Chapter 6 A Chance To Shine

• Perceptive as ever, Maverick could tell at a glance that Rosa wasn't the one who had prepared the dishes on the table.
• Upon seeing his hesitation, Rosa spoke up. “Ms. Quillen specially cooked these for you, Mr. Lambert.”
• “You did?” Maverick remarked as he turned to Josephine with raised brows. “So, you know how to cook, huh?”
• “Y-Yes... A little,” the latter mumbled. Oh, dear. I can tell he isn't happy about it. Have I overstepped the mark?
• After taking another look at the woman, Maverick began tucking into the food, savoring every bite as he did. On the contrary, Josephine stood anxiously aside, worried that he might flip the table if the food wasn't to his liking.
• Seconds later, Maverick placed his fork down. “What's there to fear if you've already taken the plunge to cook for me? Since you're pretty good at this, I'd like you to prepare every meal from here on out. However, I want different dishes for each of them.”
• Ha! Since she wants to cook, I shall give her a chance to shine!
• Josephine breathed a sigh of relief when Maverick didn't lose his temper, but at the same time, she knew he had intentionally given her a challenging task.
• The next day, Josephine left for school in the car Maverick had arranged for her.
• As the driver neared the university, she suddenly pointed at a street and exclaimed, “You can just drop me off here, Gordon!”
• “Mr. Lambert has instructed me to send you to the school entrance, Ms. Quillen,” Gordon Layton replied, not once stopping the car.
• Josephine, too, knew it'd be useless to say anything else. Argh... I suppose it's normal for him to be concerned about my safety, but isn't this too conspicuous? Even though I've just entered university and don't know many people yet, I'd hate to let them think I live a flashy lifestyle.
• “Thank you, Gordon,” Josephine said as soon as the car pulled up outside the school.
• After making sure she had entered the building, Gordon whipped out his phone and made a call. “Ms. Quillen is now in school, Mr. Lambert.”
• “Watch her. Watch her very closely,” Maverick uttered, a cold glint in his eye as he stood by the bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window.
• Well, well, well. Who knew Jasmine had so many tricks up her sleeve? I can't believe she's attending university.
• Not long after, Gregory arrived at the Lambert family's mansion. “Hello, Maverick.”
• “Ah, you're here. Take a seat,” Maverick said as the two of them sat on a couch in the living room.
• With that, Gregory quickly scanned his surroundings. “Maverick, where's that woman?”
• “Did you come to see her?” the latter remarked as he shot a look at his friend. Gregory seldom visits me here, yet the first person he asks after is her.
• Gregory instantly shook his head. “Of course not!” Ha. I'm not interested in women like her. She may look innocent on the outside, but deep down, she's shameless and promiscuous.
• Maverick coolly lit a cigarette. “What is it, then? Do you need something from me?”
• “Cliff Quillen has left the country,” Gregory reported. That, as it turned out, was why he had asked if Josephine was around.
• Needless to say, the news didn't surprise Maverick in the slightest. He had guessed that Cliff would plan an escape once he sent his daughter to him, and he was right. “Yes. He's trying to make a run for it.”
• “In that case, do you think that woman would try to escape too?” Gregory asked worriedly. Cliff is such a sly fox... I'm not surprised he's trying to escape after racking up so much debt, but what if he convinces his daughter to do the same?
• Maverick merely took a deep drag on his cigarette and smiled. “Do you think she can? As for Cliff, no matter where he tries to run to, he'll never be able to escape my clutches!”
• Haha. I have complete confidence in my capabilities! Otherwise, I wouldn't have let Jasmine do whatever she likes.
• “Are you sure, Maverick? That woman's not to be underestimated, either,” Gregory warned, afraid that Maverick might slip up after being smitten by Josephine's beauty.
• “Indeed. She's not as simple as she looks,” Maverick quipped, a smirk tugging at his lips. Not only is she adaptable, but she also knows how to please people. I must admit I'm pretty surprised.
• With that, the man turned to Gregory. “Let's go! Come with me to visit my subsidiary companies.” Lambert Group had businesses in various industries, ranging from real estate, hospitality, and entertainment to international finance. As such, Maverick needed to keep a watchful eye on all of them.
• Gregory, however, couldn't help but worry about Maverick's casual attitude and lack of concern. “You sure are unbothered, huh, Maverick?”
• Meanwhile, Josephine had gone to the dorm and began packing her luggage. Since she didn't have many personal items, she could easily fit everything into a small suitcase. Naturally, her roommates were curious. “Josephine, are you not staying in the university dorm anymore?”
• “Yes,” the woman answered plainly. She had never been close with her roommates, and their interactions seldom went beyond basic greetings. Besides, she had been busy taking on part-time jobs since school started, so all her free time was spent studying in the library or working.
• “I heard you came to school today in a luxury car. Is that true?” one of the roommates queried.
• Stunned, Josephine chose to neither admit nor deny.
• “Of course it is! I saw it with my own eyes,” another chimed in. “Hey, Josephine, have you found yourself a sugar daddy? You must have attracted a rich man with your good looks.”
• Hmph. That must be it. She's now living off a rich man, so she gets to travel around in a luxury car and doesn't have to stay in the school dorm. That's no different from being sold, though. Would she still have any freedom in the future?
• “Oh, my. Is that the case? Well, how old is the man?” the first roommate added. “Is he one of those balding old guys?” That's how it always is... The rich ones are usually old, fat, and balding. Why would a young and handsome one fall for her, anyway? Then again, how did someone as quiet and moody as her land herself a rich man?