Chapter 5
1374 Words
*Monday*
Genevieve was about to get up to make breakfast when she saw the six children already dressed and ready. The girls even ran into Jane's room and began rummaging through her closet.
"Mom, wear this outfit today," Clara said excitedly. "Most of the people in your department are men you need to make them turn their heads. They shouldn't give you too much trouble. Good luck today!"
Jane threw a pillow at her, but Clara dodged it nimbly and continued nonchalantly, "Mom, you're going to be late on your first day. First impressions matter!"
Annoyed, Jane pulled the covers over her head and went back to sleep.
Seeing this, the kids jumped onto her bed and planted kisses all over her face.
When they came out, Isabella said, "Godmother, Mom will definitely sleep in, so we can just leave after breakfast."
Looking at the sensible children, Genevieve felt a rush of affection.
After breakfast, Genevieve took the six children to school. On the way, she couldn’t help but ask, “How was life abroad? How did Mommy manage to take care of all of you and work at the same time?”
Bryan sighed. “That’s because Mommy’s boyfriend uncle Ethan helped us when she had too much on her plate.”
“He’s not her boyfriend. Mommy’s going to be mad if she hears that. They’re just friends,” Liam corrected him firmly.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say it again!” Bryan wisely shut his mouth, knowing it wouldn’t go well if he provoked Liam.
Genevieve chuckled at their banter.
"Godmother, Uncle Ethan isn’t as handsome as the man I saw at the airport," Isabella chimed in. "He looked like a movie star and like Liam! I want him to be my daddy."
Genevieve suddenly paused, glancing at Liam in the rearview mirror. His resemblance to Logan was uncanny.
The car fell silent. All six children turned their gaze toward Genevieve.
Then Scarlett spoke, breaking the silence. “Godmother, what does our daddy look like? Do you have a picture of him? Mom won’t say a word about him. She said he’s not worthy of being talked about. But everyone at school will have a dad except us…”
Her voice trembled with emotion.
Genevieve didn’t want to lie to them, but she also didn’t know how to answer. “Well… I’m not really sure. When your mom is ready, she’ll tell you. I know it hurts, but just be patient, okay?”
Benjamin gently pulled Scarlett into his arms. Of all the children, she was the most emotional.
“It’s okay, Scarlett. I have a candy bars do you want some?"
"Godmother, you must know who our dad is, right?" Clara asked.
Genevieve remained silent.
"Godmother's silence means she agrees!" Bryan added.
Genevieve was at a loss for words.
The six children, with their back-and-forth questioning, were making her anxious.
"Alright, don't make Godmother uncomfortable. There must be a reason why she’s not saying. Besides, we have Mom, and that’s enough," Liam said calmly, his tone carrying the quiet authority of the eldest.
The others nodded and didn’t press further.
Seeing that they had let it go, Genevieve quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
These six little ones looked harmless on the surface but deep down, she knew, none of them were simple.
They were their mother’s children, after all.
***
Jane slept until her alarm went off.
After washing up, she reluctantly slipped into the "battle dress" Clara had laid out for her. But the moment she saw herself in the mirror, she frowned.
The pink dress, with its hint of a uniform style, hugged her curves in a way that was both sexy and cute. Wearing it out in public? Mortifying.
But if she didn’t wear it, Clara’s temper would explode and Jane knew she’d never hear the end of it.
Sighing, she rummaged through the closet and found a black blazer-style dress. She threw it on over the pink one, hoping it would tone things down.
Once ready, she headed straight to the office.
Her stunning beauty had already become a hot topic in the company. Many employees who hadn’t met her in person were eager to catch a glimpse.
The moment she walked in, she felt eyes on her some admiring, some judging.
"Did you see her? That’s her. So pretty! And she’s not even wearing makeup!" whispered one colleague.
"Tsk. Dressing like that to work? She’s clearly not serious about the job," another said.
"You all hyped her up after seeing her photo, but I don’t think she’s all that."
"Exactly. Saying she’s not wearing makeup? Please. She’s probably pulling off that ‘natural’ look. Men can’t tell, but we can. She’s definitely trying to get attention."
"Really?" someone else murmured, unsure.
Although the project engineering department was mostly men, other departments were quick to gossip. She was unintentionally making enemies already.
But Jane didn’t care. She walked confidently to report for duty. After onboarding was complete, the department manager led her to the project department.
"Quick, make a cup of coffee," the manager said.
"Yes!" the receptionist replied immediately, then sneaked another glance at the woman beside him. Jane. Even in her casual look, she radiated elegance.
"Actually, I didn’t want to trouble you to come in today," the manager said apologetically, "but the situation’s tricky."
"It’s okay, I have time anyway," Jane replied with a calm smile.
"That’s good. Let’s go the programming department is this way."
They walked together down the hallway.Inside the programming department, the manager clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the busy staff. "Everyone, let me introduce you to Ms. Jane Alder. As you may have heard, she’ll officially join us today. She just returned from overseas, for a final push on the project.
The moment the men looked up and saw Jane, the room fell briefly silent.
Jane waved her hands with a smile "Hello, everyone. I’m Jane Adler. Sorry for the mess no makeup today, so I’m looking a bit rough around the edges."
She was anything but.
With a small, perfectly oval face and flawless skin, her upturned eyes sparkled like stars, even without any makeup. Waist-length hair framed her in soft waves. She looked like she’d stepped out of a painting.
"Let’s all give her a warm welcome!"the manager said.
"Ms. Adler, thank you so much for your help today. How about I treat everyone to dinner tonight to welcome you back and officially joining the team?"
The men in the department lit up like kids at a candy store. Free dinner with a gorgeous woman? No one was going to say no.
Jane politely declined.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I things to do at home after work ."
The manager waved it off.
"No need to thank me. Just keep up the good work. You’ve come at the perfect time one of our biggest clients is visiting today. If we land this deal, you’ll be our lucky star!"
Jane smiled but didn’t take his words too seriously.
"Jane, this will be your spot from now on," he said.Her workstation stood apart from the rest not isolated, but clearly distinguished. Like a space reserved for high-value staff.
Just then, the manager’s phone rang. He checked the caller ID and quickly straightened.
"Jane, go ahead and get to know Andrew Smith and the others. You’ll be joining us for the meeting later your input is key. The client wants to hear from the head of the project personally. This client’s a big deal I have to go meet them now."
He rushed off, leaving Jane slightly confused.
Before she had a chance to sit, a tall man approached her.
"Hi, I’m Andrew Smith," he said coolly.
"Hello," Jane replied politely, extending her hand.
Ethan didn’t shake it. His tone was curt, almost dismissive.
"Today’s project is important to me. The big client is Logan Anderson. Feel free to watch and learn, but don’t interfere or get in the way."
With that, he turned and walked off.
Jane stood there, stunned by his rudeness. She’s the head of the department if anyone should be careful, it’s him.
Suddenly, her mind went blank. *Wait... Logan Anderson?*
- Writer
