Joe was beginning to believe that Skylar truly had no romantic interest in him.
That same morning, Janine rushed toward Jubilance Hotel. She checked her watch anxiously—it was nearly 8:30 a.m. already.
The traffic had been a nightmare. Even the buses were caught in the jam, and she had no choice but to jog the last few blocks just to make it in time.
Janine prided herself on punctuality. She was the kind of person who always arrived at least ten minutes early. Being late was simply unacceptable in her book.
As she hurried toward the entrance, someone suddenly stepped into her path, forcing her to halt. Caught off guard, she looked up—and her expression immediately darkened.
Sadie.
Janine’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me,” she said curtly.
Her mood soured instantly. Every past interaction with Sadie had been unpleasant, and Janine had long stopped expecting anything different. She didn’t believe this encounter was coincidental—not for a second.
“Mrs. Williams, please move. I’m late for work,” Janine said, her tone sharp and unyielding.
Sadie looked her over, her gaze lingering on Janine’s cleaning uniform with thinly veiled disdain. She tried to hide it behind her sunglasses and mask, but Janine saw it clearly in her eyes.
To people like Sadie, social class defined a person’s worth. But Janine didn’t share that belief. She made her living honestly—no stealing, no begging—and she certainly didn’t owe Sadie anything.
“I need to talk to you,” Sadie said, frowning, her voice low enough not to draw attention in the busy hotel entrance.
Janine was already turning to go. “Sorry, I’ve got work to do. If you really need to speak with me, come back during my lunch break.”
Sadie’s lips tightened in frustration. “How much do you make in this job anyway? I’ll pay you a month’s salary for just thirty minutes. Besides, I already spoke to your manager.”
Janine froze, her expression growing colder.
“You arranged for me to take time off… without even asking me?” she asked, voice icy.
“I said I’d pay for it. Just give me your bank details, and I’ll transfer the money now,” Sadie replied casually, waving a hand as if it were a generous favor.
Janine’s anger flared. Sadie’s arrogance was infuriating. If this was how she treated her, it was no wonder the Williams family had wronged Skylar so terribly.
“Drop the act. Who do you think you are?” Janine snapped. “If it weren’t for Skylar, I wouldn’t even be talking to you right now.”
She shoved past Sadie with ease. Years of physical labor had made Janine strong, and Sadie—wearing heels and a designer coat—stumbled backward awkwardly, nearly falling.
“Janine!” Sadie shrieked, her voice shrill.
Janine didn’t look back. She strode into the hotel, her expression hard. She had no doubt Sadie hadn’t come with good intentions.
She remembered all too well how Sadie once pretended to be sick just to manipulate Skylar into returning to the Williams residence. Janine wasn’t going to fall for any of her tricks now.
But just as she reached the lobby, Sadie’s voice rang out again, louder this time.
“Do you even know what Skylar’s been doing lately?” she shouted. “She’s working for Mr. Gardner Senior now. You probably don’t even understand what that means.”
Janine stopped in her tracks.
“His team is one of the best in all of Jipsburg when it comes to restoring ancient artifacts,” Sadie continued. “No one gets in without real qualifications. But Skylar did. And do you know how she got in?
“By using her body!”
Sadie’s voice was bitter, laced with venom. “I bet those nice shoes you’re wearing—she bought them for you with the money she earned selling herself!”
Janine turned slowly, her eyes burning with disbelief and fury.
“Don’t act like you don’t know,” Sadie hissed. “You pushed her into this, didn’t you? Just to get a better life for yourself. Do you even have any integrity left?”
Sadie’s words hung in the air like smoke—poisonous and vile.
But Janine didn’t respond. She didn’t have to. Her silence, her withering glare, and the proud way she walked away said everything Sadie didn’t want to hear.
She would not give Sadie the satisfaction of a reaction.
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