Chapter 47

At three in the afternoon, I disembarked and went straight to the amusement park without retrieving my luggage. Demi was there, and upon seeing me, she embraced me tightly. “Keira, you’re finally back.”

I patted her shoulder. “Come on, let’s check a few things first.”

I had barely slept the previous night, consumed by anxieties about potential problems. Although I suspected the construction company and lighting supplier, it seemed improbable they would make significant errors. This project was massive; any mistake would be extremely costly, both financially and reputationally.

I anticipated other issues, but as a non-professional, I couldn't identify them precisely. I needed to see for myself.

We switched the lights on and off, meticulously comparing everything to the design plans. I worked until two in the morning.

“Keira, you’re like a volcano erupting after a week of dormancy,” Demi joked, exhausted.

Had it really been a week? I couldn't even tell.

Without delay, Demi and I went to the office and worked through the night to prepare a detailed report on the problems we found. We planned to contact the construction company and lighting supplier and report to Jace the next day.

According to Demi, Jace was already aware of the situation and furious. She also mentioned that even if we resolved the issues, we would still face disciplinary action.

Jace might not excel at personal relationships, but he was always professional and strict at work, so this didn't surprise me.

“Even if we are punished, we need to do our job correctly,” I stated, adhering to my principles.

By six in the morning, Demi and I were finished. She was so tired she fell asleep at her desk. My eyelids felt heavy, but strangely, I wasn't sleepy. I washed my face in the restroom, made coffee, and continued reviewing the issues. If my assessment was accurate, the problem stemmed from the lighting adjustments.

“Ms. Kay, you’re back?!”

“Ms. Kay, so early!”

As people began arriving at the office, they greeted me warmly, but with noticeable curiosity in their eyes. Demi had already told me that everyone knew about the issues between Jace and me. They knew I had lived at the Johnston residence, and even though Jace and I weren’t officially married, we were essentially a couple.

I never concerned myself with others’ opinions. Facing their curious glances and whispered conversations, I pretended not to notice. Everyone gossips, and everyone is gossiped about. Our breakup was public knowledge, so their curiosity was understandable.

By ten in the morning, I was struggling to stay awake after a sleepless night, so I went to the break room for more coffee. As I left with my cup, Jace appeared. His eyes narrowed when he saw me, and I sensed a mixture of anger and frustration in his gaze.

“Morning, Mr. Johnston,” I greeted him, attempting to pass by with my coffee.

“Come to my office,” Jace demanded, his tone so stern it made my hand tremble slightly.

I took a deep breath. “Alright.”