Chapter 236
“No, the person who has connections to the Clem family is not Vincent, but a woman named Yvonne Jiznev. According to Jaden, it seems that the Clem family owes the Jiznev family a favor, and the Jiznev family, in turn, owes the Monroe family a favor.”
“What does this have to do with me?” Natalie had completely lost her patience. “Do you actually have any useful information?”
Tina wore a visibly dejected expression. “Hold on, I’m getting to it. That woman, Yvonne Jiznev, seems to have taken a liking to Vincent. She was flirting with him the whole time.”
“You mean Yvonne has a crush on Vincent?” Natalie said. ‘Interesting,’ she thought. ‘The Jiznev family is no small name in Aloville, and nobody has ever seen Yvonne show interest in anyone before. If we can get those two together, I’d finally have intel on Vincent—and he’s far more useful than that useless Jaden!’
Natalie’s expression finally softened a little. “Understood. You may go now; I will settle the bill later.”
“Okay, thank you, Natalie. If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime; I am wholeheartedly at your service!” Tina said, flashing an ingratiating smile.
Natalie looked down on Tina for behaving in that ingratiating way. She felt that Tina was just like Josie, always acting innocent and pitiful, trying to get everyone to feel sorry for her.
“Cut the crap. Get going.” Natalie waved her off like shooing a bothersome fly.
‘Big deal. That spoiled, bossy heiress is so irritating,’ Tina thought to herself as she walked off.
After she left, Natalie wasted no time in calling Yvonne. Her attitude, which had just been cold and dismissive earlier, shifted unconsciously to one of ingratiation—even she herself did not notice the change in her tone.
“Hi Yvonne, it’s Natalie. Are you free for coffee sometime?” she asked.
Over the next few days, Natalie tried to set up Vincent and Yvonne–but Vincent simply was not interested.
Pushed too far, Vincent vanished right before the New Year and even blocked all means of contact.
Natalie was so furious that she barely touched her food for two days. ‘A small-town guy has the nerve to turn down Ms. Jiznev? Is he out of his mind?’ she thought. ‘Vincent, just wait–sooner or later, you will regret this!’
With the project starting right after the New Year and no way into the team yet, Natalie had no choice but to turn to Audrey for help.
Natalie hated asking Audrey for help–every time she did, she got scolded and labeled useless. Natalie refused to be deemed useless.
In recent days, Audrey was busy at the research institute and was barely home. Natalie personally cooked several dishes, carrying them in a lunchbox to the research institute.
She noticed that the building next to the research institute was being relocated. After asking about it, Natalie learned that the company there would be moving out and would no longer operate at this location after the New Year.
Due to the abrupt termination of the lease, the company’s rent had already been held for six months. The bosses could not reach an agreement with the landlord, so the space was not being rented out to anyone else.
Looking at the building just steps away from the institute, an idea struck Natalie—maybe she had finally found a way into the project team.
There were still three to four days remaining before the New Year.
Worried that Josie might feel uncomfortable if she only visited on New Year’s, the Reedshaw family decided to have her come and stay with them for a few days beforehand.
Delilah had also taken time off early to return to the family estate. To make teaching more convenient, she also suggested that Josie stay there.
Josie was not adept at refusing others; she often felt that refusing someone was a sign of ingratitude.
After packing a few changes of clothes, Josie went with Sean to the Reedshaw family estate. Before leaving, she stopped by a pastry shop and bought several small pastries.
Sean wanted to say that it was not necessary, but seeing Josie’s insistence, he did not stop her.
Strangely enough, the pastries Josie picked were exactly the ones his family liked best.
Upon arriving at the Reedshaw family estate, Sean led Josie into the house.
The moment Josie stepped into the hall, she saw a kind-looking elderly woman. Seeing them, the elderly woman rose to greet them, and Josie’s eyes welled up with tears.
“Mrs. Reedshaw!” Josie called, hurrying toward her. She stretched out her hand, then hesitated for a brief second.