(Broken Daydream) Chapter 3
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The emergency meeting was about the Qingxi Tourist Town project, a
collaboration with the Thornes. The Thornes were responsible for development
and construction, and my company, AM Media, handled marketing and publicity.
Five years ago, I joined AM Media after graduation. As a top global media and
advertising firm, the work was demanding, but the salary was excellent. However,
I told the family I was a low–level employee with a 3–grand monthly salary.
Deborah and Chloe, who were disdainful of me, readily believed that.
After the project update, the director solemnly announced, “Hudson Thorne
will be the point person for the Thornes. This is his first major project as the heir
apparent.” He added that Hudson was unsatisfied with the current proposal, and
they needed to prepare two alternative plans for a meeting with him in two
weeks.“He’s very detail–oriented and has slashed the budget significantly. Let’s
all step up our game.”
After the meeting, my colleagues gossiped about the Thornes in the
breakroom.
“I heard Hudson was disfigured as a child, which is why he rarely appears in
public,” someone whispered.
“Disfigured? Who would dare to do that to him?”
“I don’t know. My mom was a journalist; she took some pictures of him at
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the hospital, but she was forced to delete them.”
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“Who knows what kind of drama would happen in a family like that?
Hudson’s older sister’s death was also suspicious; a young girl alone at the beach
at night?”
“Let’s just focus on our work. Didn’t the director say Hudson was incredibly
picky?”
I recalled the face I’d seen outside my car window. Despite the scar, he was
handsome. His aura, however, was intense and enigmatic. He wasn’t the easily
swayed man Chloe portrayed.
Sipping my coffee, I absentmindedly opened Instagram and found Chloe
had posted a new set of photos. She was wearing Chanel, sipping wine on a hotel
balcony surrounded by extravagant bouquets. Two people with aristocratic air
were also in the photo. The caption read, “The Italian vineyard sent me another
bottle of ’82 vintage. The aroma is intoxicating, filling my mouth, nose… pure
romance. Ladies, you should definitely stock up on high–end wines!” Behind
Chloe, ten or more women with impeccable makeup waited.
The socialite school provided props for photoshoots: luxury cars, designer
goods, jewelry, oceanfront properties- all to create an image of privilege and
refinement. Wealthy individuals, unaware of the truth, would be easily
impressed. They also pretended to have successful careers. Chloe’s partnerships
and professorship were all manufactured by the school.
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My agent sent details of two apartments. My savings were enough to buy a
two–bedroom condo near the office. I needed to separate myself from the
family as soon as possible to avoid future trouble.
Three days later, the video of Chloe’s accident went viral. Comments
praised her as a rare natural beauty, comparing her to popular actresses,
suggesting that if she were in show business, half the actresses would be out of
work. Then people dug up Chloe’s Instagram photos, praising her upbringing
and taste. This way, Hudson would notice her, and the attention would pave the
way for her to enter the upper class. The socialite school worked very efficiently.
dad’s
After signing the apartment purchase agreement, I returned to my
home to pack. Deborah opened the door, glancing at me with disdain, inquiring
about the slum I was renting in. Richard didn’t even look at me. He was excitedly
hovering over Chloe, as if he’d won the lottery.
“It’s Hudson! Hudson messaged me!” Chloe closed her eyes, holding her
phone to her chest before opening it.
The three of them stared at the phone, silent for a long time. I put down my suitcase and glanced at the screen. Hudson’s message read, “The car needs to be shipped back to Sweden for repairs. The cost is 8.57 million.”
Attached was a detailed repair estimate.
<<< Broken Daydream).
