Thousands of Brilliant Stars: You Deserve the Best!-Chapter 185: Farewell for Now, My Assistant

Perhaps the argument between Iris Crawford and Lachlan Wyatt at home was too loud. After she hung up the phone, there was a knock at the door. When she opened it, she saw Orion Crawford standing there with a troubled expression.

Iris, known for responding to gentleness rather than toughness, immediately felt unable to stay angry upon seeing Orion’s face. She gently pulled him over and said in a soft voice, "Brother, what’s wrong?"

"Ever since Steven Rhodes brought you back, I’ve felt something was off. Just now, I heard you arguing with Lachlan Wyatt."

Orion reached out and touched Iris’s head. "Actually, at first, I really hoped you could be with Lachlan. I’m sorry, sister. I was selfish; it’s all my fault."

"How could I blame you?"

Iris shook her head immediately. "Anyone who my brother acknowledges must be good. It’s just that too much has happened between us, things that can’t be explained. Now, old issues are unresolved, and old affections have faded away."

"I know."

Orion’s eyes were filled with complexity. "Lachlan is the most unpredictable and changeable one among us. His personality, one might say, is a bit twisted. But when I saw him stand up for you several times, I thought he had changed for the better. I was thinking, maybe you’re the one who could change him. If he’s truly willing to change for you, I’d respect him, but I never thought..."

I never thought Lachlan would still cause his precious sister to suffer. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He initially believed that with Lachlan’s protective nature five years ago, Iris wouldn’t suffer if she stayed with him. It turned out Orion was wrong.

"There’s no need to apologize; people change, and emotions aren’t governed by conscience."

Iris murmured softly, "I’m changing too."

"Since you and Dante are almost done with the divorce proceedings, why not come work at The Crawford Group? It would be a fresh start, a new beginning for us. Whether it’s Lachlan or Dante, we can just put them aside."

Orion encouraged Iris earnestly, and she was moved by his sincerity. "I know, I know. Don’t worry about me and Lachlan anymore."

Iris agreed to return to the family company, putting Orion at ease somewhat.

Five years ago, Lachlan protected her. Now that he can’t be near Iris anymore, it should be her brother’s turn to protect her.

The next day, Orion promptly took Iris to the HR department. Not only did she return to her previous position as the female CEO, but Orion also suggested bringing Steven Rhodes back.

"Steven was the one I arranged for you before. He’s been earnest over the past five years. Why not bring him back? Having someone familiar by your side will give you peace of mind."

Orion always had such gentleness.

However, when Steven was mentioned, Iris’s eyelashes fluttered. After a while, she replied, "Okay."

Orion went off to a meeting, and Iris called Steven. She stared at her computer screen as she typed up a document.

Half an hour later, Steven, dressed in a neat suit, returned to The Crawford Group. Along the way, many young female interns glanced at him. He recalled that when he first arrived here, he was a bit of a rookie, wanting revenge for his sister and to trap Iris. Yet, not only had Iris taught him, but he had also stayed by her side for five years.

Upon entering, Steven called out to Iris, "Iris, did you need something from me?"

Seated in the female CEO’s chair, Iris crossed her legs, her wide-leg trousers revealing a pair of high heels, exuding capability and elegance. She printed the document she had typed and handed it to Steven.

"I called you here to inform you of something."

Steven was stunned; Iris’s tone was very formal.

"For the past five years, you worked by my side without any official title, handling everything for me both in life and work as my special assistant. You’ve worked hard."

Steven took the paper and saw the words on it, a pang hit his heart.

"Now you are free." Iris took a deep breath, closing her eyes before opening them again. Her eyes were clear, as if she had shed some burden. "You don’t have to be my shadow anymore. I believe you’ve grown a lot these past five years. Your skills are now highly sought after by many companies. Steven, congratulations. You’ve become a remarkably outstanding adult."

Steven stood there, stunned with the resignation letter in hand, unable to believe the words coming out of Iris’s mouth.

Resignation letter... After a moment, he crumpled the paper with a noise. "You’re... discarding me because I confessed to you, making it awkward?"

"I’m not discarding you; I’m giving the choice back to you." Iris smiled slightly. "I anticipated this day when I first decided to keep you by my side. Taking you abroad was also so you could find opportunities to discover your own abilities. You are excellent, but without capital support, you might not accomplish anything. With your family burdened by your sister’s imprisonment and your parents’ inability, your life, which should have been extraordinary, might have ended prematurely. So I brought you on board, Steven. You should aim for bigger endeavors, find work that truly suits you. Staying by my side as an assistant not only wastes your talent but also restrains you. The Crawford domain and your skill set diverge, and now I return your freedom to you. The vast ocean is yours to swim, the sky is yours to soar. You can be yourself now."

So I brought you on board, Steven.

Leaving me by your side was for the sake of separation.

From the very first day we met, you had already planned the final goodbye.

The final farewell is to let go and allow me to fly further.

She is still that Iris.

Unknowingly saving some people’s entire lives.

Steven’s eyes turned red. Though a few years younger than Iris, five of his short life years were spent with this woman.

How could he bear it? How could he bear it?

Even if it’s for my own good...

"You’ve thought so much for me, but do you think I really need it?"

"You do." Iris turned her face away. "My mind is made up. Sign it."

"How could I..." Steven clung tightly to the paper. "Is it because I confessed out of the blue, making you uncomfortable? So you want to drive me away!"

"Not at all." Iris faced Steven squarely. "Being liked by you makes me very happy."

Steven’s heart thudded heavily.

It felt as if a tidal wave surged across his chest.

The resignation letter was typed out word by word by Iris herself for Steven.

That showed how much she valued him.

"If you can’t find a better job, or accomplish great things that give back to society, don’t come to see me. When that time comes, when you confess again, I will respond." Iris handed the pen to Steven. "Until we meet again, Steven."