Chapter 705
“Okay. Let me know if you need help!” Seeing Simon was hesitant to talk about it, Sophie did not probe further. She left first after finishing lunch as there were matters to be settled at Tanner Group.
It would take Sophie considerable time to walk out of the university because the campus was huge. Hence, she decided to save time by using a mobile app to rent a bicycle and cycle her way out.
She had not even reached the school gate when Tristan’s call came. Thus, she stopped cycling and answered the phone while propping the tip of her foot on the ground.
“Have you eaten?” A deep magnetic male voice traveled from the other end of the line. Sophie’s lips curled into a subconscious smile when she heard the voice.
“Yup. I just had lunch with Sandra and the rest. How about you? Have you eaten? You haven’t returned to Lombard Group for a while. You must be busy with work today, right?”
Given Lombard Group’s vast extent of operations, there were several matters to attend to daily. Although Sean had been helping to fill Tristan’s shoes during his absence, a tremendous backlog awaited his clearance.
He must be exhausted now! Sophie could not help but worry.
“I’m fine. You know Sean. He’s capable, and he managed to handle most of the matters.”
However, a few major development projects needed Tristan’s decision. Hence, he was engaged in meetings the whole morning and had no time to check on Sophie.
“Remember what Arius said to you. You’ve just recovered, so you should watch your diet.” Tristan had specially called to remind her since they were both busy, and he could not stay by her side all the time.
“I know. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay. Are you heading to Tanner Group right now? I’ll get the driver to send you there.” The weather was cold now that Christmas was around the corner. Tristan was worried that Sophie would have difficulty hailing a taxi in this weather and catch a cold in the process.
“It’s fine. I’d rather hail a taxi than wait an hour outside for your driver.” She would feel warm once she got into the taxi.
“All right, then. I have some meetings to attend in the afternoon. Come over to meet me if you finish everything early. We’ll go back together.” Tristan reckoned that he would not be able to fetch her that day.
“Got it. You should get back to work. I’ll be hanging up now. It’s freezing cold outside.”
“Okay. Take care of yourself.”
Tristan initially thought of asking Sophie to wait there, but he knew she disliked troubling people, so he didn’t send someone to go and pick her up.
Sophie took a taxi to Tanner Group. The receptionist came out to welcome her when she saw her arriving.
“Ms. Sophie, you’re back!” the receptionist exclaimed excitedly.
“Yes. Is Mr. White in?” Victor was currently in charge of managing the majority of the matters in Tanner Group. Thus, Sophie needed to meet him first before calling for a meeting.
“Yes, Mr. White is in! Let me get the elevator for you, Ms. Sophie!” The receptionist helped Sophie to press the elevator button. Once the elevator door closed, the receptionist immediately whipped out her phone and informed everyone in the company group chat of Sophie’s return.
Everyone in the company was ecstatic upon hearing the news.
On her way to meet Victor, several people approached Sophie to greet her. Out of courtesy, she nodded at everyone in response while wearing a calm expression.
Only upon reaching Victor’s office did she have some peace and quiet.
“Ms. Sophie, are we calling for a senior management meeting today?” Victor asked. It had been some time since Sophie came to the company.
Upon seeing Sophie’s return, the senior executives stopped slacking off and focused on working.
“I have time in the afternoon. Please help to make the arrangement.” The main purpose of her visit was to conduct the meeting.
“On it. I’ll ask the secretary to make the arrangement now.”
Just then, an internal call came in.
“Mr. White, someone called Wilma is asking to meet Ms. Sophie.” It was a call from the lobby receptionist. She knew Wilma was the general manager of Transfix Cosmetics.
“Wilma wants to meet you. Should we let her come up here?” Victor asked Sophie. He undoubtedly knew who Wilma was.
“Sure!”
After a short while, Wilma arrived. Her eyes reddened when she saw Sophie.
“Ms. Sophie, you have no idea how worried we were after learning what happened to you! I came here just to see how you’re doing.”
Sophie smiled faintly, touched by their concern. “Ms. Lineker, don’t worry. I’m fine now.”
“Good, good. We’re all glad to see you doing well. By the way, Ms. Sophie, I’m getting married.” Another purpose of Wilma’s visit was to hand her wedding invitation to Sophie.
Wilma was doing well in her career, especially after Sophie placed her trust in her and empowered her in the decision-making for Transfix Cosmetics. Her current demeanor was a vast difference from what she used to be—timid and indecisive.
However, despite being busy with work, she kept Sophie’s advice in mind, and after a period of time, she happened to meet her Mr. Right. She thought it was finally time for her to get married.
“Is that true? Congratulations, Ms. Lineker!” Sophie was delighted to hear the good news. “When will the wedding be held? Please make sure to inform me then.”
“It’ll be before Christmas! I’ll certainly let you know by then. Ms. Sophie, I would also like to let you know that I’m pregnant. As such, I don’t think I can assume my role anymore. Please get someone suitable to take over my job. If you can’t find anyone suitable, I can recommend someone as well.”
“Ms. Lineker, you don’t have to worry about this. You’re still capable of doing your job. If you encounter any difficulties, just hand the task over to the subordinates.”
“Ms. Sophie…” Wilma did not expect such generosity from Sophie. She was mentally prepared to lose her job after giving birth.
“Don’t people normally take leave a month before delivery? Ms. Lineker, if there’s anything that you find inconvenient to do, let the subordinates do it. You only need to make the decisions.”
Sophie was well aware of Wilma’s contributions toward Transfix Cosmetics. That was why she wanted to treat her well and give her what she deserved.
Wilma was touched. “Ms. Sophie, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity!”
Pregnancy discrimination in workplaces was common, and pregnant employees were often replaced.
Thus, Wilma was mentally prepared for the same thing to happen to her.
“You’re competent, and Transfix Cosmetics is lucky to have you as an employee.” Sophie felt that everyone had to go through different experiences at different stages in their lives, including getting married and creating a family.
In Wilma’s case, she had reached the stage where she should be settling down and having a family.
It just so happened she met the right person, and Sophie could not be happier for her.
Sophie chatted a little while more with Wilma, and the latter updated her regarding Transfix Cosmetics’ recent affairs.
“Ms. Lineker, I mean what I say. I’m at ease knowing that Transfix Cosmetics is in your hands. So, I hope you will return to work for us after you give birth!” Sophie recognized Wilma’s capabilities and her passion for this industry. Therefore, she genuinely hoped Wilma could continue working for her.
“Of course, Ms. Sophie. I’ll definitely return as long as you need me!” Wilma was overwhelmed with happiness. Transfix Cosmetics was a dream come true for her, so how could she give it up?
