Chapter 243
“Seriously, those two are perfect for each other. I have no idea who started that rumor about him being gay. So ridiculous p>
“Oh, and their wedding is next week. Do you think we’ll get the day off p>
Bertha had been lingering by the entrance, listening in with a smirk. A perfect match? Please. That’s only because Latham hadn’t met her yet.
Her parents had always told her she was exceptional. It was the only reason she ever felt so confident.
She walked straight to the front desk. “Hi, my cousin is your boss. Can you take me to her office p>
“You mean Dorothea p>
“Yeah p>
The receptionist hesitated, picked up the phone, and tried calling Dorothea, but no one answered. After checking with the assistant, she finally explained, “Sorry, Dorothea’s meeting with some people from the bank right now. I can take you to the reception room to wait. You might be here a while, Bertha p>
Bertha’s patience snapped. “I’m Dorothea’s sister. Why would you make me sit in a reception room p>
She crossed her arms. “Just take me to Dorothea’s office. We were super close as kids, it’s fine p>
The receptionist looked uncomfortable. “I really don’t think that’s appropriate p>
Bertha rolled her eyes. “What’s not appropriate? What’s your name? If Dorothea hears you’re treating me like this, she’ll fire you p>
A colleague nearby nudged the receptionist. “Just let her wait in the office. Stay with her p>
The receptionist gave in. “Alright, Bertha. This way, please p>
Bertha grinned like she’d just won a prize and followed the receptionist in.
Dorothea’s office was as impressive as she remembered. She’d been here a few times before, back when Waiton was in charge.
She didn’t hesitate to plop herself down in Dorothea’s big fancy chair, twirling her fingers through the flowers on the desk.
The receptionist chimed in, “Bertha, please use the sofa p>
Bertha scoffed. “Why would I want to sit there p>
Ignoring her, Bertha pulled out her phone, leaned in next to the bouquet of pink roses, and took a selfie.
She quickly typed out a tweet: These flowers are gorgeous!
The card on the bouquet made it into the shot too, the writing clearly visible.
The receptionist felt uneasy and quickly moved to pick up the flowers. “Bertha, these belong to Dorothea p>
Bertha laughed. “You’re so uptight. You really think I’d steal her flowers p>
She spotted a ring on the desk, and while the receptionist’s back was turned, she quietly slipped it into her palm.
The receptionist, busy moving the flowers, didn’t notice a thing.
“You really should wait for Dorothea outside,” the receptionist said.
Bertha smiled, all fake sweetness. “Whatever, let’s go. Just don’t regret it when Dorothea scolds you later p>
Half an hour later, Dorothea walked Platt to the elevator. Back at her office, she noticed several missed calls just as her assistant came over. “Dorothea, your cousin is here. She’s waiting in the reception room p>
Dorothea frowned. Cousin? Since when did she have a cousin?
When she walked into the reception room and saw Bertha, she didn’t even recognize her at first.
Bertha immediately jumped up. “Dorothea, it’s me! Bertha! It’s been forever. I almost missed you p>
Dorothea took a step back, not used to people being so familiar with her. “What are you doing here p>
“I wanted to see you,” Bertha replied, all smiles.
Bertha was Alfonso’s daughter.
Growing up, Dorothea had
sometimes envied her. Alfonso was greedy, but he spoiled Bertha rotten, treated her like a princess Every time Dorothea was stung by Elise’s cold words, she’d see Bertha’s social media and feel even worse about herself.
Eventually, she blocked the whole Carter family online, hoping it would help her move on. She hadn’t seen Alfonso or Bertha in three years. They were never close.
“I didn’t know you’d be busy,” Bertha
said, immediately trying to stir trouble just wanted to sit in your office but your front desk wouldn’t let me. They practically kicked out”
Dorothea frowned. “They were just doing their job p>
Bertha pouted. “Dorothea, you didn’t even tell our family about your wedding. Do you have something against us p>
Dorothea’s face turned cold. “Didn’t you see Elise’s public statement? She already cut ties with me. I don’t have a mother anymore p>
Bertha pretended not to get it. “Oh, come on. Elise was just saying that because she was angry. You’re really going to hold a grudge? She’s you! mother. It’s not right to act like this
Dorothea’s patience was gone. “Call it whatever you want. Do you actually need something, or can I get back to work p>
Bertha, sensing she’d gotten what she wanted, pouted. “You’re so cold now. I come
all this way and you kick me out. Fine, you’re the big boss, I get it. I’ll leave you to
it p>
She held her chin high and strutted out.
Dorothea just stared after her, completely baffled. What was Bertha even trying to accomplish?
She turned to her assistant. “Did she go into my office p>
The assistant nodded. “She threatened us, so we didn’t dare stop her. Tina was with
her the whole time, so I don’t think she messed with anything p>
Dorothea nodded. “Call Tina over. I want to ask her something p>
Tina arrived, looking nervous. “Dorothea, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have stopped your cousin from waiting in your office. She was acting kind of weird, though.” Dorothea raised an eyebrow. “Weird how p>
Tina hesitated. “She sat in your chair, took selfies with the roses Latham sent… I think she posted them online p>
A deep frown creased Dorothea’s face. That wasn’t just weird, it was out of line. “Alright, I get it. From now on, unless it’s my husband, everyone waits in the reception room p>
She’d cut her finger that morning and hadn’t found a Band-Aid, so she’d taken off her wedding ring and left it on the desk.
Dorothea glanced down at her hand and her heart skipped a beat.
Her ring was gone.
She usually wore the plain band she shared with Latham. The diamond ring was too
flashy for work, so she kept it at home.
“Tina, did you see the ring I left on my desk p>