Chapter 22
There was no rush. I was patient enough to lay the bait.
Hannah said, “I know you’re short on money. How about this? If you perform well this month, 111
personally talk to the boss and get your hourly pay raised to 500 dollars. How does that sound?”
“Great! Thank you, Hannah!”
It was a straightforward work arrangement, so I had no reason to refuse. My earlier silence was
just because my mind had wandered to Gideon for a moment.
Hannah had been good to me, and I needed this job. Besides, I really was in need of money.
The university break was approaching, and once it started, I wouldn’t be able to stay in the dormitory. I would need a salary to rent a place to live.
After leaving the club, I took the subway back to the university. Using my cane, I made my way to the dorm room. It was midday, so the others were all there.
Amelia quickly came over to support me. “Jules, are you okay? Why didn’t you come back last night?”
Since my leave–of–absence paperwork wasn’t finalized, I could still stay in the dorm and wasn’t subject to the usual room checks.
“Something came up yesterday.”
“Someone came looking for you last night–a woman. She said something about Mr. Jackman and turned the room upside down. She stayed until after the dorm building closed at 11:00 pm. I think she’s from this building, maybe even the student council Jules, who’s this Mr. Jackman?”
Amelia continued, “Her phone kept ringing too. The male voice on the other end went from angry to desperate. She came by again this morning, saying Mr. Jackman has been waiting for you at the university all night.”
The others in the dorm were now sizing me up.
Emma, the woman who gave me milk a couple of days ago, asked, “Is he your boyfriend? Getting the student council to help him run errands–that sounds pretty impressive.”
I sat down on a chair. “He’s not my boyfriend. My relatives took his money and forced me to entertain him. I’m resisting.”
The atmosphere in the dorm, which had been filled with curious glances, suddenly shifted Someone burst out indignantly, “What kind of guy chases girls like that? Jules, you’re so beautiful. This man is resorting to these disgusting tactics when he can’t have you!”
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Chasing me?
I hadn’t expected them to interpret it that way. Samuel, until his dying day, would only ever love
Yvette.
“This is the modern age! How is this still happening? Let’s call the police!”
“It won’t help. If I’ve caused you any trouble, I’m sorry”
I chose to be honest about my situation. First, it was to show sincerity. Second, showing my vulnerability could reduce their hostility toward me and earn their sympathy.
Until I got my paycheck, I would need to keep staying in the dorm. At least this way, their compassion might stop them from revealing my whereabouts to Samuel.
The next afternoon, with no classes scheduled, I took the subway to the tennis club.
There, I met Quinton, the man who booked me. He was a young man, probably in his 20s–around Samuel’s age.
The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up, and he extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Quinton Wallace.”
I raised my hand to shake his briefly, only to find him staring intently at me.
I coldly reminded him, “Are we playing or not?”
“Do you have time after this? Let me take you to lunch.”
“I don’t.”
“How about we make it interesting and place a bet on the match?”
I looked at him. “What kind of bet?”
“If I win, you’ll have lunch with me tomorrow.”
“And if you lose?*
“If I lose…” He removed his watch that was worth at least 20 to 30 thousand dollars. “This is
yours.”
I had a sharp hearing and caught Liam’s voice faintly from outside the open training room door.” Gid, don’t we usually play tennis twice a week? What’s with the daily visits lately?”
I glanced at Quinton, who was waiting eagerly across from me. “Alright,” I said, readily accepting his bet.
Chang
