Chapter 9 Don't Lose Her Nature

Her words jolted Franklin back to his senses. "Sit down. I want to talk to you."

'Talk?' Mary didn't think there was anything to talk about between them, but she complied out of politeness and curiosity. "What do you want to talk about?" she asked.

"You need money, don't you? You can help me manage this villa here, and I will compensate you for your services. I will pay you double what you make in the night club. We can call things even with this arrangement, and you and I will become employer and employee. What do you say?"

Franklin's voice was low and pleasant, like the reverb of a cello. Just as he always was with negotiations, he was brief and to the point. He was a cold man indeed. Mary had to doubt if the sad and lonely person earlier was also him.

She sighed and pondered. His offer was very attractive. She might not want to serve such a strange man, but she was in dire need of money.

She was tempted to agree right there and then, but her circumstances would not allow it. "Mr. Leng, I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't accept your conditions."

"What? You don't think the money is enough, do you?" A smirk appeared at the corners of Franklin's mouth. People were truly greedy these days. He had offered quite a considerable price with a single statement, and yet she wanted more. As he had expected, only that person was capable of brushing money aside with indifference. And no matter how this girl looked like her, she would never be the one in his heart. No one else could ever compare to Jeannette, the woman he loved most in the world.

Mary recognized Franklin's mockery for what it was. She had been working hard since her family had gone bankrupt, and she had encountered such demeaning situations many times in the process. Everyone could think of her however they liked, but she had always strived not to lose her true nature. As long as the people she cared about didn't look down on her, she didn't care about others' opinions.

"Mr. Leng, it's not about money. It's about my current situation, I can't spend too much time outside. I'm still attending school, you see. It's the holiday break at the moment, but classes will resume soon. Moreover, my mother is in the hospital now, and there's no one else to care for her but me.

To be honest, the conditions you offered are exceedingly tempting. I could really use all that money, but I don't have many choices. There are always many things that we have to do in life.

I really didn't want to have any interaction with you before, because I can't afford to offend someone like you, and your life circle is not suitable for people like me. So I apologize for my previous actions, but I don't regret it.

I'm not qualified to be in your service. This villa is well-managed and beautiful. Your current staff must be very qualified. It's obvious that I can't offer you much, but I still want to say that I will do my best to help you if you ever need me to. This is my phone number. It has grown late now, so I will take my leave. Goodbye!" She had caught sight of a pen and paper on a nearby coffee table earlier, and she now lunged at them and wrote down her contact details. She placed it on the main table in front of Franklin, then walked out the door without another word or a backward glance.

"Wait a minute." Franklin picked up the slip of paper and saw the delicate handwriting. Her words looked clear, and her strokes were very steady. It was so much like her.

"Mary Liu, this name is good and very suitable for you. You don't have to give me a reply in a hurry. Think it over before you come to me in three days. What I said tonight is effective by then. Here's my business card. Take it and you may leave." Her lack of greed gave Franklin a good impression, albeit only a little. 'This is enough for now. I think I can help her a little.'