"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