“I guess I won’t be able to make it, then.” Every free afternoon had already been neatly scheduled by Vera. “Let me see if I can rearrange things…”

“No, no, don’t trouble yourself.” Joyce waved her hands quickly. “It’s just a company tour. You should focus on your own work–it’s more important.”

Alessia looked puzzled but didn’t push for details. Seeing Joyce about to leave, she turned away too, but the next second, Joyce paused again.

“But, there’s this party coming up. Would you go with me? I’m not sure exactly when yet–just that it’s in the evening. It’s a party for young people. I’ve never been to one before, and honestly, I’m a little nervous.”

Alessia raised an eyebrow, then nodded. “Do I need a dress for it?”

“It’s just a casual get–together. Nothing too fancy.”

“Alright. Just let me know a day ahead, and I’ll be there.”

“Okay.” Joyce nodded, but Alessia’s promise didn’t seem to make her any happier.

Once in bed, with the dorm lights switched off, Joyce found herself unable to sleep. She tossed and turned, the creaking of her mattress drawing a groan from Mia.

“Sorry,” Joyce whispered, trying to lie still. Her phone buzzed several times in a row; she hurried to silence it.

It was a message from Fortune. He’d sent several photos–shots of her bustling back and forth at the auditorium, taken without her noticing. She was surprised, almost delighted, seeing herself from someone else’s perspective for the first time. She scrolled through them, pausing at one where she stood to ask a question to a guest.

and confident. Only she knew that, at that moment, her palms had been slick

1/3

09:08

Chapter 428

“Thank you,” she typed.

“You’re still awake?”

barely hit send

Why are you

photos the president requested. I figured I should send

reason, Joyce imagined Fortune scratching his head, looking

the party? Are you coming?”

over the keyboard, the phone’s glow casting shifting shadows over her face as

dimmed. She snapped back to herself, turned the phone on again,

my friends, and I really wanted to introduce you. If you feel

the whole time.”

her there. As if he was

Lessie, and she said to tell her a day in advance–she’ll come with

you mention me to

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