Finn was taken back to the house, and he could not stop crying.He must have been really tired. He hadn’t really gotten any sleep in the past two days since his sister passed away.Shortly after he entered the bedroom, he fell asleep on the bed.Neither Javier nor Jade asked him to change his clothes. He was exhausted, so they let him have a good night's rest.After coming out of Finn's bedroom, Jade burst into tears.Javier hugged her and gently kissed her forehead without saying anything.No one wanted to accept the reality of Milly's death, but they had to.Still, it made their hearts tremble upon thinking that the 7-year-old girl was gone. They really did not know how to accept it.The next morning, Jade got up early and made breakfast.But when Javier knocked on the door and entered the room to get Finn, he realized that Finn was gone.The blanket on the bed was neatly folded, and there was a note that had his squiggly handwriting on it.Finn had left a message that sai
The World Car of The Year Award (WCOTY) was organized by the independent nonprofit organization WCA. It was the highest honor of a car award in the world. Starting in 2004, it had been a little more than a decade now.There were 73 professional judges coming from 23 countries across the globe who participated in the evaluation, so impartiality was guaranteed to a certain degree.Moreover, the award had a high reputation. Basically, it was the precursor to the sales index, so many car companies aimed for the grand award hoping to win it.In the past years, automobile companies kept their eyes on this award,, but everyone was focusing on other prizes this year because each car could only receive one award. The Chinean car that was the most popular this year could only receive the WCOTY. The other titles, for engines, being environmentally friendly, and whatnot, became what the others looked forward to.When Javier, Quinna, and Trevor made it there, they became the limelight instantly
Although it was rude to be yelling, no one quite cared about it for now. Like what the brunette boss had asked, everyone was curious why the brand Chinean could win two awards.It was as if the committee president had long expected such a question as he gestured for everyone below the stage to quiet down and spoke. “I’d like to ask all of you one question. Does anyone see any stated term on our organizing rules that a car could only win one award? Please, has anyone seen it?”The president’s question baffled everyone.Quinna slapped her lap. “I remember! The rules don’t seem to state anything like this! It’s just that there has never been a car that receives a second or more award, so for over a decade, everyone has misunderstood that each car can only win an award.”The slap on her lap might be a little too hard as Quinna winced in pain. The next moment, though, Javier caringly rubbed her lap and was trying his best to grope upward. Many people were around, so Quinna was rightfull
A trip abroad earned them three trophies. No one expected this, so Javier, Quinna, and Trevor were exceptionally delighted. It was just that it was kind of hard to stay delighted when Javier shattered the WCOTY trophy at the peak of their joy.After Quinna called Javier a prodigal man in shock, Trevor spoke up as well. “Mr. Kersey, the press will definitely ask us for photos when we go back. The world knows that we won three trophies, but how can we explain it when we bring only two back for the photos?”Javier shrugged in nonchalance. “What’s there to worry about? We’ll get someone to make a fake one tomorrow. Everyone knows we won anyway. Who dares question that the trophy we have is a fake one? As long as we’re holding it, a fake one is a real one!”Such confidence! Javier had learned from the old fox’s jade pipe that felt endless despite him breaking it constantly. With the status there, a fake one was a real one, and no one would dare doubt it—not that there would be anyone d
Herschel, who had been taken away by the police for the traffic accident, was released on that day itself. It was an accident, after all, so he was fine as he was not found guilty after the investigation.The customized car that the Bugatti had run into was sent back as well. It was worth mentioning because the car door had been dented back then, and there was a dent on the center pillar. Herschel drove it to the workshop, only for the workshop to say that they were powerless.They had never seen such tough metal that the dent puller machine could not pull out. Unable to do anything, the workshop had refused any payment despite their effort and pleaded with Herschel to drive the car away.Since regular workshops could not repair the dents, Javier could only call Liam and have the specialized department drive the car away.It had taken two months, and the car was finally sent back when Javier touched down today.“This car still feels comfier. Who says that our country can’t make a
Although Renna was not as sensible as Milly was, she was only a child, and it tugged at one’s heartstrings. Mikaela and Donald’s conversation had also made Javier understand the family’s current plight.He did not think much about it. To him, it was worth it if 30 dollars could get a child’s bright smile in return. Perhaps, to some extent, he was also reminiscing about the late Milly this way.Renna was delighted, but she said, despite her eyes that were glued to the Barbie doll in Javier’s hand, “I don’t want it.”It seemed that Renna still had decent manners as she knew to refuse a present from others and not want someone else’s things. A child’s sensibility in this aspect had very much to do with their family. If their parents were sensible, the child would naturally be sensible.Javier patted Renna’s head. “I know a little girl who’s three years older than you, but she’s as tall and as adorable as you are. She’s never eaten cake her whole life, and her biggest wish is to have
Javier had never expected that the hospital’s director who was speaking at that moment would actually be James Carillo himself.James was the doctor who had paid for the remaining 800 dollars worth of medical treatment fees for Milly initially and later resigned after he was saddened by the news that she had passed away. Javier was filled with respect for this particular doctor. Doctors were meant to be kind people who saved lives, but Javier could genuinely feel this spirit coming from James, so he respected the man. However, he never thought he would end up meeting James there once more. At that moment, James was speaking to the white-haired old man. “Sir, I really can’t carry on being a doctor anymore. I can’t control myself from thinking about that little girl whenever I look at a doctor’s robe. “She was only seven at the time…She was so young and pitiful…I clearly could save her but chose to stand aside and do nothing just because she didn’t have the money. I’ve been tr
Upon knowing that Javier trusted himself and was even willing to invest in a hospital like his, Oliver was rather touched and felt acknowledged. However…“I no longer hold sole authorization over this hospital now since it’s been mortgaged to the bank. Plus, they have already decided to put this hospital on auction. Even if I do have money to pay them back as quickly as possible, including the late penalties incurred, I still can’t cancel the auction from happening.”Oliver was still about to give Javier more reasons, but the latter merely waved his hand, expressing that none mattered. “According to my understanding of the mortgage procedures, anything exceeding the interests and the late penalties from the auctioned amount will belong to the mortgagor, in other words, Sacred Virtues Hospital. As such, it won’t matter how much the auctioned amount exceeds these penalties because it will all become ours in the end.“Plus, items placed on auction will rarely exceed their original
As Bernadetta launched a barrage of kicks against the restaurant door, Mrs. Greene summoned 120% of her strength, holding the fort. The older woman had made a living terrorizing others with absurd accusations and downright unreasonable demands, but this time, she had met her match. Bernadetta James put the “man” in the word “woman”—in that she resorted to violence as soon as things escalated. In the end, it took both Mrs. Greene’s apology and a deal to provide Javier and Bernadetta with three days’ meals, all free of charge, to make the young woman stop. Then—“because I actually have a weakness against people sincerely appealing to my better angels,” according to Bernadetta—she amended the peace offer, changing the three days’ free meals to…a week’s worth. Back in the inn, Javier expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Bernadetta for rescuing him. “I can’t thank you enough for standing by my side when I needed it the most, Bern. But I can thank you a bit more if you refrain from using t
Mrs. Greene opened her flap and unlocked the floodgate, the spit during her tirade so profusive that she could water an old lady’s lawn. “It’s him, officers! It’s all him! He did this to his own camera just to remove himself as a suspect, but we know better than that! He’s the guy who stole my goddamn lingerie!”She turned and trained her finger on Javier. “You vile, disgusting, degenerate piece of sh*t! Ptooey!”‘Back at you! I'd rather spend the night with my left hand than with you!’ By this point in the morning, Bernadetta had arrived at work. Her heels clicked onto the floor as she sauntered toward the commotion. As soon as she heard what had transpired, she laughed, looking clearly amused. She trained her perfectly manicured finger on Javier and piled on. “Oh, it was him. I can testify to that! He stole Mrs. Greene’s bra because he is…the Lingerie Phantom Thief! By day, he is Javier Kersey. At night, he is Jo Ker, the Bra Stealer!” Javier threw his arms up in exasperation
Javier shook his head. By the time his vision was back to normal, the dog was gone. It had escaped! “What kind of hell spawned this little sh*t?!” Javier wondered to himself aloud. “Was this really an effect of the world changing? Is this an example of mutation because of the Storm? Or is there something else at play?”Baffled and unsure what to think, Javier returned to the dorm and told the residents to open the door. Inside, he found Florence huddling the frightened kids closely. She was white from fear, and yet in the presence of vulnerable kids, she had assumed the role of the protector without a second thought. “Hush, it’s alright! It was fake. Someone pulled a terrible prank and put on this white sheet and…” Javier made up a fib to explain the haunting away exactly because the truth could land him in a mental institution. No one would believe him—and for good reason too!Javier drove Florence back to the Yuzuian restaurant, where the latter’s electric scooter was. While
A resentful wail—interspersed only by sobs that sounded more like someone was being strangled—was echoing in the middle of the night while Javier and Florence could not see even a single soul out there? Animated by the power of “hell, naw!”, Florence dove into Javier’s arms for protection. Her hands were clasped firmly on either side of her head, hoping to block out the ghastly demand in her ears. Her eyes were squeezed so tightly shut that even a crowbar could not pry them open.Javier himself was just as terrified. He would have felt better if he could see the source of the voice rather than just hear a woman sobbing about getting her head back. At least he would know what he was up against! But just hearing it without any visuals at all?! Nooooope!Then, Florence hugged him in a “help-me!” sort of way. She was soft and supple—damn, that sexy figure in combination with her silky-smooth skin sure was welcoming. She was warm, and damn did she smell good! Nothing competed with fea
The dog barked in protest as it pointed its paw at Javier with the intensity of a mob before executing a monarch. The flames in its eyes were so bright that they could incinerate Javier into ashes in milliseconds. In the end, though, all that protest was for naught. Constance tied it up in the parking garage, while Javier watched in glee. Ah, sweet, sweet revenge! The stupid dog had thought it could set him up, had it? That would teach it!The look the Pomeranian shot him almost felt like a threat: ‘Just you f*cking wait, hooman!’‘Wait for what? How much can a stupid b*tch like you do to me?’ Javier scoffed in his mind. Now that the four-legged pest was gone, Javier turned back to Constance and talked about the new orphanage. As it turned out, despite the old woman’s sentiments for the building she had founded, she was a lot less obstinate and unreasonable as she might appear. “I mean, I don’t object to it completely. I know the new place is gonna be better, but…” She faltered a
Florence called half an hour later to tell him where they’d be having dinner. After leaving the inn in Bernadetta’s care, he hurried to the venue. Florence had picked a newly-opened Yuzuian restaurant. Javier had never liked Yuzuian restaurants, but since Florence had invited him, courtesy stopped him from asking the woman to change their meeting venue. He found Florence quickly enough and sat across from her. They placed their orders, and Javier began his performance: He started sighing and doing his best to look forlorn. It intrigued Florence enough to ask what was wrong, and Javier told her about his unfortunate beef with Constance that day.“It’s so unfair, man! Why would I bully a dog for no reason?” he moaned. “I’m sure Aunt Constance misunderstood. You’re a knightly, heroic, kind man! How could someone like you possibly get off on hurting a dog? I’m sure Aunt Constance was just too worried about the dog’s welfare to think things through. She didn’t mean it. I can vouch for
Herschel was dressed quite sharply today. It was the full ensemble—black leather shoes, black slacks, a white collar, and last but not least, the good old oil-slicked hair. The typical look of a high-ranking office worker, just as Javier had requested. Ordering him to get in his car, Javier asked, “You brought all the stuff I told you to?”“Yo, I would never forget the stuff my boss told me to bring. I’ve got all the preparations down pat. You can check ‘em if you don’t trust me,” Herschel replied. He fished an ID and some documents out of his leather bag. “See? All the documentation a journalist in the most important room of a news agency would have.”After a round-check and some instructions, Javier sent Herschel on his way to complete his mission. The man was strangely reluctant, though. “Boss, you told me you decided to work in that inn, right? Does that mean, you know, that you’re gonna call me ‘boss’ while you’re there?”Javier had almost forgotten he had mentioned this. It
Javier’s suspicion turned to Constance Hellman’s white Pomeranian. He turned to the director’s office and met the dog’s eyes. With its paws on the windowsill, it hoisted itself up to look out of the window. Seeing the dog cracking a lopsided grin and baring its fangs—beaming as smugly as a teacher’s pet who had managed to subdue everyone through the power of being the boss’s favorite—made it look both amusing and chilling. It would have been had the dog not caught Javier’s gaze, suddenly dropped the smile, and put on a face that seemed to be saying, ‘I’m just your average dog! Nothing to see here!’And then it feigned—yes, feigned—a yawn as its one last measure to cover up the fact that it had been laughing smugly to itself. ‘What. The. Actual. F*ck?!’ Javier thundered in his mind. ‘B*tch’s a natural actress! What’s it doing here instead of being interviewed on a talk show after becoming viral on TikTok?’In combination with Russell’s report, the incident inside the director’s of
As Javier was befuddled, Constance rushed in from outside and picked up the white Pomeranian gingerly to carefully check its injured leg.“Oh, baby, what’s the matter? Did you hurt your leg?”The white Pomeranian whined in pain and began twitching upon hearing Constance’s concerned question. This upset Constance so much that she admonished him sternly. “Mr. Kersey, I thought that you were a loving person, but I can’t help doubting your motive now.“I’m skeptical about you taking good care of the kids here when you’d even hit a cute dog!”Javier felt extremely offended. When had he hit the dog? He hurriedly explained, “Madam Hellman, I didn’t do anything!”Constance asked angrily, “You didn’t do anything? Why would it suddenly limp now and whine so pathetically? Why did it hurry over to me? Give me a reasonable explanation!”Javier was in distress as well. “How would I know? It was fine when I was carrying it just now, but it wanted to get down on the floor, so I carefully placed