Chapter 43 Lay All the Blame on Her
When Edgar closed the door behind him, Gigi released the breath she was holding. She couldn’t hold in her delight. She didn’t make a mistake earlier. Edgar must have believed her words. He would take revenge on Jean for her.
She only needed to wait for the good news. “Gigi, why did Mr. Royden leave already? Is he mad that you attended the reception?” Linda entered the room and asked worriedly.
Edgar was a crucial backer for Gigi. If their relationship was strained, Gigi would have trouble receiving offers for brand endorsements and shows.
Gigi raised her slender wrists and blew on her wound lightly. Joy shone from her eyes. “He wouldn’t be angry at me.”
…
Jean twisted off the last crab leg and finished off the meat. She leaned back in her seat and washed it down with a swig of beer. Ben, sat across the table, wasn’t surprised when she let out a burp.
“How’s the food? Is it to your liking?” he asked amusingly. Almost all the food on the table was finished by Jean.
“It’s not too bad.” With a hand under her chin, Jean pulled out a card and placed it on the table. “I feel bad for always eating at your expense. I’ll buy this meal.”
Her phone on the table vibrated. She picked it up and stared blankly at the number flashing on the screen. “Who is it?” Ben asked when she didn’t pick up the call.
“It’s no one, just a spam call.” She forced a smile and rejected the call without a moment of hesitation. “Let’s leave. I have things to do tomorrow.”
She picked up her bag and headed outside. The phone number was seared into her heart ages ago. She wouldn’t be able to forget it for the rest of her life.
Jean shivered as it started to drizzle. She waved to Ben from afar. “There’s a taxi there. I’ll leave first!” Ben hurried out after paying up, but she was already gone.
He sighed while standing on the steps outside the place. At the same time, four men in black suits stood before Jean with umbrellas, blocking her way like a tall wall.
Jean smiled as she looked behind them, observing the black car stopped at the roadside. “Mr. Royden is so gracious to invite me on the car in such a grand manner.”
Jean felt more comfortable with the leather carpet under her feet and the warm air from the air conditioning in the car. But the man next to her was an eyesore. “Are you here to take revenge for Gigi?”
Edgar, leaning back in his seat, snuffed out the cigarette in his hand. “It hasn’t been long since you left prison. Don’t cause trouble. If the reporters notice you…”
“Save your energy.” Jean leaned back in her seat as well. She smiled brightly, but her smile was hollow. “You don’t need to act in this way. You’re supposed to loathe me just as much as Gigi does. I’ve lost more than just a child. Could she not even take that small incident?”
The rain fell heavier outside the car. “Mr. Royden, are you not here to avenge your dear wife? If not, I’m getting off.” She reached for the door.
Before she could respond, a large force pulled her back. She raised her head and met Edgar’s cold eyes. She couldn’t help but back down at his penetrating gaze.
He stared at her wordlessly. Even his breath that fell on her face seemed cold. A cold sweat broke out on her back. She tried to break free. He lowered his head abruptly and devoured her lips.
“Mmph!” But the man reached for the zipper on her clothes without pausing. Jean struggled against him. “Let go!”
Edgar stopped and looked into her eyes. “I thought you wanted to make me pay. Is that all you can take? What’s the point in these meaningless small fights, huh? Jean?”
His voice was as cold as ever, yet the words were stinging. “I can make you disappear in Yorktown with just a word. Just stop this meaningless struggle, Jean. Can’t you be good?”
Jean clenched her fists. He had always humiliated her offhandedly. “Yes, I want to take revenge on you. But I haven’t thought things through. These are all just appetizers. Please be patient, Mr. Royden.”
The tension in the car was palpable. Their breaths intermingled in the tight space.
“Why? You invested in the racing competition, then followed me to the hotel, and now you are stripping my clothes. Are you deprived of women, Mr. Royden? Does Gigi not satisfy you? Or…” she paused. “Did you fall for me?”
Jean’s clothes were in disarray. He glanced at her alluring collarbone and suppressed his impulse, staring at her dazzling face.
Did I fall for her? She’s absurd. Yet those words had pieced his heart, causing him pain and irritation.
“Get out.” He suppressed his emotions to the end.
Noticing his anger, Jean hummed in agreement. She didn’t want to stay in the car for another moment either. She took her time fixing her clothes and left the car in the rain.
The freezing muddy water swirled around her ankles. But she didn’t seem to feel it.
Edgar watched her as she disappeared from sight.
“Miles, do you have the security recording?”
“I’ve sent it to your phone, Mr. Royden.”
Edgar played the recording.
The security recording would tell the truth.
As the video came to an end, his eyes darkened. He looked toward the direction Jean had disappeared and ordered wearily, “Drive to the company.”
She didn’t even bother explaining. What a stubborn woman.
