The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 93

“What do you mean, I helped you get into Lumina Studio?”

Josie blinked, staring at Suzie in confusion. “What? But… Oliver told me himself. He said he arranged for me to get into Lumina Studio on your instructions. I even asked him why you would help me, and he said you thought I was honest for telling you everything about the cafeteria incident, and that you thought I was hardworking and talented.”

Suzie was completely baffled. Why would Oliver get Josie a job at Lumina Studio? And why would he do it in her name? What was his motive?

Come to think of it, Oliver knew how desperately she had wanted to get into Lumina Studio herself. If he had those kinds of resources and connections, why didn't he help her when she was rejected? Why did he send her to Harrison's Mirage Studio instead? What on earth was going on?!

Though her mind was racing with questions, she decided not to press Josie any further. This was something she had to ask Oliver about directly.

Suzie forced a laugh and acted like she had just remembered. “Oh, right! Look at my memory. I've been so busy lately, I completely forgot about that. So, how do you like working at Lumina Studio?”

Her heart pounded as she made small talk with Josie, her thoughts already drifting elsewhere.

…

Downstairs in the lingerie store, the manager was in the middle of reprimanding the saleswoman who had offended Suzie.

Lexi saw the manager’s hesitation. Since she hadn't outright refused, there was still room to negotiate.

Reaching back into her purse, Lexi secretly switched on a voice recorder before pulling out another stack of cash and slapping it onto the counter. “How about now? The girl in the white cotton dress… you can tell she’s gullible, can’t you? I'm her older sister. I've seen her hanging out with some bad influences lately, and I'm worried she's going down the wrong path. Please, you have to help me.”

Lexi spun her fabricated tale, casting Suzie as her younger sister. Her voice was urgent and sincere, as if her sister were on the verge of being led astray at any moment.

The manager’s eyes darted between the two stacks of cash and the woman in front of her. After a moment of silence, she sighed softly. “Even so, this money… if I were to accept it…”