Chapter 8 Looks Are An Asset

• Rosa was worried out of her mind at Josephine's persistent high fever. Still, without Maverick's express orders, she had no idea what to do and could only summon a doctor.
• “She needs a shot to bring the fever down. Any later, and she'll be at risk of pneumonia,” the doctor explained while giving Josephine an injection.
• Rosa asked, “Is Ms. Quillen's condition serious?” She was truly worried about Josephine's well-being. Maverick was notorious for his ill temper, and if anything untoward happened to Josephine, Rosa would be in a difficult position. After all, Josephine was still her employer's wife.
• “It is quite serious. She has a naturally weak body, so she'll need plenty of rest.” The doctor hooked Josephine up to an IV drip before jotting down a prescription.
• Alas, while the fever eventually subsided, Josephine remained unconscious.
• It was almost bright out when Maverick returned, whereupon he came across an oddly empty hall. He called out, “Rosa.”
• “Mr. Lambert, you're back,” Rosa greeted as she dashed downstairs.
• Maverick swept past her and headed upstairs. When he saw that Josephine was still unconscious, he ordered, “Send her downstairs! And clean up my room.” He hated other people touching his things.
• Rosa and Louis carried Josephine downstairs. When the young woman finally came to, it was noon. She stared at her familiar surroundings and slowly recalled the events of the previous day. When did I get back to this room? Why does my head hurt so much? She felt as though her body was devoid of energy, and her limbs were laden with lead.
• Rosa opened the room door and walked in. “Ms. Quillen, you're awake. I'll get something for you to eat.” The housekeeper returned shortly after with a bowl of oatmeal.
• “Thank you, Rosa. Sorry for troubling you last night,” Josephine replied. She needed to regain her energy to attend classes instead of feeling downcast over her weak body.
• Traumatized by Josephine's irregular body temperature the night before, Rosa said, “It's no trouble at all. Do take care of yourself better in the future. How could you take a shower with such cold water?”
• Josephine shot her a wry smile and responded, “Okay.”
• She stubbornly dragged her frail body to school. As always, the driver, Gordon, drove her to the building.
• Josephine opted to sit at the back of the wide classroom instead of her preferred seat in the front rows. She was worried her constant coughing would disturb her peers.
• Unfortunately, the new seat put her in earshot of the gossip of several students.
• “I saw Josephine coming to class in an expensive car this morning. Rumor has it she hooked up with a rich, old man.”
• “Really? How can she be such a gold-digger? Playing the field just because she's pretty.”
• “You know what's the use of being pretty? If you're broke, good looks are your only asset!”
• Ah, so this is what they think of me.
• Gordon had only begun driving Josephine to school a day ago. A second consecutive sighting of the Lamberts' expensive car was enough to turn Josephine into the subject of her fellow students' scrutiny. She knew there would be plenty of nasty gossip to weather in the future.
• At lunch, Josephine felt uncomfortable and had no appetite. She returned to her dorm to rest. One of her roommates, Connie Wresten, noticed a pale-faced Josephine resting and asked, “Are you okay, Josephine?”
• “I'm okay. I just feel a bit uncomfortable. Nothing a small nap can't solve.” Josephine mustered a weak smile.
• Connie poured her a glass of water and said, “Keep yourself hydrated!”
• “Thanks.” Josephine was aware that Connie was the only person in the entire dorm who was kind to her.
• Josephine's other roommate, Lynette Ortiz, drawled spitefully, “Connie, she's exhausted because she was busy serving a man last night. What else could make her so tired?” Lynette hated people who appeared to use their good looks for personal gain, which was exactly the character she had written off Josephine for.
• “How could you say that, Lynette? Josephine's sick.” Connie glanced at her roommate and defended Josephine.
• “Of course she is! She's so promiscuous that she probably picked up an STD somewhere! You should stay away from her for your own sake.” Lynette harrumphed coldly and stalked out of the dorm room.
• Connie noticed Josephine paling further and stepped forward to comfort her. “I trust you. I know you're not someone like that, Josephine.”
• “Thank you for trusting me.” Josephine knew early on that her introverted character made it difficult for her to make friends in school. Connie was the only person who was willing to talk to her.
• Meanwhile, it was noon when Maverick left his bedroom. He asked, “Where is she, Rosa?”
• “Ms. Quillen went to school,” replied Rosa truthfully. Is Mr. Lambert showing concern for her?
• “Okay.” Maverick's displeasure was palpable. So she has the energy to go to school, huh? No! I bet she's meeting that man called Flynn.
• Cautiously, Rosa asked, “Mr. Lambert, Ms. Quillen rushed out this morning and forgot to bring her medicine. Would you like me to send it to her?” She was wary of upsetting Maverick, but Josephine's condition would surely worsen without her medication.
• Maverick waved his hand dismissively and said, “No need.” She has another man's love. Why does she need medicine? How dare she test my patience. I must've been too generous to her.
• “But Mr. Lambert, Ms. Quillen...” Rosa trailed off when she noticed her employer's fearsome glare.