"Yes, I need to look ahead.""Don't worry, I'm here for you whenever you need me."After ending the call, I felt much more at ease. The experience of undressing Luke that had been so humiliating now seemed less significant. Talking to Wendy had shifted my focus to the future of my relationships.Maybe deep down, I'm naturally optimistic. Even after encountering someone as rare and despicable as Max, I didn't let it make me cynical. Perhaps that's a small strength of mine?As for Luke, he's smart enough to avoid embarrassing me. Since he's so understanding, I shouldn't dwell on it either. This incident is over, and I don't need to feel awkward about it anymore. Often, it's our overthinking that makes us uncomfortable.After the weekend, it was back to work.Calvin invited me to lunch to thank me for helping with Luke that night.There's a café right below the office, and I love their cinnamon rolls and salmon salad. So, I happily accepted Calvin's invitation.During our chat, Ca
"What?" I nearly spat out my coffee when Calvin's words reached my ears. Luke has issues with his sex life?Calvin promptly handed me a tissue.I wiped my mouth and smiled, asking, "Is this... rumoured gossip?"Calvin couldn't help but laugh and replied, "Miss Middleton, are you truly surprised? After all, Mr. Walker is always single, which raises suspicions. I've been working with him for a while now and I've never seen him with a girlfriend. In fact, I've never seen him with any female friends, let alone someone he's romantically involved with. Think about it, he's an eligible bachelor in his thirties—good-looking, fit, and with a perfect background. If someone like him can't find a partner, people would either suspect he has some hidden illness or that he's been hurt before."Calvin spread his hands and continued, "Since Mr. Walker has never dated, people can only suspect he has some hidden illness!"I disagreed with that notion!Luke himself has admitted to struggling in rela
To be honest, I was tempted.But I wasn't very confident in my abilities.Being an assistant is no easy job, and enthusiasm alone won't cut it.Still, I didn't want to miss this opportunity—as Calvin said, not everyone gets the chance to be Luke's assistant.I promised Calvin I would think it over seriously.That night, I wanted to discuss it with Wendy, but she was on a business trip to Brighton City and too busy to talk. So, I had to mull it over by myself.After three days of deliberation, I finally agreed to be Luke's assistant.That afternoon, Calvin took me to the CEO's office secretary room.As I left, I could feel the curious gazes of my colleagues. They probably couldn't believe that a newbie translator like me was promoted to the CEO's office.When we arrived at the office, Calvin introduced me to the two other assistants, who were actually his assistants."Ms. Middleton, these two will be your right-hand men. This is Bryan Hall and this is Zac Palmers. They've been
"Mr. York is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney, so I am confident that I have nothing to worry about," I said calmly.The evidence chain was complete, and I believed that justice would prevail, resulting in Max receiving the punishment he deserved.Reflecting on how Stephen was introduced to me by Luke, I thanked him again. "Mr. Walker, I truly appreciate all the effort you have put into this. I promise to work diligently and handle my work responsibilities properly so that I don't—""Work responsibilities?" Luke's lips barely moved, and his voice was so soft that it was difficult to discern his emotions. The slight furrow in his brow made me quickly replay my words in my mind.Did I say something wrong? Why did Luke seem slightly unhappy?As I pondered the situation, Luke closed his eyes, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.Luke's concise manner often left me puzzled. No matter how hard I thought, I couldn't grasp his meaning.I took out my phone,
"Your expressions can be interpreted in countless ways. Today, we need to remain calm and composed, just like Luke. You've spent enough time with him, and with your intelligence, you'll handle this well," Wendy assured me."If I can't, I have you, don't I?"After being deceived so badly by Max, Wendy's encouraging words lifted my spirits, even though I still felt a bit uneasy.With the trial starting at nine, Wendy and I headed out as the time approached.As we got into the car, Wendy glanced at the nearby mansion. "Where's Luke? Isn't he attending the trial today?""He's on a business trip."After receiving Calvin's text that day, I spent my lunch break planning a week's worth of breakfast menus. In the afternoon, while buying groceries, Luke called and asked me to book him a flight to Francia City that night."You're his secretary, and he didn't take you with him on the trip?" Wendy fastened her seatbelt and started the car."Nothing unusual. I haven't been working long, and
"Didn't I mention before that I was in a relationship? Well, my parents somehow found him, gave him some money, and sent him away. In a way, they filtered out the bad ones for me. I guess dating me makes guys rich overnight. I must be a good luck charm," Wendy laughed, giving me a playful look. "Jen, we can't keep giving away this fortune to outsiders. How about I publicly express my interest in you? You'll be the richest of them all.""Let's not," I chuckled. "I'm afraid of having money but not the freedom to enjoy it. If your dad finds out we're deceiving him, he'll be furious." We chatted back and forth on our way to the courthouse, a journey that felt both long and short. I was torn between wanting to reach the court quickly to leave the past behind and dreading the painful memories that the trial would undoubtedly bring back.As the car turned onto Main Street, I straightened up at the sight of the courthouse with its imposing facade.The crowd outside was bustling. I took a
"Mr. Walker contacted me last night," Taylor said, indicating that she hadn't seen Luke either. "There are many reporters at the courthouse entrance, so we've arranged to use the internal passage. I'll take you inside.""If I had known we could use the internal passage, I wouldn't have made Jen so nervous. My bad.""It's my fault for not communicating with Ms. Middleton in time," Taylor took the blame."Taylor has done a great job," I said, pulling Wendy along. Wendy, who seemed ready to shout at the reporters camped at the entrance, reluctantly followed Taylor. She then asked, "If Max doesn't accept the verdict, is it likely he'll appeal?""With all the evidence against him, does he have the nerve to appeal? If I were the judge, I'd hammer him down in a second!"Wendy was an expert at spotting bad men. Throughout my relationship with Max, she interacted with him several times and never saw through his facade. When his true nature was revealed, Wendy felt deeply responsible, belie
"Sit down," the bailiff ordered sternly.Max stood his ground, defying the bailiff as he scanned the courtroom, his expression growing darker. He knew his family well and held no expectations for his three sisters and their husbands. I figured he was searching for Cindy.Max always believed he had everything under control, thinking that both Cindy and I were devoted to him. Even when I exposed Cindy's true motives for being with him, he remained delusional.Today, Cindy was absent, crushing his last hope.He struggled against the bailiff's grip, his exaggerated reaction catching the attention of the media, cameras flashing all around him."Stop taking pictures! None of you are allowed to film! I demand a closed trial!" Max's composure was crumbling under the relentless flashes."Your request has been denied," the bailiff reminded him."I demand it again!" Max roared incessantly.Having risen from poverty through cunning and manipulation, he had become an object of envy. Now, as
Due to jet lag, I was already exhausted though it wasn't dark yet.Ian was drooping too, suddenly slumping against me.Worried he'd fall, I quickly steadied him.He glanced at me before contentedly closing his eyes again.He was completely worn out.Mr. Lloyd, who had been chatting with the director, noticed this and quickly wrapped up his conversation to join us.Still half-awake, Ian instinctively held onto my arm when his father reached for him."It's your Dad."At my words, Ian let go.Mr. Lloyd picked him up and strode toward the car, while I gathered Ian's things and followed.On the way back, I offered to drive.Mr. Lloyd was quiet. I turned on the car's music system, and soft music filled the space.Having debuted overseas as a trainee, Mr. Lloyd's fingers unconsciously tapped along to the rhythm on his leg.At a red light, I caught this movement in the rearview mirror.Mr. Lloyd had been an all rounder superstar - consistently among the top three highest-earning
Since Penelope was mid-flight and unreachable, I sent her a message and forwarded Sara's letter."Are you okay, Jen? You seem worried," Ian asked."Just blown away by your amazing performance. I'm still thinking about it."Ian was a natural - his acting could really move people."I might be cocky,” Ian grinned.He looked proud, and I ruffled his hair. "No chance of that."For a four-year-old, he'd shown remarkable composure during the preschool incident.Even after being cleared, he hadn't played the victim. That kind of emotional strength showed real character.A few compliments wouldn't change that.Ian's smile lit up his whole face, showing perfect baby teeth."When do you start filming your scenes?"The director was clearly impressed - Ian's role was locked in."Not sure yet."Ian looked up at his father."Soon," Mr. Lloyd said, clearly proud of Ian's performance. "I'll stay on set with Ian these next few days. Jen, feel free to explore the city. I'll call if we need
Just when they thought they'd found hope, the bad guys caught up with them.During their escape, his best friend fell off a cliff. When Bobby was finally rescued and led them back, they found his friend's body, mangled beyond recognition. He was devastated."I'll start now!"In an instant, Ian transformed. He walked heavily toward a chair, his expression gradually filling with pain.Kneeling beside the chair, he reached out as if to touch "him" but couldn't bring himself to do it. Tears silently rolled down his face.The director checked the script and signaled his assistant to remove the chair, simulating the scene where the friend's body would be placed in a body bag.At this, Ian broke into heart-wrenching sobs.His emotional outburst impressed everyone watching on set.Mr. Lloyd looked proud, and the director, as if discovering a treasure, praised Ian after his performance: "Your acting reminds me of your father in his prime.""If I'm as good as Dad was at my age, imagine
I'd dug my own grave, hadn't I?I swallowed my food, took a sip of water, and kept my head down while eating.Luke pushed the mild seafood soup toward me. "This is less spicy."Stubborn as I was, I ignored him.Luke called the server over, trying to order milder versions of the fish and pork."Don't bother, I love extra spicy food."Even though I needed water after every bite, I was determined to finish what I'd ordered.Seeing my stubbornness, Luke apologized to the server and let her go."Jen...""Don't talk while eating."By now, my soul had practically left my body from the spice. I wasn't in the mood for conversation.My throat felt like it was on fire as I gulped down more water.Luke quietly refilled my empty glass. He'd barely touched his seafood soup, his elegant movements making me feel even more ungraceful.I was suffering from my own spite!I wanted to throw down my chopsticks and leave.No, stay calm!I tried to maintain my composure, fighting the urge to d
Just as I finished speaking, my stomach let out an embarrassing growl."There's an excellent Chinese place around the corner," Luke said."You've been here before?""No.""..." Then how did he know about a good restaurant?Did he research every place this thoroughly?He'd make a perfect travel companion.I later learned he'd researched local restaurants knowing my passion for food.I'd only had water since waking up. The film crew would have finished lunch by now, with no leftovers available. I needed to find something on the way.Being in a bad mood lately, I hadn't researched any local restaurants before coming here.Craving authentic Chinese food, I decided to take Luke's suggestion.It was an upscale Chinese restaurant specializing in spicy cuisine. As soon as we sat down, a cheerful server brought out place settings and started listing their specialties."Our portions are generous. For a couple, I'd recommend one appetizer and a soup to start.""We're not a couple," I
Luke came to search for his birth mother himself?As I looked at him, he noticed me too.I greeted him and was about to get a taxi to the set."If you have time, can you show me where you saw her yesterday?""I... okay."Mr. Lloyd and Ian would be fine - finding Luke's mother was more urgent.After weighing the pros and cons, I agreed.Luke hadn't brought an assistant. I waited outside while he took his luggage to his hotel room, then we walked to where I'd seen his mother yesterday.It wasn't far from the hotel, so we went on foot.Without thinking, I kept about three feet between us.Luke: "Do I look like some kind of monster?"With his model-like features that made you want to break rules just looking at him, how could he possibly look like a monster?I shook my head."Then why are you keeping such a distance?""..." So that's what he meant...Though I'd decided to stay just friends, my heart - already full of him - still skipped beats when we were together.He was t
"If you can't find her, Luke can! Now that he has a general area, he can track her down quickly.""I'll let him know."Mrs. Walker was also searching for her, planning to use her to manipulate Luke. We needed to contact her before Mrs. Walker did.After hanging up with Wendy, I looked at Luke’s number on my phone. Several times I almost called him, but kept backing out.After hesitating, I tried calling Emily, but hung up just before it connected.Although Emily had been open with me, I couldn't be sure if she was genuinely helping Luke.To be safe, I called Luke instead. He answered on the first ring.Luke stayed silent."Mr. Walker, this is Jen.""I wasn't planning to cut you out of my life completely. I kept your number."Me: ...There he went again with his sharp tongue. I almost hung up, but remembering how much he'd helped me, and that I could finally do something for him, I told him about possibly seeing his birth mother near the hotel.After a moment of silence, Luk
"Dad, he's a bad guy!" Ian pointed at the man who was already several yards away.The robber was huge - well over 6'2", wearing a denim vest that showed off his muscular arms. Mr. Lloyd probably couldn't take many punches from him, and we didn't know if he was armed. It wasn't worth the risk.I ruffled Ian's hair. "Let's go get something to eat.""Help! Stop the robber!"A woman was running after him, desperately grabbing passersby for help, out of breath.Following the 'better safe than sorry' principle, no one stepped forward to help.She reached us, and seeing we were Asian, her eyes lit up with hope. "Please help me, I have something very important in my bag."Mr. Lloyd looked down at his arm where she was clutching it. "I'm sorry, we're new here and unfamiliar with the area. We can't help."She let go, disappointed, staring dejectedly in the direction the robber had disappeared.Ian said in his sweet voice, "When you're in trouble, find a police officer."The woman was a
His stern look only made Penelope more nervous.When Director Nolan called "Cut!", she was already drenched in cold sweat.She quickly apologized to the director.Director Nolan watched the playback with a grave expression.As the makeup artist touched up Penelope's makeup, I went to her side and encouraged her: "It gets easier after the first try. You'll do better in the next take.""Jen..." Penelope glanced at the crew members around us. "This is my first time on such a major production.""You'll have many more opportunities like this."One Entertainment had been investing most of its resources in Penelope lately, and with her connection to Jethro, her popularity wasn't waning.One hit was all she needed to skyrocket to stardom."Jen..."Penelope's voice trembled with worry.George was particularly anxious too. "You've done well in other productions. We can't mess up at this crucial moment!"A good performance in Director Nolan's film could lead to future collaborations,