The moment the celebrities grabbed their tools and donned their straw hats, they headed out to the fields under the blazing sun.
Little did they know, the moment they left, the power went out.
...
As soon as Herbert and Ike left, I grabbed the insulated lunch box and headed out with Christine.
When Herbert arrived, Christine was busy in the bedroom, getting dolled up.
On our way, after I told her about what had happened, she asked, out of the blue, âHerbert and Bella... they both have the last name Taylor. You donât think they could be related, do you?â
âNah, thatâs unlikely,â I mused. âI havenât heard Gregory or anyone mention it.â
Logically, considering Edith married into the Taylor family years ago and Herbert is now the head of the Taylor family, there shouldnât be anyone in the family she doesnât know.
Plus, if Bella was really one of the Taylors, itâs hard to imagine she didnât even have a place to stay in Vista Town before.
Christine nodded in agreement, âRight, and if she were a Taylor, Bella wouldnât have had such a tough start in her career.â
With the Taylor familyâs connections and resources, propelling someone like Bella to stardom wouldnât have been an issue.
However, these prestigious families seem to have an unwritten rule.
âTheir children are forbidden from entering the entertainment industry.
They look down on the entertainment industry from the bottom of their hearts.
Bella is an exception, having made a name for herself in the business world, earning a seat at the table. Most others struggle for years in the industry, only to be viewed as mere entertainers by these elite circles.
After passing a couple of traffic lights, Christine pointed ahead, âJust drop me off at the corner up ahead. Iâve got a meeting with the interior decorator at the shop.â
With a teasing glance at me, she added, âAfter you deliver the charity meals, come straight over.â
âGot it.â
After she got out, I drove towards SZ Technology.
It was a short ride, only taking a few minutes.
Upon arriving and approaching the reception, I said, âHi, Iâm here to see Mr. Ford.â
âDo you have an appointment?â
âNo.â I smiled, not wanting to make it difficult for her, and said, âGive me a moment, Iâll call him.â
Just as I turned to pull out my phone, a voice rang out, âWhatâs going on here?â
The receptionist replied, âMs. Ophelia, sheâs here to see Mr. Ford but doesnât have an appointment.â
âLooking for Mr. Ford?â
The curiosity in her voice was evident as she looked me over. Before I could catch it, an emotion flickered across her face, too quick to identify, âAnd you are? I thought I knew all of Mr. Fordâs acquaintances. How come Iâve never seen you before?â
Her words rubbed me the wrong way, chilling my tone as I responded, âIâm Jane. Since when does Mr. Ford need to run his guest list by you for approval?â
âNo, you got me wrong. Itâs just that Mr. Ford has never mentioned you,â she explained, her attire and tone professional yet the way she referred to Gregory was noticeably intimate. âAs one of the people Mr. Ford trusts most, I was just curious. I hope you donât mind.â
âIs that so?â
I laughed it off, unbothered, âMaybe he prefers to keep his personal and professional lives separate, not keen on introducing his girlfriend to his subordinates.â
Opheliaâs expression shifted subtly, âGirlfriend?â
I smiled, âYes, girlfriend.â
She quickly composed herself, âMr. Ford isnât in the office right now.â
âNot here?â
I was taken aback.
Before leaving, I had texted Gregory, and he mentioned being in the office after a meeting.
Ophelia confirmed, âYes, heâs not. Didnât he tell you?â
I clenched my fist, forcing a smile, âSilly me, thinking of surprising him, only to find heâs not here.â
âGo on with your work; Iâll head out,â I said, turning to leave without looking back.
Oh, Gregory, youâve got some explaining to do!
Once in my car, I dialed Gregoryâs number. He picked up quickly, his voice warm, âMiss me?â
I kept my tone controlled, âWhere are you?â
âAt the office,â he replied, puzzled. âDidnât you just ask?â
I replied with a nonchalant photo sent to his phone, âCheck your messages.â
After a brief silence, he spoke up, âYouâre at SZ Technology?â
âAnd?â
âIâm not at SZ Technology.â
Gregory, sensing my irritation, clarified, âJane, I wasnât lying. Iâm indeed at the office, just at Ford Group, not SZ.â
My heart skipped, âYou went to Ford Group?â
That name, Palmer, was like a ticking time bomb in my mind.
âYes.â
Confused, Gregory asked, âYou went to SZ Technology and nobody told you?â
âWho would have? After announcing myself, I was met with skepticism. Your 'most trusted' person claimed sheâs never heard of me. Apparently, Iâm not on your list of acquaintances,â I retorted, my voice laced with sarcasm.
Initially feeling guilty, I quickly justified my tone.
Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)
ï¤Chapter 485 His Charming Wife ï¤Chapter 10 Dominant Boss: Call Me Hubby, My Dear ï¤Chapter 250 Finn Shows up Amidst Many Obstructions On the other end, Gregory immediately refuted, âImpossible. Who said that?â
I recalled the name, âSomeone named Ophelia.â
âOphelia?â