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Chapter 12 Don't Mind Making a Fool of Yourself

"Why did you two split up?" Hazel asked, genuinely curious about why Leo's mom left. After all, George and Leo were the most handsome guys she'd ever seen. What kind of woman would ditch such a good-looking husband and son?

George sighed, "She didn't like me. Being with me wasn't her choice. We both saw it as a mistake. Later, she found out she was pregnant and tried to get an abortion, but it didn't work. She had Leo, left him at the hospital, and vanished."

Hearing this, Hazel felt a pang of sadness. The thought of newborn Leo, so weak and helpless, being abandoned by his own mother made her chest tighten and her heart ache.

"Maybe she had her reasons," Hazel said softly.

George just looked at her for a moment, making her feel a bit awkward.

Finally, they arrived at her place.

Hazel let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks," she said to George.

George didn't get out of the car, just nodded slightly. "Take care, Ms. Astor."

Hazel nodded back and got out of the car. She was actually glad George didn't get out. She really didn't want him to keep escorting her. She hated it when strangers didn't know their boundaries.

Their interaction was just right for her.

She then walked into the apartment complex, moving slowly with her cane.

George watched her from the car window, not looking away until she entered the building and was out of sight.

He then told the driver, "Let's go."

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at it and answered, "Grandpa."

"Where are you? Weren't you supposed to pick up Leo from the hospital? Haven't you arrived yet?" Nash's old but strong voice came through.

"Almost there," George said.

"Hurry up, dinner's about to start," Nash replied.

"Got it," George responded.

Years ago, George's parents both passed away, and he left this sad country alone.

Since then, he rarely returned to Phoenix.

This time, it was because Nash scared him by saying he was sick and wouldn't live much longer, urging him to come back to handle the funeral. George was so frightened that he rushed back from abroad.

Unexpectedly, he met her again. And he had to marvel at the wonders of fate.

In the blink of an eye, it was Monday.

Hazel dressed up meticulously. Looking in the mirror, she saw a professional elite.

Accompanied by Liam, she arrived at the Galaxy Group.

Max Diaz was already waiting for her in the lobby. As soon as he saw her, he quickly walked up to her.

Max was the deputy general manager of the Galaxy Group and one of the most trusted people of Hazel's mother, Flora Schmidt.

He was extremely capable. Even though Aiden had replaced many employees at the Galaxy Group, he couldn't bear to replace Max.

Max's expression was serious, and his words were urgent. "Ms. Astor, there's something you need to know immediately. This morning, your father appointed Bianca as the general manager of the Galaxy Group, and the appointment ceremony is happening right now."

Hazel sneered coldly, "How shameless!"

She thought to herself, 'It doesn't matter, let them have their fun for now! I'm here to take back what belongs to mine. The joke is on them!'

The conference room was filled with the top executives of the Galaxy Group.

Bianca stood at the podium, ready to give her inaugural speech. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Hazel standing at the door, looking at her coldly.

Bianca was so startled that she froze.

Aiden had been watching Bianca, worried she might get stage fright, and was sitting in the front row to encourage her.

Noticing Bianca's unusual expression, he followed her gaze and saw Hazel at the door. His previously affectionate expression instantly turned icy.

He then walked over. Everyone in the conference room turned to look at him.

Aiden stormed up to Hazel, his face twisted with disgust. "What are you doing here?"

"This is the company my mother left me. Why can't I be here?" Hazel replied calmly, her presence commanding without a hint of anger.

"I don't have time for this. Get out now. We'll talk later!" Aiden snapped, waving his hand dismissively, as if even speaking to Hazel was beneath him.

Ignoring his outburst, Hazel walked straight into the conference room.

Bianca, standing on the stage, tried to mask her hatred with a gentle smile. "Hazel, your leg isn't well, and you still came to see my inauguration? I'm so honored."

Hazel's eyes bore into Bianca, seeing right through her facade. Bianca's seamless change of expression and easy lies were her specialty.

Hazel stepped onto the stage, ignoring Bianca's awkward presence, and addressed the room. "Hello, everyone. I'm Hazel. From today on, I will officially take over and be fully responsible for the Galaxy Group. Of course, I am very grateful to my father, Aiden, for managing the Galaxy Group before I returned. Now, Father, you can rest."

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

Then, everyone started exchanging glances, silently asking, "The Galaxy Group belongs to Hazel? Then what are Aiden and Bianca?"

Hazel bowed deeply and continued, "I hope everyone here will support me."

Bianca felt like Hazel had pulled the rug out from under her. This was supposed to be her moment, but Hazel's arrival had stolen her thunder!

From childhood to adulthood, Hazel was always the one in embarrassing situations!

Bianca gritted her teeth, hating Hazel deeply, but she put on a concerned expression, her eyes red, and asked, "Hazel, is that man asking you for money again? You've never managed the company before. Are you short of money recently? I heard from Erik that the man is just good-looking but useless. Don't be deceived by his appearance."

The room erupted in whispers.

"Is Hazel so desperate for money that she came to the company? How shameless!"

"The eldest daughter of the Astor family, Hazel, was rumored to have a chaotic personal life, and it seemed to be true!"

Aiden's eyes were full of disgust. He waved his hand, not wanting to look at Hazel, and said impatiently, "I'll give you five million dollars. Take the money and get out of here! Don't embarrass me anymore! And don't ever come back to the Galaxy Group. This is not the place for you!"

Bianca chimed in, "Hazel, take the money and leave, but stop messing around with the men."

Hazel sneered at their shameless performance.

She crossed her arms and watched Bianca's act, saying calmly, "Bianca, did you forget you just hooked up with my ex-fiancé Erik?"

"Hazel, there's nothing between Erik and me. Don't accuse us just because you're involved with other men," Bianca's face turned pale, and she quickly tried to clarify.

If her relationship with Erik became public, the reputations of the Astor family and the Murphy family would be ruined.

"Hazel! Have you had enough? Stop talking nonsense here!" Aiden grabbed a checkbook and quickly wrote down a number. "Here's a million dollars. Take it and get out. You'll get the remaining four million dollars after you sign the transfer papers!"

Hazel ignored him. She then displayed Flora's will to everyone. "This is the will my mother made before she passed away. It clearly states that the sole heir of the Galaxy Group is Hazel, which is me! Only I have the right to manage the Galaxy Group!"

Liam stepped forward. "I'm Liam Thompson from Coleman Law Firm. I can vouch for Ms. Astor."

Hazel turned to Aiden with a smirk. "The company has an annual net profit of over ten million dollars and a market value in the hundreds of millions! You think you can get rid of me with a million dollars? You two are too greedy! You've held onto this position long enough, and it's time to give it up. Just because you've been here a while doesn't mean it belongs to you!"

The audience continued to murmur among themselves.

Aiden looked like he'd been slapped. He glared at Hazel, speechless.

Bianca's face also changed dramatically.

"I'll give you one day to handle the handover, pack your things, and leave the Galaxy Group," Hazel declared, throwing down her ultimatum. "Otherwise, you'll regret it!"

Bianca had been so excited for her appointment ceremony as general manager. But Hazel's arrival not only stopped her from being appointed but also humiliated her in front of everyone.

She hated Hazel to the core. She stormed out of the conference room and cried to Aiden in his office, "Dad, Hazel is acting like a robber! We've put so much time and effort into the Galaxy Group over the years. She ignored it while she was away, and now that she's back, we have to hand it over to her? That's too easy for her! I can't accept it!"

Aiden was fuming with anger, with no outlet for it.

He hated Hazel so much that he said harshly, "Hazel thinks she's so capable? She wants to fight me? She's still too young! Since she wants the Galaxy Group so badly, we'll temporarily hand it over to her. I want to see if she can handle it!"

Bianca stopped crying at Aiden's words. She stood beside him, obediently massaging his back. "Dad, have you already thought of a way to deal with her?"

Aiden sat on the sofa, enjoying Bianca's attentiveness, and smiled coldly. "I'll make her realize that coveting things she shouldn't will lead to trouble!"

Bianca's lips curled into a malicious smile. She would take everything that belonged to Hazel.

Family, reputation, love, wealth. From childhood to adulthood, anything Hazel had and cared about would eventually fall into Bianca's hands! This time would be no exception!

In the top-floor office of the York Group building, sunlight poured through the windows, casting a golden glow. The black, white, and gray decor exuded understated luxury.

George sat in the chair behind the large desk, listening to his assistant, Ronan Allen, report on the recent work schedule. Ronan looked up and said, "Mr. York, there's a senior management meeting in half an hour that the chairman has specifically requested you attend."

George nodded.

Today was his first day at the York Group since returning to the country. Nash probably wanted him to meet the senior leaders of the group and quickly familiarize himself with and take over all the affairs of the York Group.

Ronan had returned from abroad with George, but he had joined the York Group a month earlier to understand the company's operations before George's arrival.

George asked, "Have you organized the information on the senior management?"

"Yes, I have." Ronan respectfully placed a file in front of George and stepped back.

George picked up the file and began to read.

Ronan thought for a moment and then casually mentioned, "I heard that Ms. Astor went to take over the Galaxy Group today."

George's eyes flickered.

"Originally, according to the Galaxy Group's plan, today was supposed to be Bianca's appointment ceremony as general manager. Now that Ms. Astor has gone, Bianca naturally can't become the general manager, and the situation is quite embarrassing," Ronan glanced at George's expression and continued, "I wonder if Ms. Astor will encounter any trouble after taking over the Galaxy Group, given that it has always been in Aiden and Bianca's hands."

George seemed deep in thought, his long fingers tapping on the desk from time to time.

Ronan silently praised himself for his insight. He knew that Hazel definitely held a special place in George's heart. Otherwise, George wouldn't have risked his life to save her from the fire at the banquet hall back then.

But George had always kept his distance from women. Ronan almost thought George didn't like women. Now, just back in Phoenix, George finally seemed to have a change of heart.

Ronan didn't dare to pry too much into George's private matters and tentatively asked, "Mr. York, do you need me to help her out secretly?"

George was silent for a moment before saying, "Since Hazel chose to take over the Galaxy Group, she must have her own plans. We shouldn't interfere. Let's wait and see."

"Yes, sir," Ronan replied respectfully.

Indeed, a woman who could make George see her differently must have some skills.

Meanwhile, Hazel was getting a handle on the company's situation when Erik called her. She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly answering.

Erik's complaining voice came through, making her frown. "Hazel, why did you have to make things difficult for Bianca? What happened between us is my fault, Bianca is innocent. If you have any grievances, take them out on me."

Bianca didn't get the general manager position and felt wronged, so she complained to Erik. She had always been good at sowing discord, playing the victim, and twisting the truth.

Hazel was used to her behavior. "Erik, who do you think you are? You're nothing to me. This has nothing to do with you. I'm just taking back what rightfully belongs to me."

Erik sounded sincere and earnest. "Hazel, if you need money, just tell me. Even though we've broken up, you can still work at the Murphy Group. You're still an employee of the Murphy Group, and you won't miss a penny of your salary. There's no need to make yourself look so pathetic just to vent your anger. It won't look good if word gets out."

Hazel really didn't want to waste another word on Erik. She said helplessly, "Erik, let me make this clear one last time! First, the Galaxy Group is my mother's legacy to me and has nothing to do with Bianca. Even if I don't want it, I'd rather donate it to charity than give it to Bianca, the daughter of a mistress! Second, I will not go back to work at the Murphy Group. You can have someone throw away anything I left there, and there's nothing worth keeping. Lastly, how I live my life has nothing to do with you!"

Then Hazel hung up before Erik could say another word.

Erik stared at the disconnected call, feeling extremely frustrated that Hazel had actually hung up on him and rejected his goodwill so directly.

He thought to himself, 'What right did she have to look down on him?'

Erik couldn't swallow his anger and called again. Hazel hung up on him again!

Erik looked at his phone, shaking with disbelief and rage. And he kept calling Hazel.

Hazel was about to block him when the phone rang again. Unable to bear it any longer, Hazel answered without even looking at the caller ID and yelled into the phone, "If you don't want to humiliate yourself, stop calling me."

The person on the other end was clearly stunned. The silence was filled with awkwardness.

Hazel then sensed something was off. She quickly looked at her phone and saw an unfamiliar number, feeling a bit startled.

Before she could say anything, a magnetic voice came through. "If I don't mind humiliating myself, can we continue the conversation?"

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