Chapter 52

Given the dire condition of the Flynn Group's finances, that project would have drained every last cent in no time-two days, and they'd be finished.

Wyatt caught the look on Amelia's face and, for once, couldn't hide his amusement. "Seems like some people just enjoy chasing the unattainable."

If Katrina hadn't established the Flynn Group and given a sixty-percent stake to Amelia, Amelia would have gladly·let Ricky run the company straight into the ground.

Wyatt picked up on Amelia's thoughts. Right then and there, he crossed Flynn Group's name off the list.Gratitude welled up in her.

After wrapping things up, Amelia made her way to the door, ready to leave. But just as she was about to exit,she turned around.

Wyatt watched as she returned for the glass of mango juice sitting on his desk. "Almost left this behind,"she said, giving him a small smile.

She then tipped back the glass and finished every drop.

Wyatt smiled as he watched her disappear down the hall after doing that.

When Amelia stepped back into her office, her lifted spirits were quickly crushed.

Despite Sally's well-earned punishment, the other four people in the department were close to her, and their eyes narrowed with resentment the moment Amelia walked in.

Those unfriendly glares didn't stop, not even after Amelia sat down.

She gritted her teeth and faced the group head-on. "Look, I get that you're angry with me. I entered the Stewart Group because of my connections with Mr. Stewart, but I'm confident I am suitable for my position."

"You haven't worked for two years. What makes you think you have the right to say that?" Matias Benson spoke up. He had been working in this company for the longest time among the four.

A brief attempt by the others to hold him back failed, and he walked over to Amelia.

He continued, "Sure, Sally shouldn't have set you up. But you landing this job with a two-year gap just because you know the boss doesn't sit well with us. Frankly, I think you'll only hold us back at work."

He didn't sugarcoat his words, yet Amelia didn't get angry.

Once he finished speaking, she answered steadily,"True, I haven't worked in a while. Still, as an honor roll graduate from Kretol University, I believe | am capable-"

"Hold on!" Matias stared at her, suspicion plain on his face. "You are an honor roll graduate from Kretol University? I also graduated from Kretol University myself, yet I never once saw your face on the wall of honor."

By the end, his skepticism had twisted into outright scorn; he was convinced that Amelia was making it all up.

"Just because my picture isn't on the honor board doesn't mean I'm lying."

Once those words left her lips, Amelia grabbed her phone, scrolled through her gallery for the certificate's photo, and handed her phone over to Matias without hesitation.

Last time, Jaxton had shredded her resume, so she had taken precautions to take photos of all her certificates.

Her photo had once hung on the honor board, but Jaxton's dissatisfaction with it had prompted her to ask a professor to quietly take it down.

As Matias studied the certificate on her phone, Amelia mulled over the idea of asking her professor to put her photo back someday.

"You studied business management? You actually are..."

Matias stared at the screen in disbelief, clearly remembering stories from his mentor about an exceptional senior who had captured the admiration of every teacher.The three colleagues crowded closer, unable to hide their surprise. One whispered, "Matias, is it real? She actually graduated from Kretol University? This certificate looks real enough. Still, you hear about fake diplomas all the time nowadays..."

Their murmurs nearly made Amelia laugh, and she opened her mouth to respond just as Matias approached her.

Bracing herself for a challenge, she straightened, only to hear Matias say,elia, I am sorry for treating you with disrespect before."

Matias's words left Amelia stunned.

Matias continued, "I also studied business management at Kretol University. 1..."

He seemed to have changed completely, enthusiastically sharing his school experiences with Amelia.

With Matias's attitude change toward Amelia and her honor roll credentials, Amelia's colleagues softened toward her, their attitudes shifting.

"Nobody told us you graduated from Kretol University with honors. If we'd known that, none of us would've tried to make things difficult for you."

Matias, as a fellow Kretol graduate, understood better than anyone how hard it was to earn the title of honor roll graduate of Kretol University.

Holding grudges wasn't in Amelia's nature, so she accepted their apologies.

Taking her phone back from Matias,she.teased,"Do you want to verify if my graduation certificate is real?"