Ch. 1021..1030

Chapter 1021

Jasper's response cut deep into Imogen's pride. She offered a strained smile and pushed herself to say, "I was just kidding. You don't have to get so uptight." After clearing his throat, Jasper explained, "Imogen, it's not that I'm unwilling. It's just-"

"It's okay. You don't have to explain," Imogen said, feeling overwhelmed. Maintaining a facade of composure, she added, "I get it. Let's just go with the flow!" With that, she lowered her head and began eating quickly.

Seeing her tense expression, Jasper felt uneasy and unsure how to proceed. He began, "Imogen-"

Imogen cut him off quickly. "Let's eat. We don't have to discuss this."

Jasper sighed resignedly and quietly focused on his meal. The atmosphere at the table grew noticeably heavy. After dinner, Imogen left the dishes for Jasper to take care of and retreated to her room in a sulk. Sitting on the couch in the living room, Jasper was lost in thought and unable to quiet his mind. As time ticked away, the night deepened. Eventually, the light in Imogen's room went out.

Jasper stood up abruptly and went back to his room. Half an hour passed as he washed up, changed into pajamas, and emerged from his room.

He lingered outside Imogen's door, hand hovering to knock, but hesitated and withdrew it. After a moment's uncertainty, he turned to leave, only to find himself coming back. He remained torn in that manner. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Imogen emerged, holding an empty cup. She froze upon seeing Jasper, who had been on the verge of knocking.

Jasper quickly withdrew his hand, awkwardly asking, "You're not asleep?"

"I was asleep. I just got thirsty-"

Jasper interrupted her before she finished her sentence, taking the cup from her hand. "Let me handle that."

"It's " Before Imogen could even say "fine," he quickly took her cup to the counter, filled it with water, and returned it.

Imogen gratefully accepted it. "Thank you."

Instead of handing her the cup, Jasper stepped past her and entered her room. "Let me bring it in for you."

Imogen was puzzled. She turned to observe him carrying the cup of water into her room and placing it on her bedside table. Standing by the door, she waited for him to leave. His behavior intrigued her, seeming inexplicable and out of character.

When she found Jasper still in her room instead of leaving, she felt puzzled and asked, "Is there something else you need?"

Jasper looked uneasy. He swallowed anxiously, his gaze piercing as he met hers. His lips parted, but words seemed to evade him.

Imogen couldn't discern his thoughts. "What's the matter?"

Jasper approached her cautiously. Instinctively, Imogen held the door open for him. As he drew near, he closed the door behind her and pinned her against it.

His sudden closeness took Imogen aback. She could feel the wall behind her as she looked up at him, flustered.

With one hand on the door and the other cradling Imogen's face, Jasper looked deeply into her eyes. He swallowed hard, sounding husky and irresistibly appealing as he asked, "Imogen, make me a promise, okay?"

Imogen's heart raced, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. She tensed up, asking, "What do you want me to promise?"

"Promise me that, no matter what happens, we'll never talk about divorce," Jasper said earnestly.

Imogen frowned. "If you ever betray me, I'll definitely consider divorce."

Jasper quickly reassured her. "I would never betray you."

Imogen nodded in response. "As long as you respect my boundaries, divorce won't be on the table." "What are your boundaries?" Jasper asked.

Chapter 1022

Chapter 1022

"Cheating on me or lying," Imogen said.

Jasper's throat went dry when she mentioned "lying." He felt flustered and unsure how to respond.

Seeing he looked disheartened, Imogen suggested, "Don't push yourself. Listen to your heart. Don't rush into marriage to meet societal expectations or feel pressured to settle down with someone you don't truly love just to fulfill family obligations."

Jasper looked puzzled. "That sounds a bit strange no matter how I think about it. What exactly do you mean?"

Imogen thought he was playing ignorant and had no choice but to ask directly, "You're gay, aren't you? Are you a top or a bottom? Women aren't your thing, huh?"

Jasper's eyes widened in shock. He pressed against the door with both hands, trapping her in between, and said firmly, "There's no way I'm gay. I'm straight, completely straight."

He sounded truly exasperated. Imogen wasn't the only one who had suggested he might be gay. Mila and Candice had brought it up as well. While he couldn't prove it to them, he could prove it to Imogen.

Jasper was so frustrated that he breathed heavily through his mouth before he emphasized. "Imogen, I'm straight. I'm into women."

Imogen offered an awkward smile and eyed him skeptically. She replied casually, "Oh."

"You don't believe me?" he asked.

How could Imogen believe him? She reluctantly followed his lead, asking, "Since you're straight, does that mean you're experiencing sexual dysfunction?"

"None at all," Jasper replied, exasperated but unable to vent his feelings. He hadn't expected Imogen to misunderstand him so profoundly, especially on this matter.

A rush of emotions overwhelmed Imogen. She muttered weakly, "So, you're not gay, and there's nothing physically wrong. But you've never touched me since we got married. Could it be that you're simply not attracted to me? That you don't feel anything for me?"

"Quit overthinking it, okay?" Feeling emotionally drained, Jasper hurried to clarify, "I love you, deeply. It was love from the moment I first saw you."

"Then, why?" Imogen blinked, looking at him with innocent eyes, her cheeks flushing pink. His confession both thrilled and unsettled her.

"Because you don't feel the same way about me," Jasper blurted out.

Imogen forced a bitter smile. "If you're having problems in bed, just say so. Why falsely accuse me?"

For a man, nothing stung more than being accused by his beloved of being inadequate in bed. Her words deeply wounded Jasper. His pride took a serious blow. In a fit of anger, he grabbed her by her thighs and lifted her.

Imogen was startled, crying out as her feet left the ground. Gripping his shoulders tightly, she looked down at him from her elevated position, asking, "What are you doing? Put me down."

"Let me show you right now if I can satisfy you," Jasper said in a husky, deeply resonant voice filled with intense desire as he carried her toward the bed.

Imogen's feet dangled in the air, fear driving her to wrap her arms tightly around his neck.

Jasper knelt on one knee by the bed, placing Imogen down before leaning over her and pressing her into the mattress. He kissed her passionately, his tongue exploring her mouth. Imogen was startled and flustered. Unsure of how to respond, she instinctively pushed against his chest.

His kiss was intense. His hands boldly slid under her pajamas, exploring upward without hesitation. Imogen's eyes widened, her expression tensing almost to a freeze. Her body trembled slightly under his touch, her breath uneven as warmth spread across her skin.

She continued to push against his chest forcefully. Slowly, she melted into his kiss, unable to muster the strength to resist. Jasper's body pressed firmly against her abdomen, his strong, rugged presence stirring a fear she had never known before.

Chapter 1023

Chapter 1023

Imogen felt nervous and afraid. It was her first time, after all. She had an important interview the next day and couldn't afford to be anything less than flawless.

She shook her head to break free from Jasper's kiss, panting as she weakly pushed against him. "Jasper Morrison, cut it out."

Jasper trailed kisses down her neck, undoing the buttons of her pajamas one by one. Imogen's body had yielded to his touch, but her mind was still fighting to stay clear. She protested, "No, stop it."

She could barely endure it. As Jasper's kisses moved to her chest, she tilted her head slightly back, closed her eyes, and bit her lip. His lips brushed against her sensitive skin, and she felt herself weaken. She let out a shy whimper.

Jasper abruptly stopped, his breath ragged. He lay atop her soft, sweet-smelling body. The sudden halt was agonizing for him, almost causing physical pain. He felt like he was nearly losing his mind trying to control his desire.

He was overwhelmed by an unprecedented wave of passion and desire. Burying his face in her neck, he said raspily, "Imogen, I want you."

"But I don't," Imogen replied shyly.

Jasper felt a pang of disappointment, wondering if his inexperience had made her uncomfortable. He kissed the corner of her lips and whispered, “Imogen, I’ll be gentle. Just tell me if there’s anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“It’s getting late, and I have an important interview tomorrow. I want to be at my best,” Imogen explained.

“You’re going to nail that interview tomorrow. You don’t have to be so nervous,” Jasper said.

Imogen smiled weakly. “Don’t try to reassure me. You never know how these things will turn out.”

Jasper fought back his intense desire, taking deep breaths to ease his discomfort. He carefully smoothed out her clothes and buttoned them up. Then, he withdrew from her soft form, studying her flushed cheeks before tucking her in.

Imogen turned away and closed her eyes, feeling too shy to meet his gaze.

“Tomorrow night,” Jasper said in a hoarse voice. He swallowed hard as if he’d longed for this moment for ages. “We could pick up from where we left off.”

Imogen shook her head.

Jasper frowned. “How about the day after tomorrow?”

Again, Imogen shook her head, pressing her lips tightly in embarrassment.

Growing more desperate, Jasper asked, “What about this weekend?”

Imogen nodded in response.

A smile finally lit up Jasper’s face. He lay beside her, propped himself up on one elbow, and gently played with her silky hair with his free hand. “Could we start a family?”

“No,” Imogen blurted out. She hadn’t found a job yet. With their current challenges, how could they take on the added responsibility of starting a family?

Jasper kissed her earlobe and whispered, “I’ll make sure to have protection on hand.”

Imogen’s face instantly flushed red. She pulled the blanket over her head, turning away from him. Hiding under the blanket, she said, “Jasper, just go back to your room and sleep. You’re so annoying!”

Jasper sat up, a hint of hurt in his voice as he questioned, “We’ve only been married a short while, and you already find me annoying?”

Imogen muttered from under the blanket. “No, I didn’t.”

Jasper chuckled, gently stroking her head through the blanket. “Alright, I’ll go back to my room. Don’t forget our plans for the weekend.”

Imogen remained silent under the blanket.

Jasper left her room and closed the door behind him with a smile.

Chapter 1024

Chapter 1024

The next morning, Imogen woke up unusually early. With an important job interview looming, she dressed meticulously, applied light makeup, and left home half an hour earlier.

Anxious about potential traffic delays, she deliberately opted for the subway. As she approached the subway entrance, someone suddenly threw a bucket of water mixed with green dye at her out of nowhere.

Imogen was completely caught off guard, freezing in shock. She let out a startled cry. The water cascaded from her head to her toes, leaving her drenched. She stared in disbelief at the culprit—Scarlett, who was visibly pregnant.

Passersby at the subway entrance were equally stunned. They paused to watch with curiosity, gossiping and speculating about the unexpected incident.

Imogen clenched her jaw, struggling to maintain her composure as she slowly wiped the water from her eyes. She looked down at her soaked clothes, then back at Scarlett.

If Scarlett hadn't been pregnant, Imogen might have been tempted to give her a piece of her mind right then and there.

A wave of frustration knotted Imogen's stomach. She took a deep breath, her voice edged with anger as she demanded, "Scarlett, what on earth is your problem?"

Emphasizing her pregnant belly in tight clothing, Scarlett took on a victimized posture. Tears welled in her eyes as she pointed an accusing finger at Imogen. "Imogen Kingsley, you seduced my husband! You have no morals. You're despicable!"

A crowd of spectators swelled, with many pulling out their phones to capture the unfolding drama.

Imogen quickly put on a face mask, her voice ringing out in anger. "Stop spreading lies about me!"

Scarlett struggled to speak through tears, "I've seen your messages. Are you going to deny it?"

Imogen found the mention of "messages" amusing. "You've seen them, so you know it was your husband who pursued me, who confessed his feelings. I told him I wasn't interested and blocked him."

Resting her hand on her belly, Scarlett sobbed, "If you hadn't encouraged him and flirted back, why would he be so obsessed with you and keep bothering you?"

Imogen was dumbfounded. It was the most ridiculous accusation she had ever heard. Were all pregnant women assumed to be this foolish? Why was Imogen blamed when she was the one who had been pursued?

Imogen didn’t have the energy to argue with Scarlett any longer. She'd be late if this kept up. Her clothes were soaked through, her makeup a mess. She turned, eager to get home and change, thinking she might still make it on time with a bit of luck.

Watching Imogen walk away, Scarlett hurried over and grabbed her arm. "Imogen, I spent a lot of money to find your address. I’m not letting you leave without an explanation."

Entirely focused on her upcoming interview, Imogen hastily jerked her arm away. "Let me go! I don't have time for this nonsense."

Scarlett was shoved, stumbling until she collided with a pillar near the entrance. Sliding down, she ended up seated on the floor. Onlookers tensed at the scene. Clutching her stomach, Scarlett let out a scream of pain, her face twisted in agony.

Hearing the cry, Imogen spun around, alarmed by the sight before her. Despite whether Scarlett was genuinely injured or not, Imogen's interview was completely derailed.

"It's killing me!" Scarlett cried out. Tears streamed down her face as she continued clutching her stomach.

Onlookers rushed to help her up, some dialing for an ambulance.

Imogen stared at Scarlett, her expression filled with bewilderment. When the ambulance arrived, Scarlett was quickly taken away. Seen as the one at fault, Imogen reluctantly trailed behind. She ended up paying for Scarlett's ambulance and medical bills.

 

Chapter 1025

Chapter 1025

As Scarlett underwent a series of tests, Imogen sat on a hospital bench, glancing at her phone to check the time and reading over the apology message she had sent earlier. A sense of heaviness burdened her heart.

Before, Scarlett had taken the man Imogen once had a crush on. Now, Scarlett had also dashed the job opportunity Imogen had longed for.

Imogen couldn't help but feel that Scarlett's presence was nothing short of bad luck for her.

Imogen couldn't gauge how much time had elapsed when Ethan rushed into the hospital in a frenzy. Upon spotting her, he hesitated briefly before blurting out, "Imogen, what are you doing here? Where's Scarlett? And why are you soaked?"

Imogen stared at him with a steely glare but chose to say nothing.

Her simmering frustration caught Ethan off guard, making him nervously swallow. He glanced around, asking, "Scarlett said something happened with our child. What happened?"

Imogen scoffed inwardly. Instead of something happening with their child, it was just Scarlett scheming against Imogen.

After Scarlett arrived at the hospital, she underwent a thorough examination, including detailed tests for liver function, genetic diseases, and more. She treated Imogen as if she were a fool, insisting that Imogen foot the bill for over eight thousand dollars.

Imogen simply wanted the ordeal to be over, so she didn't bother arguing with Scarlett.

At that moment, Scarlett emerged from the doctor’s office, clutching the test results.

Spotting her, Ethan rushed over to help her, his concern palpable as he scanned her from head to toe. "Scarlett, is everything okay with the baby?"

Scarlett held her belly and cast a pointed look at Imogen. She feigned discomfort and said tearfully, "Ethan, my abdomen is hurting. Imogen shoved me, and I stumbled."

Ethan’s anger boiled over. He yelled, “Imogen, take it out on me if you're upset! She’s pregnant. You can’t just push her like that!”

Imogen seethed with frustration but remained silent. She grasped the sensitivity of offending an elderly person or a pregnant woman. She found herself at a loss for words to justify her actions.

Rising from her seat, Imogen strode over to Scarlett and Ethan, her demeanor firm. Her voice sounded icy as she enunciated each word. "The fact that you're not staying in the hospital suggests the baby is fine.

"You took advantage of the situation, squeezing over eight thousand dollars out of me with every possible test. I won’t argue about it. Consider it a generous donation from me to you."

Scarlett's face darkened with anger. "Imogen, what do you mean? Are you accusing me of extorting money from you?"

Imogen ignored her question, thinking Scarlett was well aware of whether it could be considered extortion. Instead, Imogen continued, "Since your husband is here, let's address this directly."

Ethan swallowed hard, asking, "Imogen, what’s on your mind?"

Imogen snorted, thoroughly disappointed in Ethan. The overwhelming disappointment she felt compelled her to make a decision.

In a tone colder and firmer than ever before, she stated, "Ethan, listen carefully. I feel nothing for you. I love my husband deeply, so please stop pursuing me."

Ethan’s face fell, visibly crestfallen. Scarlett glanced up at him, clearly displeased with his reaction.

"I’ve already blocked both you and your wife. From now on, treat me like a stranger when you see me. There’s no need for greetings.” With that, Imogen turned and left.

Ethan grew anxious. He let go of Scarlett and hurried to catch up with Imogen, grabbing her arm. "Imogen—"

Imogen spun around abruptly, wrenching her hand away. Anger surged through her, making her tremble as she yelled, "Are you deaf? Lay a finger on me again and I'll call the cops for harassment."

Ethan looked at her with disappointment, his eyes revealing reluctance, discontent, and resignation

Chapter 1026

Chapter 1026

Imogen gritted her teeth, her gaze cold and tinged with simmering anger she struggled to suppress. She turned away again.

Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes. He stood still like a marionette cut loose from its string.

Scarlett approached him and gently linked her arm with his. Her voice was filled with compassion as she whispered, "Darling, think of our child and me. Stop clinging to the delusion. She's already married."

Ethan could no longer contain himself. He buried his face in his hands, turned away, and leaned against the wall, sobbing.

Scarlett stood behind him, her eyes welling with tears as she watched, her fist clenched and trembling.

…

After leaving the hospital, Imogen hailed a taxi. Feeling dejected, she retrieved her phone from her bag and checked her message. It was a reply from the HR manager at Star Enterprise, Skylar.

"Ms. Kingsley, if today doesn't work for you, we can reschedule for tomorrow or the day after. Any weekday is suitable for your interview."

Imogen stared at the message, feeling it was almost surreal. She wondered what kind of wonderful company this was. Could it truly not be a scam?

As an ordinary, unknown person who didn't even meet the educational requirements, she couldn't understand why Skylar would show her such respect. It all seemed so strange.

This unexpected humility and respect left Imogen feeling doubtful and uneasy as her mind raced with uncertainty.

After returning home, Imogen showered to wash away the day and discarded her stained clothes. She felt disheartened. After blow-drying her hair, she collapsed onto her bed, drifting into a deep, thoughtless sleep.

She missed lunch and slept through until evening. When she awoke, the window sill was bathed in the glow of the sunset, with a breeze stirring the curtains. From outside her bedroom, she faintly heard the front door to the living room closing.

Imogen tossed aside the blanket and rose from the bed. Clad in slippers, with her long hair flowing loose, she exited the room with a dispirited demeanor.

Jasper was nowhere to be seen in the living room, but she heard sounds coming from the kitchen. She shuffled toward it with weary steps.

Jasper turned at the sound of footsteps, and Imogen's slender figure slipped into his arms. Her arms encircled his waist, pulling him close. Burying her face in his chest, she closed her eyes, savoring the warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his crisp white shirt.

Jasper's body tensed momentarily, taken aback yet deeply moved by her embrace. He stood there, silent and contemplative, gazing down at Imogen nestled in his arms.

What was on her mind today? Her unusual display of affection was endearing, yet there was a hint of sadness in her demeanor. He thought something must have been troubling her.

Jasper smiled warmly, pulling Imogen closer as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Leaning close to her ear, he murmured, "What happened?"

With her eyes closed, Imogen nuzzled her cheek against his chest, and whispered, "Jay, just hold me."

Jasper tightened his embrace, gently nuzzling her neck as he pressed a kiss against her skin. His voice was husky as he spoke, “Alright, I’ve got you. Is something bothering you? Talk to me about it, okay?”

"Just being able to hold you like this brings me joy," Imogen said.

Jasper breathed in the sweet scent of her, momentarily swept up in his emotions. He blurted out, "Why did you skip the interview today?"

Imogen hesitated for a moment, tilting her head slightly to meet his gaze from within his embrace. Her eyes were clear as she asked, "Jay, how did you find out I didn’t attend the interview?"

Chapter 1027

Chapter 1027

Jasper felt flustered and hastily attempted to deflect. "I could tell something was bothering you, and I figured it might have been related to the interview."

Imogen wasn't convinced by his explanation, which seemed full of holes. She questioned, "Maybe I'm just in a bad mood from a botched interview. How do you know I didn't even attend?"

Jasper fell silent, leaving Imogen staring at him, clearly baffled. He quickly shifted gears, making his way to the kitchen. "You haven't eaten dinner yet, have you? Let me whip something up for you."

"Jay," Imogen called after him.

Jasper remained focused on cooking. "What are you in the mood for? Maybe some beef?"

"Are you really not going to explain?"

"I was just guessing."

Imogen let out a deep sigh, unsure of how to respond.

Jasper avoided addressing the question by spending the entire evening holed up in his study, deeply immersed in work, and retiring to bed late into the night.

…

The next morning, Imogen arrived at Star Enterprise's HR department as planned. She breezed through her initial interview and was hired on the spot. The straightforward process and the superficial interview seemed like mere formalities. They hired her without hesitation.

It felt surreal, like living in a dream, until she signed her employment contract with a flourish. If it weren't for Star Enterprise looming large before her, she'd find it hard to believe any of it was real, including joining the aerospace R&D department.

From the interview and onboarding to receiving her ID badge, everything was wrapped up smoothly in just a single day. It felt as though she was caught in a dream.

After finishing onboarding, instead of going straight home, Skylar led her to an adjacent, spacious building. Inside, the space was filled with mechanical displays and operational areas dedicated to the R&D department. In the R&D office, everyone was fully engrossed in their work.

Skylar passed Imogen's information to Gerald Levingston, the director of R&D, and casually dropped a hint. "Gerald, meet our specially recruited newcomer. Please make sure she settles in well."

Gerald, a man in his 50s with thinning hair and a noticeable belly, scrutinized Imogen intently behind his thick glasses. The mention of Imogen being "specially recruited" intrigued him, pleasantly so.

He accepted Imogen's resume from Skylar's hand and studied it, initially assuming she was a highly paid expert poached from a prestigious institution by some higher-up. However, he was surprised to learn that "specially recruited" didn't mean what he had assumed.

This "specially recruited" demanded his special attention and care.

Gerald angrily tossed the resume back to Skylar, snapping, "I don't care if she's connected to some higher-up! I won't have such a 'specially recruited' slotted into my department. We're not here to do clerical work."

Imogen's cheeks burned as the entire office turned to look at her.

Skylar whispered anxiously, "Gerald, keep it down. This isn't our call. It's out of our hands."

Gerald stood with his hands on his hips, delivering a stern and prideful reprimand. "This is R&D. Even if a company as large as Star Enterprise, assigning someone with just an associate’s degree would be considered too low, even for a receptionist!

"Who's the clueless higher-up responsible for this? Point them out, and I'll have a word with them. Even if it goes all the way up to the CEO's office, I doubt they could outmaneuver me!"

Imogen's expression darkened considerably. She struggled to understand how she had secured a role in Star Enterprise's R&D department given her educational background. She pondered which of her skills had impressed them and how she had been recruited.

The other employees cast peculiar glances her way.

Skylar's face flushed with anger. After pulling Gerald into a quiet corner, Skylar muttered, "The clueless person you mentioned? It's Mr. Morrison. Are you planning to barge into his office and confront him?"

Chapter 1028

Gerald was startled. He turned abruptly, his expression alarmed as he looked at Imogen. Imogen felt uneasy under his scrutiny. She wondered what Skylar had said to Gerald to cause such a strange reaction.

Just moments ago, Gerald had worn a grim expression and a visibly annoyed attitude. However, upon hearing Skylar's words, he swiftly switched to a smiling face. His round, big face lit up with a broad smile, a sharp contrast to his earlier demeanor.

Gerald approached Imogen in a gentle and humble manner, speaking in a friendly tone, "You're Imogen, right?"

Imogen hurriedly nodded in response. "Yes, Mr. Levingston."

Gerald smiled warmly and said politely, "Please, call me Gerald. Everyone does."

"Of course, Gerald," Imogen responded respectfully.

Apart from his skills, Gerald earned the role of R&D director for his sharp insights. He guided Imogen to her workstation, set up a new computer for her, provided fresh office materials, and warmly introduced her to everyone.

Where he had previously shown disdain toward her, now he was exceedingly humble and polite, even encouraging other employees to look after her well.

Skylar observed from the sidelines, smiling with satisfaction.

Later, Imogen followed Skylar out of R&D. After exiting the building, Skylar politely said, "Let's call it a day. Get some rest and be here on time tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Skylar," Imogen replied courteously.

Skylar smiled thoughtfully, commenting, "It's intriguing how two people sharing a name can chart such distinct paths. Not long ago, there was a young woman named Imogen Kingsley, a graduate of Aerospace Academy.

"She had all the qualifications but didn't quite catch your break. She ended up starting in our PR department as a junior clerk."

Imogen's heart skipped a beat. Anxiously, she asked, "Skylar, did you say there's another Imogen Kingsley in the PR department?"

Skylar nodded. "Yes, is everything alright?"

"Did she graduate from Aerospace Academy?"

"Yeah, she did. She's tall and slender. Are you familiar with her?"

Imogen offered a wry smile. After a brief pause, she shook her head and responded, "No, I'm not. I just find it interesting to share the same first and last name."

"That's true, but she works in PR. The chances of your paths crossing are pretty slim," Skylar said.

Imogen felt the same way. Star

Enterprise spanned three expansive buildings, each teeming with

thousands of employees. The

steady stream of people mea

random meetings were uncommon even within the same company.

After saying goodbye to Skylar, Imogen lingered outside Building One of Star Enterprise.

As the workday drew to a close, employees began to trickle out of the office, reminiscent of students streaming out of school after the final bell. Clusters of professionals exited in groups, forming a

hove

continuous flow from the building.

After a long wait, Imogen finally spotted a familiar figure. Hastening over, she called out, "Zoey."

Zoey heard her name and turned toward the voice. As she caught sight of Imogen approaching, her face paled with shock.

After a brief moment of surprise, she swiftly collected herself. Without acknowledging Imogen's call, Zoey averted her gaze and briskly walked away.

Imogen hurried over and intercepted Zoey, speaking casually, "Actually, I should've addressed you as Imogen. Hold on for a moment. There's something I need to talk to you."

Zoey's expression darkened noticeably. In a tense whisper, she demanded, "How did you find me here? What do you want?"

"I mean no harm. Please don't

misunderstand. I just wanted to let

you know that I've also started

working at Star Enterprise. If y

wish to keep your identity

confidential, please stop using my personal information."

Chapter 1029

Zoey's jaw dropped and her eyes widened at Imogen's words. She exclaimed, "What? Y-You got hired at Star Enterprise?" Imogen nodded.

Zoey scoffed incredulously, "Seriously? What credentials did you use to land a job there? Are you doing janitorial work or scrubbing toilets?"

Imogen hadn't expected Zoey to mock her after she had sincerely shared the news. Imogen swallowed her frustration and issued a final warning. "You don't have to concern yourself with my position. I suggest you focus on reverting to your name. Stop appropriating mine for your work."

"Did they actually hire you?" Zoey asked, her displeasure evident. It was clear she harbored doubts.

Imogen flashed her ID badge. Zoey couldn't make out the department, but seeing the familiar badge unsettled her. She quickly pulled Imogen into a secluded corner and hissed, "You can't be here at Star Enterprise. We can't work together. It'll ruin everything for me."

Smirking disdainfully, Imogen snapped, "You ruined me years ago. How can you sleep at night? I'm being kind by even giving you a heads-up." Through gritted teeth, Zoey retorted, "Remember, your parents got a lot of money from mine. Why should I feel guilty?"

The thought tore Imogen apart every time it crossed her mind. If Gregory and Carol hadn't accepted money from Zoey's family, Imogen would have reported Zoey long ago.

"My parents sold out my degree for your family's money, but that doesn't entitle you to steal my identity forever," Imogen replied firmly.

Zoey's frustration burned in her eyes as she said assertively, "I don't care. It took me ages to get this job at Star Enterprise. You must leave. It's too risky for both of us to work here."

Imogen found her amusing. "Zoey, I don't owe you anything. I'm telling you as a favor, so you can spare yourself any embarrassment when your identity is exposed.

"If you're not interested in resolving this yourself, then let's just pretend this conversation never took place."

With that, Imogen turned and walked away.

Zoey rushed to catch up with Imogen, her grip tightening on Imogen's hand. "How much will it take for you to quit Star Enterprise? Name your price. I'll pay it, and you'll be gone."

Imogen displayed her ID badge, saying, "I'm a full-time R&D employee making 250 thousand dollars annually. I've got at least 30 years ahead here, plus a pension after retirement. Calculate the figure.

Can you afford that?"

Zoey rolled her eyes. "Seriously? How did someone with your background end up in R&D? What strings did you pull?"

Imogen loathed Zoey, but she felt helpless since Gregory and Carob had accepted a sizable sum from Zoey's family. Imogen still couldn't repay the money and could only hope to keep everything quiet.

"Zoey, if you want to spare yourself embarrassment, find your way out. I'm done here." With that, Imogen turned on her heel and left.

Zoey stood frozen, her face drained of color, visibly anxious as she watched Imogen walk away. A dark, intense gleam began to simmer in her eyes.

Imogen reached the sidewalk just as a luxury vehicle zoomed by. Its rear window rolled down, revealing a man whose profile bore a strong resemblance to Jasper's.

Her heart tightened inexplicably. As the luxury car disappeared into the distance, she made a mental note of the license plate number.

 

Chapter 1030

Imogen spotted a taxi and waved energetically. It pulled over, and she wasted no time hopping in, gesturing toward the luxury vehicle ahead and urging, "Follow that car."

The driver accelerated to narrow the gap.

Imogen felt somewhat puzzled by her actions. That person simply bore a striking resemblance to Jasper, and she found herself surprisingly concerned about it.

The taxi followed the luxury car for quite a distance. After about half an hour, the luxury car turned into a grand estate. Pulling up beside the entrance, the driver turned to Imogen. "Miss, they've gone inside. We couldn't keep up."

Imogen rolled down the window, gazing at the imposing estate before her. Curiously, she asked, "Do you happen to know whose estate is this?"

The driver grinned goofily. "Oh, I sure do. This is Hoffis Manor, owned by the richest man in Norvania. It's massive inside, bigger than two golf courses combined."

"The home of Norvania's richest man?" Imogen was shocked, utterly bewildered. After paying the fare, she got out of the taxi and dialed a number on her phone.

After a few rings, Jasper answered. His voice was gentle as he asked, "Imogen, everything alright?"

"Are you done with work and on your way home?" Imogen asked.

"I still have a few things to sort out today, so I'll be late. Um, go ahead and have dinner without me," Jasper replied.

"Okay," Imogen said.

She didn't head back. Instead, she settled on a bench near a flowerbed close by, waiting. She couldn't shake her doubts about Jasper. Landing her job had felt too easy, and too good to be true.

As dusk settled and the breeze chilled, Imogen rubbed her arms, feeling hunger gnawing at her stomach. She sat there for more than an hour until at last, the luxury car glided out from the estate's gates.

The car drove past her, but the light reflecting off the windows prevented her from seeing who was inside.

Anxiously, Imogen scanned the passing traffic, hoping another taxi would appear any moment. Unfortunately, taxis were hard to come by in this area, and she could only watch helplessly as the luxury car disappeared from view. She dialed Jasper's number again.

As soon as Jasper picked up the call, he said, "Imogen, I've finished up at work and I'm on my way home."

"Jay, could you share your location with me?" Imogen asked.

"Why?" Jasper sounded a bit confused.

"So, I can see where you're at," Imogen clarified.

Jasper fell silent.

"Is that a problem?" Imogen asked.

"Wouldn't it be easier to video call if you want to see where I'm at?" Jasper suggested.

In a soft, loving tone, Imogen mumbled, "Nope, I just want your location."

Jasper smiled knowingly. "Alright then."

Shortly after, Imogen received his location. As she glanced at the

marker on the map, her heart dropped Just then, a taxi cruised past, and she swiftly hailed it and climbed inside. Jasper's location showed just up ahead, at the end of this very street, approximately 1000 yards away.

The timing felt too perfect to be a mere coincidence.

Imogen urged the driver to hurry home as quickly as possible. The driver obliged, pushing the taxi to its limits without exceeding the speed limit. As the taxi pulled up in front of her house, the luxury car was just turning around to leave, heading in the opposite direction.

She paid the fare, stepped out of the taxi, and hurried toward her house. She arrived just as Jasper was entering through the front door.

He had just slipped into comfortable

slippers and shrugged off his jacket when he heard her hurried footsteps approaching. He turned to find her breathless, gasping for air.

Jasper was puzzled. "Imogen, you're only getting back now? Where have you been?"

Imogen stood with her hands on her hips, slightly hunched as she caught her breath. Her intense gaze bore a hint of suspicion as she silently locked eyes with Jasper.