[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-four-of-a-kind":3,"chapter-four-of-a-kind-four-of-a-kind-chapter-34":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Four Of A Kind",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1529728,1985,"Chapter 34: [2.7] This Meeting Has Been Hijacked","four-of-a-kind-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>The walk to Vivienne’s study took me through seventeen hallways, past twelve paintings of dead ancestors, and cost me approximately fourteen percent of my remaining dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My sneakers made this sound.Squelch. Squelch. Squelch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water from the shower incident had soaked through everything. My uniform now lived in a plastic bag I’d borrowed and was dripping condensation like a crime scene evidence bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only dry clothes I owned on campus were my gym clothes. Grey t-shirt. Navy athletic shorts. White socks that were losing their battle against moisture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step announced my presence like a rubber duck convention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professional,I told myself.I am a professional. I will not mention the shower. I will not mention the ambush. There was a mishap with the sprinkler system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mental rehearsal wasn’t working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My brain kept replaying the way Cassidy had pressed against me in that shower stall. The heat of her skin. The way her fingers had curled against my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d played me. Completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now I was walking through a mansion worth more than my entire bloodline would ever accumulate, dressed like I’d just escaped a YMCA that was being condemned by the health department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found Vivienne’s study on the second floor of the east wing. The door was dark wood with gold hardware. A small brass plaque read \"V. VALENTINE - PRIVATE.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knocked twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne Valentine sat behind a glass desk. Her tablet glowed in front of her. She wore her school blazer despite being home, because apparently professionalism was a twenty-four-hour commitment in this family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her wine-red hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders. Her posture belonged in a textbook about spinal alignment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes tracked from my damp hair, down my grey gym shirt, past my athletic shorts, and landed directly on my shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dare I ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mishap with the sprinkler system on the sports field.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The standoff lasted maybe five seconds. Then she sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\" She gestured to the chair across from her desk. \"Have a seat. We have much to discuss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sat. My shoes squelched one final time in protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne turned her tablet to face me. A color-coded schedule filled the screen. Tomorrow’s date was highlighted in gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I received somewhat alarming reports about your ’business lunch’ with Harlow today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach dropped.Here we go. She’s going to tell me that hugging is against company policy and I’m fired for inappropriate contact with a client.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"While I appreciate your initiative with her calendar,\" Vivienne continued, \"we need to establish clearer public boundaries. Harlow is affectionate. Aggressively so. You are permitted to maintain professional distance when necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t mad about the hug. She was giving me permission to enforce boundaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the least terrible conversation I’d anticipated having today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne tapped her tablet. The schedule shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow after classes, I have a fitting at the V-Girl offices at four. Following that, a meeting with a potential brand partner at five-thirty. Then a brief stop at Maison Valentine’s flagship store to review the new fall collection.\" She looked at me. \"Your primary duty tomorrow is logistics. You will drive me. You will ensure I am where I need to be, on time, without incident. Can you manage that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded. \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swiped again. Cassidy’s name appeared on the screen next to a red exclamation point. The universal symbol for \"problem child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can tutor Cassidy here at the estate in the evenings. The library is available.\" A flicker of something passed through her eyes. Weariness maybe. \"Do try to ensure she actually attends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll handle it,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied my face for a moment. Like she was trying to figure out if I was lying or stupid or both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne opened her mouth to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft knock interrupted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened. Silently. Like it had been oiled by someone who specialized in stealth operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabrina Valentine glided into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long wine-red hair fell straight down her back. Her school uniform was perfect. Her expression was completely blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t acknowledge Vivienne. Didn’t acknowledge the meeting in progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just looked at me with those purple eyes that saw everything and revealed nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you go out,\" she said, \"I require boba tea. Taro. Less sugar. Extra pearls.\" She paused. \"And a packet of Buldak ramen. The 2x spicy variety.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could respond, the door that Sabrina had left open burst inward with the force of a small explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harlow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bounced into the room like someone had injected pure caffeine directly into her nervous system. Her twin tails swayed with each movement. Her smile could’ve powered a small city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did someone say boba?!\" She turned to me. \"Isaiah! Can you get me boba too? Strawberry milk tea! With extra boba! And those little jelly things that are chewy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne’s hand moved to her face. She pinched the bridge of her nose between two fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This,\" she said slowly, \"is a professional meeting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harlow ignored her completely. She pulled out her phone and started scrolling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooh! And can you get me some Pocky? The chocolate kind! No wait, the strawberry kind! Actually both!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabrina remained still by the door. Her expression hadn’t changed. She just stood there like a beautiful statue waiting for someone to confirm her ramen order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne sighed. \"All that sugar and sodium.\" She looked at Sabrina. \"You’re going to ruin your figure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabrina’s gaze dropped. She looked down at herself. At her uniform. At the body underneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked back at Vivienne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression remained completely neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will simply relocate to my chest as it always does.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed behind her with a soft click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sat there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harlow giggled. \"Sabrina’s so funny when she’s deadpan!\" She blew a kiss in my direction. \"Thanks, Assistant-kun! You’re the best!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bounced out after her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne stared at the empty doorway. Her jaw was slightly slack. Like her brain was still processing what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she really just... did that conversation actually occur? Am I hallucinating from hypothermia?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne recovered first. She straightened. Cleared her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where were we?\" She tapped her tablet like nothing had happened. \"Ah. Yes. One more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes traveled over me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time it felt different. More critical. Like she was evaluating a piece of furniture that didn’t match the room’s aesthetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied my gym clothes. My slightly-too-long hair that was drying in an unruly wave pattern. My cheap sneakers that had survived two years of daily abuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You represent this family now, Mr. Angelo. Your current aesthetic is insufficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised an eyebrow. \"My aesthetic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On Thursdays half-day, you will go shopping. For professional attire. Clothes befitting someone in your position.\" She opened a desk drawer. Pulled out a black credit card. Slid it across the glass surface toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The card gleamed under the study lights. Matte black. No visible numbers. Just a small Valentine company logo in the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the household account,\" she said. \"Additionally, you will get a haircut. Something modern. Presentable. I have a reputation to maintain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then back at the card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying you want to give me a makeover?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks flushed. Just slightly. \"I am saying I require my staff to meet a certain standard. Don’t be vulgar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I picked up the credit card. \"Understood. Boba first. Then world domination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivienne’s eye twitched. Just once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dismissed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked to the door. Grabbed the handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Angelo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused. Looked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was watching me. Her expression was unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t disappoint me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a threat. It was worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a test I hadn’t studied for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wouldn’t dream of it,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed behind me with a soft click that sounded louder than it should have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood in the hallway. Alone. My shoes still squelched when I shifted my weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my pocket: a credit card attached to a bank account with more zeros than I’d seen in my entire life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my head: a shopping list. Taro boba with less sugar and extra pearls. Strawberry milk tea with extra boba and jelly. Buldak ramen, 2x spicy. Pocky, chocolate and strawberry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a mandate to buy clothes and get a haircut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re not just paying me,I realized.They’re remaking me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought sat in my stomach like lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d accepted this job because I needed money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But money always came with strings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just hadn’t expected the strings to come with a personal stylist and a credit card that probably had a higher limit than my apartment’s property value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My phone buzzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A text from an unknown number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t forget my ramen. I know where you sleep. - S\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabrina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistant-kun! When you get the boba can you take a photo of it? For my Insta! Thanks! 💖 - Harlow\u003C\u002Fp>",1528,"2026-06-06T06:03:59.713Z",1,"novelbin.me","7d750bdd00309e6aa95c255279c5fff6e9da12f313100cfd029bd59528242253","four-of-a-kind-chapter-35","four-of-a-kind-chapter-33",251,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffour-of-a-kind-cover.jpg"]