John spoke up just then, alleviating the awkwardness. "Dicky waited for you for over an hour. He usually naps earlier."Cordy's heart skipped a beat, but she pursed her lips and said, "Actually, Mr. Levine, you could've just explained that I'm not his mommy."John simply watched her with his black eyes quietly then, and the sudden silence left Cordy wondering if she had misspoken.Still, she did not dwell on it and continued, "The fire was just an accident anyway. You didn't have to bring me lunch or have those maids take care of me. And how much for the phone? I'll wire the money to you.""I thought you were smart, Ms. Sachs."Cordy was at a loss. Was there anything about her that made her look stupid?!"Dicky needs a mommy," John continued in his alluring voice, as if it was only natural."So?" Cordy raised a brow.John simply kept his dark eyes fixed on her for a long while.After the pause, his pitch seemed to deepen. "And he likes you. So you might be able to tell that
"Of course!" Cordy certainly came to like Richard a lot after spending a week with the boy. "I've left you my number, so call me anytime you miss me. I'll even come to meet you when I'm free.""Liar, liar, pants on fire…" Cordy dropped to a crouch then, which took her considerable exertion.Nearby, the nonexistent man was left frowning as she tenderly tousled Richard's hair from the same height as the latter. "Yes, pants on fire."Richard beamed adorably then and gave her a peck on the cheek.The nonexistent man frowned even harder then."I have to go now," Cordy told Richard with a tender look."Okay, Mommy. Don't run, or you might fall," Richard called after her sweetly—the boy simply refused to stop calling her that even after a week. When Cordy tried to, Richard would become alarmed, thinking that she was abandoning him, his little eyes turning red and welling with tears from misery. It certainly stopped Cordy from being stubborn—the boy would get it when he was older
The vast meeting was filled with Starstream Group key executives, and Noel was standing on the podium.She was about to speak as she assumed the post of CEO when she suddenly noticed Cordy standing at the door, and she froze.Simon, who was seated in the middle of the front row, turned around to look when he saw the weird look in Noel's eyes. He glowered the instant he saw Cordy and sprang to his feet, storming toward Cordy with a look of disgust and contempt as everyone else looked on. "What are you doing here?!""This is my mother's company. Is there a problem?" Cordy asked in return.She was calm but no less imposing, and she was certainly not cowed by Simon."I don't want to argue right now," Simon snapped impatiently. "Get out of here right now—I don't have time to waste on you today. Whatever it is, you can tell me later!"However, Cordy shared the same sentiment and simply walked straight into the conference room.Noel watched as she did so, her eyes flashing dangerousl
As John's eyes twitched, Randy continued, "Noel Sachs was supposed to be appointed as CEO, but was left downtrodden after Ms. Sachs crashed her party. I wonder if things would go smoothly for Ms. Sachs after she took over, however, since Simon Sachs and Noel were in charge all this while."Randy then noticed his boss tapping his long fingers on his desk intermittently.Cordy must be special to him, or he would not have risked his life to save her from the fire. However, John had always been distant toward women, but that somehow changed right after he returned to North City.Still, Randy would never dare to pry into his boss's private affairs, and he simply stuck with the man's preferences. "Should I try to smooth things out for her quietly, sir?" John was quiet for a movement. "She went in alone and managed to claim ownership over the entire company. That means she knows what she's doing—that means we should trust her.""Of course, sir," Randy replied respectfully.He thought
After a while, Randy told John it was time for the meeting, and John left his office. Kyle—who had been waiting in the guest room—watched as all the executives walked past from behind the glass wall."Is that Mr. Levine?" Kyle asked.Debbie glanced at the people outside and quickly said, "Yes, Mr. Levine is on his way to a board meeting."Kyle lowered his teacup and studied the people outside, and Randy just happened to turn around.Kyle quickly smiled and nodded at Randy in greeting.Although Randy was frowning, he nodded politely and followed John into the elevator.Randy certainly did not know that Kyle could not see John from his perspective, only that everyone else was walking behind Randy.Kyle returned to his seat in turn to wait for 'John.'Levine Ventures would soon be establishing the biggest commerce guild in the world in North City, with a building to be completed soon. Since Jessop Corp's main business was high fashion and they were looking to get involved in ele
"Reserved?" Noel exclaimed in shock. "It's only 6 pm! Has there been a mistake there?""There isn't. I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave.""Why? We haven't finished our food!" Mandy snapped—ever self-important, this naturally left her furious."There's no reason in particular. You're just not welcome in this premises.""Don't you know who I am?!""No, I don't," the waiter replied plainly."You don't know who Mandy is? She's a top star and the heiress to Jessop Ventures." Noel name-dropped beside them."Oh," the waiter said, but he remained cold as ever. "This way please, Ms. Jessop." Mandy and Noel were both left gritting their teeth in rage, but just as they got to their feet to leave, they suddenly saw Cordy sitting at the next table.What was she doing there?!They soon noticed the man and child with Cordy as well.Despite her pride, Mandy was instantly bewitched by John's sheer beauty.She was left wondering when someone that handsome existed in North City—not even t
They did not hang around after dinner—John sent Richard home to his babysitter first before returning to the car and sending Cordy home."You didn't have to go through so much trouble, Mr. Levine. I can actually take a taxi home," Cordy said politely."It's no trouble," John said flatly. "I'm not driving anyway."Despite what he said, the chauffeur felt a little awkward and thought that he should just disappear just then.Cordy could not say anything against it either. The journey back to North Garden was quiet.As Cordy opened the door, she remained sluggish since walking with crutches was really inconvenient. Naturally, John could walk around the car and help her up in a gentlemanly fashion just as she got out.Cordy held her tongue, and she said gratefully, "Thank you.""You're welcome," John said as he helped her out. Cordy started to limp away until she suddenly paused, looking him in the eye and saying, "Mr. Levine.""Yes?""What they said was true," she said, her vo
Mandy almost jumped. "What?!"The other Jessops were starting to get annoyed with her antics, but Mandy's eyes went red right after her call with her manager ended. She had been drifting along the lines of becoming a B-list actress, and that TV series was supposed to solidify her status as one!"What now?" Kyle asked impatiently."My manager called me, saying that the investors want another actress for my role."Kyle frowned. "If I remember correctly, it's Windmill Pictures, which Levine Ventures own, right? Did you upset anyone from their family?" "No way! I don't even know them!" Mandy quickly denied it and cried in agitation, "I don't care what it takes, Kyle—get that role for me! It's important for my career!"Kyle was puzzled too—casting choices would not be changed once decided.Still, he suddenly remembered a little detail. "I heard that Bob Davis and John Levine were childhood friends, and that they remained very good friends although John usually stays abroad. Mayb