Finally, it was her turn to get in a car. Vanessa let out a sigh of relief and took out her phone to call Laverne''s assistant. "Sasha, can you get in touch with Laverne?"


    "Laverne went home. Vanessa, are you back in the country too?" The assistant on the other end was still cordial enough.


    "I''m back. I want to see her. Can you set up a meeting for me?" Vanessa said. "I''m sorry, but Laverne said she doesn''t want to see you right now. Also, she said—"


    "Said what?"


    "Laverne also said that starting today, she is no longer your manager and won''t be handling any of your PR or business matters. Vanessa, did you two have a fight?"


    Vanessa''s expression darkened. The whole trip had already soured her mood, and now Laverne was just quitting on her? Without even telling her first?


    "No," Vanessa huffed. "Just tell her that I''m treating her to dinner tonight. We need to talk."


    "Okay, Vanessa," the assistant replied tactfully.


    Hanging up, Vanessa felt a mix of irritation and panic. Without Laverne, she would have to handle many things herself. Laverne had managed several of her advertising deals, and a new person would never be as effective.


    Vanessa returned to her vi and frowned at the sight of the empty home and theyer of dust on the tables. Usually, whenever she was due back, Laverne would arrange for housekeepers toe and clean thoroughly, and she''d even bring Vanessa''s favorite flowers to fill the vases.


    But now, the house wasn''t just empty; it was dirty.


    Vanessa had just sat down when the doorbell rang. Her spirits lifted. Could Laverne be back?


    She hurried to the door, only to find the assistant, Sasha, standing there. "Vanessa, I -I''m here to deliver a document from Laverne."


    "What document?" Vanessa opened the door. Sasha stepped inside and handed her an envelope. "Well, Vanessa, if that''s all, I''ll be going now!"


    "Sasha, could you call a cleaning service for me?"


    "Oh! I''m not really sure about that. I don''t know who to contact. Maybe you could ask the property management office if they can find someone?" Sasha was smart. She still worked for Laverne and didn''t want to get too close to Vanessa.


    Vanessa''s face fell, but she couldn''t say much. She tore open the envelope and found a stack of expense receipts.


    There was also a note from Laverne:


    "These are the expenses I covered.


    Please transfer the money to my


    bank ount by 2:00 p.m.


    tomorrow. The totales to two


    million."


    Vanessa''s hand clenched around the receipts. What? Laverne was not only leaving,


    but she was also demanding two million dors from her?


    Vanessa was already short on cash. Where was she supposed to find the money to pay Laverne? She called out to the assistant Sasha, call: Laverne for me right now. I need to have a word with her."


    Sasha had no choice but to hand over her phone. After a few seconds, Laverne''s


    voice came through. "Did you give it all to her?"


    Vanessa let out a coldugh. "Laverne, what is the meaning of this?"