Chapter 1399: Was Patricia going back to her old ways?

[Miller’s Home]

"Patricia—"

"I’m busy! Bye-bye!"

Theo stood motionless in the living area, staring at the entryway where his sister had just run off like lightning. Tilting his head to the side, he furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Theo, did you call your sister?" Mrs. Miller appeared from the other direction, her hair already styled despite the early morning hour. Following behind her was her husband, looking at Theo with curiosity.

"Yes, but she just left," Theo replied, his puzzlement clear. "Mom, is Patricia alright?"

"She hasn’t been acting strange lately, but she did tell me she’s been busy," Mrs. Miller remarked, casting her husband a knowing look. "I assumed it was because she started working at the company. Is that not the case?"

Mr. Miller shook his head. "She’s been taking leave, and Charles approved all of them."

And that was true. When Patricia got Charles’s approval, she immediately told her father, knowing he’d worry. After all, she had begged them to give her something to do until she figured out her life. Patricia had no prior experience, as she had refused to become an employee in the past.

So, even if it meant watching a string of businesses fail, they supported her. For them, Patricia working in the company was progress.

"Leave?" Mrs. Miller furrowed her brows. "Honey, is there something I should be worried about?"

Or, in literal translation: Was Patricia going back to her old ways?

"Mom, I don’t think we should worry." This time, Theo answered with certainty, flashing a reassuring smile. "Otherwise, Sir Charles wouldn’t have just let her be. He’s the one who approved her leave, so I’m sure it’s nothing serious... or bad."

The couple exchanged looks, noticing how much their son had matured—as if Theo was slowly becoming a man. A moment later, they smiled.

"Alright then," Mrs. Miller said, her expression softening. "Now, you two should eat before you head out."

---

[Meanwhile – On the Bus]

Patricia sat on the bus heading to Prime Group, her face radiant with excitement. Just last night, she had received a phone call inviting her for the final interview. Compared to the first one, this should be easier.

That meant she had already beaten most of the other applicants.

Wasn’t that amazing?

"Hehe." She smirked, turning to the window with a wide grin. Her cheeks were flushed as she tried to contain a scream. Even though she had already muffled one into her pillow last night, she still wanted to let it out. The excitement was overwhelming.

"Gosh." She giggled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I think... I’m just naturally talented. I mean, come to think of it. Most of the applicants yesterday came from prestigious universities. Some even had certificates, experience, and a ton of achievements."

Yet Patricia had still made the cut.

DING!

Her thoughts halted when her phone pinged. Checking the message, her grin widened.

[From: Shawn Lowie

Patricia, I’m already here. There are only a few people so far.]

Last night, in her excitement, Patricia had messaged Shawn after receiving the call. She hadn’t even considered whether he had also been invited for the final interview—she had just wanted to share the news. But even if Shawn hadn’t made it, Patricia had already decided she would hire him herself.

It was a win-win situation.

Thankfully, Shawn had also been called for the final interview. They had celebrated together over the phone, thrilled by the news. They even agreed that whoever arrived first would update the other, so they’d know who their remaining competition was.

[To: Shawn Lowie

I’m close. Let’s meet at the entrance, grab coffee, and strategize.]

Another giggle escaped her as she locked her phone, her confidence radiating. In her section of the bus, the atmosphere seemed to glow. Who would have thought that someone like her could shine so brightly—in a public transport vehicle she never imagined she’d ever ride?

---

[PRIME GROUP]

Patricia hopped off at the bus stop near the company. It wasn’t far from there, so she walked the rest of the way—until she spotted a tall, broad-shouldered figure pacing outside the building.

She laughed, watching Shawn anxiously pace back and forth.

"For a big guy, he sure is a coward," she mused, skipping toward him. Once she reached him, she tapped his back and giggled.

Shawn turned, his expression relaxing when he saw her. "Oh, for a second, I thought it was someone else."

"Who else could it be?" she teased, raising a brow before glancing at the entrance. Employees were already coming and going, probably just dropping off their things before heading out for coffee. The cafeteria coffee sucked, after all.

"Where’s the rest?" she asked, blinking innocently at him. "Didn’t you say you saw our ’enemies’?"

"I was in the lobby with them earlier, but when you said you were close, I came out."

"I said close, not here," she corrected, waving dismissively. "Never mind. There’s a café nearby. Should we grab a coffee first?"

Shawn hesitated. "I think we should just get coffee from the cafeteria. That way, if they call us in earlier than expected, we’ll already be there."

"The cafeteria coffee is terrible," she pointed out. "And trust me, they won’t call us in early. The people here are late, not early."

Patricia had "worked" here for a while and had noticed that Penny was never on time. Even when Penny was already in the building, she would still arrive at meetings a few minutes late—because, apparently, she was the main character.

Shawn hesitated again but eventually relented. "Alright then."

Just as they turned to leave, they both stopped when a cab pulled up.

A familiar figure stepped out, walking toward the entrance.

"Uh, hello?" Patricia waved. When he paused, she frowned. "Aren’t you going to greet us? We’re about to grab coffee. Want to join?"

Teddy coldly glanced between Patricia and Shawn. Without a word, he turned and resumed walking.

"So cold this early in the morning," Patricia mumbled before flashing Shawn a smile. "Never mind him. Let’s go?"

"Mhm."

Just as they were about to leave, a voice called out from the side.

"Miss Patricia Miller?"

Patricia and Shawn froze. Turning around, they saw two police officers approaching.

Their brows furrowed, eyes darting between the officers.

What did they want from Patricia?

And somehow, this didn’t feel good.