CHAPTER TEN THE INVITE

Rhea's Interview at the Comic Company

Rhea arrived at the comic company, slightly nervous but determined. She approached a woman at the front desk.

"Hello, I'm here for an interview," she said politely.

"Okay, come with me," the woman responded, leading her inside.

In the interview room, three interviewers were already seated, waiting for her. She took a deep breath and stepped in.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted them.

"Good morning, please have a seat," one of them replied.

"Thank you," Rhea said as she sat down.

One of the interviewers, a woman, noticed how wet she looked from the rain outside. "It's raining, and you look drenched. Here, take this," she said, handing Rhea a napkin with a warm smile.

"Oh, thank you," Rhea said, slightly flustered.

"Have some hot water, too. You don't want to catch a cold," another interviewer offered.

Rhea hesitated, confused by their unexpected kindness, but still accepted. "Thank you."

What's going on? she thought to herself.

The main interviewer then spoke up. "Rhea Anderson, do you have your portfolio with you?"

"Oh, yes!" Rhea quickly reached into her bag, only to freeze.

Her heart sank. Oh no… I forgot my book!

She looked up at the interviewers with an awkward smile before finally mustering the courage to speak. "I'm so sorry… I forgot to bring it."

The interviewers exchanged glances. Then, to her surprise, one of them waved it off.

"It doesn't matter. You can just tell us about your past work," he said.

Encouraged, Rhea straightened. "Well, The Little Sheep and the Big Wolf has been serialized before, and—"

Before she could finish, two of the interviewers started clapping enthusiastically.

She blinked in confusion.

The main interviewer sighed, giving them a look that clearly told them to calm down.

"Yes, I've seen your work before. It's very impressive," one of them said.

"You know what? We should publish your book immediately!" another chimed in.

Rhea looked stunned. "Really?"

"Of course!"

She glanced down, feeling a mix of disbelief and excitement. "Was it really that good?"

The main interviewer leaned in, whispering to his colleagues, "What are you two doing? Act normal."

Then, turning back to her, he said, "Rhea, you've got the job."

Her eyes widened. "I… I got the job?"

"Yes," they confirmed with bright smiles.

"Just like that? Don't I need a second or third interview?"

"Nope! Just be ready to start work tomorrow."

Rhea hesitated. "Tomorrow? I'm sorry, but I can't start that soon."

The interviewers looked surprised. "Why? Just tell us what you need."

She shook her head quickly. "No, it's not that. I just need time to properly quit my delivery job and complete the handover."

The main interviewer chuckled. "Ah, I see. Good news can be hard to take in all at once." He pulled out a business card and handed it to her. "Here, contact me when you're ready."

Rhea took the card, reading the name: Henry Watson.

"Thank you, Mr. Watson," she said.

"You're welcome," he replied.

One of the interviewers, a woman, stood up and extended her hand. "I'm Sarah."

Rhea shook her hand.

"And I'm Marvel," the other interviewer introduced himself, shaking her hand as well.

"Can I go now?" she asked nervously.

"Of course!" Henry nodded.

"I'll walk you out," Marvel said.

"Oh, no, no! You don't have to!" Rhea insisted.

"I insist," he replied with a grin.

She sighed. "Okay… thank you."

---

Derek's Return Home

Derek stepped into the house, the maids greeting him as they took his luggage.

"My boy, you're back!" his mother, Sarah Anderson, beamed, pulling him into a warm hug.

She pulled back and frowned. "You've lost weight. Was the food there that bad?"

"I'm fine, Mom," Derek assured her with a smile.

"Come, sit. I made all your favorite dishes," she said, dragging him toward the dining table.

Derek laughed. "I haven't been home in years, and your cooking has improved so much. Or did you order from a restaurant?"

"Hmph, very funny," his mother said sarcastically.

"Of course, that's just like him," his father's deep voice rang out.

Derek stood up and hugged his father.

His father, Donald Anderson, eyed him sternly. "Your mother has been waiting for you, but I know the first thing you did when you got back wasn't visiting her. You were out with an outsider, weren't you?"

Derek stiffened. "Dad, Rhea isn't an outsider."

"She is not my daughter. So why shouldn't I see her that way?" Donald said coldly.

Derek clenched his fists. "Well, if that's the case, then I'm not your son either. Don't you love me?"

Donald's face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about? That is not the same thing!"

Sensing the tension, Sarah quickly intervened, placing a soothing hand on her husband's shoulder.

"Donald, your conference call must have been exhausting," she said, massaging his shoulders.

He sighed. "It gave me a headache."

"Let me take care of you. You're just tired," she said gently.

"Don't blame your son. Derek and Rhea grew up together, so it's natural that they are close."

"That's exactly why I'm worried," Donald muttered.

"Dad, Rhea is kind. She could never hurt anyone," Derek said firmly.

"You think you know her well?" Donald snapped. "She is exactly like her mother! I wouldn't be surprised if she turned out just as evil."

"Alright, enough," Sarah said firmly. "Derek just got home. Let's not argue."

She softened. "Besides, Rhea is still part of this family. Donald, remember your promise to her mother—you swore to take care of her. She was young and reckless before, but she's changed now."

Donald let out a heavy sigh.

"Your birthday is coming up in a few days," Sarah continued. "Why don't we invite Rhea for a family gathering?"

Donald hesitated, then finally relented. "Fine. You handle it."

Derek smiled.

"Leave it to me," Sarah said confidently.

Rhea's POV

Rhea was busy sketching in her comic book when her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she sighed. It was her stepmother, Sarah Anderson.

She picked up. "Hello, Aunt Sarah."

"Rhea, how have you been? Have you eaten?" Sarah's voice was gentle, as always.

"Yes."

Sarah didn't waste time getting to the point. "Your father's birthday is tomorrow at the Blue Sea Hotel. We're holding a celebration for him. Rhea, you're still part of the Anderson family. Being away for so long isn't good. Why don't you take this opportunity to visit us?"

Rhea's fingers tightened around her pencil. "Aunt Sarah, ever since he kicked me out of the family, I am no longer an Anderson."

Sarah sighed. "Are you blaming me because I didn't take care of you?"

"No, Aunt, you took care of me well, but—"

"Your mother was my best friend. I'm responsible for you. It's understandable if you feel resentment, but… your father isn't as well as he used to be. He hopes you'll visit him more often. Besides," Sarah hesitated, then added, "Derek is back too. You two were close. I'm sure you'd want to see him, right? I'll ask him to pick you up tomorrow. Get some rest, okay?"

"…You too."

The Next Morning

Rhea stepped out of her apartment and immediately spotted Derek waiting outside.

"Brother, isn't there still time before the party? Why did you come so early?"

Derek smiled. "I'm taking you shopping first."

"Shopping?" She looked at him in surprise. "Do I not look good enough?"

Derek chuckled. "You look good, but you can look even better." He took her hand, leading her toward the car.

---

Blue Sea Hotel – Anderson's Birthday Party

The hotel was lavishly decorated, buzzing with guests and flashing cameras.

Lyla and her parents were busy greeting attendees.

"This is Uncle Ben," Lyla's mother introduced.

Lyla greeted him politely. "Hello, Uncle Ben."

Uncle Ben smiled. "Lyla, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman."

They all laughed, engaging in small talk.

Meanwhile, the Carson family was also present—except for Luca. Liam and Leo stood together, sipping wine.

Liam's gaze landed on Lyla, and he stared at her, lost in thought.

Leo smirked and tapped his head. "You little brat, what are you staring at? Stop looking."

Just then, the doors opened. Derek and Rhea stepped into the hall, hand in hand.

The media immediately turned their attention to them, cameras flashing.

"Isn't that Derek Anderson, the eldest son of the Andersons? Who's the girl beside him?"

"She's beautiful, but I don't recognize her."

Leo's eyes narrowed as he overheard whispers among the guests.

"Doesn't she look like Chairman Anderson's first wife, Mrs. Dalia?"

"Now that you mention it… They really do look alike."

"Wait… is she the child Mrs. Dalia had outside her marriage?"

"With the owner of Carson Group, no less."

Liam turned to Leo. "Brother, are they talking about our family and the Andersons?"

Leo sighed. "Obviously. They're talking loud enough for the entire hall to hear." His sharp remark made the murmuring guests quiet down.

Meanwhile, Derek led Rhea toward his father, Lyla, and their mother.

"Mr. Anderson, this must be Derek's girlfriend," Uncle Ben teased. "She's beautiful." He chuckled and walked away.

Derek handed over a small gift box. "Dad, happy birthday. Rhea specifically picked this for you."

Rhea hesitated before speaking. "Happy birthday."

Donald Anderson looked at her for a moment, then smiled. "I'm glad you're here. Make yourself at home."

"Yes, Rhea, we're family. You don't have to be so formal," Sarah added warmly.

---

Leo & Liam's Conversation

Liam leaned closer to Leo. "So, this girl is getting five percent of the shares, right?"

Leo nodded. "Yes."

Liam sighed. "If Dad were here…"

Leo smirked. "What? You want him to recognize his daughter while she's standing in someone else's house?"

Liam exhaled. "I've been searching for her for so long, and now she just shows up on her own…"

Leo crossed his arms. "Well, at least one good thing came out of tonight—Luca isn't here."

Liam scoffed. "Yeah, that troublemaker would've caused a scene by now."

---

Luca's POV – At the Carson Mansion

In his study, Luca sat with Mia and Nathan, flipping through a thick file on Derek.

"Is Derek some kind of trophy collector? Why does he have so many awards?" Luca muttered.

Nathan picked up the file and read aloud: "Gentle eyes, determined, straight-A student, and a good-looking man."

He grinned. "Wow, that's rare. Every girl's ideal type."

Luca shot him a glare.

Nathan shrugged. "I have sharp eyes. You can ask Mia if you don't believe me." He turned to her. "As a woman, do you prefer a cold fish like Luca or a sunny boy like Derek?"

Mia hesitated, glancing between them. Luca's intense gaze was locked onto her.

She looked down. "Mr. Luca is the most perfect."

Luca smirked in satisfaction.

Nathan rolled his eyes. "She's your employee. Of course, she won't dare tell the truth."

Luca turned back to Mia. "Speak frankly. I won't hold it against you."

Mia quickly changed the subject. "Mr. Luca, there's something else I need to report. Miss Rhea was invited to Mr. Anderson's birthday party. Derek is with her."

Nathan added, "Derek is Mrs. Anderson's son from her previous marriage. He and Rhea aren't related by blood." His tone was deliberately provoking.

Luca's expression darkened.

Nathan smirked. "Why are you glaring at me? I'm just stating facts."

Luca's patience ran thin. "Why are you still here? Do you plan to live in my house?"

Nathan grinned. "You're my brother, so why not?"

Mia suddenly interjected. "Mr. Luca, I just received news—Leo is also at the party."

Luca's expression shifted immediately.

He stood up. "Prepare the car. We're going to the party."