Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Han Ji

Doreen Pulitzer passed by the lobby on the first floor, and the words of the receptionist made her breath catch.

"Big Sister Muxi? So early?"

She turned around, but it wasn't the face from last night. It must have been a shift change.

She curved her lips, "Yeah, there's something with one of the residents, so I came to check it out."

"Oh, you're really dedicated, coming in so early, and it's even snowing."

Her gaze suddenly fell on Doreen Pulitzer's clothes, her expression doubtful.

Doreen Pulitzer immediately quickened her pace and left.

Last night, Hilary Zacharias had waited for Doreen Pulitzer but didn't see her return, so she sent several messages. Doreen Pulitzer hadn't had time to check her phone until now.

She explained that after dealing with the water pipe issue at 901 in Building 7 last night, she went to another resident's place, and by the time her shift ended, she went straight back to the apartment. She was so tired that she fell asleep right away, without checking her phone.

Hilary Zacharias believed her without any doubt.

-

Linquan provided excellent benefits, and employees with higher positions were allocated accommodations in a high-rise apartment building next to Linquan No. 1 Courtyard.

It was very convenient, just a five-minute walk through a small path with access control gates behind the office area.

Doreen Pulitzer was working the mid-shift today, so she only needed to go to the office at noon. Therefore, she went back to the apartment first. Just as she entered, Judy Green called, "Muxi, come pick me up. I brought you breakfast."

Doreen Pulitzer turned around and went to the door to meet her.

Judy Green was carrying several plastic bags full of food, wrapped in a pink, shiny down jacket, with only her big, round eyes showing. The dark circles under her eyes indicated she had been up for several nights.

"Finished with the case?" Doreen Pulitzer placed the items Judy Green brought on the bar counter between the open kitchen and the living room.

Judy Green took off her coat, revealing a sweater with cartoon patterns, and sat on a high stool.

"Don't even mention it, finally closed the case. I stayed up all night writing the report and submitted it. The boss gave me two days off!"

"Why didn't you go home to rest? You came here before seven." Doreen Pulitzer pushed the tofu pudding in front of Judy Green.

Judy Green lowered her head and took a sip, mumbling, "Wasn't I worried about you? By the way, has Auntie called back yet?"

Doreen Pulitzer looked down, "No."

The phone was unreachable a few days ago, and now it was completely turned off.

Judy Green frowned, "Why don't you report her missing? I can talk to my colleagues at the police station and look into it properly."

She was a detective, and ordinary missing person cases wouldn't usually involve her.

Doreen Pulitzer shook her head, "Let's wait a few more days."

Judy Green didn't persuade further. In her memory, Shirley Graham would “disappear” several times a year, for short periods, either a few days or a week, either traveling or meeting her boyfriend.

She thought this was the same.

Silently drinking a few sips of porridge, Judy Green suddenly looked up, "Harry Bruno is back, did you know?"

Doreen Pulitzer was stunned for a few seconds, her thoughts drifting, and she shook her head disinterestedly.

But Judy Green was indignant. "I saw it on his Twitter, he brought his new girlfriend back to H City last night in a high-profile manner! He came back, and he made sure everyone knew about it! As if studying abroad and selling a few paintings makes him a celebrity!"

"His taste is getting worse. The girl is an internet celebrity who dresses in a white, young, and skinny style. Last night, when it was minus twenty-three degrees, guess what she wore? — A body-hugging strap dress, and she deliberately let her coat slip off her shoulders, shouting cold while snuggling up to Harry Bruno! If you're cold, then wear your clothes properly, not half-naked and trying to show off, how disgusting!"

Doreen Pulitzer couldn't help but laugh at the image.

"How do you know all this so clearly?"

"From scrolling through Twitter, the videos and photos are everywhere." Judy Green secretly observed Doreen Pulitzer's facial expressions, "Do you still have feelings for him?"

Doreen Pulitzer was caught off guard, thinking for a while, and firmly said, "No."

Judy Green didn't believe her, "You two started dating in your first year of college. Harry Bruno has just returned from studying abroad, that's six years! How could you just cut it off like that?"

She became a caring older sister, "It's okay, if you want to cry, go ahead. Crying will make everything better."

Doreen Pulitzer was both amused and frustrated, "Officer Lin, we spent four of those six years apart. Harry Bruno only came back twice. Any feelings we had were worn out by distance and time."

"Really?"

Doreen Pulitzer took a deep breath and exhaled, "Really."

Judy Green felt relieved, and in her excitement, she dropped her spoon. Bending down to pick it up, she noticed Doreen Pulitzer's legs, wrapped in black stockings.

She exclaimed excitedly, "Your style has finally changed! Otherwise, it would be such a waste of your natural beauty! Wow, so feminine! If I were a man, I'd definitely marry you!"

Doreen Pulitzer felt a bit uncomfortable. This was what she had worn from Ferguson Kennedy's place this morning, and she hadn't had time to change. It was indeed very different from her usual simple and loose attire.

She got a new spoon from the kitchen and handed it to Judy Green, casually asking, "Do you know Ferguson Kennedy?"