Chapter 201 She Was Poor
Wilber bristled at the comment.
He glared at the Joshua, about to scold and set him straight. But he fell silent when he saw Joshua's face.
He couldn’t lash out at a member of the Curtis family...
Luann didn’t appear to be disturbed by Joshua's provoking words. Instead, she smiled sweetly at him. "You have a pretty sharp tongue."
Joshua scoffed.
Luann tossed a pile of documents into his arms. "Perfect timing—the company's backed up with a batch of menswear. I expect you to sell a hundred pieces by the end of the day."
Joshua was baffled. "You want me to do sales?"
"Yes. You should stand at the entrance and solicit business," Luann said with a cutthroat smile. "Good luck."
Without a second thought, Joshua tried to dump the documents. "I'm not doing it!"
"If you don't do it, I’ll dock the cost from your salary," warned Luann, her eyes gleaming with cunning.
Joshua's lips twitched violently.
His bank card had been frozen for several days now, and if he hadn’t thought on his feet and switched his monthly salary to a daily payout at the finance department, he probably wouldn't have enough for daily meals.
Luann knew the situation and was using money to threaten him!
"Okay, fine, just you wait, Luanne Weaver!" Fuming, Joshua stood up abruptly and stormed out without looking back.
Once he was gone, Wilber Gilbert approached, his movements restrained.
He stood in front of Luann's desk, looking utterly subservient.
"Luann... How have you been?"
Her gaze was as serene as still water, devoid of the slightest ripple or wave.
Wilber had hoped desperately to see some emotional fluctuation in Luann.
Even if it was disgust, it would mean that he mattered to her somehow.
But there was nothing of the sort.
She looked at him like she was seeing a stranger.
"You can see for yourself if I’m good or bad, can’t you?" Luann's voice was cold and clear.
P
Wilber tried to force a smile, his lips curling bitterly, but he couldn't quite manage it.
He had heard about Luann's promotion to head designer.
She was doing well at the Curtis family, whether or not she was climbing the ranks with Myron’s influence or on her merit.
"Now that I see you like this... I guess I’m relieved..."
But it was a hard pill to swallow.
This woman had nearly been his.
"Let’s get to the point," Luann cut in, unwilling to engage in these cryptic exchanges. "Have you gotten your money back yet?"
Wilber shook his head, sadness leaving his expression.
"I haven’t. Your dad doesn't seem keen on coughing up the money, and he even had the nerve to call me petty."
"They're used to getting their way. They won't give in easily," Luann mused for a moment before suddenly asking, "So, is your company going bankrupt?"
Wilber's face paled slightly. "It looks like it..."
"Your parents aren't going just to abandon you, are they?"
Wilber sighed deeply. "Ever since they found out we broke up, they've been disappointed in me. At first, I thought they were just angry, but they haven't offered any financial help now that the company is in this state, and they're not even taking my calls."
Luann tapped her fingers on the desk, a crisp sound reaching his ears.
"Do you need my help?"
Wilber scratched his head. "Well if you're willing to lend me the money... I'll be sure to pay you back as soon as possible."
"I guess I can't chip in," Luann shrugged. "You know how it is—I've never been the favorite at Weaver Family Holdings, and nobody gives me an allowance.
"I finally got to work at the company, but the salary is two thousand a month and barely covers my living expenses. At least I paid you back that money a while ago, right?"
P
Wilber fell silent, his face flushed with awkwardness.
Luann's tone remained even. "I'm broke."
It took a moment for Wilber to find his voice, feeling even more embarrassed in front of Luann.
"So, how can you help me?"
"I can try to convince your folks to foot the bill."
Wilber's pupils dilated. "Really?" He could hardly believe Luann was willing to meet his parents after the way he had treated her and insulted her with his unkind words.
"Yep."
Wilber stood up eagerly. He wanted to reach out and grab her hand but felt it wasn't appropriate, so his hand hung in the air, suspended halfway.
Luann acted as if she didn't notice. Her brows slightly furrowed, and she said, "Wait here for me. I’ll pick something up for your folks after work, and we'll go see them together."
"Great!"
Luann got up and left the office.
She had always hit it off with Wilber's folks. She knew exactly what they liked. After buying the gifts, she made a detour to assign a task to Joshua.
The place was a secluded clothing store with a less-than-ideal location. They hardly got any customers.
When Luann arrived, Joshua was lounging in a chair, leisurely sipping a coffee someone had brought him, basking in the air conditioning. Next to him, an employee was sucking up to him. "How's the sugar in the coffee, Joshua? I made it just the way you like."
Joshua savored his drink, his eyes barely open. "Mmm, it's good."
Luann walked up behind him and pushed his head down.
Joshua's mouth and nose plunged into the cup, doused in coffee. "What the—!
"Some blind jerk is about to get their butt kicked—oh, it's... it's you. Why are you here?"
The employee fumbled with a tissue for Joshua, but Luann intercepted it. She dabbed the sweat off her forehead with a gentle smile. "I just stopped by to check on you."
Joshua pointed to the coffee dripping off his chin, scoffing, "This is you checking on me?"
"You’re slacking off and you’re trying to blame me? And here I was, thinking you've been having it tough at work, so I brought you cake and coffee. But I guess you won’t need these now.” Luann shook the fancy box in her hand.
Joshua rolled up his sleeves and wiped the coffee off his face vigorously, his teeth gritted in frustration.
Luann gestured with her finger, addressing the clerk. "Didn't we agree that today was supposed to be the big promotion day?"
"Yes... yeah, but we're just too out of the way here, Luann. Only two customers have come in during the last two hours."
"If you don't advertise, how will we attract customers?" Luann pointed at Joshua. "Go fetch him some clothes that fit and change into them. And get a megaphone, have him call out to customers at the entrance."
Joshua was stunned, his features twisted. "Do you think I'm some kind of street vendor?"
Luann just smiled and offered no reply.
"I quit!
