Piper was taken aback by the sudden turn of events.
"Ms. Dickinson, you must be mistaken! He's just a pathetic loser trying to trick talented and genuine women like us," she exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation.
"You have no idea, do you? He's been harassing me, and I'm about to report him to Ms. Dunn!"
Ivy paused, her expression shifting. "Mr. Ramsey, what is going on here ... ?"
Robin let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Looks like the Harmonfield Psychiatric Hospital has lost a patient recently."
"Excuse me?" Ivy blinked in surprise, casting a confused glance at Piper, who instinctively took a step back, her face paling.
Shirley and Amber stood momentarily speechless, struggling to understand the meaning behind Robin's strange comment.
Chad, equally perplexed, asked, "Mr. Ramsey, have they located the patient?"
"Not yet, but we have a rough idea of where they might be," Robin replied, maintaining a blank expression.
A glimmer of amusement danced in Ivy's eyes.
"Where might that be?" Chad pressed, intrigued.
Robin's gaze turned icy as it locked onto Piper. "Right here, in this very office."
Inside the office, everyone shifted their attention toward Piper, following Robin's stare.
Realizing what Robin was implying, Piper's face flushed with fury. "How dare you insult me like that, you security guard! Hmph!"
Robin ignored her outburst and continued, "Ivy, feel free to share your thoughts with Ms. Dunn directly. I have no objection as long as she agrees."
"Ha!" Piper scoffed, "You act like you're the CEO or something! You're a riot!
"Ms. Dunn certainly doesn't need to consult a security guard of your caliber for any decisions."
Ivy's confusion was evident as she turned to Robin.
Shirley quickly interjected, "Ms. Dickinson, since Mr. Ramsey has no objections, I couldn't be more pleased. As for compensation, the Dunn Group will offer the highest rate for your appearance."
Ivy shot a quick look at Robin, then hastily added, "Ms. Dunn, I've mentioned before that I won't accept any fees for any future requests from the Dunn Group."
Shirley paused, gauging Robin's silence, then smiled and said, "We truly appreciate your generosity, Ms. Dickinson.
"Veronica, please escort Ms. Dickinson to our advertising department. They need to start drafting a plan for the concert immediately."
Ivy turned to Robin, bowing slightly. "Mr. Ramsey, thank you for this opportunity."
Robin met her gaze. "Alright. I'll call Leonardo. Ensure everything is prepared for the concert."
"I will, Mr. Ramsey!" Ivy said, deeply bowing once more before following Veronica out of Shirley's office.
"Ms. Dickinson ... " Piper tried to rush after Ivy to snap a photo and get her autograph.
However, Tina blocked her path, her voice sharp. "Please don't disturb Ms. Dickinson!"
Piper glared at Ivy's retreating figure, unwilling to back down. "Ms. Nelson, Ms. Dickinson, you're being played by Robin!"
Tina shook her head, sneering, "You're such a fool! Mr. Ramsey's status is beyond your understanding! Step aside!"
Frustrated, Piper watched Ivy exit, shaking her head in disbelief. "Robin, you scam artist, what exactly did you say to Ms. Dickinson?"
Amber stepped forward, crossing her arms. "Piper, curb your wild imagination! Mr. Ramsey is not just a security guard for the Dunn Group!"
Piper let out a harsh laugh. "And what is he, then? There's no way he's the CEO of the company! That's absurd!"
Amber chuckled softly. "Mr. Ramsey is indeed the CEO of Eastvale Development Group.
"And the Graceview Apartments you mentioned? Those were a personal gift from Ms. Dunn to him, so he's not renting them.
"You saw for yourself that Ivy is eager to represent the Dunn Group and is willingly promoting our Southvale project concert because of Mr. Ramsey's influence.
"All your accusations are nothing but fabrications and fantasies!
"Do you genuinely believe Mr. Ramsey would stage some grand rescue just to win you over? That he would rent the Graceview Apartments to get close to you? That's ridiculous!
"By the way, the suit you saw Mr. Ramsey wearing was a thoughtful gift from Ms. Dunn!
"I can't fathom how you can so confidently assert that he's merely a security guard!"
Piper stood frozen, her eyes widening as she looked to Shirley for confirmation. "Ms. Dunn, is this true?
"I'm not lying. I really have some embarrassing photos of Robin and Amber!"
Shirley sighed. "Piper, everything Amber has said is accurate.
"Honestly, I brought you here to inform you that if you wish to work for the Dunns, you need to concentrate on your responsibilities.
"I recognized that you're a recent graduate and wanted to provide you with another opportunity to perform well, instead of getting involved in pointless antics.
"Amber is right. The suit Robin is wearing was a gift from me.
"The Graceview Apartments were also a gift from me.
"And regarding Rosalie's situation, I had Amber managed that.
"Robin is the CEO of Eastvale Development Group and a significant shareholder of the Dunns.
Robin glanced at Piper, who was trying to act coy, and shook his head. "You're hopeless."
Piper stood in front of the door to his office. "Robin, if you truly have feelings for me, don't keep it bottled up. Don't worry; I won't reject you again ... "
Robin quickly dialed Amber's number. "Ms. Jenning, please come here. Someone is interrupting my work; can you remove her?"
Amber picked up the call and quickly brought two security guards to the CEO's office. When they spotted Piper clinging to Robin, Amber intervened.
"Ms. Dawson, what's happening here? Get back to your post immediately! If you refuse, I'll have security escort you out!"
Piper shot a furious glare at Amber and, noticing the approaching guards, hurriedly retreated.
Under her breath, she muttered, "Robin, you can't get away from me! I know you like me! I will ensure we end up together!"
...
After work, Amber drove Robin to the Vista Lake villa.
As they pulled up and parked, they could hear chaos coming from the yard.
Shirley was panting and shouting, "Stop right there! Do you think you can escape?"
"Cluck, cluck, cluck ... " The distressed sounds of a chicken filled the air.
Amber blinked in surprise. "What's Ms. Dunn doing? Is she trying to kill a chicken?"
Robin frowned. "Yes, she mentioned earlier that she was going to buy live chickens and fish to prepare fresh meals."
Checking the time, he muttered, "It's been two hours, and she still hasn't killed them?"
Amber gently opened the door to the villa, and the scene inside left her stunned.
Shirley was there, wielding a shiny kitchen knife, her hair disheveled and her clothes splattered with feathers and muck, chasing a large rooster.
"Stop running!" she yelled, pursuing the bird around the yard.
Perhaps exhausted from the chase, she bent over, gasping for air, and stared intently at the rooster over 10 feet away.
Blood stained the rooster's neck, and its feathers were ruffled in chaos.
The rooster glared defiantly back at Shirley, its eyes sparkling with challenge.
Clearly, Shirley had been in a fierce struggle with this bird for quite some time.
Suddenly, she sprang into action, yelling, and charged at the rooster once more, knife raised high ...
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