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In the planning department, Hannah was gazing out the window, lost in thought. The female manager noticed and walked over, asking, “Hannah, what are you doing?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Hannah said, pulling herself back to reality. She’d been watching everything unfold downstairs, running through countless possible outcomes in her mind, but never once did she expect it would end with her uncle getting cuffed and taken away by the cops.
“Nothing?” The manager raised an eyebrow and glanced down, spotting Hudson below. She teased, “Why are you staring at Mr. Burke? Are you still such a little kid that you can’t be away from your dad?”
Hannah’s face darkened. “Manager, I don’t know why you’re always picking on me. I get singled out just because my dad runs the company?”
The manager rolled her eyes helplessly. “Why don’t you go check out the proposal you handed in yesterday before you say anything?”
Hannah took the folder from her, sounding impatient. “What’s wrong with my proposal?”
“What’s wrong? It’s so bland that I can’t believe you were ever the director of planning at Starlight Media. Honestly, you’d be better off in
sales–since you always wanna have it both ways.”
Hannah’s expression instantly darkened. “What did you just say?”
With instructions from Linsey, the manager wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. “Ever since you showed up, you’ve had all the guys in the department orbiting around you. I couldn’t care less, but you’d better keep your hands off those married men.
“If you keep being so shameless, I’ll report everything to Mr. Burke and let him handle you.”
Hannah, furious, hurled the folder at her, fully unleashing her spoiled nature. “Who the hell do you think you are, bossing me around?”
The manager, unfazed by the pain, said calmly, “When Linsey gets back, I’ll tell her everything exactly as it happened.”
Meanwhile, at Starlight Media.
“Ellie, come here for a second,” Nolan called out.
“Sure, Mr. Hall,” Eliana replied.
After hanging up the phone, Eliana got up and made her way to Nolan’s office.
In the office, aside from Nolan, there was an older woman dressed in a white dress embroidered with flower patterns. Even with her age, she carried herself with a kind of grace that words couldn’t quite capture.
After their eyes met for a moment, Eliana turned to Nolan. “Mr. Hall, is there something you needed from me?”
Nolan stood up to introduce them. “Ellie, this is Ms. Jenson. In about half a month, Covenhill will be hosting a charity auction, and she’s the main organizer. She’s here to discuss the venue design and how the auction will run.”
Eliana immediately got what Nolan meant.
She reached out her hand. “Hello, Ms. Jenson, I’m Eliana Burke from the planning department. If you have any thoughts or requests about
the charity auction, just let me know.”
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Beverly Jenson glanced at her hand, straightened up, and shook it. “Mr. Jean recommended you. That’s why I’m here.”
Eliana froze for a second. “Mr. Jean?”
Beverly smiled gently. “He said you’re a tough one. Whenever anyone entrusts you with anything, it’ll always be handled perfectly.”
“I’m flattered, truly.” Eliana blushed.
Since that phone call, she hadn’t been in touch with Franco, and she never imagined he’d actually refer a client to her.
Beverly seemed to read her mind and patted her hand. “Even a fleeting meeting can be important. I’ve often heard Mr. Jean say he wants to make you his goddaughter.”
Nolan’s face took on a strange look when he heard that. After all, Beverly was Franco’s…
Before he could say anything, Beverly turned to him and said, “Mr. Hall, now that Ellie is here, let’s get down to business.”
‘Did Ms. Jenson just call me Ellie?‘ Eliana wondered, a bit taken aback. ‘Are we really that close?‘
“Alright, alright, let’s get down to business. Ms. Jenson, please have a seat. Ellie, you too, sit down,” Nolan said.
Soon, Eliana pushed her thoughts aside and focused on listening to Beverly’s requirements for the charity auction night, taking detailed
notes.
Just then, lunchtime arrived.
Nolan was just wondering how to suggest lunch when Beverly beat him to it. “Mr. Hall, it’s already noon. We can continue during lunch.”
Nolan glanced at Eliana. “Ellie, want to join us?”
Beverly smiled at her, and Eliana’s mood instantly brightened. She replied cheerfully, “Sure.”
After they went downstairs, they saw a business van parked outside. Next to it stood a strapping young man, but the mole at the corner of his eye gave him a touch of alluring charm.
When the man spotted Beverly, he softly called out, “Mom.”
“You’re here,” Beverly said, nodding at him before introducing, “This is Ellie, and this is Mr. Hall.”
The man looked at Eliana first, speaking like he had already known her for a long time. “So, you’re the one that my… Mr. Jean is always
talking about?”
Eliana didn’t notice the slight pause in his words. “Hello, I’m Eliana Burke. How should I address you?”
“I’m Ryan, and I go by my mother’s surname. You can call me Ryan if you want,” he said with a smile.
But Eliana just stuck with the formal address. “Mr. Jenson.”
Ryan couldn’t help but laugh, covering his mouth.
Seeing Eliana looking at him curiously, Ryan just blinked and acted like nothing happened. “Please, everyone, get in the car.”
Eliana got in the car with Nolan, while Beverly glanced at her son, teasing, “What were you laughing at just now?”
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Ryan replied, “Because she’s exactly like Mr. Jean said. She really knows how to keep to herself, never crossing the line. Mom, looks like we don’t have anything to worry about.”
“We’ll see,” Beverly said, then got into the car.
Soon, they arrived at Stonhall Bistro, a high–end restaurant in a classical style.
Guided by the waiter, Ryan stepped forward and politely held the curtain aside for Eliana. “Ladies first.”
Nolan noticed his action and frowned.
Eliana thanked him, ducked her head and stepped inside, then changed into the wooden sandals the waiter had prepared for them before heading into the inner hall.
“It’s peak dining time right now. Please wait a moment,” the waiter said before heading off to get their table ready.
As Eliana was taking in her surroundings, the curtain was lifted again.
She glanced over, but when she saw who it was, her eyes widened in surprise. “Theodore!”
Theodore was accompanied by several of his top associates and a sharply dressed foreigner in a top hat–the very businessman she’d met at the last cruise party, here for a business meeting.
Theodore shot a quick glance at Ryan and his mother, then turned to Eliana. “Mrs. Russell, come with me for a moment.”
“Please excuse me for a moment,” Eliana said to Beverly and the others, then followed Theodore to the side.
