Fiona had seen Terrence Sterling on TV before, the kind of person at the top of the pyramid, someone she would never have contact with in her lifetime. But now, Terrence Sterling himself was sitting in front of her.
And he was even more handsome in person than on TV, his well-tailored suit accentuating his tall, jade-like figure, exuding an innate air of elegance and dignity. He was handsome, composed, and radiating a strong presence.
Fiona was so nervous that her palms were sweating, her heart racing, and her cheeks flushing.
Who wouldn't blush and heart race at the sight of such a handsome man like him?
Terrence Sterling spoke, his tone indifferent: "Regarding last night's incident, I promised I will take responsibility for you. You can choose to accept this five million dollar check, or you can choose to move to Thornfield Gardens and become my woman."
Last night's incident?
Fiona was completely bewildered.
And the mention of 'become my woman' further shocked Fiona.
This was more exhilarating than winning the lottery. The man sitting in front of her was none other than Terrence Sterling, the billionaire owner of Sterling Corporation.
To be Terrence Sterling's woman would mean endless luxury and wealth. It was a dream come true.
Fiona was speechless with shock.
Seeing Fiona turn pale, looking scared, Terrence Sterling softened his tone: "I found your resume on the floor of the hotel room. That's how I found you here. You don't have to be afraid. I'll give you time to think about it."
Fiona also had long black hair, she used the same shampoo as Meredith, and there was a faint hint of mint on her body, confirming to Terrence Sterling that the woman from last night was Fiona.
Terrence Sterling had investigated Fiona, an orphanage graduate who had graduated from carpentry school and was currently unemployed, searching for work.
A clean background.
The red stain on the hotel sheets proved that it was Fiona's first time, and as a man, Terrence Sterling knew that if he did it, he had to acknowledge it and take responsibility.
But more importantly, for the first time, there was a woman he couldn't control.
Seeing Fiona still not speaking, Terrence Sterling changed the subject: "Why did you go to Grandmere last night?"
"Grandmere? I..." Fiona hesitated, at a loss for words.
She had only given the resume to Meredith, and Meredith had been at a dinner gathering last night, which seemed to be in the restaurant downstairs at the Grandmere Hotel.
Fiona realized that Meredith had returned in the morning, lost the resume, and that's how it all came together. The person from last night must be Meredith,.
"I was about to have interviews back then. I... I didn't know it was you last night. I was scared, so I... I just went home."
Fiona felt a guilty relief as she lied, facing the rich and handsome Terrence Sterling. How could she resist his offer?
If she followed Terrence Sterling, she would have a chance at a better life, maybe even become Mrs. Sterling. At the very least, there would be compensation, and money that would never run out.
She wouldn't have to live in poverty, squeezed into this tiny rental room.
Terrence Sterling didn't doubt her explanation: "I'll give you three days to think about it."
"... Okay." Fiona didn't immediately agree. She couldn't appear too eager in front of someone like Terrence Sterling.
More importantly, Meredith was coming back, and Fiona was worried he would run into Meredith and blow her cover.
"When you've made up your mind, call my assistant."
Terrence Sterling didn't linger, he left a business card and walked away.
As his car started, the taxi that Meredith was riding in came back, barely missing him.
The taxi stopped, Meredith got out and returned to the rental room: "Fiona, did you see the message I sent? Let's go out for dinner tonight..."
Seeing Fiona sitting on the couch in a daze, Meredith walked over, puzzled: "Fiona, what's wrong? Didn't get the job? It's okay, I'm an official employee now, so I'll treat you tonight."
"Let's eat at home." Fiona collected herself, feeling guilty, "I bought some good stuff, and I'll cook."
With that, Fiona hurried to the kitchen.
"Let's eat at home, and when Justin comes back from his business trip, we can go out for a fancy meal together." Meredith also went into the kitchen to help, asking concernedly, "Fiona, what's wrong? You seem distracted."
Even with the good news, Fiona had no reaction. Something was off, as in the past, she would have insisted on Meredith taking her out for dinner.
"It's... nothing." Fiona avoided eye contact, stuttering, "Meredith, I might be moving out."
"Why would you suddenly move out when everything's fine?" Meredith was very surprised. "You don't have a job, you're broke, where are you going to live? We've never been apart."
"I'm moving in with my boyfriend. He says he'll take care of me." Fiona looked directly at Meredith, "You wouldn't stand in the way of my happiness, would you?"