Chapter 10 Homeless

"You're lying! The closer someone is to you, the more they try to shield you from bad news!" Maeve scolded gently, swatting Kathleen's hand in a mix of frustration and concern. Kathleen exhaled and smiled. "I'm not. I don't have time to be sad right now. I need to focus on getting my dad's ashes back from Elena, burying him properly, and then figuring out how to bring my mom home. Plus, I need to find a job as soon as possible." "Alright, just tell me if there's anything I can do to help." "Don't mind if I do!" "If you even try to be polite, we're done!" Maeve threatened playfully before wrapping Kathleen in a tight hug. "Honey, I'm here. If you need to cry, just let it all out. Once that's done, tomorrow we'll start fresh—together, we'll take down all the monsters!" "Okay! Let's take them down!" As she felt Maeve's warm embrace, Kathleen discreetly wiped away the tears from her eyes. ... Later that evening, in the study of Bridgeport Residence, Arthur glanced at the table overflowing with design blueprints. His sharp eyes narrowed as they landed on the signature in the bottom right corner of the sketches. It reads: "by Jane." Only when the cigarette between his long fingers was about to burn out did he move, stubbing the cigarette out in the ashtray. Dane knocked on the half-open door before stepping inside. "Arthur, we've got a situation with one of our people! Guess who Ms. Dawson's ex-husband is?" Dane adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his tone a mix of intrigue and mystery. Arthur lit another cigarette, taking a deep drag before replying, "Tell me." Dane handed him a file on Rhett. "On paper, he's your nephew. Rhett's mother is the chairman's eldest daughter, your half-sister, Lucia." Arthur's handsome face remained shadowed in the haze of smoke. "Wow. Interesting." Dane scratched his head, noticing the familiar design drafts scattered across the desk. "Arthur, this designer Jane is still a mystery. I reached out to the organizers of past competitions she's entered, but they all say she never provided her full name, and no one seems to have any info on her ... " "I've found her," Arthur interrupted calmly. "Oh ... what?" Dane's eyes widened in disbelief. "You found Jane? Who is she? Give me the details so I can hire her!" "No need." Arthur extinguished his half-finished cigarette. "She'll come to us on her own soon enough." Dane blinked, feeling like he'd just heard something out of a fairy tale. "Arthur, are you sure this Jane is the same one who did these designs?" "Stop babbling!" Arthur picked up Rhett's file and tossed it back to Dane. "Get a guest room ready and prepare some things for a woman." Dane clutched the file, his eyes nearly popping out of his glasses. "Arthur, you're not seriously planning to bring Miss Dawson ... " Arthur shot him a cold glance. "Why are you talking so much today?" Dane laughed awkwardly, ready to speak again but then thought better of it. Covering his mouth, he gave Arthur an amused look before backing out of the room. ... Kathleen didn't sleep a wink that night. At dawn, she finally sent her résumé to several architecture firms and construction companies in Escambia, as well as a few real estate developers looking for architects. Even though she hadn't finished her graduate studies, she was confident that her undergraduate achievements and her portfolio from the past few years would land her a position. Stretching as she left her bedroom, Kathleen noticed a breakfast laid out on the table along with a note. Kath, something came up at the hospital, so I had to leave early. Make sure you eat and get all dolled up before you head out. Love you! Kathleen felt a wave of gratitude. Don't worry, Mae. I won't be defeated that easily. After finishing breakfast, Kathleen chose a black dress and applied light makeup, doing her best to look less worn out. She let her long hair fall loosely around her shoulders and donned a baseball cap to cover the bandage on her head. When she arrived at Monroe Residence, she spotted Elena, who was just about to leave. Elena, dressed in a stunning red gown and carrying the latest Hermès handbag, looked barely over thirty despite being in her forties, her makeup immaculate. Seeing Kathleen, Elena paused for a moment before smiling smugly. "Kathleen, you're finally here? I thought you'd given up on your father." In the past, every time Kathleen saw her, she would have greeted her affectionately, complimenting Elena's youth and beauty. But now, Kathleen could barely contain the urge to destroy that vile face. She couldn't, though. In the past 24 hours, she had lost everything. To Elena, she was now just another homeless person. Picking a fight with her was the worst possible option. Steeling herself, Kathleen forced a calm tone. "Elena, I'm here to take my father's ashes."