Chapter 6

Mark didn't even hesitate before rejecting the idea. "No. This is an opportunity you earned."

He then turned to Jessie with a frown. "Who told you to come here? With your level of education, even if we gave you a chance, you wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Are you done?"

Jessie didn't want to waste time arguing with them. Now that she was certain this wasn't going to work, she turned around to leave.

Mark was provoked by her cold attitude and blurted out, "What's with that attitude? You've got no one to blame but yourself for your lack of education!"

Jessie turned to look at him. Her voice was calm, but her eyes held a hint of mockery. "And what attitude do you expect from me?"

Mark looked furious. "Don't act like the whole world owes you something. Mia got into grad school through her own hard work. If you worked half as hard as she did, you wouldn't–"

"Heh."

Jessie chuckled, successfully cutting him off. Mark's expression darkened. "What are you laughing at?"

Jessie smiled, but even that was cold. "Three years ago, I got an offer from Craymore College."

The room went silent.

Jessie looked at Mark, her expression full of irony.

Hadn't she worked hard enough? Ever since returning to the Stewart family, she had known she could never compare to Mia, their beloved golden child. The only thing she could rely on was her grades. So she had thrown herself into studying, desperate to please the Stewart family, and finally got into the prestigious Craymore College.

The day she received her admission letter, she had been bursting with excitement, eager to share the news with the family, only to find out they wanted her to take the fall and go to prison in Mia's place.

Mark was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Mia clenched her jaw silently.

How could Jessie possibly have gotten admission into Craymore College?

"Jessie, is that true? But we never got a call from Craymore College. I'm not saying you're lying. I'd be happy if you really got in, I just–"

Mia looked flustered, her voice full of panic.

Mark snapped out of his daze and turned to Jessie with suspicion.

"Are you sure you got the offer?

"Jessie, something like this can be verified. Don't think you can just lie about it."

Jessie was used to this.

No matter what Mia said, Mark would believe her. It wasn't just Mark. Everyone in the Stewart family, except David, was like that.

"Believe what you want."

Her expression was too calm to be lying. Mark felt conflicted for a moment.

If what she said was true, then hadn't they just ruined her future?

Outside the interview room, Jessie paused and retrieved her phone to send a message.

She wasn't trying to tattle. It was just that this interview had been arranged through him, and regardless of the outcome, she felt the need to report back.

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the executive offices, Terry Jefferson received a call from his boss and his expression turned odd.

"Yes, Sir. Should I tell Ms. Stewart who you really are?"

A deep voice came through the line. "No need."

Just before the call ended, Terry caught one last sentence.

"She'll figure it out."

"Ms. Stewart?"

Terry hurried downstairs, barely catching Jessie before she exited the building.

"Ms. Stewart, please wait a moment."

He discreetly studied her. So this was the woman their cold, serious CEO had gone out of his way to pull strings for.

She was certainly beautiful, but she seemed like the unapproachable type.

Terry kept his thoughts to himself and smiled politely.

Jessie noticed how forced his smile looked and gave him a mildly puzzled look. "Is there something you need?"

"Well, I have a job opening that I think suits you, Ms. Stewart. Would you be interested?"

Terry didn't waste time and got straight to the point.

Jessie's eyes flickered with doubt. Her gaze landed on his face.

For some reason, Terry suddenly felt a bit of pressure.

"Why me?"

The moment she spoke, her voice cool and indifferent, that pressure vanished.

Terry's eyes flickered with amusement, but his expression remained respectful.

"Ms. Stewart, there's no need to overthink it. You were chosen because someone asked."

Jessie stayed quiet for a few seconds.

She did need a job, especially once she visited David and cut ties with the Stewart family.

"Alright."

Having completed his mission, Terry gestured for her to follow. "This way, Ms. Stewart."

By the time they exited the building, the sun had already set.

Jessie strolled slowly toward the bus stop, quietly admiring the fiery clouds.

But after waiting for nearly thirty minutes, it finally dawned on her that the buses had probably stopped running.

A quick glance at the time confirmed it was already seven o'clock.

Jessie still remembered the route back to the Stewart family estate. Since she'd already agreed to return, she wouldn't break her promise. After all, she hadn't seen David yet.

At the Stewart family's dining table at 8pm, Mark sat at the table with a stormy expression, eyes fixed on the empty seat across from him.

"Mom, let's just eat."

"No."

Laura's voice was firm. Her eyes shimmered with tears.

"Jessie will come back. She promised she'd stay here."

"She would if she actually thought of this place as home. But she clearly doesn't. It's obvious she's not planning to come back. She's just playing games with us."

Mark was livid. He looked as though he was personally betrayed.

"Mark, do you think Jessie's not coming back because of that job? This is all my fault. I should've given that opportunity to her. Jessie must be mad at me."

Mia's voice cracked toward the end.