Taming The Billionaire's Obsession - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Jane couldn't believe Luke could be so cold and unfair. Not only did he ban her caregiving job, but he also set a strict curfew.
To have dinner ready by 7:30, she'd need to be home by 6 pm. The most annoying part was that he didn't eat anything she cooked.
Jane stopped trying to understand and stopped caring. Finding a new job was her top priority now. Her money was almost gone; she had to work to support herself.
Luke had promised Jane a monthly allowance of 15 thousand dollars. She never planned to use it. When she agreed to marry him, she said she only wanted the 300 thousand dollars in cash and nothing else.
Luckily, Jane studied jewelry design in college. But she was falsely accused and expelled, ruining her reputation. She left the field for good. Still, she secretly made sketches for small workshops.
Not long ago, a promising new studio saw her work and loved it. They contacted her through connections to hire her. With her caregiver job gone and needing money fast, Jane went back to jewelry design.
She emailed them. To her surprise, they replied in under five minutes. They asked her to bring her designs now for an interview. Jane got ready and left.
The studio was small but great. Its office was downtown in a prime, expensive building.
The studio boss, Elton Wiggins, was a smart young man. After seeing Jane's work, he praised it a lot. He offered her a contract right away.
When Jane pulled out her ID and handed it over, Elton checked it out. "So you're Jane from Ashwood University's jewelry department? Heard a lot about you, Ms. Ritter..." As he talked, his hand brushed Jane's thigh.
Jane gasped and jumped up. "Mr. Wiggins, what's going on? Show some respect!"
"Hey, Ms. Ritter, chill. Look at your face—still gorgeous even when mad. I'm wondering how I don't know such a pretty designer. It turns out it is you, Ms. Ritter. Everyone in the biz knows your name, Jane Ritter.
"I heard you slept with every prof and advisor at Ashwood to win awards. So why bother designing? Just be my lover. I'll take care of you..."
"Back off!" Jane shoved him, grabbed her ID, and bolted out of the studio.
She leaned against the wall, breathing hard, her whole body shaking with rage. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shake off the gross feeling. Maybe she shouldn't have tried to get back into jewelry design.
"Jane? Is that you?" A soft voice came from behind.
Jane froze for two seconds, and then turned around, dazed. "Josie..."
Josie exclaimed, "It's really you, Jane! Finally found you."
Jane got an excited hug. She was happy but stunned, couldn't believe it. Never thought she'd bump into Josie, her bestie, here. Back then, she'd avoided Josie for ages, scared of dragging her into trouble.
Josie pouted, "Jane, you know, after you dropped out, I looked everywhere for you. But you just disappeared. I know, because of that thing, you... didn't want to see those people. But me, I always believed in you."
Josie, reunited with Jane, wouldn't let go. "Hey, why'd you leave that studio?" she asked, curious. "The owner's a creep; you're not working for him, are you?"
"No, just a job interview. Luckily, it didn't pan out." Jane brushed off what had just happened.
"What? You're getting back into jewelry design? If you wanted this, why didn't you come to me?"
"Come to you?" Jane blinked.
Josie grabbed Jane's arm, pulling her toward a nicer studio. "Look, this is my place. Jane, you're not leaving me again. You have to stay and help."
Josie came from money. She and Jane were top students in jewelry design school. After graduation, her brother Warren paid for this studio.
Josie offered Jane a great salary and flexible hours. It was a perfect job for Jane. But working with old friends might mean seeing people Jane would rather avoid.
Seeing Jane hesitate, Josie made her sign the contract right there. Short on cash and unable to say no, Jane finally agreed.
That same day, Josie booked a table at the fanciest restaurant downstairs to welcome Jane.
Jane knew that place. Back when she was the Ritter family heiress, she used to eat there. The cheapest meal cost hundreds per person. It was way too pricey for her now.
Jane wanted to refuse Josie. "No way, Josie. I'll just grab something near the office..."
"No way! I said I'm treating you, and that's final. Warren knows you're here and wants to join. I don't care, you have to come with me."
Josie was super enthusiastic; Jane couldn't say no, so she reluctantly went downstairs with her.
But as soon as Jane sat down, she was stopped. "Sorry, Ms. Ritter... You're not welcome here; please leave," the manager, Byron Fraley, said, rushing over, looking rude and arrogant.
Jane froze, not remembering ever upsetting Byron.
Josie shouted, "What do you mean? You can't just kick customers out! We had a reservation."
"Sorry, Ms. Pace, our restaurant's members-only. We don't serve people who have lost their membership. Since you're a member, we're happy to serve you, but you didn't say you'd bring Ms. Ritter..."
Byron meant that Jane wasn't a member anymore, so she couldn't eat there.
"You..." Josie was furious. She'd never heard of needing her friend to be a member just to eat. This was clearly starting a fight.
"Forget it, Josie. Let's not make a fuss. We'll go somewhere else," Jane said softly, looking down, holding Josie's arm. She didn't feel like arguing.
This restaurant charges 30 thousand a year for membership. Jane never really fit in here anyway. After finally calming Josie, who was about to blow up, Jane stood up. Then she saw a familiar face out of the corner of her eye.
People at a nearby table were staring, enjoying the show. The one laughing the loudest and acting all smug was Ella, Jane's cousin she hadn't seen in years.
Jane frowned, realizing why Byron had thrown them out. She never expected to see Ella here. And Ella was so petty. She must've used her influence to get Jane kicked out.
Jane didn't want to argue with Ella here. She was about to leave when she saw Ella sitting there, legs crossed. Ella shifted, flipped her hair, and gave Jane a mocking smile.
As Ella moved, a familiar black ring fell out of her neckline. Jane's face went pale.
"Jane, where are you going?" Before Josie could react, Jane, who'd been quiet as a mouse, rushed over to Ella.
"Ella, give me back my ring!" Jane stood by Ella's table, one hand out, staring right at her.
Her clear eyes made Ella nervous. "Wh-what ring? I don't know what you're talking about!"