Chapter 224

The sun shone brightly on the day Thea was discharged from the hospital. Joyce, at Thea's side, exclaimed, "This is a good sign, Thea! Even the heavens are hoping you feel better."

She continued, "The day of your accident, my family forced me back to the hospital. They even stationed eight guards to watch me! I had to sneak out every time I wanted to see you."

Noticing Thea's subdued mood, Joyce tried to lighten the atmosphere with forced cheerfulness. Thea replied, "Joyce, it's been hard on you. I'm fine now. The doctor says my recovery is excellent."

While her physical recovery was progressing well, the emotional burden remained heavy. Joyce, hugging Thea, her heart aching, asked, "Nicolas hasn't visited you once?"

Thea remained silent.

Joyce, clenching her fist, fumed, "I thought he was a good man! Now, he's just as much of a scumbag as his nephew! Thea, I fully support your divorce. If necessary, I'll support you financially!" Since Joyce's disastrous marriage with Max, Kelly had severely restricted her allowance, leaving her in a worse financial state than Thea. Despite this, Thea was touched by Joyce's support. Thea said, "Don't forget, I'm a businesswoman now. I should be supporting you!"

Sunlight illuminated Thea's face as she smiled brightly. Across the street, Nicolas, in the backseat of a Maybach, watched her intently. Her smile captivated him.

Darwin, glancing at Nicolas, said, "Mr. Hendrix, you're here. Aren't you going to speak to Mrs. Hendrix? Even I can see she still cares for you, despite her harsh words."

Nicolas rubbed his temples, feeling unworthy to face Thea. He wanted to resolve his current situation, bring Verigil's child to Thea, and explain everything. He simply said, "Let's go."

As the Maybach started, Thea sensed something and turned, but only saw the car's rear.

"What are you looking at?" Joyce waved a hand in front of Thea's face. "Forget that man! With me around, you don't have to worry. Tonight, I'm taking you out for a fancy dinner and clubbing!"

Joyce's vivacious nature was ever-present, but Thea firmly refused. "Sparkle Rocks just launched a new project, and I've been away too long. I'm afraid the company is in chaos without Henrietta's oversight. I need to check on things."

Sparkle Rocks was Thea's sole focus—work offered a temporary escape from her grief and a means to fight back against Nicolas.

Sparkle Rocks remained outwardly unchanged, but Thea was met with hostile stares upon entering.

One employee sneered, "After causing such massive losses, she dares to return? Her pale face shows the toll of the miscarriage retribution for being a gold-digging homewrecker! Now that Stephanie caught her red-handed, her powerful backer won't help her. Sparkle Rocks is her last resort!"

Another chimed in, "With a boss like her, we might as well declare bankruptcy! I'm ashamed to even say I work here."

Thea ignored the whispers; she was accustomed to such negativity. But Joyce felt increasingly uncomfortable. She retorted, "Enough gossip! Instead of working, you're spreading rumors! If Sparkle Rocks goes bankrupt, will you blame Thea for costing you your jobs?"

Years of Henrietta and her father's control had eroded the staff's faith in Thea, especially since she'd generated no income and immediately encountered problems after taking over.

Some employees shouted, "Exactly! Our partners refuse to buy our raw materials, crippling our capital. Bankruptcy is inevitable! Mrs. Hendrix, if you're incapable, let someone competent lead us. Why make us suffer?"

The outburst drew attention. Thea instantly recognized the speaker—Henrietta's trusted marketing manager.

Thea mocked, "You? I recall you earning over $30,000 a month in commission during the company's peak."

The manager arrogantly retorted, "Because I'm capable! You should go home!"

Thea sneered, "You should go home. Considering your past contributions, go to HR for your severance. I don't need troublemakers. If you're unwilling to weather this storm, leave."

Fear blanched the manager's face. Leaving Sparkle Rocks at her age would be career suicide.

The manager hissed, "How dare you! I'm Ms. Wade's assistant. Ms. Wade and Ms. Holmes are waiting for you. You should consider your position before firing me!"

Thea countered, "I own 80% of Sparkle Rocks. Do I need staff approval to fire a manager? Don't overestimate yourself."

Her anger blazing, Thea continued, "But I promise my loyal staff—ignore the rumors. As long as I'm here, Sparkle Rocks will not close." Sparkle Rocks was her grandfather's legacy, and she would protect it.

Joyce clapped enthusiastically. Then, a hesitant voice said, "Mrs. Hendrix, I think you're not what the internet portrays. You truly want Sparkle Rocks to succeed."

This exchange drew the attention of Henrietta and her companion in the meeting room. Henrietta, seeing Thea, sneered, "I thought you'd never return."