Dear Ex-wife Marry Me (Maja and Ian) novel Chapter 1873

Four years later, at Little Oaks Preschool in Zion City.

Zoey was about to clock out when she overheard her colleagues chatting.

"Did you guys catch the news? Some big investor is planning to settle down in Zion City. Heard they're loaded. Even the city officials are getting involved, talking about handing over all the tourism development projects in Zion City. That's gonna be huge."

"Zion City's got natural beauty, no doubt. It should've been a tourist magnet ages ago. If it weren't for the previous administration's scandal, we'd be right up there."

"The mysterious bigwig is from Greenfield, real blue-blooded elite. Our small city is so lucky to attract such affluence. I hear he's bringing a kid along, but the mom passed away."

"How on earth do you know all this?"

"It's no secret back in Greenfield. Got a cousin working there, picked it up from the local news. Plus, the kid's got autism, they say."

"No kidding?"

"Dead serious. Because of the condition, the guy's pretty protective, keeps the kid close, doesn't trust anyone else with him."

Zoey quietly packed her teaching materials, tuning out the trio's gossip.

Little Oaks was the biggest preschool in town, and it had taken her two years to land a job there.

Two years on, her salary was quite decent, pulling in a substantial two thousand dollars a month—an impressive figure for these parts.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she made to leave, catching Gemma's voice as she did.

"Hey, Zoey, you heard the tycoon's son might be joining our preschool?"

Zoey offered a polite smile. "Sorry, news to me."

Gemma rolled her eyes.

"No joke. Even the principal tiptoes around him. Retired from a big position in Greenfield. You know the kind of clout you need for that? And being from Zion City, he came back here to enjoy his golden years. I mean, think about it. It's Greenfield we're talking about."

The others looked on with a blend of envy and jealousy, and questions bubbled up.

"Why'd they only bring her back four years ago?"

"Her dad only retired then. Before that, he was out on risky missions. She was his only kid, so they sent her to the countryside for safekeeping. But when they went to fetch her, there was a car accident. She lost her memory. Came back knowing nothing."

"Lucky Zoey. With a dad who pulled strings in Greenfield, what can't she do? No wonder she doesn't bother with us small fries."

"Pretentious, isn't she? I bet her dad's not pushing her to marry just so he can parade her in front of these tycoons when they come."

The more they talked, the more sour they grew, and the prejudice against Zoey only deepened.