Chapter 22: J&J Corporation Surprise Inspection!
Why the sudden trip to J&J Corporation? Lily was puzzled by her son’s suggestion, but she readily agreed.
“Pack Dad a drink,” Andy added.
Lily’s heart leaped. Was he trying to mend fences with his father?
“Should we tell your father we’re coming?” she asked.
Andy chuckled softly.“No, let’s surprise him.”
Lily had no objections; in fact, she was quite excited. This was her first time visiting the J&J Corporation building.
You’ve never been?” This time, it was Andy’s turn to be surprised.
Their conversation avoided the topic of their mother–son relationship. Andy didn’t call her “Mom,” and Lily didn’t press the issue; she used the term herself, and he didn’t object. This meeting was less about reconciliation and more about getting to know each other. Andy had scant memories of his mother from before the age of six, while Lily knew nothing of his life in the past fifteen years. The fifteen–year gap needed to be bridged.
“Your father might seem impressive now, Mr. Janson, all powerful and important, but his first year running the company was a disaster. He made several major mistakes. He wasn’t comfortable having me come around until he’d gotten his footing, and by then I’d already gotten busy with my own work…”
Lily shared details Andy had never known. After his mother disappeared, his father neve discussed such things with them. Andy had no recollection of his father before the age of six. Lily didn’t rush to J&J Corporation. She and Andy talked about the past, mostly her speaking, he listening.
He listened intently, his expression softening considerably. When she mentioned his childhood, his eyes sparkled.
“You were quite the character. You used every trick in the book to avoid drinking milk. Once, you told me the milk wanted to go home to its mommy. You actually poured it down the sink…
Lily paused.“Your sister is different. She drank almost half a glass this morning. I wonder if Ben likes milk… She won’t be back until next week…”
Lily attempted to bring up the twins, hoping to uncover the root of their conflict. But Andy wasn’t giving her the chance. As soon as she broached the subject, he said, “Let’s go now.”
He clearly didn’t want to talk about his siblings. He didn’t even ask why Lily kept her true identity hidden from Amy.
*So, I won’t get any answers from Andy. I’ll have to start with Amy and Ben*, Lily thought.
-J&J Corporation
Four gilded characters gleamed under the sun. The entire building housed J&J Corporation employees. Most companies occupied a single floor in a skyscraper, but J&J Corporation owned entire building. Not just the building, but the land beneath it, too. In the pricey real estate et of San Francisco, the value was astronomical.
502
Chapter 22: J&J Corporation Surpris…
Menu
Lily followed Andy through security and into the elevator, swiping his employee badge. Noticing her curious gaze at his ID card, he handed it to her.“I work here every summer and winter break.”
“Do they know who are?”
you
Andy pondered.“I don’t know.” Some knew, some didn’t, and some pretended not to. He didn’t hide it, nor did he flaunt it. No one had ever asked if he was the CEO’s son. But people probably figured he was well–connected…
“Let’s go see your workstation,” Lily said excitedly, eager to see where her son worked. Smith, the special assistant, started to approach Andy to greet him, but upon seeing Lily walking beside him, his eyes widened. Andy maintained a professional distance from female colleagues
someone work. Walking this closely beside
quite intimate
at
was
for him!
Smith rubbed his eyes. Lily looked unfamiliar. She couldn’t possibly be a company employee! Someone that pretty would have been noticed long ago! Andy had brought his girlfriend to work?!
“What are you gawking at, Smith?” Li, the secretary, tapped Smith on the shoulder with a file.“Look, it seems Andy brought his girlfriend!”
Smith realized the pair was looking at him and quickly covered his mouth.*Darn it, I didn’t keep my voice down!*
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Andy said, his brow furrowed.
Lily intervened, “You have a misunderstanding. I’m a family member.” She added, “A blood relative.”
Smith realized his mistake and quickly apologized, “I’m
Where’s Mr. Janson?”
“Mr. Janson is in a meeting upstairs.”
Andy nodded and walked away without introductions.
“Did I offend him?” Smith sighed. All because of his big mouth!
Tom patted Smith on the shoulder again.“Take care.”
SO sorry, my mistake!
As Mr. Janson’s secretary and special assistant, they were among the few who knew Andy’s true identity. Others believed he was a relative, but he was Mr. Janson’s son, the rightful heir!: Knowing this, neither of them dared to reveal the truth; they treated Andy normally, pretending not to know. Smith had overreacted; Andy was completely unfazed. He was showing Lily his workstation.
A desk, a chair, and a computer. Incredibly spartan.
“Um… classes started recently. I won’t be coming in regularly until next month, when things calm down at school.” Andy explained the “barrenness” of his workspace.
Lily smiled.“I plan to buy some plants and put them in pots. I’ll get you a couple, okay?”
Andy hummed in agreement, the corners of his mouth turning up.
He showed Lily around, answering her questions about his daily tasks. Andy’s workstation was next to the secretary’s office; this floor was sparsely populated. Besides the two they’d encountered, the rest of the staff were in the meeting room upstairs. John’s office was also upstairs.
5.9%
Chapter 22: J&J Corporation Surpris…
Menu
They arrived at John’s office. Li, knowing Andy’s identity, didn’t stop them, as she’d seen him enter the office before. She would simply report it to Mr. Janson when the meeting ended. “The meeting should be over soon. You can rest here for a bit.”
Andy pointed to a single–seater sofa next to the coffee machine. It was screened off, hidden from anyone entering unless they made a point of going to make coffee.
Andy had his reasons.
As Lily settled in, a glint appeared in Andy’s eyes, waiting for someone
to arrive.
Chapter 22 J&J Corporation Surpris….
Chapter 22: J&J Corporation Surprise Inspection!
Why the sudden trip to J&J Corporation? Lily was puzzled by her son’s suggestion, but she readily agreed.
“Pack Dad a drink,” Andy added.
Lily’s heart leaped. Was he trying to mend fences with his father?
“Should we tell your father we’re coming?” she asked.
Andy chuckled softly.“No, let’s surprise him.”
Lily had no objections; in fact, she was quite excited. This was her first time visiting the J&J Corporation building.
“You’ve never been?” This time, it was Andy’s turn to be surprised.
Their conversation avoided the topic of their mother–son relationship. Andy didn’t call her “Mom,” and Lily didn’t press the issue; she used the term herself, and he didn’t object. This meeting was less about reconciliation and more about getting to know each other. Andy had scant memories of his mother from before the age of six, while Lily knew nothing of his life in the past fifteen years. The fifteen–year gap needed to be bridged.
“Your father might seem impressive now, Mr. Janson, all powerful and important, but his first year running the company was a disaster. He made several major mistakes. He wasn’t comfortable having me come around until he’d gotten his footing, and by then I’d already gotten busy with my own work…”
Lily shared details Andy had never known. After his mother disappeared, his father neve discussed such things with them. Andy had no recollection of his father before the age of six. Lily didn’t rush to J&J Corporation. She and Andy talked about the past, mostly her speaking, he listening.
He listened intently, his expression softening considerably. When she mentioned his childhood, his eyes sparkled.
“You were quite the character. You used every trick in the book to avoid drinking milk. Once, you told me the milk wanted to go home to its mommy. You actually poured it down the sink…..
Lily paused.“Your sister is different. She drank almost half a glass this morning. I wonder if Ben likes milk… She won’t be back until next week…”
Lily attempted to bring up the twins, hoping to uncover the root of their conflict. But Andy wasn’t giving her the chance. As soon as she broached the subject, he said, “Let’s go now.”
He clearly didn’t want to talk about his siblings. He didn’t even ask why Lily kept her true identity hidden from Amy.
*So, I won’t get any answers from Andy. I’ll have to start with Amy and Ben“, Lily thought.
-J&J Corporation
Four gilded characters gleamed under the sun. The entire building housed J&J Corporation employees. Most companies occupied a single floor in a skyscraper, but J&J Corporation owned the entire building. Not just the building, but the land beneath it, too. In the pricey real estate market of San Francisco, the value was astronomical.
5.9%
་
Chapter 22. J&J Corporation Surpris…
Manu
Lily followed Andy through security and into the elevator, swiping his employee badge. Noticing her curious gaze at his ID card, he handed it to her.“I work here every summer and winter break.”
“Do they know who you are?”
Andy pondered.“I don’t know.” Some knew, some didn’t, and some pretended not to. He didn’t hide it, nor did he flaunt it. No one had ever asked if he was the CEO’s son. But people probably figured he was well–connected…
“Let’s go see your workstation,” Lily said excitedly, eager to see where her son worked.
at
was someone
Smith, the special assistant, started to approach Andy to greet him, but upon seeing Lily walking beside him, his eyes widened. Andy maintained a professional distance from female colleagues
work. Walking this closely
this closely beside
intimate for him! quite intimate
Smith rubbed his eyes. Lily looked unfamiliar. She couldn’t possibly be a company employee! Someone that pretty would have been noticed long ago! Andy had brought his girlfriend to work?!
“What are you gawking at, Smith?” Li, the secretary, tapped Smith on the shoulder with a file.“Look, it seems Andy brought his girlfriend!”
Smith realized the pair was looking at him and quickly covered his mouth. “Darn it, I didn’t keep my voice down!*
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Andy said, his brow furrowed.
Lily intervened, “You have a misunderstanding. I’m a family member.” She added, “A blood
relative.”
Smith realized his mistake and quickly apologized, “I’m SO sorry, my mistake!
Where’s Mr. Janson?”
“Mr. Janson is in a meeting upstairs.”
Andy nodded and walked away without introductions.
“Did I offend him?” Smith sighed. All because of his big mouth!
Tom patted Smith on the shoulder again.“Take care.”
As Mr. Janson’s secretary and special assistant, they were among the few who knew Andy’s true identity. Others believed he was a relative, but he was Mr. Janson’s son, the rightful heir! Knowing this, neither of them dared to reveal the truth; they treated Andy normally, pretending not to know. Smith had overreacted; Andy was completely unfazed. He was showing Lily his workstation.
A desk, a chair, and a computer. Incredibly spartan.
“Um… classes started recently. I won’t be coming in regularly until next month, when things calm down at school.” Andy explained the “barrenness” of his workspace.
Lily smiled.“I plan to buy some plants and put them in pots. I’ll get you a couple, okay?”
Andy hummed in agreement, the corners of his mouth turning up.
He showed Lily around, answering her questions about his daily tasks. Andy’s workstation was next to the secretary’s office; this floor was sparsely populated. Besides the two they’d encountered, the rest of the staff were in the meeting room upstairs. John’s office was also upstairs.
5.9%
Chapter 22: J&J Corporation Surpris…
Menu
They arrived at John’s office. Li, knowing Andy’s identity, didn’t stop them, as she’d seen him enter the office before. She would simply report it to Mr. Janson when the meeting ended.
“The meeting should be over soon. You can rest here for a bit.”
”
Andy pointed to a single–seater sofa next to the coffee machine. It was screened off, hidden from anyone entering unless they made a point of going to make coffee.
Andy had his reasons.
‘As Lily settled in, a glint appeared in Andy’s eyes, waiting for someone
to arrive.
1
