The Muller family had arrived in Johnsonville, and Mandy's attempt to escape was too late!Upon arriving home and walking the dog, I noticed a figure standing in front of the mansion. From the silhouette, it appeared to be a young woman. She had a slender frame and carried a gray shoulder bag, occasionally glancing towards the mansion.Could it be Mandy again?It seemed that no matter where I went, she always managed to find me! Just as I was about to contact the property management to have her removed, the person noticed me and hesitantly called out, "Jen?""Penelope?"In the dim light, I didn't initially recognize her, but her voice was unmistakable."You remember me!" Penelope Middleton's chubby round face broke into a smile as she approached but stopped a couple of feet away."Of course, I remember you! You're my cousin!" Penelope seemed nervous, so I took her hand. "You could have called me before coming to Johnsonville. I would have picked you up.""I'm actually working i
Under the weight of his wounded pride, Uncle Paul left Johnsonville and cut off contact with my father for many years.After my parents passed away, Uncle Paul and Aunt Karen suddenly reappeared, showering me with concern and care. In the midst of my grief, their presence initially provided some comfort.However, everything changed when I received a call from Penelope.Penelope warned me to stay away from them, revealing their true motive: my parents' inheritance. Max, too, had his eyes on the inheritance, and once he realized their intentions, he quickly sent them packing.At the time, I was too consumed by grief to fully grasp how easily Max had rid us of such shameless individuals. I remained grateful to Penelope for giving me the heads-up, and we continued to stay in occasional contact.Penelope shared with me how Uncle Paul and Aunt Karen had treated her like a source of money. They forced her to drop out of school in middle school and work instead. Thankfully, her teachers a
"She told me to handle it myself," Penelope said, her face clouded with more worry."It's clear that she's making things difficult for you."Joey Parker, the editor-in-chief of First Media magazine, was quite well-known in Johnsonville. With years of experience and a good network, finding someone to interview should be simple for her."She said a journalist shouldn't fear challenges. There are so famous people in Johnsonville. If I try hard enough, I'll find a suitable interviewee. I've visited dozens of companies in the past few days, but I couldn't find a single business elite willing to be interviewed.""When I suggested quitting because I couldn't do the job well, the editor said she had checked my background and knew about my poor relationship with my parents. If I quit, she would notify my parents of my current address. Even if I left Johnsonville, she said she could find me.""Did you offend her somehow?" I asked. Uncle Paul and Aunt Karen were Penelope's nightmare. Joey us
I watched Penelope as she disappeared into the night, feeling melancholic. She was already struggling in life, and now someone wanted to add to her misery. It was truly despicable!Back at home, I opened my computer and found the file Wendy had sent me earlier. It contained information on numerous notable people from Johnsonville, including Joey Parker. She had discovered Penelope's weakness, so I decided to fight fire with fire and find what mattered to her....The following day, as soon as I arrived at the company, the receptionist gave me a significant look. I noticed two men standing in the lobby and quietly asked the receptionist, "Who are they?""Their last name is Muller. They want to see Mr. Walker."Muller? Were they relatives of Francis Muller?"Has Mr. Walker arrived yet?""Not yet."I stepped aside to call Luke."I'll be there soon. I'll handle it," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.I hung up and waited for Luke at the reception.Five minutes later, he app
I swallowed the words I was about to say, made Luke a cup of coffee, and brought it to his office. Then I returned to my desk to start work.A week passed in a busy routine. With Zac and Bryan's help, I became increasingly skilled in my role as an executive assistant.At noon, Wendy had business at the Greenfield Building and invited me to join her for lunch. We chose a nearby restaurant.As I made my way to the restaurant, I had a feeling that someone was following me.The Greenfield Building was located in the bustling business center of Johnsonville. Who would be stalking me in broad daylight?I stopped and looked back. The street was crowded, but no one seemed suspicious. Just as I was about to turn back, I noticed someone behind a banyan tree in the green belt.When they saw me looking again, they quickly pulled back and hid their half-exposed body.Such sneaky behavior couldn't be innocent!I quickened my pace, trying to shake them off.Seeing this, they swiftly emerged
We were almost at the restaurant when Wendy, who had arrived earlier, noticed Mandy blocking my path and quickly came to my side."I won't be poor forever!" Mandy said firmly."I think you will," Wendy replied, eyeing Mandy up and down. "The Mullers gave you clothes, bags, and jewelry. So why are you dressed so shabbily? Don't tell me you've sold everything and wasted it all?""My parents took everything. Even if I wanted to waste it, I couldn't.""If your parents took your things, you should ask them to give them back. Why come to Jen?""I... I..." Mandy's eyes welled up with tears. "If I had a way to get my things back from them, I wouldn't be in this desperate situation.""Are your family members even more difficult than you are?""I know I was wrong before. I apologize to both of you."The enticing smell of food filled the air. Mandy lifted her drooping head, following the scent.She was truly hungry.Considering the consequences of helping her, I suppressed my sympathy.
"Luke has done interviews before?" Wendy had previously informed me that Luke never agreed to interviews."That was years ago when Luke first became a partner at JL Capital. He was in high demand, and many magazines were competing for an interview. Luke declined all of them. At the time, Joey was a reporter at Horizon Magazine. She managed to secure an interview with Luke and took the interview draft to the magazine's director, hoping to secure the editor-in-chief position.""The director of Horizon Magazine had a close relationship with the editor-in-chief, whom they had personally mentored. The director rejected Joey's request. She then took the interview draft and moved to First Media Magazine. However, for some reason, the interview was never published.""Was it because the interview contained sensitive information?"During my time as Luke's assistant, numerous prestigious magazines sent him interview requests. I would inform him, and he would instruct me to decline them all wi
Wendy was shocked. "Could she be Luke's unrequited love? That's kind of disappointing!""Maybe he's more into appearances?"Joey's issues with Penelope might stem from Penelope's mistakes, but Wendy had a keen understanding of people. She had interacted with Joey and had a poor opinion of her, which indicated Joey's questionable character.Luke, with his perceptive eyes, seemed to see through everything. Around him, I felt transparent, as if I had no secrets. Joey, no matter how well she acted, would have shown her flaws unless Luke was blinded by love, tolerating everything about her."I finally discovered Luke's flaw—poor judgment! No one is perfect, after all!"I took a sip of water, pondering whether to help Luke pursue his unrequited love."Jen, what are you thinking about? I called you twice, and you didn't respond!"Wendy lightly kicked me again, her eyes probing. "You're so affected by Luke's unrequited love... Could it be that you…""I'm just like you, with no romantic