Not responding to Xanthus, Callis took Raeleigh's hand and led her inside. Looking over her shoulder, Raeleigh thought Xanthus was behaving weirdly, so she asked what was up with him. Xanthus told Callis to explain himself. "Explain what?" Raeleigh asked. Carrying Raeleigh's luggage in one hand and her hand in the other, he led her into the house, never saying a word. As soon as they were inside, Callis took her injured hand and scrutinized it. Raeleigh raised it and comforted him, "I still can't move it as I wish. But don't worry; it's okay now. I can go back to designing in three years." Callis's face paled, and he let go of her hand, hearing her words. Seeing his reaction, Raeleigh asked what was up and if something had happened at home while she was away. But Callis continued to play the mute he was, never speaking. Before she could press him for an explanation, Xanthus came back in, and she stopped asking. As the three sat in the living room, Raeleigh
"Callis." Raeleigh nudged him, rousting him out of bed, but he did not wake up. He opened his eyes a slit and succumbed to sleep again. She hadn't a clue when he slept next to her, but she looked over at the photo on the wall. All for a picture? She got out of bed and gave the photo to him. "Here, take it. I'll go to your room when I want to have a look. What do you say?" Callis opened his eyes and latched his gaze on Raeleigh. He seemed glad about the arrangement and took it from her. Raeleigh breathed a sigh of relief and pulled him out of bed. "Go back to your room. Remember not to tell anyone that you slept here." Callis checked the time; it was five in the morning. Carrying the photo, he returned to his room downstairs. After entering his room, Callis did not come out the entire day, not even for work. The servants brought it up with Raeleigh and asked if they should call for him. Raeleigh dismissed them and went to relieve his
Sitting on the bed, Raeleigh stared in disbelief as Callis peeled the synthetic skin away little by little. Raeleigh wasn't oblivious to how advanced technology had gotten, but she didn't think it was advanced enough to turn one person into another. Her face paled as she witnessed Callis turning into Jepherson and being presented a translucent sheet. Jepherson then slowly raised his head and pressed one hand down on his hair while combing through it with the other, dusting out some white and black powder-like stuff. Just like that, Callis turned into Jepherson Richards. Gobsmacked, Raeleigh said, "You're not Jepherson." Jepherson chewed his teeth, sat down next to her, and stared at her face as he asked, "Where's my daughter?" Raeleigh pressed her lips. "She's not your daughter, but Austin's." "Please let me see her." Jepherson held her good hand, pleading as he had never before. Raeleigh tried to yank her hand back but failed
Raeleigh thought he was on crack. The most unfortunate thing in her life was to have met Jepherson. Were it not for him, would she have been such a pushover? "I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Richards. Even if I want help, I'd ask my husband, Austin, and not you." Jepherson's face sank, and he kissed Raeleigh on her lips before continuing to work, surprisingly not upset. Stumped by the kiss, she stood up and sat back down. The workload was now less heavy with Jepherson's help. It was indeed a burden, given that she could barely do anything with only one good hand. Thanks to Jepherson, she could at least take a break, so she didn't stop him. There was way too much for her to go through. When it was time for lunch, Jepherson snatched the pen in Raeleigh's hand and shoved it in his breast pocket. "You..." "Alright, take a break. Why waste your time when you can only do this much?" Jepherson's heart ached for Raeleigh. She had to use twi
Jepherson chucked the document aside and suggested Raeleigh hire an attorney. She asked, "Why would I need one?" "To be your legal advisor, of course. Why do you think these backstabbers can come and go as they please? Isn't it all because your company's system is filled with loopholes for them to exploit. But not to worry. Since they're requesting to jump ships, let's play ball." "The less trouble, the better. They only did this for their career's sake. A word for you, don't get so invested in their business and mind your own." Raeleigh said as she reached for the document, only to fail. "I'll read through it again. Forget about taking it from me." Jepherson took the document in time and called in the secretary. She came in and took the report away. It was already six, but Jepherson intended to meet the two resigning designers. They could've left work, but Jepherson said he had other things to attend to the next day, so the two designers were
Jepherson had the call on speaker, so the whole room heard their conversation loud and clear. Raeleigh couldn't believe it; even her office phone was on Jepherson's side. What more could she say? Ending the call, Jepherson looked over at the two designers and said, "You think you can push Raeleigh around just because she is soft and nice to you. Well, good news, now you get to deal with me." "I'm sorry, the company needs some funds to launch a new car. Eight hundred million from you two will suffice, I believe." Standing up, Jepherson turned to Raeleigh, held her hand to pull her up, and walked toward the door. Meanwhile, the two designers were galled at the decision. Although it wouldn't be too difficult to get a job as a car designer after leaving Bloom Aksea Group, Jepherson had destroyed their career in less than ten minutes, let alone the compensation they'd have to give the company. Where could they scrape together the money now? "We don't have
Jepherson looked at Cindy and said, "You can go now. She wants to let the case slide, so I guess it's a crisis averted for you." "Thank you, Mr. Richards." Cindy hurriedly thanked Jepherson. Raeleigh slowly looked over at her; she had nothing to say. Why bother herself with someone like her? After Cindy left, Jepherson fixed his gaze at Raeleigh, who was twisting her spaghetti with a fork. She couldn't quite understand why Jepherson wanted to have spaghetti again. Hadn't she had enough trouble with it during their lunch earlier? Jepherson scooted over to her and took the fork over to feed her, only for her to look at him and say, "It's okay, I can do it myself." Jepherson said, "If you don't want to hear my voice, I can keep my mouth shut. You can pretend I'm still Callis from Waverly Village." Jepherson twisted a mouth full of spaghetti and delivered it to Raeleigh's mouth again. She hesitated for a moment before taking the bite. J
When Jepherson was leaving, Raeleigh was there at the airport to see him off. After watching him board the plane, she turned to leave, only to see Jared standing behind her. Seeing Raeleigh look at him, Jared shrugged and said, "Don't look at me.; I didn't ask for this. I'd rather stay by his side and protect him than you." With that, Jared walked away while Raeleigh was rendered stumped for a moment before following him out. It was cold that day, so Raeleigh had on quite a few layers. Plus, her left hand was handicapped, so she was extra careful when walking. Jared waited for Raeleigh outside, but his actions resembled none of a bodyguard. Raeleigh stood at the exit, searching, and headed to where Xanthus parked his car, telling Jared in the meantime, "You don't need to follow me. Feel free to leave if you want to." "You're my responsibility now. When have I said I'm leaving you?" He talked back to her, and she cut him a glance, saying, "If Jepherso