Chapter 8 Restore Marquette Group to Its Former Glory

The reason Marquette Group had gone bankrupt was that the Marquette family had crossed someone powerful, making the latter retaliate by ruining the company. Due to the changing times and the lack of support on Stanford's side, Marquette Group never regained its former glory, even when it started afresh. When Thalia arrived at Marquette Group, the receptionist immediately welcomed her with respect. "Ms. Marquette, Mr. Marquette Senior is waiting for you in his office upstairs." Thalia hummed in assent and walked to the elevators. She'd given Stanford a call on the way over, during which Stanford had told her he was at the office and that she didn't need to head home for nothing. When Thalia arrived at Stanford's office door, she knocked on it. "Come in," Stanford said from inside. Thalia then pushed the door open and walked in. Stanford was handling some documents while sitting on the couch in the office. He had been overworking himself in recent years and didn't have his late wife around to take care of him, either. Hence, his hair had turned a shocking shade of white, even though he was barely 50 years of age. Thalia felt upset when she saw him. "Dad," she croaked out. "Lia, you're here! Come, sit!" Stanford shut his laptop and patted the seat beside him. He then started brewing some tea. Thalia sat down beside him and waved her hand. "You don't need to go to the trouble. I'll only be here for a while." Stanford pretty much guessed what had happened based on the strained look on Thalia's face. "The Crestfalls gave you a hard time again, didn't they?" Stanford knew more than anyone what kind of treatment Thalia had been receiving in the Crestfall family all these years. He felt guilty seeing how aggrieved his daughter was. "It's all my fault for losing our family business. You wouldn't have gotten into the alliance marriage with the Crestfalls and be subjected to their scorn if it weren't for me. I'm really sorry," Stanford said. Thalia shook her head. "It's not your fault, Dad. I went into that marriage with Alden willingly." She had always liked Alden and hoped to marry him. This was why she'd been overjoyed when the Crestfall family suggested an alliance marriage between their families. All these years of helping Alden in his company were also a way for Thalia to repay the Crestfall family for helping the Marquettes before. But instead of a happily ever after, the marriage came to an unexpectedly abrupt and shameful end. Stanford sighed heavily. "The Crestfall family would've never treated you this way if our family didn't reach such a state of decline in the first place. Tyren wouldn't have left us, either. This really is all my fault." Thalia felt a little upset upon hearing Tyren Marquette's name. "Is there still no news of him?" Stanford's face was filled with sadness and regret. "No one knows where Tyren is at all. It's as if he's vanished from the face of the Earth." "Even without Tyren, you still have me. I can come back to the company and help you. I've decided to refocus on building up Marquette Group and helping you lighten your load," Thalia said. Stanford was shocked. "What about the Crestfall family?" Thalia didn't bring up her divorce matters with Alden as she didn't want Stanford to worry. "Once I help Crestfall Group win the Chromia Retreat project, Alden likely won't require my aid for some time. When that happens, I'll be able to devote my time and energy to helping you," Thalia explained. Stanford had hoped that Thalia would come back to help him strengthen the company, too. He only had one daughter and could rely on no one else. It was a good thing that Thalia was a determined young woman who'd never once made him worry throughout the years. Whether it was her grades in high school or her current work capabilities, she'd always been outstanding. This was exactly why Henrietta had chosen Thalia to be her granddaughter-in-law at the time. If Thalia could rejoin Marquette Group, Stanford was confident that they could restore the company to its former glory. "Alright. I'm so happy you've come back to join us, Lia!" Stanford opened his arms. Thalia immediately went to hug him, silently welcoming her past self back as well. … After leaving Marquette Group, Thalia hailed a taxi and headed straight for the bar she and Elowen had agreed to go to. Elowen was already there. The moment Thalia went over to their table, Elowen filled Thalia's glass with alcohol. "Set aside whatever troubles or worries you may have tonight and drink to your heart's content!" Elowen cried. Thalia ignored how strong the drink might be and downed it in one go. She hadn't had a single drop of alcohol ever since she married Alden. But she no longer wanted to hold back anymore. Elowen thought it was a little boring to just drink and do nothing else. So, she looked over to where the crowd was and smiled. "The owner mentioned some new male dancers started working here tonight. They're supposedly extremely handsome and have hot, chiseled bodies. C'mon, let's go and pick some out for you." Thalia was dragged out of her seat before she could respond.