Chapter 148


    At night, Calvin and Daisyy in bed, wide awake and unable to sleep at all.


    “Calvin, Daisy’s voice broke the silence, ‘did you ever ask your colleagues if they also get so many


    holiday bonuses?”


    Calvin pondered for a moment before replying, “I didn’t ask. Yara made a point of telling me that


    discussing sries is a taboo at thepany, Apparently, it’s the same with the holiday bonuses.”


    Daisy exhaled sharply. “I guess it’s not unusual for bigpanies to have such rules. But what do you


    think Jocelyn is really worried about?”


    “She probably thinks the bonus was too generous.’


    “It definitely was,” Daisy agreed, then added thoughtfully. “If that assistant hadn’t given you the raffle


    ticket, she would have been the one to win the big prize. Do you think she’s feeling unbnced?”


    Calvin furrowed his brow, “When she told me I’d won the grand prize, she made it clear that the bonus


    would be deposited directly into my payroll ount. She didn’t seem unhappy about it.”


    The old couple pondered over Jocelyn’s words, sensing something off about the situation.


    What kind of luck was this? How had it fallen into theirp?


    Daisy pressed her fingers against her temples, “My eyelids are twitching fiercely.”


    “Do you think our previous guesses make sense?” Calvin stroked his chin. “Mr. Martinez and Jocelyn…


    but, they couldn’t possibly know each other, could they?”


    The only possibility Calvin could think of was far-fetched, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that there


    was something between his daughter and his boss.


    “Maybe we should ask Jocelyn directly?” Daisy felt increasingly uneasy about the whole affair.


    “It’s toote now. We’ve got to head back to the countryside tomorrow. We can ask her on the way.”


    Calvin settled back down. “After what Jocelyn said, I feel like that money is burning a hole in my


    pocket. We should retum it when we find the right moment.”


    Daisy agreed as shey down, “Yes, it’s too much. A couple thousand might be reasonable, but twenty


    thousand? No boss in their right. mind gives away that much without reason. Once you’re back at work,


    you should return it.”


    “Right.”


    They sighed deeply, finally closing their eyes to sleep.


    The next day, Jocelyn prepared an early breakfast, then hailed a cab to the train station to buy tickets


    home.


    As Jocelyn purchased her ticket, she spotted Yara at the adjacent self-service kiosk.


    After getting her own ticket, Yara turned and greeted Jocelyn with a friendly nod.


    “Jocelyn, are you…” Yara noticed the ticket in her hand.


    “Heading home.” Jocelyn inquired about Yara’s destination before getting to the point. “Miss Yara, I


    wanted to ask about something. Is the grand prize and holiday gifts my father received normal for every


    employee in yourpany?”


    Yara appeared unfazed. “Is there a problem? Our raffle is fair and square. As for the holiday bonus,


    everyone gets roughly the same. Just with a few exceptions.”


    The words “few exceptions” were certainly curious.


    ‘Did he ask you to do so?” Jocelyn cut to the chase.


    Yara smiled, “Allpany expenses and payouts need the boss’s approval before we proceed.”


    “So, it was him.” Jocelyn’s suspicion turned into a sardonicugh. “What is this? Compensation?”


    Jocelyn, it really was just your father’s good luck, Yara said, her voice faltering slightly as she nced


    at the time. “Sorry, I have to go. Let’s catch upter. Bye.”


    Yara hurried off. Unwilling to press further, Jocelyn made her way back to the waiting room.


    “Was that Yara?” Calvin had sharp eyes.


    “What did you ask her?”


    Nothing much


    Calvin exchanged a meaningful nce with his wife before asking, “Jocelyn, be honest with us, are you


    acquainted with Mr. Martinez?


    I am As Jocelyn adw their expressions change, she added, Preston is his nephew”


    Calvin was taken aback “Really**


    Yes.”


    Daisy pieced together another theory, “Could it be that Mr. Martinez wanted you to keep an extra eye


    on his nephew, but didn’t want to give you a direct benefit, so he gave your father instead?”


    Calvin also felt this was a usible exnation


    Jocelyn didn’t reveal her situation with Melvin, thinking it best if they arrived at this conclusion


    themselves.


    “If so, we should return that money, Jocelyn said solemnly.


    “Yes, of course, it must be returned. Calvin agreed, feeling suddenly enlightened. “You’re a noble


    teacher Regardless of your students’ performance, you must treat everyone equally and educate them


    well.”


    “Right


    With a usible excuse in hand, the atmosphere lightened considerably as they traveled.


    Upon arriving in the small town, Jocelyn’s uncle picked them up. He was warm and weing, taking


    them back to a bustling household where Auntie and Quinta were busy in the kitchen. Daisy and


    Jocelyn offered to help.


    Auntie insisted the kitchen was too crowded. So she sent Quinta to keep Jocelynpany while she


    and Daisy had a much-needed


    chat.


    “Mom just needs someone to talk to. Now that Daisy’s here, she’s got an ear for her woes, Quinta said,


    leading Jocelyn to her room.


    “Where’s Damian? Jocelyn inquired.


    Quinta’s eyes dimmed. “He’s on duty.”


    That busy? Jocelyn prodded. “Can’t he take time off?”


    “He’s been home less and less, Quinta said with a strained smile. “He came home for dinnerst night,


    then left early the next day.”


    Jocelyn frowned slightly “Did his family and your parents have dinner together?”


    “Yes. Had had dinner out together,” Quinta mentioned. “That night, his son and ex-wife joined us too.”


    Jocelyn’s frown deepened at the mention.


    “Why was his ex there?”


    “Sounds like his parents are still holding out hope for a reunion,” Quinta said with a resigned chuckle.


    Jocelyn felt a knot of irritation in her stomach. “Are they nuts?”


    Quinta shrugged nonchntly, “Well, they did share a life for over a decade. There’s bound to be some


    leftover affection. Plus, with me still not having a baby, his parents probably have their own ideas.”


    “No matter what his parents think, it’s what he wants that matters. If he’smitted to you, he should


    be proactive and get the check-ups done. If he’s not into it, he should at least spare you the


    awkwardness you might face. Bringing his son over for dinner is one thing, but the ex-wife too? What’s


    that about? Pretending they’re the picture-perfect family and you’re the outsider?” Jocelyn’s blood


    boiled at a mere thought of it.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Quinta took her hand and tried to calm her down, “Don’t get so worked up. I’m okay.”


    “It’s not about being worked up. I just want to know where he stands, Jocelyn took a deep breath.


    “Does he still want to be in this rtionship?”


    Quinta nced nervously outside, not wanting to upset her parents, “It’s fine.”


    Jocelyn knew she was being overly emotional. But the act of Damian inviting his ex-wife to dinner was


    too much to tolerate.


    Dinner was called from outside. Without further discussion, Jocelyn and Quintaposed themselves


    and joined the others.


    Everyone steered clear of any conversation that could sour the mood. After the meal, they all went out


    for a stroll.


    Jocelyn’s family nned to head back to the city two dayster.


    Before leaving, they did bump into Damian. He seemed amiable enough, not at all like someone


    indecisive.


    Quinta had told Jocelyn once that if things got too hard, they could always get a divorce


    Jocelyn was shocked by Quintas bluntness at the time.