Skyler never expected Logan to be so cold and unreasonable. Not only did he not allow her to continue working as a caregiver, he also set a curfew for her to be home by 7:30 pm every night. This meant she had to be home by 6 pm to prepare dinner, even though Logan never ate the food she cooked.
Skyler couldn't understand his behavior and didn't want to think about it anymore. Her priority now was to find a new job as she had very little money left in her bank account and needed to support herself.
Fortunately, Skyler had studied jewelry design in college and had been doing freelance work for small studios on the side. Recently, a new and upcoming studio had seen her work and was interested in hiring her.
With her caregiver job no longer an option, Skyler had to return to her old profession. She sent an email to the studio and was surprised to receive a response in less than five minutes. It would be best if she could bring her design drafts and come for an on-site interview right away.
Skyler tidied up and headed out.
The studio she was applying to was small but had impressive capabilities. The office was located in the city center, in one of the most expensive office buildings.
The head of the studio, surname Harris, was a young and promising man. After seeing Skyler's work, he praised her endlessly and wanted to sign a contract with her on the spot.
But when Skyler took out her ID and handed it over, Mr. Harris looked at it several times.
"So you are Skyler from the jewelry department of A university? Your name is well-known in our industry, Miss Skyler..."
As he spoke, Mr. Harris's hand had already touched Skyler's thigh.
Skyler was startled and jumped up. "Mr. Harris, what are you doing?"
"Please show some respect!"
"Heh, Miss Skyler, don't be so nervous. Look at your pretty face, tsk tsk, so beautiful even when angry..."
"No wonder. I said, where did such a beautiful designer come from? So it's you, Skyler, Miss Skyler. Your name is well-known in our industry. I heard that in order to win an award at A university, you went through all the professors and tutors in your jewelry department. So, Miss Skyler, why bother applying for a designer position? Just come and be my mistress. I promise to take good care of you..."
"Get out of here!"
Skyler pushed the man who was pressing on her and snatched her ID card from his hand before running out of the studio as if her life depended on it.
She leaned against the wall, gasping for air and trembling with anger.
She closed her eyes tightly and tried to suppress the nauseating feeling in her heart. She shouldn't have had the idea of returning to the jewelry design industry.
"Skyler, is that you?"
Suddenly, a tentative voice came from behind her.
Hearing the voice, Skyler was stunned for two seconds before turning around, somewhat dazed.
"Sophia Clark."
"It's really you, Skyler! I finally ran into you!" Sophia hugged her excitedly.
Skyler was also happy and couldn't believe it for a moment. She never thought she would meet her best friend from her student days, Sophia, here.
Back then, she had deliberately avoided Sophia for fear of dragging her down.
"Skyler, do you know that after you dropped out of school, I searched for your news everywhere. But you disappeared overnight... I know, because of what happened back then, you... you don't want to see those people again, but I'm different. I always believed in you..." Sophia refused to let go of Skyler, no matter what.
"By the way, how did you come out of that studio?" Sophia asked curiously. "The boss of that studio is notorious for being a pervert. You weren't working there, were you?"
"No, I just came here for an interview. Fortunately, we didn't come to an agreement," Skyler brushed off her recent experience.
"What? You've decided to return to the jewelry design industry? Why didn't you come to me if you wanted to do this?!" Sophia exclaimed.
"Come to you?" Skyler blinked.
Sophia excitedly pulled her towards another studio with better facilities and working conditions.
"Here it is, my jewelry studio... Skyler, no matter what you say this time, you can't leave me again. You have to stay and help me."
Miss Sophia was a second-generation rich kid with a privileged upbringing. Both she and Skyler were outstanding students in the jewelry design major. After graduation, Sophia's elder brother funded her to open this studio.
Sophia offered Skyler a good salary and relatively flexible working hours. It was simply the best choice for Skyler. However, if she was with her old friends, she might run into some people she didn't want to see again.
Seeing Skyler hesitate, Sophia insisted on having her sign the contract on the spot.
Finally, because she was in desperate need of money and couldn't refuse Sophia's kindness, Skyler agreed.
At noon that day, Sophia happily reserved a table at the most expensive Western restaurant downstairs to welcome Skyler.
Skyler knew the restaurant downstairs. When she was still the White family's young miss, she used to go there occasionally. The cheapest meal there cost over a thousand per person, and it was no longer a place she could afford to go to now.
"It's okay, Sophia. I can just eat something around the company..."
"How can that be! I said I would treat you, and my big brother knows you're here. He even said he would come over and sit with us. I don't care, you have to come with me."
Sophia was really enthusiastic, and under her overwhelming kindness, Skyler had no choice but to follow her downstairs.
However, as soon as Skyler sat down, she was stopped by someone.
"Sorry, Miss Skyler... we don't welcome you in our restaurant. Please leave."
The manager of the restaurant hurried over, with an arrogant and rude attitude.
Skyler was stunned for a moment, not remembering ever offending this manager.
"What do you mean? You open your doors to do business but you're turning customers away? We reserved a table today!" Sophia protested.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sophia. Our restaurant is a members-only establishment, and we do not welcome guests who do not have a membership. Miss Sophia, as a member here, we are happy to accommodate you, but you did not mention that you would be bringing Miss Skyler..."
The implication was that Skyler was no longer a member and therefore not qualified to dine there.
"You..." Sophia was furious.
It was the first time she had heard of having to get a membership for a friend to dine with her.
It was clearly a deliberate attempt to cause trouble!
"Forget it, Sophia. Let's go somewhere else," Skyler said, her eyes drooping. She was not in the mood to argue with anyone now.
Besides, the annual membership fee for this restaurant was one hundred thousand yuan, and she did not belong here anymore.
After calming down Sophia, who was about to explode, Skyler stood up and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.
At a nearby table, a group of customers were watching them with malicious glee.
The woman who was laughing the loudest and looking the most pleased was her long-lost cousin, Isabella.
Skyler furrowed her brows and easily guessed why the restaurant manager had kicked them out.
She didn't expect to run into Isabella here, and the other party was so bored as to do this.
Isabella even used her status to make the manager kick her out!
Skyler didn't want to argue with Isabella here.
She was about to leave, but she saw Isabella, who was sitting with her legs crossed in the booth, change her posture and flirtatiously toss her hair, giving her a mocking smile.
As Isabella moved, a familiar black ring fell out of her faintly visible neckline.
Skyler's face instantly changed.
"Skyler, where are you going?"
Before Sophia could react, the woman who had been as gentle as a lamb just now had already rushed to Isabella's front.
"Isabella, give me back the ring!"
Skyler stood in front of Isabella's table, holding out her palm and staring straight at her.
Her clear and bright eyes made Isabella's heart skip a beat, feeling inexplicably guilty and flustered.
"W-what ring... I don't know what you're talking about!"