NovelAppZoey was sitting in the coffee shop when she saw Gemma order two cups of coffee. The shop was located just a short walk from the preschool, serving as a cozy retreat for the teachers. It wasn't lunchtyet, and the other staff were busy with the kids, leaving the café quiet, with just Zoey and Gemma inside.
Gemma discreetly added spowder into one of the coffee cups before handing it to Zoey. "Zoey, drink up. How do you wantto apologize? I'll clear this whole mess up in front of our colleagues if that's what you want. It's not my fault, though. You were all jittery that day, ignoringwhen I called out to you. How was I supposed to know you weren't up to something shady?" Zoey took a sip of her coffee, her expression unchangingly cold. She and Gemma had never really gotten along. Although Gemma rarely bragged about her father's political career, she carried an air of arrogance around the school. The principal treated her with kid gloves, making her feel untouchable.
Zion City Preschool was the place to be, with students from wealthy families. Gemma's intention of working there was clear: to mingle with the rich. Her father, though holding a minor official title, had seen better days. With the government's crackdown on corruption, the days of easy money were over. His earnings paled in comparison to the lavish lifestyles of the truly wealthy, where a single luxury handbag could cost a fortune.
Gemma envied such lives and had been scouting for a wealthy partner. She had set her sights on Fitch, but Zoey had inadvertently caught his attention first.
Zoey took another sip of her coffee and then heard Gemma say something astonishing. "Zoey, you're not getting any younger. It's tyou thought about settling down. What do you think of my dad?" Zoey thought she had misheard. Her dad? That middle-aged man with a potbelly and a bald spot who clearly wasn't up to any good? Her expression darkened, and she stood up to leave. But Gemma suddenly changed her tone. "What, you think my dad's not good enough for you? We live in a mansion worth millions. There are plenty of people dying to get on my dad's good side. Marrying you would be a blessing for a nobody like you!" Zoey was speechless at Gemma's audacity. As she made her way to the door, feeling increasingly weak, she turned to Gemma. Gemma smirked, "Oh, I put something in your coffee. You're so naive for drinking anything I give you. Consider this a lesson. My dad will be here to pick you up soon. You'll be tied to him before you know it, and that'll keep you away from Mr. Haskins." Zoey was in disbelief. She hadn't expected Gemma to stoop so low. "Are you insane? This is illegal!" "In Zion City, my dad makes the rules! And he's done this to plenty of girls. No one dares to report him." Feeling a chill, Zoey realized Gemma was Shmore malicious than had thought. Her visionan e was led to a car. We Soon, Mr. Jones arrived. Gemma, not seeing Nolan with him, asked, "Dad, where's the kid?" "That disobedient brat? I slapped him. Don't know where he ran off to." Gemma's heart skipped a beat. "You hit him?" "What, can't I? Do you know how many of these kids' parents want to butterup?" Gemma turned pale and hurried toward the preschool. "Never mind. I'll find him, Zoey's inside. Just do what you need to do, and don't get caught Take spictures to use as leverage. She'll marry you if she wants to avoid a scandal." Mr. Jones was pleased and drove off. Gemma felt uneasy. She had barely interacted with Fitch and had been rebuffed the few times she tried to approach him. Fitch was a force to be reckoned with, and his influence extended far beyond Zion City. If he decided to retaliate for his son's sake, Gemma and her father would be in deep trouble. Her priority was to find Nolan and make sure he didn't spill the beans to Fitch.
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