Has my poverty become that transparent to everyone? Shaking off the strange thoughts cluttering her mind, Ellis focused on the busy preparations for the upcoming launch event. The next evening, on her way to Petal Estates, Ellis realized something. She hadn’t scheduled a specific time with Morty to walk the dog. Should I finish my chores at Casey’s place before walking the dog, or walk the dog first? What if there was a scheduling conflict? Would I still earn the hardship fee Morty promised? Before she could reach out to Morty, he seemed to anticipate her concern and messaged her. "Maya’s godmother, have you arrived? "What time works for you?" Is Morty acting like a temporary boss? Since he was negotiating like one, she responded cordially. After a chat, Ellis and Morty agreed that she would walk the dog after work. Earlier, at Casey's place, she had been so overwhelmed that she even considered suggesting that Lois hire another assistant to help Casey with his experiments. Finally leaving Casey's house, Ellis looked up at the dark night sky and let out a weary sigh. This nonstop hustle was exhausting. "Maya’s godmother, all done?" Just as she was taking a deep breath to regain her composure, Morty’s voice caught her off guard, and her lips tightened slightly. This nickname was fine online, but in person too? "Mr. Morty, call me by my name, or Ms. Harper is fine!" If it weren’t for Maya's adorably enthusiastic tail-wagging every time she saw her, Ellis would have definitely given Morty a piece of her mind. "You don’t like being called Maya’s godmother?" "Seriously?" "Maya’s godmother sounds so nice." Morty said, as he handed her the leash. "I don’t like it." Ellis didn't dislike Maya; it was the title that bothered her, making her feel like she inadvertently had responsibilities toward Maya, even though Morty was the dog's owner. "Alright." Morty bent slightly, petting the fluffy head of Maya, "Then should I address you as a sister?""Earn some good karma; you’re older than me!" Ellis initially wanted to mention exactly how many years older Morty was, but she couldn’t remember the exact number—just that he was older. "I’m using Maya’s family tree for your title." Morty straightened up, looking at Ellis, "I'm three years older; how about you address me as an older brother?" "What a mess!" Ellis glared at Morty. "Older brother? That’s shameless!" Is Morty the same age as Easton? Why do I vaguely remember Morty being younger than Easton? "Hmm…" Morty pondered, "Should I just call you Ellis?" Wanting to finish walking the dog and go home to rest, Ellis didn't have an opportunity to debate her title with Morty. She ignored his question and started walking Maya away. Before long, Morty, not too far behind and seemingly afraid he wouldn’t be heard, loudly declared, "Agreed then, I won’t call you Maya’s godmother; I’ll call you Ellis."Ellis couldn't help but look back at Morty and silently cursed, "Nutcase." Maya seemed to pick up on her owner’s eccentric behavior, wagging her tail in response. Facing Maya’s big round eyes, Ellis didn’t bother arguing over Morty’s nonsensical behavior. Under the dim streetlights, Ellis walked the dog, her silhouette accompanied by Morty's slight smile in the background. Exhausted to her core, Ellis had the intention to earn over ten thousand from Morty, but her body was not cooperating. After walking Maya for half an hour, she led the dog back to Morty. Morty was standing at his doorstep, taking the leash with one hand and soothing the still-playful Maya with the other, gently saying, "Your godmother will come play with you another day; let her go home and rest tonight." Perhaps it was sheer fatigue that made her hallucinate, but Ellis thought she detected a hint of tenderness in Morty’s voice as she involuntarily focused on him and Maya. Maya, all white, matched Morty in his gray and white home attire, connecting them in color.The pair looked exceptionally harmonious and affectionate. Suddenly, she remembered her colleagues' discussion from the day before. Who was more handsome, Mr. Zion or Mr. Morty? Really, there was no point in comparing the two. Morty, not living up to the mystical stereotype, appeared quite gentle and polite to those who didn't know him well, likely seen as a gentlemanly second-generation businessman. Zion, having battled in the business world for over a decade, he carried a seasoned air and a decisive aura that Morty lacked. "Check your WhatsApp; I've sent you another transfer." Caught up in her thoughts about the differences between Morty and Zion, Ellis was startled by his voice and blinked blankly, reacting almost reflexively, "What?" "The transfer, accept it." "I collected it yesterday." "You only received one payment yesterday." "I walked Maya for half an hour; you gave me a few thousand dollars as hardship pay?" Pulling out her phone, Ellis saw that the second payment Morty had initiated the day before had expired, and he had just resent it.