When Lillian finally reached the White family’s place by taxi, she ended up waiting outside for half an hour before Irene hurried out to meet her.
“Miss is with a stylist right now, making alterations. I only have a little time to step out-what do you need?” Irene asked.
Lillian looked up at the woman standing in front of her. Irene had started working as her personal assistant right out of college, organizing everything from her education and hobbies to her social events, meals, and wardrobe.
But now, the roles were reversed, and the “Miss” Irene spoke of was no longer Lillian.
Lillian sat down on a nearby planter, feeling a bit of numbness in her legs.
Irene gave her a conflicted look as Lillian explained, “I didn’t mean to trouble you. My grandma’s sick, and the White family brought in a neurosurgeon. I’d like to meet with Old Mrs. White and see if there’s any way to help my grandma.”
Irene looked surprised. “That’s impossible. Old Mr. White could have a health crisis at any moment, and the White family is keeping the specialist on standby for him. Besides, there’s a chance Miss may be engaged to Conrad soon. If Old Mr. White passes away, that engagement party would have to be postponed a whole year-the White family isn’t going to risk that.”
“Things would be different if this were in the past…” Irene trailed off, leaving unspoken what they both knew: no one wanted anything to do with Lillian’s family, the Lewis family anymore.
“I can’t help you,” Irene said, handing Lillian a small stack of bills. “Just take this and don’t come to me again.”
But Lillian grabbed her hand, shoving the money back into her collar.
“Lillian,” Irene said, exasperated. “Lillian, you used to be the top socialite in City N, Alvin Lewis’s darling daughter, raised with every luxury. And look at the mess you’re in now. You’ve even dragged me into it, with people asking if I used to follow you around, getting involved in all sorts of mess, trying to seduce men. Just look out for yourself, alright?”
Lillian forced a smile. “Sorry! I may be broke, but I don’t need this from you.”
Lillian pulled the money out of Irene’s collar and added, “When your grandma was in critical condition, I was there with both cash and support. I’m not asking you to help me, but at least don’t act like I’ve ruined you.”
Lillian glanced at the White family mansion. This place used to… be the estate her father bought for her mother.
Things had changed, and so had everything else.
Not waiting for Irene to respond, Lillian turned and walked away.
Irene pursed her lips, gave a cold huff, and hurried back inside the White family.
Inside, Daisy was frowning, picking out clothes. “None of these are good.”
When she saw Irene enter, she scowled. “Where did you go? You know choosing the right outfit is important, don’t you?”
“Sorry, Miss. I had to step out for a moment to take care of something.”
“I know you used to work for Lillian, but let’s be clear-I’m not like her.” Daisy’s voice was soft and sweet, but the condescension and slight smile showed her sense of superiority.
Irene felt even more annoyed at Lillian. She left, and now she was still causing trouble!
“Conrad agreed to come over for dinner, so I need to pick the perfect outfit. It can’t be too flashy or too plain-it has to match my style exactly. The last batch you chose just wasn’t right,” Daisy said, glancing at her manicured nails. “And I don’t think he liked my nail color last time either.”
She made a call, and when she returned, Irene was still standing there. Daisy snapped her fingers. “Out!”
“Yes, Miss.”
Daisy shook her head in exasperation. But her good mood didn’t last long.
She received a series of photos showing Conrad out shopping and even getting cozy at a hotel entrance with a woman named Evelyn. The woman had a terrible taste and an obvious look of desire in her eyes.
Just like Lillian-or maybe even worse.
At least Lillian had gone to the same school as her. But this woman? She was nothing.
Daisy wasn’t one to throw things around when she was upset. She’d always known that for someone like her, marrying for love was a luxury. Marriage into the top ranks, she believed, was an honor, a way to maximize her own worth. She knew Conrad would never have just one woman, and she certainly wasn’t going to let some nobody disrupt her plans to marry into the Brown family.
Evelyn? Hmph.
******
Ford glanced at the clock on the wall and stood up. “Mr. Conrad, how about grabbing dinner?”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you start making my decisions?”
The tone was a clear warning sign.
Before things could escalate, the office phone rang, and Ford picked it up immediately. “Executive Office.”
The receptionist sounded puzzled. “Assistant Ford? There’s a Miss Lillian here, insisting on seeing Mr. Conrad. Should I call security to have her removed?”
It was already after hours, and most employees had left. Who’d insist on barging in now?
Ford looked over at Conrad, who didn’t respond.
“Mr. Conrad?” Ford prompted.
“You were just saying something about dinner-let’s go,” Conrad said, getting up as the office lights dimmed behind them.
The receptionist hung up and turned to Lillian with irritation. “Miss, I’ve made it clear-Mr. Conrad isn’t someone you can just see whenever you want. If you don’t leave now, I’ll have security escort you out!”
Lillian didn’t force her way upstairs; she knew Conrad was deliberately making things hard for her.
Conrad took the VIP elevator straight to the underground garage, got in his car, and headed out.
As his convoy turned right out of the garage, Lillian leaned over and told her taxi driver, “Just follow them.”
The driver looked at her, puzzled. “Are you catching your man cheating?”
Lillian gave a helpless smile. “Oh, if it were about catching cheating, I’d never get it all.”
“Hey, young girl, I’ve been driving long enough to know-if you can’t find someone reliable, it’s better to stay out of that mess!” he advised.
Lillian nodded. “You’re right, sir. I’m just testing the waters. If it doesn’t work, I’m out.”
The driver sighed in relief-it wasn’t hard to keep up with Conrad’s convoy, with all the cars lined up and easy to follow.
Was Conrad really that easy to tail? In City N, not many would dare. The only reason this ordinary cab driver managed to follow them all this way was because they were letting him.
Conrad didn’t go far, though; the traffic was at a standstill at the next intersection. He stepped out and headed into a nearby restaurant for dinner.
Lillian slammed the car door shut and made her way through the lines of cars, hurrying after him.
“Mr. Conrad!”
But Conrad acted like he hadn’t heard her, walking straight into the restaurant. Just as she was about to catch up, two bodyguards stepped in and blocked her path.
Lillian watched helplessly as he went inside, frustrated. She tried sidestepping, but the guards were like immovable mountains.
“Come on, guys, I’m just here to grab dinner. You’re not the restaurant’s security, right?” she said, inching closer. “If not, why are you blocking me? You both know exactly what kind of games Conrad’s playing with me. Don’t mess with his fun now; don’t come crying to me if you get blamed later.”
“Lillian?! What are you doing here?” a woman’s voice called from behind.