When Vivian was done, the manager flashed a fawning smile. "Yes, of course, Ms. Crowe. I'm so sorry about this—as of this moment, she's been released from this agency."Then, turning to Sue and suddenly looking all high and mighty, he beckoned for security to escort her out.Seeing that they were done with their drama, Lulu asked, "Are you two done? Then it's my turn."Vivian reared her chin at Lulu haughtily as she folded her arms before her chest, while Lulu simply smiled. "Since you've been let go, Ms. Lambert, how about I personally hire you? That's a much better offer, without company management taking a cut out of your deserved pay."Sue's eyes lit up right then. She actually thought there was no hope!"Of course," she replied as she nodded repeatedly. "I can start right now if you want.""No, you don't have my approval!" Vivian snapped right then. "Wendy, don't forget that you're just a babysitter. This is not up to you to decide!"Lulu asked in return, "If I can't decide
Lulu had Sue settled in by the time Zachary returned in the evening, and she just needed to sign an agreement."This is the maid I've chosen from the agency today, Mr. Slate," Lulu said, introducing Sue to Zachary while asking his opinion officially. "I've read her profile and resume, so is there anything you like to know or requests you have?"Unexpectedly, Vivian emerged from the study right then, rolling her eyes at Lulu where Zachary could not see. "I tried to tell her, Mr. Slate—there were so many professional maids, but she had to pick someone without experience. I couldn't stop her even though I just want the best for you and your baby—who knew she could be so stubborn?"Lulu quietly watched her dramatic antics without offering a retort—it was amazing how Vivian's foul mouth could be smelled for miles as soon as she spoke.On the other hand, Sue was clearly grateful that Lulu was willing to give her a chance. Still, before she could speak on Lulu's behalf, Lulu stopped her.
Then, Vivian was left gaping as Zachary said shortly, "It's fine. You can stay."In the end, he was not dumb enough to believe Vivian—he trusted Lulu and her judge of character.Seeing that Vivian was silent, Zachary told Lulu to go with him to the nursery, leaving just Vivian and Sue looking at each other in the living room.Naturally, it was mostly just Vivian glaring at Sue, upset that she was so tactless.Sue was clearly uncomfortable since she was not used to the place and fidgeting from Vivian's judgmental glare. Fortunately, Vivian did not say another word as she stormed out of the mansion.-In the nursery, Zachary had picked up Star and was gently rocking her. "Did you miss daddy?"Lulu could not help spacing out as she watched them.Beside Zachary's towering form, Star looked just like a tiny doll, even as Zachary carried her carefully and tenderly.Still, Star's little pink lips were puckered adorably for a moment before she suddenly pouted, clearly hungry just then
Over the next three days, every housework in the mansion was completed swiftly and properly. Sue was efficient with every task as if she was constantly charged, even occasionally helping Lulu with Star while cooking.Watching as Sue worked around the living room, Lulu eventually could not resist asking, "Don't you feel tired? You'll wear yourself out if you do this every day, and your family needs you too. You can actually have two days off every week, but with the same pay."As a fellow woman, she certainly could empathize with Sue.Aside from her job as a domestic helper, she would always ask for a couple hours' leave every day to care for her husband back home, cooking and preparing everything he would need. She would also be assisting him with personal hygiene, as well as taking him for regular checkups—machine assistance only helped that much."I'm fine—I should do this much when you're paying me so generously." Sue smiled earnestly as she scratched her head, chagrined. "Being
Even as spoke, Vivian began to make a friendly gesture to take Sue's hands, but she hesitated and withdrew when she saw Sue's tanned, callus-filled skin.As for Sue, she did not say a word since she was keen to see what Vivian was up to—she had lived long enough to learn to judge a person's character by now.Soon, as Vivian took her to an expensive cafe for breakfast, Sue texted Lulu to tell her that Vivian was meeting her in private. Still, she would have to wait for Vivian to tell her what she was up to."How has work been? Are you getting used to my home?" Vivian said as she pushed a coffee and a slice of cake toward Sue.Though she appeared caring, Sue sharply noticed her wording: she had used my home, and not Mr. Slate's home.She was no one to him, and it was curious why she would speak as if she belonged.So it seemed that she was a woman who intended to rise to the top by marrying rich.In the past, Sue would have felt guilty for judging a person so shallowly. However, i
So, Vivian was trying to put her on her payroll? Sue had been working for a good family before and certainly never experienced this.However, there was one thing she knew—to never take what was not hers.Even if she did, she would eventually pay the consequences and be left worse off than now.That was why she must never fall to temptation, not to mention that Mr. Slate was paying her well!Moreover, it was all thanks to Wendy fighting for her. There was no way she would work against Wendy!And having worked at Monsoon for a while, she knew how much rich families pay their maids. Three grand per month was already good, and Mr. Slate paid her three and a half! If anything, even the maids in Monsoon would be jealous of her, and it was all the more reason for her to say no!"I'm afraid I can't do it," she told Vivian, thickening her accent to make her seem even more ignorant. "Us bumpkins only know things like housework. I really can't do what you've asked me to."Vivian frowned, a
Slate Industries was just outbid in a project tender by just ten grand, and not even the cleaners would believe there was not a mole.However, no one could tell who it was—the company's auditors had not the faintest clue.Either way, the outcome points to one cause: Whoever the mole was, they were high in rank.Otherwise, they would not have access to the company's sensitive files, down to the bid amount.A man strode into the meeting room amid the tense atmosphere."Mr. Slate, the board's threatening to sell their shares," Ken Dawson told Zachary, whispering into the latter's ear.Ken was dressed casually and sticking out like a sore thumb compared to the other sharply dressed professionals in the room. It certainly reflected his easy-going nature, but he was assuredly on Zachary's side.And to Zachary, things just got worse—if those shareholders really sold their shares, their share prices would dip.They already lost a project, and if their stock market performance were affe
Panic showed on Sue's face, and she turned toward Zachary as she hung up. He was still patting Star on the back as he nodded assuringly at Sue. "You may leave if it's urgent. I'll have my chauffeur drive you home."He knew about Sue's family's circumstances and therefore offered a generous salary while helping her family as much as she could, as long as she showed loyalty."Thank you so much, Mr. Slate! You're such a good man!" Sue exclaimed, using plain words since she was too down-to-earth to offer flattery. She hurried toward the front door, almost tripping over herself. "Slow down," Lulu said with a smile, and she nodded.Once Sue left, Zachary said, "I'm curious as to how you'd managed to earn such praise from Mrs. Lambert."Lulu noticed that Star had just fallen asleep in Zachary's arms and took her out of his hands—the proximity between them making his heart skip a beat just then. "I'm just putting to use what I've learned. She was just exaggerating," Lulu said, putt