CHAPTER 510: STILL ALIVE?

Truthfully, she had long stopped caring about what outsiders thought—let alone the Morris family.

There was no physical harm done. A few insults? That was nothing to her.

But Logan had clearly taken this into account.

"Take a break. I’ve booked a private room at the café next door—want to go?"

Selina, of course, wouldn’t refuse. "Sure."

Once inside the café, Logan handed her a small slice of cake. "Just make do with this for now. There’s no time to brew fresh coffee."

Selina understood instantly.

Right—after all, in at most fifteen minutes, the Morris family would be coming to beg her to return, and brewing coffee would take just as long. There really wasn’t time.

...

On the other side—

After Selina left, the elevator in the Turner Group building chimed, and the doors slid open to reveal a middle-aged man in a tailored suit.

Someone recognized him immediately—he was the personal secretary to the chairman of Turner Group. Though technically "just" a secretary, in truth he was an adopted son of the previous generation of the Turner family, the chairman’s most trusted brother in all but blood, the second-in-command of Turner Group, and the mentor to Kevin, the heir apparent.

With such a special status and elevated position, it was astonishing that he had personally come downstairs to greet the Morris family!

Several people congratulated them eagerly.

"Congratulations, Chairman Morris!"

"Once you’re riding high, Chairman Morris, don’t forget about us!"

"You really married well, Chairman Morris—who would’ve thought Mrs. Morris had such talent?"

Joe’s guilt began to fade with each round of praise.

Yes, if it was for the good of the Morris family, did it really matter whose name was on the design?

Once the Morris family used this collaboration to soar and recover their losses, he’d go explain everything to Selina. She was angry now, but in a few days, she’d surely understand.

The Turner Group was far from as simple as it appeared on the surface. The family held immense power behind the scenes, and both Joe and Grandma Morris knew this well. They wouldn’t dare offend them. They hurried forward. "Secretary Turner, hello!"

Secretary Turner—better known as Anthony Turner—was the chairman’s brother in name, Kevin’s uncle and mentor, though not related by blood.

Anthony gave a faint nod, not even a smile, and said flatly, "Chairman Morris, a pleasure."

Just that one sentence was enough to fill Joe with confidence.

Grandma Morris was overjoyed. It seemed Turner Group truly wanted to cooperate—having Anthony, the second-in-command, come down in person was proof enough of their regard.

Many onlookers grew eager. They couldn’t hope to connect directly with the Turner family, but currying favor with Angela and Hannah was well within reach.

"It looks like the Morris family will be reaching new heights soon. Mrs. Morris, you’ve made a huge contribution! The family must thank you properly!"

Hannah replied graciously, "We’re all one family. If the Morris family prospers, so do I. There’s nothing to thank me for—after all, Madam and Joe have taken good care of me."

"Miss Morris is so sensible."

"Yes, not like Selina. Good thing she was sent away. If she were still here, who knows what unpleasant things she might say to offend Turner Group—she could have ruined the deal."

"They’re sisters born of the same mother, but Miss Morris knows how to see the bigger picture, while Selina only sides with that plagiarist mother of hers. Miss Morris is Victoria’s daughter too—how come she doesn’t lose sight of right and wrong? In the end, it’s because Selina was raised by Victoria and turned out spoiled and misguided."

Angela quickly interjected, "Please don’t speak of my sister like that. She’s just been kept in the dark. After all, no one wants to believe their own mother would plagiarize. When I found out, I was heartbroken too. But now that Mom has passed, who’s right and who’s wrong can’t really be sorted out anymore."

In the crowd, someone whispered under their breath, "The dead are always in the right—because she’s gone, the Morris family still has to clean up after her. In truth, Mrs. Hill is the real victim..."

Public opinion began to tilt toward the Morris family, and at last, a smile appeared on Hannah’s face.

Meanwhile, Joe and Grandma Morris were in talks with the Turner family.

Just then, Anthony suddenly interjected, "Some of the design sketches are a bit unclear. Chairman Morris, could you clarify a little so we can better evaluate them?"

Joe had no idea how to answer that, so Grandma Morris quickly offered, "Why not have the designer herself explain it to the board secretary? She’s right here—I’ll have her come over."

It sounded perfectly reasonable—after all, the "designer" Hannah was right there, so why should Joe be the one explaining?

Yet, the moment her words fell, every member of the Turner Group lit up with interest—especially Anthony.

A moment ago, the Turner Group’s second-in-command had looked listless, as though nothing being said could hold his attention. But now, his eyes gleamed, and his tone even gained a touch of respect. "The designer herself is here with you?"

Joe felt a vague sense that something was off, though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Grandma Morris didn’t think that far ahead. Her wrinkled face spread into a broad smile. "Yes! Joe, bring Hannah—"

Before she could finish, Anthony abruptly stood, visibly excited. "Madam, are you saying the designer is still alive? That’s wonderful!"

Joe: "..."

Everyone else: "..."

Grandma Morris’s face froze, her throat tightening. Wait—what did the Turner family mean by that?

Others in the room were equally stunned. It was understandable for the Turner family to want to work directly with the designer—but asking whether she was even alive? That seemed a bit inappropriate... even disrespectful.

"My apologies, Madam. I got carried away just now."

Anthony lowered his stance on purpose. "It’s just that we’d heard earlier that the designer had passed away. The Turner family was genuinely disappointed, worried we’d lost such a valuable partner. It seems we were mistaken. My deepest apologies, Grandma Morris."

Grandma Morris felt lightheaded with elation.

All her life, she’d cared most about power and status. For someone of Anthony’s rank in the Turner family to humble himself like this—it thrilled her.

So thrilled, in fact, that she didn’t stop to consider the deeper meaning behind Anthony’s words. She couldn’t wait to introduce Hannah to the Turner family, to show the world what a wonderful daughter-in-law the Morris family had.

From now on, when people mentioned the Morris family or Joe, they wouldn’t think of that shameless woman Victoria—they’d think of Hannah.

As long as she could erase every trace of Victoria’s existence, Grandma Morris would be satisfied.

She turned to Joe. "Joe, go and bring your wife."

Joe nodded meekly, uncertain and hesitant.

When Hannah heard, excitement bloomed across her face. She smoothed her dress and put on her most radiant smile.

Oh, how she wished the old relics of the Hill family could see this—see for themselves who the real winner was between her and Victoria.

Hannah walked to Grandma Morris’s side, and the old woman’s face split into a beaming grin as she began her introduction. "Secretary Turner, this is our lead designer—my daughter-in-law..."

"Oh, I know this lady."

Before she could finish, Anthony spoke up in surprise, his tone warm with admiration as he extended a hand for a shake.

"Hearing Madam Morris speak of her just now jogged my memory. I’d heard before that this designer had ties to the Morris family. I never realized she was your daughter-in-law. The Morris family is fortunate indeed to have such a fine daughter-in-law."