Chapter 47 Found Dominic
Wow, even this tiny Vienna Hotel is crawling with Lawson family people now?
That woman with Asher must be his poor, struggling mother….
Jean remembered the novel clearly: Asher’s mother was named Mindy.
That’s right–Asher’sst name wasn’t Lawson because he knew who his father was. It was because his mother also had thest name Lawson.
The guy literally took her surname.
So if he ever reconnected with his paternal sideter in the story, he wouldn’t even have to change his <b>name</b>. Convenient.
Mindy wasn’t educated. She <b>had </b>worked as hotel staff when she was younger<b>, </b>and somewhere along the way, through a strange twist of fate, ended up in a not–so–innocent entanglement with a major yer from the Lawson family… and that’s how Asher came to be.
<b>And </b>now, here she still was–working hard at the same kind of job, raising her son the best she could. Respect.
Suddenly-
<b>Jean </b>felt someone watching her. Hard.
She blinked, pulled herself out of her thoughts.
Asher had spotted her.
The boy’s <b>cool </b>gazended on her, deep and unreadable,
“Asher, do you know her?” Mindy asked gently, ncing <b>at </b>her son, noticing the way he kept staring
Asher didn’t answer right away.
He was just… watching.
Watching to see if she’d make the same <b>face </b>everyone else did. The same face he’d memorized by now. The mix of disgust, superiority, pity….
Ever <b>since </b>people had learned about his family background, he’d seen that expression more times than he could count.
But Asher <b>had </b>never let it get to him. Not really. He didn’t feel shame He wasn’t embarrassed. He was just… determined. To climb higher. To be stronger than anyone else.
And then-
Jean smiled.
She curved her <b>lips </b>into a gentle arc, eyes warm, and stepped forward.
“Hey, Asher.”
She smiled even brighter. “What a coincidence.”
Asher blinked
This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected at all.
He <b>quickly </b>adjusted and gave a quiet nod in return.
Chapter 47 Found Dominic
She’d always worried <b>that </b>because of her own situation, Asher would be isted or bullied at Sterford Academy
<b>But </b>at least this girl in front of her clearly wasn’t like that.
“Hello, Mindy replied, instinctively hiding her slightly grimy hands in her apron as she gave Jean a small nod
Jean didn’t waste time chatting.
She had bigger things to deal with.
Finished
“Actually, <b>ma’am</b>… I came here to find my brother,” she said directly. “I know he’s staying at this hotel, but I don’t know which room. I was wondering if you could help?”
“What does your brother look like?” Mindy asked, noticing the anxious look in Jean’s eyes and clearly wanting to help if she could.
Jean pressed her lips together. She couldn’t just give away <b>Dominic’s </b>exact description. The guy was way too recognirbk- tall, sharp features, impossible to miss.
She wasn’t trying to blow her <b>cover</b>.
So she went for <b>a </b>smoke screen.
“My brother’s just a driver,” she said casually. “He works for this rich guy. He’s really tall and good–looking-
She then dropped a purposely vague version of Dominic’s actual features
“Huh… that sounds kind of familiar, Mindy said, narrowing her eyes, thinking hard.
Asher nced at his mom, clearly hoping she could remember something helpful.
Jean perked up immediately. “Take your time–maybe something wille to you?”
Mindy kept thinking out loud, slowly, “I think… maybe the 20th floor? I saw a few guys in suits up there–not just one. All of them looked really young, tall, good–looking…”
Jean’s brain clicked instantly,
That had to be Dominic and Thomas.
“Thank <b>you </b>so much, ma’am,” Jean said sincerely. She shot Asher a grin. “And thank you too. Next time, I’ll buy you cake. See-
ya<i>” </i>
With that, she spun around and dashed toward the elevator.
She jammed the call button, tapping her foot impatiently.
It’s almost 8. Not much time lef
“Ding”
The elevator opened. Jean bolted inside and hit the button for the 20th floor.
When the doors slid open again, she stepped into a corridor that stretched in all directions, winding and overly fancy <b>like </b><b>a </b>hotel mare.
She knew he was somewhere on this f
floor. But this?
It was like trying to find a needle in a chandelier store.
424 PM
Chapter 4 Found Dominic
And then–As if the universe actually heard her whining-
She spotted him.
Dominic and Thomas, walking side by side down the corridor up ahead.
Oh my god. He actually showed up.
Jean followed, keeping her distance just in case.
She didn’t <b>want </b>them to notice her tailing them. She needed to stay quiet, stay back, and track them carefully.
Eventually, the two men walked into a private suite.
She waited a few beats, then crept up to the door.
Room 2013.50 this is where it’s going down.
Should she barge in now? Yell at Dominic that someone was about to drug <b>him</b>?
No. That’d just make her look like a <b>lunatic</b>.
Finished
Thomas hadn’t pulled anything yet. If she ran in guns zing, everyone would just assume <b>she </b>was nuts. Especially Dominic. And just then-
Click ck. Click. ck.
That all–too–familiar sound of stilettos echoed behind her.
Jean’s eyes went wide. She dove behind the nearest column.
And just in time.
Because the person approaching?
<b>Was </b>none other than–Selena.
The same woman Jean had seen earlier today. The same one who was <b>now </b>about to make her move.
Well well well, Jean thought, peeking <b>out</b>. Look who showed up early.
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