bChapter /bb518 /b

    “Mommy, I’ll get the door.” Before Jessica could rise, Jacob dropped his pencil and dashed to the door.

    Brian, hearing the doorbell sound, emerged from the kitchen.

    The door opened to reveal Gabri pushing a small cart. Spotting Jacob, she pinched his cheek. “Jake, is your mom home?”

    “Hi, Gabi! Yes, she is,” Jacob replied politely before turning to Jessica. “Mom, Gabi’s here to deliver your

    packages.”

    Jessica, who had already recognized Gabri’s voice, was about to invite her in when Jacob’s words gave

    her pause. “Packages?”

    Gabri wheeled the cart inside, grinning. “Yeah, this whole cart’s for you. You’re wee.”

    Jessica stared at the overflowing cart, then said firmly, “These aren’t mine.”

    Between Brian’s meticulous care and herck of online shopping, she knew she hadn’t ordered anything.

    Even if she had, why would they be sent to Inkspire Studio?

    “Oh, they’re addressed to you,” Gabri said, wagging a finger. She grabbed the first package. “This one’s from Dior, a full set of theirtest maternity skincare for their anniversary celebration.”

    She tossed it aside and picked up another. “Natterus sent their newest bag collection as part of a

    promotional event.”

    She set that down and grabbed another package. “This smaller brand specializes in autumn wear. Also an

    anniversary gift.”

    As Gabri reached for the next, Jessica held up a hand. “Stop. I don’t need a rundown.” Far from feeling thrilled, she was utterly perplexed. “Why are they sending me all this?”

    Jessica walked over and skimmed through the packages, noticing most brands had never coborated with her. The excuse of “gifts for partners” didn’t hold up at all.

    “They’re piggybacking on your fame to promote their products,” Gabri said bluntly. As a

    businesswoman, she understood these brands‘ tactics all too well. If Jessica weren’t her close friend, she

    might’ve done the same for sales.

    Jessica pressed her lips. “That can’t be it.”

    Gabri patted her shoulder. “Jessi, you’re seriously underestimating your online influence.” She nced at Brian, who had just emerged from the kitchen with a dish. “You didn’t know, but he certainly does. No

    way these brands only sent packages to Inkspire Studio.”

    12:54 Mon, 1 Sept A

    Jessica turned to Brian. “Is this true? How long has this been happening? Why didn’t you tell me?”

    57%

    Setting down the final dish and removing his apron, Brian sighed, “About three weeks ago. I’ve had everything stored properly. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.” He had kept it from Jessica to avoid stressing her, forgetting that these brands might target Inkspire Studio.

    “How exactly are you handling it?” Jessica asked.

    “Store them first, return favorster. No way I’d let you endorse them,” Brian replied casually, unfazed.

    +15

    Jessica would never endorse them, but the overflowing cart still made her sigh, “Tell them to stop sending

    these. I won’t use any of it.” She hated taking advantage of freebies.

    “They probably won’t listen. Don’t get your hopes up,” Gabri said.

    Jessica rubbed her temples, failing to find a better solution. “Fine, just stash them somewhere.”

    “Got it. I’ll inform the front desk,” Gabri said, then grinned. “But some of these products are decent. Since they’re here, why not try them?” Whether or not they got publicity from it would depend on the

    quality anyway.

    “No. If I need something, I’ll buy it myself,” Jessica said firmly.

    Gabrí chuckled, “You’re still as stubborn as ever, Jessi.”

    With a shake of her head, Jessica motioned for Brian to haul the packages to storage.

    After the incident, Jessica went to Grant Group the next day and called Sana in to ask if she had also been receiving packages from brands.

    The moment she asked, Sana a torrent

    dying to tell you.

    ashed ol start="5"li“omints. “Jessi, you finally asked me. I’ve been /li/ol

    “I’ve be a full–time package handler–three to five deliveries a day, some even hand–delivered by brand reps. A few are our partners, and I can’t even refuse.”

    Jessica rubbed her temples. “That many? Why didn’t.

    this relentless.

    you tell me sooner?” She hadn’t realized brands were

    “I didn’t want to stress you out during your pregnancy,” Sana said matter–of–factly.

    “I’m not that fragile,” Jessica sighed. She thought, ‘Do I seem so fragile that everyone treats me like ss?‘

    “Still, better safe than sorry,” Sana insisted. “But seriously, Jessi, you have to address this. At this rate, we’ll need to rent a warehouse just for these freebies.” She wasn’t exaggerating. The packages from those brands

    12:54 Mon, 1 Sept A

    had nearly filled up a conference room.

    “It’s that bad?” Jessica frowned, brainstorming solutions.

    Sana, seeing her skepticism, led her to see for herself.

    Jessica stood silently before the conference room now half–filled with unopened packages.

    @x57%b0 /b

    “Jessi, please, think about opening your own Twitter ount. You can directly tell brands to stop,” Sana

    said.

    Jessica shook her head. “Not anytime soon.”

    Sana groaned dramatically. “Then what do we do with all this? They won’t stop!”

    “And you think a tweet would change that?” Jessica countered.

    Sana faltered.

    Jessica wasn’t trying to be difficult. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Just leave them for now. I’ll figure something out.”

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!