia up and down. “Well then, let me drive you. I promise, you’re in good hands.”

Silvia stared at her aunt’s beautiful face, the first signs of age just beginning to show. She felt no relief—she simply didn’t have the energy for Laurinda’s games today.

“That’s really not necessary, Aunt Laurinda. I already arranged to head home with my colleagues. It wouldn’t be right to ditch them last minute.” Silvia managed a pleasant smile as she spoke.

“And where are they?” Laurinda pressed, refusing to back down.

“Silvia, you’re still here—” Just then, a few coworkers came down the steps, bags in hand. They caught sight of the flashy sports car and stared.

Worried they might ask why she hadn’t left yet, Silvia quickly turned to them, shooting a pointed look as she spoke. “Finally! There you are. Let’s go—we said we’d head home together, didn’t we?”