CH 9
1261 Words
"Sabrina, what are you doing there? Isn't the laundry room on the first floor?" Zara asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Miss, the first floor is being renovated for the second young lady, so the laundry room was moved here," Sabrina explained, startled by Zara's reaction.
"What? Who authorized this move?" Zara's eyes were round with disbelief.
"It was... it was the second young lady," Sabrina stammered.
Zara stormed downstairs, yanking the book out of Mercy's hands. "Mercy! How am I supposed to sleep with the laundry room right next to my bedroom?"
"I slept there before, didn't I?" Mercy replied nonchalantly, barely looking up.
"I don't care, get it moved back!" Zara insisted loudly.
"Zara! What's all the yelling about?" Callan, who had been out for lunch and had a bit too much to drink, was just about to fall asleep when Zara's shouting woke him up. He sounded quite annoyed. Hearing the commotion, Michelle hurried over from the balcony.
"Dad, Mercy had the construction team move the laundry room next to my room! The noise from the washing machine is unbearable. How am I supposed to sleep?" Zara complained, her voice full of frustration.
Callan turned to Mercy, but before he could say anything, Mercy spoke up calmly, "I slept next to the laundry room for a year. Did I complain? Besides, the third floor is already set up. Moving it again would be a hassle."
Callan, not wanting to deal with such trivial matters, told Zara, "Enough. If your sister can handle it, why can't you? You're always making a fuss over nothing."
"Dad!" Zara was taken aback. In the past, whenever she and Mercy had conflicts, Callan had always sided with her.
Michelle noticed Callan's irritation. Ever since Zara had nearly embarrassed him at the last party, he had been somewhat displeased with her.
She quickly tried to smooth things over. "It's fine, just make sure the staff doesn't do laundry while you're sleeping."
"But the noise is loud even during the day," Zara pouted.
"Zara," Michelle's tone turned stern.
"Okay, Mom," Zara huffed, giving Mercy a glare before storming back to her room.
In just a few days, the room was renovated. Mercy sat comfortably on the hanging swing chair on the balcony, enjoying the view of the garden. With school starting tomorrow, she felt a strange sense of anticipation.
...
Jinjiang City University was the top comprehensive university in Jinjiang City, and it ranked highly nationwide. Mercy was enrolled in the clinical medicine program, which was the best in the country.
On the first day of school, there were no classes. Freshmen attended the opening ceremony and were then dismissed.
The campus of Jinjiang City University was beautiful, filled with the fragrance of flowers and lush green lawns. Mercy wandered around, savoring the peace of the moment.
However, this tranquility was soon interrupted by a rude voice.
"Hey, you got into Jinjiang City University too? Did your dad pay your way in?"
It was Fallon, whom she hadn't seen in a while, leaning casually against a car. His dark skin contrasted sharply with his white suit, making him look even darker.
"What's it to you?" Mercy shot him a glare and continued walking.
Fallon wasn't offended by her retort; instead, he found her even more intriguing.
This little firecracker... might be more fun than Zara with her fake high-and-mighty attitude.
The man's eyes flashed with a sleazy look and his gaze on the girl became even more intense. He raised his hand to block Mercy's path, lowering his voice to whisper in her ear, "Sweetheart, if you stick with me, you'll never have to work again. You'll have everything you want."
Sweetheart? Mercy almost gagged at his greasy words. Who let this sleazeball out to disgust people?
"Sorry, I'm not interested in trash collection. You should save that for Zara," Mercy replied with a look of disdain.
"You dare call me trash?" Fallon squinted his eyes, raising his hand as if to slap her.
"What are you doing?" Zara's shrill voice rang out from not far away.
Zara's grades weren't enough to get into Jinjiang City University, but Michelle pulled some strings to get her into the music department. She stormed over, trying to shove Mercy, but Mercy easily sidestepped her.
Seeing Zara, Fallon worried she'd cause a scene, so he started lying through his teeth. "Zara, I was just standing here waiting for you and your sister came over, trying to cozy up to me."
"What? Mercy, you little witch! You know Fallon is my friend, how could you be so shameless!" Zara, with her freshly manicured long nails, aimed for Mercy's face, drawing curious glances from passing students.
"What's wrong with you? You believe everything he says? You're as dumb as a dog, a perfect match," Mercy mocked, effortlessly catching Zara's wrist and tossing it aside.
"You dare call me a dog! I heard you work for the Walker family? The Benson family has dealings with them, you know. Believe me, I can get you fired by tomorrow!" Fallon threatened viciously.
"Fallon, you've got some nerve! Since when does the Benson family get to boss around the employees of the Walker family?"
Gavin had come to pick up Mercy from school and as he drove up, he overheard Fallon's words. He quickly got out of the car and approached.
"G-Gavin?"
Uh-oh.
Fallon's legs went weak. Gavin was someone close to Mr. Dexter and even her father wouldn't dare to offend him lightly.
"No, no, I was just joking with her. Please don't tell Mr. Dexter."
Just then, the car window beside them rolled down and a man's calm yet authoritative voice came from inside.
"Starting tomorrow, the Walker family will completely terminate all cooperation with the Benson family. Otherwise, I'm afraid Fallon might get upset one day and fire all my employees."
"Mr. Dexter!" Fallon was on the verge of tears. He slapped himself lightly. "Please don't be angry. It's my fault for speaking out of turn. Please don't cancel our cooperation with the Walker family!"
The Benson family relied heavily on their business with the Walker family. If all their contracts were canceled, they'd be on the brink of bankruptcy.
Hearing Dexter's voice, Mercy quickly walked over to the car.
"Boss, you're here~" Mercy gave the man a playful look and greeted him sweetly.
Boss? What kind of address was that?
Behind her, Gavin nearly slipped, wondering what kind of game these two were playing.
Dexter understood her cue and replied, "Yes, you'll need to work some overtime later."
Fallon and Zara were stunned, watching in disbelief as they drove away. Fallon wanted to chase after them, but all he got was a face full of exhaust fumes.
"Fallon, are you okay?" Zara asked, noticing his bloodshot eyes. She was a bit scared but still concerned enough to ask.
"Damn it, do I look okay to you?" he snapped, raising his hand and slapping Zara. "If it weren't for you jinx, how could the Walker family cancel their deal with us?"
Zara was shocked. No one had ever laid a finger on her before. Once she snapped out of it, she forgot all about being ladylike and lunged at Fallon, scratching his face. "Fallon! How dare you hit me! I'll fight you!"
The two of them quickly got into a scuffle and it wasn't until the school security arrived that they were finally pulled apart.
Meanwhile, Dexter and Mercy left the school and headed to a nearby quiet restaurant to have lunch.
- Writer
