Chapter 20: Join Me for Ice Skating
Michael’s expression turned grim.
He had intended to intimidate Jennifer, who was clueless, with his tough stance, but she only grew bolder, her teasing becoming increasingly daring.
“Want to get blacklisted again?”
Only after he sent that message did she finally quiet down.
She hasn’t sent any more messages since.
By the time Michael and Maria finished dinner, it was 9:30 p.m.
Maria had had a little wine, making her bolder than usual.
“Michael, I heard there’s going to be heavy rain tonight. Several overpasses near your villa flood every time it rains hard. For our safety, how about we stay at a hotel tonight?”
Michael glanced at the sky. The moon flickered in and out of the clouds, confirming the stormy forecast.
He was sober and understood Maria’s intentions, but he didn’t refuse—nor did he see the need to.
“Sure.”
Michael had his assistant book a room at the city’s newest and most luxurious super VIP hotel.
Maria was so delighted she could hardly believe it.
It was only when they reached the room door that she realized Michael had booked a presidential suite.
It was indeed extravagant—the cheapest room in the hotel started at over four thousand dollars per night, and such a suite would easily cost six figures.
Yet Maria was still disappointed.
The suite spanned over three hundred square meters and contained multiple rooms.
Michael’s choice clearly signaled that he didn’t intend to share a room with her.
The two bedrooms, separated by a living room and reception area, were dozens of meters apart. She doubted he would even hear her if she called out to him.
Surveying the space, Maria abruptly awoke from her fantasy.
Meanwhile, Michael remained impassive. “I have an early meeting tomorrow. I won’t disturb your rest.”
Maria could only reluctantly reply, “All right.”
She watched helplessly as he closed the door and returned to his bedroom. For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether their relationship had taken a step forward.
Jennifer learned about their staying at the hotel the following day at noon.
Coincidentally, just as they checked out, she received notice that she could start working in the housekeeping department at the hotel.
She had submitted her resume for this job before Chloe’s surgery.
Since Chloe’s post-op checkups and care would require significant expenses, Jennifer sought part-time work to supplement her income from her studies. The hotel offered high wages and fixed hours—an opportunity that Sarah had secured just for her interview through connections.
Still, Jennifer started at the bottom in housekeeping support. Only after gaining experience would she have a chance to transfer to the higher-paying front desk position.
On her first day, her supervisor instructed her to familiarize herself with the differences between room types and the personal preferences of VIP guests.
While reviewing the presidential suite, Jennifer noticed the name “Michael” clearly listed in the guest name field for the previous night’s stay.
Unaware of the flicker in her eyes, the supervisor continued earnestly, “See here? This is last night’s guest. President Kowalski is a key client of our hotel. This Miss Rossi stayed with him.”
“Our hotel records these guests’ preferences so we can prepare for their next visit in advance. For example, Mr. Kowalski has strict security requirements. Guards must inspect the room and arrange their shifts before he checks in. Miss Rossi insists on constant oxygen levels, temperature, and humidity in her room, as well as specific linens and bathtub arrangements.”
Jennifer nodded.
No one knew what she was thinking.
When the housekeeping staff entered the suite to clean it, Jennifer suddenly walked into the bathroom and started to empty the trash cans.
Her supervisor was stunned. She had heard that Jennifer also got the job through connections. The hotel had previously hired the children of shareholders who were studying hotel management, but they were only there to pad their résumés with internship experience; they weren’t serious about working.
Given Jennifer’s appearance, the manager hadn’t expected her to be willing to do manual labor. It wasn’t until she saw Jennifer voluntarily tackle the bathroom—the area everyone dreaded cleaning—that the manager breathed a sigh of relief and began to see Jennifer in a new light.
The manager felt that Jennifer was a hardworking girl and not just putting on a show of obedience.
The manager nodded approvingly. “You all continue working. I’ll check on the other areas.”
“No problem. Leave this to me.”
No one knew Jennifer’s true motive for cleaning the restroom.
She wanted to find out if Michael and Maria had slept together the night before.
It wasn’t part of her plan, but she couldn’t resist the urge to find out.
After checking every trash bin in the restroom, she exhaled in relief—no suspicious traces were found.
Every corner was spotless, from the bedside to the living room carpet and sofa—not even a single strand of hair was left behind.
If not for the slight wrinkles on the beds, one wouldn’t know that anyone had slept there last night.
It was pretty much as she’d guessed:
Michael and Maria were just in a contract marriage. They probably hadn’t shared a single heartfelt word.
Jennifer’s heart finally settled.
Ever since discovering their hotel records, Jennifer had become even more determined to make Michael fall for her quickly.
She decided to change her approach.
Ambiguous hints weren’t enough; she needed to truly enter his heart.
Michael received Jennifer’s text immediately after his meeting ended.
This time, the message was unexpectedly ordinary.
Mr. Kowalski, would you go ice skating with me after work today?
It’s at the rink in the mall right below your office building. It’s very close. I miss you so much.
Michael glanced at it but didn’t reply.
He certainly wouldn’t go.
His wedding date was approaching, and they had to pick out Maria’s wedding dress on Wednesday.
However, he underestimated Jennifer’s determination.
That very afternoon, she posted a video online of Amanda assaulting someone in a hospital and discriminating against the poor.
As a top student at a prestigious university, she was skilled at stirring up public sentiment.
The video quickly went viral.
Netizens were furious.
“Who is this person in the video? How arrogant!”
“Which hospital is this? Why are they kicking patients out before they’ve recovered?”
“Sounds like an A City accent—so embarrassing!”
The backlash continued to grow.
Kowalski’s PR team held an emergency meeting.
However, when the assistant brought the proposal to Michael, they found that the CEO had already left the office.
At the mall ice rink, Michael stood outside the barrier in a black suit.
On the ice, Jennifer glided in a pink skirt and white stockings.
Her skating was unsteady; her wobbly form made one want to offer support.
Michael watched silently, his expression complex.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure.
James skated to Jennifer’s side and naturally placed an arm around her waist; his eyes were filled with tenderness.