“Jake, my dad asked if Liesel was close to Elijah. He wants to discuss a collaboration with him,”
The mention of Elijah’s name irritated Jacob. He replied indifferently, “What kind of collaboration could require your father to approach Elijah? Is Ford Corporation not on par with Hardin Group?”
“It’s not that… My dad just doesn’t want to bother you, Jake.” Natalie sighed lightly and said, “Actually, Liesel should be close to Elijah, right?
“Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken her to see fireworks and sunrise. He even targeted you, Jake,” Natalie continued with a concerned look.
“I’m quite upset. Doesn’t this seem like Liesel is cheating on you? I’m worried they might have been together before your divorce. Isn’t this betrayal?”
She pouted, appearing genuinely upset on Jacob’s behalf.
“Are you angry for me?” Jacob asked. His gaze was cool.
Natalie nodded vigorously as if she truly was upset.
Jacob looked at the computer screen, where Liesel’s medical examination report was displayed. His voice was flat and emotionless as he uttered, “Then why are you still with
me?”
Natalie looked shocked. “What… Jake, what do you mean?”
Jacob looked at her. “You’ve been talking about her affectionately and you claim that she’s your sister. So why are you going behind her back to be with me?
“If Liesel was with Elijah before the divorce, how is that any different than my relationship with you? Why is it that you direct your anger at Liesel because of Elijah, and only target her?”
Jacob stared at her sharply as he added, “Do you really think of her as your sister?”
Natalie was at a loss for words. After a long pause, she stammered, “I… I just feel that Liesel might be too close to Elijah if she’s willing to help him take down Uriah.”
Jacob found her reasoning quite amusing. Natalie was truly dumb.
Why would Liesel help Elijah take down Uriah?
Because Natalie had ruined the collaboration with Elijah, leading to expired and damaged goods being supplied to Ford Corporation.
Without those goods, Ford Corporation’s research and production would be halted. Since
the contract was signed, they had to absorb the loss and repurchase.
Liesel had supported Elijah to help Ford Corporation’s future collaboration with Hardin Group, not out of any conspiratorial motives with Elijah.
But in Natalie’s eyes, it seemed Liesel and Elijah were doing unspeakable things together.
Had Liesel even had the time for that over the past three years? She barely had time to rest. She had constantly worked on learning, traveling for business, or dealing with Jacob’s emotional outbursts.
Her health had deteriorated so much. Where would she have the energy to get together with Elijah?
“From now on, don’t bring up Liesel and Elijah, Jacob ordered. “We’re divorced now, and she is free to be with whoever she chooses.”
Natalie was still bewildered. She was unable to understand Jacob’s shifting emotions. He had been angry about Liesel and Elijah just a short while ago, but now he was saying this.
She had no choice but to suppress her own thoughts.
After Natalie left, Jacob opened a jewelry auction and looked at a pair of red diamond earrings. He thought Liesel might like them. Bidding on these earrings would be his way of making amends.
22
