She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 100

That very day, Aegis Group issued the transfer order.

Jolie Lovell was reassigned to head the European branch.

She was barred from returning to the Alpha City headquarters for five years.

It was, for all intents and purposes, a corporate exile.

The news detonated across the company like a bomb. Everyone instantly understood that Ms. Lovell had violently fallen from grace, and Hilda had claimed total victory as the true Mrs. Sanford.

...

That afternoon, Luther sat at his desk, reviewing documents.

Lori knocked and entered, her voice soft. "Mr. Sanford, Ms. Lovell is asking to see you."

Luther lifted his eyes from the files. He stared at his secretary for a moment before speaking in an icy tone. "Tell her to stop trying to bypass the chain of command. I will not see her. Also, let her know that her living arrangements abroad will be fully taken care of. If she wants to remain employed by Aegis Group, she will follow orders."

Lori nodded and excused herself.

Returning to the outer office, she looked at Jolie, carefully choosing her words. "I apologize, Ms. Lovell, but Mr. Sanford does not have the time to see you. If you need anything while in Europe, you can contact me, and I will do everything in my power to arrange it. However, I suggest you refrain from bothering Mr. Sanford any further. I believe you're a smart woman, Ms. Lovell. You understand what he means."

Jolie's face drained of all color.

She understood exactly what Luther meant.

He didn't want her anymore.

He was exiling her entirely from his world.

Five years... By the time five years had passed, his and Hilda's second child would already be walking and talking.

How could she possibly accept this?

But Luther refused to see her.

He was even cruel enough to ignore her calls.

For the first time, panic began to claw at Jolie's chest.

After a suffocating silence, she whispered to Lori, "When is the flight? How long will the visa take?"

Lori replied coolly, "You'll be able to leave in exactly one week."

Jolie let out a miserable, broken laugh.

She slowly backed out of the secretary's office.

...

On the top floor.

—Harrell Judson had taken her out.

Naturally, it wasn't a private date. He had arranged a meeting for her with Naomi Zeller from Mokshalia.

Naomi knew that The Bibliophile was her guardian angel. Through Harrell, she finally had the chance to meet the woman face-to-face.

To show her utmost respect, Naomi had booked their very first meeting at THE ONE restaurant. It was a testament to her profound, unparalleled devotion to the older woman. No one knew just how deeply she idolized her or how desperately she had wanted to see her face. And learning that her sister figure was the brilliantly talented Bibliophile only made her chest swell with even greater pride.

THE ONE restaurant, at the best table in the house.

Naomi was fidgeting with anxious excitement, her eyes glued to the restaurant entrance.

Harrell watched her with a gentle smile.

Suddenly, he spoke in a soft voice, "Actually, she had a very hard life. When she was sponsoring you, she was barely surviving herself. Even later, when you were studying in France, she was trapped in a miserable marriage, raising a child all on her own. She scraped together money from her own income and her dowry just to send it to you... She loved you very much. She wanted nothing more than to see you succeed."

Naomi froze. She had always assumed her sponsor was a woman of wealth and privilege. She had always assumed she was incredibly happy.

Who had caused her so much pain?

If she was suffering so deeply, why did she insist on supporting her? Why did she pay for her to go to France?

Just as Naomi felt the tears welling up, unable to control her emotions, the doors of the restaurant swung open. A slender, elegant figure walked in gracefully, speaking softly to the maître d'. "I have a reservation with a Ms. Zeller. Naomi Zeller."