Chapter 3

Early the next morning, property management called.

"Ms. White, Mr. Hill brought a young woman to the underground garage."

"She says Mr. Smith approved it—they're here to get something from your parking space."

I was instantly awake.

"What young woman?"

"She says her name is Sophia Hill, Mr. Hill's niece. She claims Mr. Smith agreed to let her use your car."

"Tell them to wait."

I changed clothes and went downstairs.

Level B2.

Jackson was standing next to my Bentley.

Next to him was a curly-haired girl in her early twenties.

She was taking photos of the car with her phone.

Jackson was all smiles.

"Sophia, stand by the hood."

"You'll be driving this car to and from work from now on. Take a couple photos to post on social media."

I walked up.

"Who said this car is hers to drive?"

Sophia looked me up and down.

"You must be Mrs. Smith?"

"My uncle told me Mr. Smith agreed to take care of me. I just got to Harbor City and it's inconvenient."

I looked at Jackson.

"You were already fired yesterday. How dare you bring someone here today?"

Jackson looked uncomfortable.

"Ma'am, don't speak so absolutely."

"Mr. Smith called me last night and told me to rest for a few days."

"Ethan said that himself?"

Jackson's eyes darted away.

"Mr. Smith is busy, he didn't say it so directly."

"But I've worked for him for years. I understand what he means."

I took out my phone to make a call.

Sophia stepped in front of me.

"Is this really necessary?"

"I'm borrowing the car for a few days, it's not like I'm trying to kill you."

"A nice car sitting there doing nothing—what's wrong with letting me drive it?"

"Do you have a driver's license?"

Sophia rolled her eyes.

"Obviously."

"I just haven't gotten a license plate number yet."

I held out my hand.

"Show me your license."

"What are you, taking a census?"

Jackson stepped in front of her protectively.

"Ma'am, Sophia just graduated. She's thin-skinned. Don't be so aggressive."

"She has an interview at Smith Corporation in a couple days."

"She'll be working under Mr. Smith in the future. It's not good for you to offend her now."

I stared at him.

"Not only driving my car, but you want to get her into Smith Corporation?"

Sophia sneered.

"My uncle worked for the Smith family all these years. What's wrong with him recommending someone for a job?"

"Mr. Smith needs an assistant who knows how to take care of him."

"Does Ethan know you want to be his assistant?"

Sophia tossed her hair.

"He doesn't know now, but he will eventually."

"Men can't just look at the same woman their whole lives, you know."

Several car owners stopped in their tracks.

Jackson's voice immediately rose.

"Ma'am, I know you look down on us poor relatives."

"Sophia just wants to borrow the car for an interview. There's no need to humiliate her."

Sophia's eyes reddened.

"Uncle, I told you not to come."

"Rich wives like her could never respect people like us."

The property manager stepped forward.

"Ms. White, should I ask them to leave?"

"Please do."

Jackson stood in front of the car.

"I'd like to see who dares move me."

"I used to manage this car. The keys are with me too."

He pulled out a spare key and pressed it.

The car lights flashed.

My face darkened.

I had never given him this key.

"Where did you get the key?"

Jackson gripped the key tightly.

"Mr. Smith gave it to me."

"Call the police."

Sophia screamed.

"Who are you trying to scare!"

"My uncle drove for your family. What's wrong with having a key?"

"Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can bully honest people!"

The property manager took out his phone.

Jackson suddenly fell backward.

"Ow!"

"My back!"

"Ma'am, why did you push me!"

Sophia rushed over, holding up her phone to record.

"Everyone come look!"

"A rich wife bullying people, she pushed my uncle down!"

Jackson clutched his back and groaned.

"My back's been bad. If I'm paralyzed, Mrs. Smith will have to support me for life!"