Reclaiming my Rich-kid Status

Chapter 49: Phone Calls

Kagern approached Jennifer cautiously, the sterile white walls of the Surreal City Hospital amplifying the sound of her choked sobs. He'd never seen her like this – the ever-composed, arrogant receptionist reduced to a woman crumbling under her emotions. A sense of pity pricked at him. He remembered their first encounter; her sharp words and disdainful glare. Yet, he'd seen a different side of her – a woman terrified by Mr. Brooks, a woman he'd readily protected.

"Jenniffer?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

Jennifer flinched, startled from her grief. She whipped her head around, wiping furiously at her reddened eyes with the back of her hand. "Mr. McDenials?" she stammered, her voice thick with emotion. "I – I didn't expect to see you here."

"It's okay to call me Jayden," he said gently, his concern evident. "What happened? I mean, if it's okay with you to tell me, why're you crying?"

Jennifer hesitated, chewing on her lower lip. The carefully constructed facade she usually w