Chapter 68
Lilian walked over and spotted Joshua and Zachary sitting with Jessica. She froze, pointed at them, and hurriedly motioned for Jessica to keep her distance from them.
However, Jessica didn’t find it strange to be sitting with them. They had just returned from Sylvaria together, and there might still be things they needed to discuss.
“I’ll have to work overtime these next few days to finish the year–end tasks, so I probably won’t be leaving work early,” Zachary said.
No one knew if those words were meant for Jessica or Joshua, but both of them understood.
Joshua hurriedly shoveled a few bites of food into his mouth, then dashed off before he was
ever half full.
Jessica didn’t dare bring up what had happened the night before. To her, it felt like a shameful memory she couldn’t speak of.
“There was something urgent at the company last night, so I had to leave,” Zachary said, setting down his fork with a small nod. “I might not be coming home for the next few days.”
“Alright,” Jessica answered softly, pressing her lips together.
Was he reporting to her?
Silence filled the air.
“Mr. Jones, take your time with your meal. I’m full, so I’ll get going now,” Jessica said quickly.
She wasn’t sure why she was panicking. She hurried away in a fluster, though she hadn’t eaten a single bite.
Zachary only offered a faint hum in reply and absentmindedly continued eating.
For more than a week straight, Zachary didn’t return to the apartment. Jessica didn’t know if he was avoiding her, but she rarely saw him at the company, either.
That weekend, Jessica went to an old, well–known tailor’s. She followed her memory into the store and spotted Richard.
Her outfit was simple, her hair tied back loosely, yet there was a natural grace in the way she
carried herself as she walked toward him.
Richard was absorbed in his work when he looked up at her. It took him several seconds before he finally recognized her.
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“Jess?” he exclaimed.
“Mr. Jones Senior!” Jessica greeted with a cheerful grin as she stood beside him.
Richard glanced around, but Zachary was nowhere to be seen.
“Where is he?” Richard asked.
“It’s the end of the year, so he’s been busy,” Jessica replied while picking up a measuring tape from his table and twirling it between her fingers.
“What brings you here today, Jess?”
“I wanted to make him some clothes myself,” Jessica said shyly. “Could you help me?”
Richard frowned. “Don’t tell me you tore up his clothes again. If that’s the case, I’ll just pick out some cheaper fabric for him.”
Young people these days really had too much energy.
“No, Mr. Jones Senior. I just want to make him a set of clothes. You’ve always made them for him, but I’d like to make a set with my own hands,” Jessica explained.
To Richard, her explanation still sounded suspicious, as if she were trying to cover something
- up.
She vaguely remembered the only time she had ever seen him in a white shirt. It was the day of his checkup, the day he fought Derrick, and also the day she moved into his house.
That shirt had been stained with blood. She never learned if it had been cleaned, but she never
saw him wear it again.
“That won’t be a problem!” Richard said happily. “But you’ll have to come back tomorrow. I don’t think I can spare the time today.”
“That’s fine. I can help out today, and when I make the clothes, you can lend me a hand, too,” Jessica replied with a smile.
“Sure!” Richard agreed right away.
Jessica managed to stay. She prepared the fabric for him and assisted with the cutting. At times, she also pressed the sewing machine pedal or helped measure customers.
Only after doing it herself did she realize how tiring custom work really was. It was no wonder that clothes were so expensive. They were certainly worth the price.
By late afternoon, at around 5:00 pm, Jessica was completely exhausted. She sank into a
rocking chair and soon drifted off to sleep. When she opened her eyes again, it was already 8:
00 pm.
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She stayed for dinner at the store before heading out.
“Goodbye, Jess!”
After her few visits, one of the store assistants, Xenia Brown, had grown close to her.
“See you tomorrow!” Jessica replied cheerfully.
Jessica walked out of the store, got into her Volkswagen, and drove away.
When she returned, the maids had finished their work and left, leaving the place empty and desolate.
Jessica felt as though even her breathing echoed in the house.
The next morning, she woke up early, had breakfast, and went straight back to the tailor’s.
For the next several nights, she stayed busy there. Even after everyone else had gone, she remained, working under the lamplight late into the night.
In the end, Richard simply had another key made for her.
Chapter 69
