SWNOVELS Chapter 88 The Beginning of a Nightmare
Standing at the rental door of Meredith's, it wasn't Terrence Sterling, but Justin.
Upon hearing footsteps, Justin turned around, smiling warmly: "You're working late tonight, so I thought I'd bring you some supper. There's baked sweet potatoes and stir-fried chestnuts, your favorites."
A tinge of sorrow flashed in Meredith's eyes, unnoticed even by herself.
"Have you been busy lately?" Meredith asked as she opened the door. "The sweet potatoes smell so good, I could smell them all the way downstairs."
Once inside, Justin immediately noticed the king-sized bed, remarking casually, "The landlord is quite generous, this bed looks nice and big."
Caught off guard, Meredith felt a bit embarrassed, not explaining that the bed was a gift from Terrence Sterling.
"Quick, try some stir-fried chestnuts," Meredith changed the subject.
Handing the bag of chestnuts to Meredith, Justin saw her surprise at finding them already peeled. "Peeled?" she exclaimed.
With a smile, Justin explained, "I had some time earlier, so I peeled them while waiting for you. They're still warm, best enjoyed hot for the flavor."
Many couples and spouses couldn't achieve such thoughtfulness.
Moved by his gesture, Meredith said, "Justin, don't do this next time. Peeling these is too troublesome and can hurt your hands."
"It's nothing, I'm tough," Justin chuckled. "You mentioned seeing Fiona earlier, how is she doing?"
"I was just about to tell you," Meredith said seriously. "Fiona is doing business with a group of people, and I suspect something fishy going on. They're dealing in beauty products, stockpiling, and providing financing. She invested over ten thousand in it. Their business model involves recruiting subordinates to earn a commission."
Instantly understanding, Justin asked, "You suspect it's a pyramid scheme?"
"Yes," Meredith confirmed. "Because of what happened with Terrence Sterling, Fiona and I have some distance between us, making it hard for me to advise her."
"Don't worry, leave it to me," Justin assured Meredith, not wanting her to worry too much. "Focus on your work, I'll talk to Fiona."
"I feel guilty towards Fiona because of Terrence Sterling," Meredith blamed herself. "Fiona knows about me and Terrence Sterling, that's why she's been avoiding me lately, which I understand."
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"You didn't know about Fiona and Terrence Sterling's relationship beforehand, so you can't blame yourself," Justin reassured. "Do you still have any contact with Terrence Sterling?" Reluctantly, Meredith admitted, "He... came to see me."
Taken aback, Justin's expression turned serious. "What did he want from you?"
Eyes downcast, Meredith held a chestnut in her hand, saying, "He asked me to be his girlfriend."
Shocked, Justin urgently asked, "Did you agree?"
Shaking her head, Meredith replied, "I refused. I promised Fiona I wouldn't have any more contact with Terrence Sterling."
Relieved yet ashamed of his own reaction, Justin took a chestnut and tried to hide his thoughts.
For a moment, silence filled the room, making the atmosphere awkward.
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Changing the subject, Meredith asked, "Any news from the website?"
"Yes," Justin's eyes gleamed with joy. "Today, the website called to say they found my parents, they've confirmed it through verification, and they should be coming to Auroraville to see me in the next few days." "Really, Justin, you've found your parents," Meredith expressed her happiness for him. "Where are your parents from, what do they do? Have you talked to them, seen them in a video call?"
Shaking his head, Justin replied, "No, no calls, no in-person meetings. They're from the south, I'll know more when I meet them."
"That's great," Meredith smiled. "Justin, I'm happy for you, you have a family."
"I informed the website to help you find your family as soon as possible," Justin said. "Once your parents register, they'll also be looking for you, so they'll find you."
"It's been so long without any news, maybe they didn't think to look for me," Meredith shrugged nonchalantly. "It's okay, these things can't be forced. Are you really looking forward to meeting your parents eagerly?" A bit embarrassed, Justin smiled, "I'm a little excited."
"I'm looking forward to it for you too," Meredith smiled as well, envisioning the emotional reunion with his family, unaware that it was the beginning of a nightmare.