Chapter 228: The Novel I Wrote, Why Did It Become Your Work?

Chapter 228: Chapter 228: The Novel I Wrote, Why Did It Become Your Work?

On his way home after work, Joey started walking, only to head in the direction opposite to his house.

The man Director Miller had assigned to follow Joey saw this, quickly reported it, and continued to tail him.

He kept a distance where he wouldn’t lose his target, but also wouldn’t be seen.

After documenting Joey entering the room with a camera, the tail quickly left.

’Who knew if someone else was watching? Better to be cautious.’

Meanwhile, the atmosphere on Joey’s end was just as tense.

"Why are you here at a time like this? Don’t you know you’re supposed to wait for me to call you?" a thin man said as he opened the door. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he saw Joey.

’What if he was followed?’

’Useless!’

The thin man beckoned toward the interior of the apartment, and a burly, bald man quickly walked out from an inner room.

The bald man stepped outside and scanned the area. Only after confirming there was no one suspicious around did he go back in.

"Be more careful next time. Now, what brings you here?" After confirming they hadn’t been followed, the thin man turned his attention back to Joey and asked.

Joey looked timid and, upon hearing the man, hastily explained, "I’m being transferred to the provincial bureau for training tomorrow. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, so I wanted to come and ask the Boss if there’s anything she needs me to do."

The thin man, who had been a little angry, let his fury instantly fade upon hearing this. His voice softened considerably. "Oh, so that’s what this is about. Wait here."

A few minutes after disappearing inside, the thin man reemerged and said to Joey, who was waiting by the side, "The Boss says you should focus on building connections once you get there. We’ll contact you if anything comes up."

"Do a good job, and if you get some results, we’ll tear up those IOUs you signed."

"Okay!" Joey’s eyes instantly brightened. He didn’t waste another moment and rose to leave.

The bald man walked over, rubbing his head. His tone was perplexed. "Why are we still being so polite to that piece of trash? He’s been with the police for ages and hasn’t dug up a single piece of intel. It’s been a complete waste of time."

"Even trash has its uses. Who knows, he might prove very useful someday!" A cryptic smile appeared on the thin man’s face.

’The Boss already has a plan for his fate!’

While Joey was wrapped up in major schemes, things were far more relaxed for Zoe Sawyer.

After catching up on sleep, the afternoon remained quiet. Zoe Sawyer finally had a rare moment of peace, so she pulled out her phone and started a long-overdue session of relaxing with a novel.

But the further she read, the more Zoe Sawyer’s brow furrowed, until she finally just tossed her phone aside.

"What’s wrong?" Sean Hughes, who was writing a report nearby, noticed Zoe’s movement. She stopped her work and looked at Zoe Sawyer in confusion.

Zoe Sawyer took a sip of water, her tone a mix of frustration and disappointment. "I’ve been had. This new book I dug up today... the beginning had twist after twist. The writing style was a bit amateurish at first, but the premise was amazing, and it kept getting better and better."

"But then the latest twenty Chapters just completely fell off a cliff. It’s totally incoherent."

Sean Hughes, who didn’t really read web novels, just shrugged helplessly. She had no idea what to say to that.

Zoe Sawyer rubbed her eyes and was just about to stand up and stretch when there was a knock on the office door.

She looked up to see Director Miller.

Director Miller had come to talk to them about Joey, and to tell Zoe Sawyer to steer clear when the time came.

They were trying to bait a fish, so of course they wouldn’t leave the real valuables out in the open.

Any damage at all, no matter how small, would be a loss.

Zoe Sawyer nodded. If there wasn’t a case tomorrow, she’d just stay in the office. That way, she was guaranteed not to get involved.

"Alright, I just came to mention this matter. Carry on." Director Miller waved his hand and turned to leave.

He had a mountain of other things to handle and no time to waste here.

As night fell, lights flickered on across the city, and the vibrant nightlife officially began.

Inside a warmly decorated apartment, a woman in plain, almost shabby, clothes sat on the sofa. Her expression was grim, and she was tightly clutching a notebook.

After an unknown amount of time, a young woman came in, laden with shopping bags.

Seeing the woman on the sofa, a surprised expression crossed her face. "Laura, what are you doing here?"

"When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve picked you up. How long have you been waiting? Are you hungry? Want me to take you to get something to eat?"

The woman put her bags on the floor and chatted with the woman on the sofa as she changed her shoes.

She chattered on, "If you had told me you were coming, I would’ve asked my boyfriend not to leave, and he could’ve taken us out for a nice meal."

"Oh, have I told you? I got a new part-time job, and that’s where I met my boyfriend. He’s a great guy, but he just loves to spoil me with gifts—flowers, necklaces, it’s endless. He even gets upset if I try to turn them down."

"He’s not like your husband, who at least knows how hard it is to earn money and isn’t a big spender. I’m actually worried that when I meet his parents, his mother will think I’m just after their money."

Though her words sounded like a complaint, she was clearly showing off how well her boyfriend treated her.

And she didn’t miss the chance to put down her friend’s husband at the same time.

"Laura, why aren’t you saying anything?" The woman plopped down beside her friend. She gently nudged her shoulder with a hand adorned with an exquisite manicure, her voice full of feigned hurt.

As her gaze fell upon her friend’s clothes, a flicker of disdain flashed in her eyes, but it vanished so quickly it was as if it had never been there.

Laura Sherman managed a faint smile, her voice strained as she began, "Wendy, I came to ask about your part-time job. You know my mom hasn’t been well lately. We took her to the hospital, and the doctors say she needs to be admitted for treatment."

"My two children are in school, and my mother-in-law’s health depends on medication. My husband is the sole provider for our family, and the pressure is just immense."

"So I wanted to ask you, what is that part-time job of yours? Do you think there’s a chance for me?"

Hearing Laura Sherman’s words, Wanda Sherman instantly sat up straight, her tone suddenly evasive. "Oh, that... My part-time job is, uh, for modeling."

"Their standards are really high. And even though you’re very beautiful, Laura, they’re looking for someone who is unmarried and has no children, so... it probably wouldn’t be a good fit."

"I see. Well, if it’s modeling, then never mind. But..."

A small smile touched Laura Sherman’s lips again as she continued.

"In that case, Wendy, perhaps you can explain something else for me. Why is the novel *I* wrote now published online under *your* name?"