Chapter 221
In a private room at the cafe, Winter sat quietly, doing her best not to look too rattled or too angry.
With her résumé and qualifications, there was no reason she should have been rejected. She had spent all this time assuming she was definitely going to Eveland. That was why she had trained with Roy in hand–to–hand combat and shooting.
But today, when she checked the list, her name was not on it.
She had called Jimmy and asked to meet. Only then did she learn that Chris was the one behind it.
For a moment, Winter didn’t even know whether she felt more angry or more hopeless.
What exactly was Chris trying to do?
And how had he even found out she had applied for the overseas correspondent post?
She had never mentioned it to him, and he had never brought it up. Or had he been keeping tabs on her all along, saying nothing only so he could crush her at the last moment?
His words on the tree–lined drive at Blackwood Manor echoed in her mind, the ones he had said before getting into the car after hearing that Skyla had slit her wrist.
“ You’re not going anywhere, Winter. You’re staying right here with me for the rest of your life. Not unless I’m dead. ”
Winter picked up her drink and finished it in one swallow.
Did Chris really want to keep her trapped in Liono City forever, making her live under the shadow of hatred for the rest of her life?
Before, she would have called him and demanded an explanation.
Now, she felt there was no point.
Because nothing was going to change.
“If it didn’t work out this time, we’ll try again next time.” Jimmy could tell she was in a terrible mood, so he tried to comfort her gently.
But Winter didn’t want to wait any longer.
If she couldn’t go to Eveland, then she would quit her job and leave the country anyway. She would start over somewhere else.
Mrs. Xander Sr. was gone. She had no family left in Liono City. William was her best friend, and there was also Wendy. As long as she could still stay in touch with the people she cared about, it didn’t matter where she went.
“Professor, I’m sorry for bothering you over the holiday.” Winter poured Jimmy another cup of coffee.
Jimmy waved it off and took the cup. “You don’t have to be so formal with me. You were my student. Besides, I live alone. The holidays aren’t much different from any other day for me. I’m more worried about you p>
He frowned. “When Mrs. Xander Sr. passed, I heard Chris refused to acknowledge your place in the family. Where did you spend the holiday p>
Winter tightened her grip on her cup and said as calmly as she could, “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about
me p>
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Jimmy gently patted the back of her hand, his voice and touch full of quiet concern. “ If you ever run into trouble, tell me. I was old friends with your mother. You could even call me Uncle Jimmy p>
At the mention of her mother, Winter felt her eyes sting.
She nodded.
They parted outside the cafe. Jimmy had wanted to have lunch with her, but he got a call at the last minute. On the other end, the housekeeper sounded anxious. “Sir, she won’t eat when you’re not home p>
After glancing at Winter, Jimmy replied quietly, “We’ll talk when I get back p>
Winter started the car and drove away from the cafe, turning on the car radio out of habit.
While waiting at a red light, Winter heard the news anchor say, “Yesterday afternoon, Eugene Davis, chairman of Davis Corporation, came under investigation for construction code violations p>
Her grip tightened on the steering wheel.
Eugene was the head of one of Liono City’s three most powerful families. He had always followed the rules and kept his record clean. In all her years as a reporter, she had never heard a single scandal attached to his name.
More than that, no one would normally dare make a move against the head of one of those three families.
The only reason Winter could think of was herself.
Eugene had hired people to kidnap her and planned to dump her at the border.
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Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.