[Camari]Jasmine and I exchanged glances. The car didn't exceed the speed limit. My best friend obeyed the traffic lights as we passed through the intersection. Were any of the car's lights not working? However, Jasmine made sure she checked all the lights this morning."In that case, we don't need to panic," I suggested. "It's probably just a periodic check.""I hope it's just a misunderstanding," she whispered.Jasmine pulled the car over. The policeman stopped behind us. I held my best friend’s hand, which was near the gearshift. She turned her head and smiled at me. The window on her side was tapped, so Jasmine opened it."Good evening, Miss," the policeman kindly greeted. "Please show me your license.""First, may I know the problem, sir?" Jasmine asked."Show me your papers. Only then I can tell you what the problem is," the man insisted. Strange. That wasn't the procedure.Jasmine glanced at me, but she didn't say anything. Obeying the policeman's words, she took out her purse a
I closed the apartment door and placed my bag on the kitchen counter. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, but it couldn't calm my anger. Damn it! What a jerk! What an ignorant woman! I wanted to punch someone right now.Seeing the refrigerator, I went over and got a bottle of water. I gulped it down until I felt calmer. I sat on the couch and leaned on its head. That couldn't be allowed anymore. I had to do something to stop her from doing whatever she wanted to me.That ignorant man who hit my car window a few days ago was her messenger? I remember we just talked at a café not far from our workplace. I'd been daydreaming at the red light, so I was a bit late driving my car when the green light turned on.So, she taught me a lesson right then and there? What did she want? I got beat up by a guy who was bigger and taller than me? What a crazy woman! Just because she came from a rich and more influential family, she took it out on me!“Okay. She started it.” I put the empty water
I sat down and smiled at Grandpa who patted my hand. He must have thought I was nervous about being in this place. He wasn't wrong. I was nervous because I had just passed through danger. I didn't know why those people had asked me to pull over.However, what hurt the most was that the people who were supposed to protect me didn't do anything when the bad guy intended to hurt me. Jasper and Otis, whom I had just met, were the ones protecting me from those bad guys.I watched Grandpa's face carefully. He didn't look upset. Had my bodyguards not reported anything to him? Grandpa didn't know of my dismissal. Did he also not know of my imminent danger? Then, what was the job of those two people kept following me?"What are you doing?" Farrell asked. He looked so handsome in his black suit and neatly styled hair. "Why are Mother and I sitting apart from you?""I invited Camari. Since you don't want to be at the same table with her, you'd better be at another one," Grandpa replied casually.
[Otis]Since my company's problems were over, I could sleep soundly. Focusing on work kept Cattleya out of my thoughts. Also, I could swim as usual that morning. We met up with Camari at the pool, then I took her to breakfast in my unit.I memorized the words I would say to her to get her to become my assistant. I didn't want to seem desperate. Therefore, I asked her something else before getting to the main topic. I wanted her to accept the job offer.Unexpectedly, Camari was very surprised by my job offer. I thought she would cheer up and accept it gladly. However, she asked for time to think. I needed an answer from her immediately, though. I didn't want to hire Bruce any longer."With the salary you're offering, Miss Gastrell shouldn't refuse. Are you sure she can be your shadow? Miss Gastrell hasn't had any experience as a leader," Jasper said, giving his opinion."She was a supervisor for two years. That's enough to give her an idea of leading people. The difference is that she l
I headed for Father's house. No matter that the security guard wouldn't open the door, I would force my way in. He'd been lying to me for fifteen years. I knew Cattleya died in the same car as Arnold, but he hid her pregnancy.Arnold and Cattleya died on different days. Cattleya passed away on the spot, while Arnold survived for a few hours. That made it easy for Father to manipulate Cattleya's accident. Her family didn't know she was in the same car as Arnold.Cattleya's family accepted the accident as the cause of her death because Father provided the doctor's post-mortem. Cattleya was under the influence of alcohol while driving. It was a nasty accusation, but better than her family knowing Cattleya was Arnold's mistress.I should have been suspicious when the police called the incident a single accident. But I was too grief-stricken to think clearly. After all, I hadn't met Jasper at that point. So, I had no one to ask for help with the investigation.“Sorry, sir. Master isn't home
I couldn't accept that it was only me and Cattleya who bore the shame of the accident. Even though the public didn't know about our relationship, my family didn't stop insulting me and Cattleya. Arnold was considered a dutiful son and a faithful husband until his death. That wasn't fair.I was secretly watching very important people to Father. I had no idea why I was doing that, but I started it on a whim. First one person, then the opportunity opened up and more and more people became involved.Ten people very close to Father's business borrowed a sizable amount of money from my company. I didn't know why they didn't borrow from Haworth Incorporation, and I didn't ask.I was grateful that my playfulness had paid off. I was holding important people I could sway when making big decisions. The fate of Father and Farrell was in my hands. All I had to do was snap my fingers, and everyone turned against them.“Do you mean I need to send an ad to those twenty names?” Jasper confirmed.“Yes.
[Camari]My face was throbbing so I couldn't leave the unit that morning. My left arm was pulsating and slightly painful to move. Jasper must have told his superiors about last night. I didn't want to meet them in this state.Tears fell, I wiped them away quickly. I wouldn't cry for that bastard. That was enough. I had to think of something to prevent them from hurting me again. But I didn't know what to do.Grandpa was the right choice, but I couldn't snitch on them. Moreover, Farrell and I were in the process of divorce. Even though our relationship was still the same, I didn't want to take advantage of that kind-hearted man's affection for me.'Work for me.' That sentence rang in my head.“That was it! Why didn't I think of that? I can ask Otis' help!”I rushed to the bathroom, but my reflection in the mirror reminded me why I didn't go to the pool this morning. I sighed. I couldn't see him today. My eyes heat up. I didn't want anyone to see my imperfect face.I returned to the fron
I didn't know what was in her mind, but I wasn't crazy yet. I still loved Farrell because I couldn't throw away these six years of feelings in one second. But to return to him after he hurt me, that wasn't going to happen.Farrell would regret what he did to me. I'm sure that day would come, but I meant what I said. I wouldn't take him back. His actions in destroying my father's hard work and bringing him close to death were unforgivable.Moreover, after he hurt me on Saturday night and told me to apologize to Bella, the second chance for him was tightly closed.I wouldn't open that door no matter what he did.“I apologize for being prejudiced, nothing more. Farrell and I are divorced. You have to accept reality. We won't reconcile,” I stated.“Camari? Why did you say that?” she gently asked. “Tell me, did my son hurt you? When? I'll have a serious talk with him.”The waiter brought drinks, giving me a chance to think about my answer. I ordered a cup of cold coffee to go while Eleanor