In the morning, ra whipped up some breakfast before heading out. The house was now entirely hers, and she no longer had to grovel to the Bradford family. With a hefty four million dors sittingfortably in her savings, she wouldn''t have to beg for a mere twenty thousand in medical bills anymore.


    Thinking about those bills, she quickly dug up Dn''s number and sent him a friend request on Messenger. But by lunchtime, she still hadn''t heard back, so she shot him a text instead.


    ra: [Mr. Dn, I still owe you two thousand dors. Mind if I add you on Messenger?]


    No surprise, Dn stayed silent. The guy was always so distant.


    ra was at her desk when Jade strolled over, dropping a project contract in front of her.


    "You''ve got to personally handle the rural development project in South Ashford. Pack up and head out now. If you can''t take the heat, feel free to quit. Honestly, the department wouldn''t really miss you."


    The rest of the team practically exhaled relief when they heard ra got the assignment. South Ashford was dirt poor, and since it was a government project, there was no money to be made. The supposed prestige was pointless. Anyone who could get into Ferguson Corporation didn''t need it.


    This was purely a tough gig.


    Everyone was visibly cheerful and started throwing fake congrattions her way.


    "ra, the higher-ups must see something special in you!"


    "Yeah, we would''ve loved a shot, but we never get the chance."


    ra had already promised Dn she''d handle the South Ashford project, but the backhandedpliments were grating.


    "If you''re so keen to go, I can talk to Mr. Dn right now. He did say I could pick an assistant, so feel free to volunteer."


    Her words immediately shut them up, and their faces turned a mix of green and white.


    ra stood up, grabbed the project documents, and made her way to the top floor. Jade wasn''t a fan and hadn''t given her much to go on, so she was in the dark about her travelpanion or the exact schedule.


    When she got up there, she ran into Aiden.


    Aiden frowned at her. "Ms. ra."


    "Is Mr. Dn in? I need more info on the South Ashford project and wanted to..."


    "He isn''t seeing anyone today."


    "But I need to pack and leave soon. I at least need to know the itinerary."


    Aiden didn''t even blink at her words.


    ra felt a wave of disappointment like she''d been pped repeatedly. Since waking up in the hospital, she''d gotten used to being overlooked.


    Still, she always thought Dn was different. He was supposed to be different from the others who disliked her. Perhaps, she''d been fooling herself all along.


    She felt like an isted ind; no one wanted to approach her, let alone give her any attention.


    She forced a smile. “Alright, I''ll go pack my things then.”


    Aiden kept ignoring her, making it clear how little he cared.


    ra went back home and packed four outfits and two pairs of sneakers. Just as


    she was done, Dn unexpectedly texted her.


    Dn: [Come downstairs.]


    She was a bit surprised, wondering if she''d read it wrong.


    When she went down with her suitcase, she spotted Dn''s car. It was still the same extended luxury ride. She opened the door and saw him inside, with a wheelchair beside him.


    "Mr. Dn, are you heading to South Ashford too?"


    Was he the one joining her on this trip? Why would the head of Ferguson Corporation go along for a rural development project in South Ashford?