CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: THE CHILD SHE BORE IS MINE

Yvette clenched her fingers in fear, looking to Miss Larson for help.

"President Jennings, she’s new here, just finished training. She’s our receptionist. Is there a problem?" Miss Larson quickly came over.

"Lift your head up!" Henry Jennings’ voice was cold, seemingly lacking patience.

Yvette held her fingers tightly and slowly lifted her head.

Henry Jennings was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "No problem, I mistook you for someone else."

Miss Larson breathed a sigh of relief and gestured for Yvette to go away.

Henry Jennings didn’t say anything more and left straight away.

Yvette breathed a sigh of relief. It’s been five years; he must have forgotten about her.

After Henry Jennings walked away, Xiaoya came over trembling. "The aura of these big shots is just different, so intimidating."

Yvette’s legs were also shaky.

Xiaoya laughed, supporting Yvette. "Got scared, huh? I even thought President Jennings took a liking to you, scared me to death."

Yvette laughed awkwardly.

"Did you hear what President Jennings’ assistant said?" Xiaoya took Yvette to the reception desk. "This year’s business banquet is being held at our clubhouse, and it’s the largest in Montville. Even the receptionists need to have credentials. You’re lucky to get in due to a hiring spree."

Yvette nodded. "I heard."

"Do you know what kind of people come to the business banquet? Have you heard of the Grant Family in Meridia? They’re even more influential than President Jennings. For people in the business circle, there’s always someone better, endless competition."

Yvette’s fingers stiffened with sudden panic.

If it’s the business banquet, Jayden Grant and Stellan Aston will surely be there.

"Can I take the day off?" Yvette asked quietly.

"No, Miss Larson said everything is for that day; no one can take time off." Xiaoya shook her head.

Yvette nervously clutched her fingers, contemplating her options.

If she stays, there’s a risk she’ll be taken back.

Being taken back by them is a dead end.

"Yvette, take a fruit platter to room 3688 upstairs. The catering staff are busy; go help." Miss Larson came over, sending Yvette off.

"How about I go? Yvette’s not very familiar with things yet." Xiaoya offered to go instead.

"No need; it’s just a fruit platter. I have something else for you to do." Miss Larson said casually.

Yvette nodded and walked toward the catering area in her unfamiliar high heels.

"This bottle of wine, over a million for one bottle, be extremely careful with it." The catering staff pointed to the wine in the ice bucket.

Yvette nodded nervously and pushed the food cart into the elevator.

In the past, a million for a bottle of wine was beyond Yvette’s comprehension, but now it’s astronomical to her.

"Sir, here’s your fruit platter and wine." Yvette knocked on the door from outside.

There was no response from inside.

Seeing the door wasn’t closed, Yvette pushed it open and went in.

Inside, Henry Jennings was sitting on the sofa, conversing with several other big bosses.

Yvette kept her head down as she set the wine bucket on the table and arranged the fruit platter.

Keeping her movements quiet, Yvette turned to leave.

"President Jennings’ club is indeed different. Even the servers here look better than celebrities. Isn’t it a waste for this young lady to be a server?" Mr. Ziegler, who was earlier pulled away by Holly, had his eyes light up at Yvette.

Her legs were too eye-catching—long and straight—a leg aficionado’s dream.

Henry Jennings glanced at Yvette but said nothing.

Yvette became a bit flustered, lowering her head and trying to leave.

But Mr. Ziegler stood up and blocked her way. "Young lady, what’s your name?"

"Haha, Mr. Ziegler has taken a liking to this young lady."

"Young lady, if Mr. Ziegler takes a liking to you, consider it a blessing." The other men laughed, suggesting Yvette shouldn’t miss the opportunity.

Yvette’s palms began to sweat slightly, unsure how to handle the situation.

This was her first day after three days of training, and she didn’t want to cause trouble for Holly.

"Are you a college student?" Yvette’s youthful looks and good figure hid the fact that she had a child.

Mr. Ziegler’s hand was nearly on Yvette’s leg.

"She’s not available." After a long silence, Henry Jennings spoke in a calm voice.

Yvette nervously stepped back, still standing there with her head down.

Mr. Ziegler was taken aback; Henry Jennings spoke again. "She’s had a child."

The tray in Yvette’s hand almost fell to the ground; her heart raced. Henry Jennings had indeed recognized her.

Mr. Ziegler and the other men were shocked. "Does President Jennings know her? A woman with a child and still keeps such a good figure?"

"A mature woman, I like that even more," another boss laughed.

Yvette blushed, not from shyness but anger.

The way these men scrutinized women was like selecting vegetables at a market.

This was humiliation.

"Her? Hard to pursue." Henry Jennings smirked, his words laced with meaning. "Gentlemen, it depends on your abilities."

"Haha, so, President Jennings, you pursued her before?" The group laughed and asked.

"Yes, pursued for three years without success," Henry Jennings jokingly admitted.

Yvette’s ears burned red; she just wanted to escape.

She could already imagine what would happen next, Henry Jennings would definitely take the chance to humiliate her.

"So hard to pursue and even President Jennings got no face? Playing hard to get, or is it the money’s not right?" Mr. Ziegler taunted, reaching for Yvette’s wrist. "One night for a million, I’m offering a top price."

Yvette, in panic, evaded, her revulsion of being touched by men instinctive.

A tray struck Mr. Ziegler’s head, and in that moment, Yvette almost collapsed.

She didn’t mean to, really...

It was just...an unconscious reaction, her body beyond her control.

On the verge of tears, Yvette choked out, "I’m sorry..."

Mr. Ziegler was startled, raising a hand to his head, feeling a scratch.

The others gasped, this woman...was not cooperative at all.

"This is rather disrespectful." Mr. Ziegler’s voice turned dark, casting an angry glance at Yvette. "If it weren’t for your looks, you wouldn’t even have this opportunity to stand here."

This seemed to challenge the men’s pride; another boss spoke up with a smile.

"I’ll offer two million, President Jennings...I’ll take her."

Henry Jennings continued to look at Yvette with deep interest, smiling. "Back then, I offered eight million."

Yvette stood there trembling.

Six years ago, she was sent to court by Jayden Grant and Stellan Aston, accused of extorting eight million from the Aston Family and Grant Family...

Eight million was the sum Henry Jennings used to tempt her.

That year, Henry Jennings had sought her out, saying he could help Yvette pay off the eight million, should she agree.

"Eight million? Insanity! For a woman with a child?" The boss looked at Yvette in shock. "Ha? How much for a little starlet? All they’d want are some resources."

"In today’s market, eight million," Mr. Ziegler seemed set on Yvette. "Shouldn’t I examine the goods first?"

Yvette turned to leave but was thrown against the wall by Mr. Ziegler. "How about we settle the score for hitting me? I’ll go check my injuries, see what compensation you owe me, deducted from your eight million!"

Mr. Ziegler had never encountered a woman who dared to hit him; today, for the sake of his pride, he had to take Yvette.

"Mr. Ziegler, this woman has had a child. Is she worth eight million, President Jennings?" someone laughed and asked.

Henry Jennings paused thoughtfully and then spoke lightly. "If the child she had was mine, wouldn’t that be more valuable?"

"..."

At Henry Jennings’ words, Mr. Ziegler instinctively released Yvette, looking at Henry Jennings with near-terror.

Had he messed with Henry Jennings’ woman?