Jemma nodded, clearly emotional, wanting to throw herself into his arms, and simultaneously, hit him for not contacting her."You're back.""Hmm, last night. You were asleep.""You should have woken me up.""It's okay. I know you were managing everything on your own, which must have been tiring for you.""It's my job.""Lianne Pal wants to speak with you tonight about the cosmetic distribution thing.""Is she in Vento City yet?""Yeah, we rolled into town last night.""Together..?""I dropped her off at her hotel, then headed back to our place. That's why I was kind of late last night."Jemma chewed her lip and clutched the files even tighter.Why did it give her a weird vibe?"Alright, I'll be ready for the meeting."Noah gave her a pat on the shoulder and left.Jemma felt stressed, not because of the meeting, but because of Noah's vibe about Lianne Pal.Jemma understood that Noah personally handled the collaboration thing, making this business quite important to him. She was determi
Undeterred, Jemma leaned forward, a spark of determination in her eyes. "But trust builds loyalty, and loyal customers stick around. The initial investment in free samples will pay off in the long run when customers become advocates for our brand."Lianne sighed, realizing this debate wasn't going to be easily resolved. "Look, Miss Jemma, I get your point, but we can't just throw profits out the window. We need a strategy with financial sustainability."The two women locked eyes, each holding their ground in this battle of business philosophies. The room was filled with tension, as the fate of the Brooklyn Group's marketing strategy hung in the balance.Lianne glanced at Liam, who stood speechless, "It's not a meeting. It's a waste of time. I haven't arrived here to learn what trust is. Where is Mr. Johnson?"Liam stammered, "He... He will join you in a while..."Lianne, visibly frustrated, stood up abruptly. "Tell Mr. Johnson that I am really unhappy with his wife's performance. She
Jemma kept waiting for Noah until it was time to go home, but he did not return. Finally, Liam came to remind her to leave."Madam, it's late. You know Mr. Johnson doesn't like you to do overtime," Liam suggested.Jemma looked at her watch and asked, "Has he returned?""Not yet.""Didn't he have a meeting with Miss Pal?""Miss Pal had reached Ang City, and they are about to have a meeting there.""Isn't it late?""You know how he neglects time for work. You better go home. The driver is waiting for you," Liam advised.Feeling a sense of disappointment, Jemma sadly returned to the apartment.In Ang City…In a luxurious suite, Noah lounged on the couch, leisurely crossing his legs. He had an aura of charm and magnetism, the smoke from his cigarette swirling around him. Dressed in a white suit and matching pants, he looked effortlessly elegant.Across from him, Lianne Pal sat, captivated by his presence. Her pretty face was adorned with a slight blush and a sparkle in her eyes, reflectin
"Jimmy, please... you can't do that. You can't ruin someone like this.""I said stay out of it," he jerked his arm away, yelling, "how dare she talk to you like that?"He stormed out of the study room, declaring, "I'll make her regret those words.""No, Jimmy, wait up!" She hurried into the living room, grabbing his arm."Jimmy... Jimmy... Listen to me.""What?" he snapped, giving her a rough shake.She stared back, freaked out by his intense glare. His anger was sending chills down her spine."Jimmy, just hear me out," she pleaded, her voice shaky.He gripped her shoulder harder, growling, "She needs to learn a lesson.""It's not her fault. She just gave her two cents on my plan," she argued."How can she diss my wife like that?"Jemma's eyes teared up at the mention of 'my wife.' Her heart squeezed, and she said determinedly, "For your wife's sake, Jimmy. Don't go."Hearing her shaky voice and catching a glimpse of tears in her eyes, Noah snapped out of his rage. Jemma's eyes brimme
The sun was almost gone.Jemma sat in front of the mirror, putting on makeup. When she put on her earrings, Noah knocked, "Ready?""Yeah, yeah, just give me five minutes," she yelled back.Noah barged in, ending a call, "Dad called. The party's starting, and we gotta be there on time, or Jia will kill me."Jemma stood up, applying lipstick, "Hmm..."Noah's eyes landed on her back.The dress had a low back to her lower waist.Jemma turned to him, smiling, "I'm ready. Let's go."Noah checked her out. The dress was simple but classy, knee-length with full sleeves and a deep thigh cut. He coughed awkwardly.Seeing his expression, Jemma got confused. "What's up? You okay?"He pointed at her exposed thigh, "What's that?"Jemma looked down, "What?""What are you wearing? Change it, now.""Huh? But why?""I don't care. Change it.""Jimmy, Mom picked outfits for all. It's her choice. I can't change it.""I don't care. Change it right now.""What? But I can't insult Mom. And I like this dress,"
Jemma stole glances at him, feeling more embarrassed with Jia's words echoing in her mind."What if someone sees us? You shouldn't have come in here," she blurted out."I don't care," he replied, always carefree when it came to her safety.His eyes landed on her exposed back. He flicked cigarette ash, not intentionally checking her out, but then his gaze fell on her exposed thigh, and he frowned."I suggest you change. I'll buy you a new dress right now," he suggested.Jemma turned off the tap and glared at him, squeezing her dress, "Are you kidding me? How childish does that sound!"Jemma stood near the hand dryer, trying to dry her dress, and started sneezing. Noah remembered those hand dryers never suited her; she'd end up having allergic reactions. He said, "Stop."Approaching her, he took off his blazer, "You... put this on and give me your dress.""What?" Jemma was shocked."Come on, give me your dress.""It's... It's okay. I'll manage.""You want to spend three days sneezing in
When they got back to the party, Jia's eyes landed on Jacob, who was standing with Sara and four more elders.Jia sighed, "That Jacob is your childhood friend, right?""Hmm..." Noah extinguished his cigarette and grabbed a drink."How dull! Why is he hanging out with the elders?"Noah explained, "The woman next to Mom is Mrs. Kasher, and the man in the black suit is Mr. Kasher. The others are Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.""Why are they all serious?""Probably talking about Laila.""Who's Laila?""Laila Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson want Jacob to be their son-in-law. They're figuring out a date for the event."Jia's face turned pale."Didn't she come to the party?" Jemma asked."No, she's a wedding planner. Must be working on someone else's wedding."Noticing Jemma yawning, Noah understood she was tired and needed some rest."You okay?" he asked her."Yeah..." she replied lazily.Noah looked at Jia, who was staring at Jacob."Jia, we're going back."Jia nodded simply."No, that's fine," Je
Jemma wiped her tears, lowered her head, and said, "I've seen it in the news. Every day, I used to watch it on television while lying in the hotel room when we were abroad.""What difference does it all make, Jemma? When you drink, I bring you home. I put my blazer on your shoulders. Don't I?""Yes, because I am your wife. Only I should wear your blazer; only I should be carried in your arms, brought back home."Noah was stunned. She had been thinking about all this all these days.Jemma turned away, sobbing, "I can't see all this. Why do you go to her? Why do you need to meet her?"Noah turned back and poured a drink for him.Noah never expected that Jemma would connect his small gestures and blow them out of proportion. He gulped down alcohol, trying to comprehend her thoughts. Then, slowly, Jemma wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her head on his back, clinging to him.In a hoarse voice, she said, "I now understand how much pain you must feel seeing me with Ja