What a joke.
Liesel had always been polite and soft–spoken before Jacob, but right now, her appear animated.
her
anger made
Jacob ran his fingers over the paper. “I just want Natalie to learn and grow from this. After what happened with Elijah, I’ll get the other secretaries to review every contract she is in charge of before sending it out to ensure that there won’t be any mistakes.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Mr. Ford, Liesel said. Her eyes flashed.
Just as she was about to leave, Jacob’s low voice sounded from behind. “I saw your medical report. You should get some rest.”
Liesel did not turn around. She just nodded slightly before walking toward the door.
Just then, someone knocked sharply on the door.
Liesel opened the door. A young woman stood outside. She was tall and had a great figure. Unlike Liesel, whose beauty was hidden under a cold demeanor, the woman carried herself with grace and gentleness.
When she saw Liesel, joy appeared on her face. “Oh, you’re here too, Liesel!”
Jacob and Liesel were taken aback by her affectionate tone.
The young woman was Jacob’s cousin, Ophelia Ford, the only daughter of his uncle Matthew Ford. She was Matthew’s only daughter, so he had high hopes for her.
Ophelia stepped forward and hugged Liesel’s arm while swaying slightly. She had the looks of a noble, but she was sweet and docile in demeanor.
“Liesel, my school’s having a Homecoming Day celebration tomorrow. I’ll be doing a dance. performance, but I need someone to be my accompanist on the piano. Everyone in the music department is occupied. You’re the only hope I have left, Liesel!”
She stared up at Liesel imploringly and waited for her to say yes,
Liesel laughed, amused. She tapped her on the forehead with a finger.
“In that case, I will have to help you.”
“Thank you, Liesel!”
Ophelia smiled wide. Then, she turned to Jacob. “Jacob, you’re going too,” she said nonchalantly.
Finally, she remembered him.
12
Chapter 22
+25 BONUS
Jacob hummed in acquiescence. He did not correct Ophelia about the way she had addressed Liesel.
Smiling sweetly, Ophelia pulled Liesel toward the couch. She had a lot of stories from school that she wanted to tell her.
Liesel was a little exasperated when Ophelia kept acting affectionate. Clearly, she thought. that Liesel was still married to Jacob.
She was just about to tell her the truth when the office door opened again. Ophelia thought that it was Jacob’s other executive secretary, Drew Shepard, so she didn’t pay much attention to the newcomer.
The next moment, she heard a soft, female voice calling out to Jacob. “Jake.”
Excuse her? What was that?
She wasn’t allowed to call him by that nickname!
Ophelia shot to her feet, no longer calm and amicable. Her expression was severe.
Liesel could see how she was related to Jacob. Like him, her scowl was enough to make
someone tense.
“Did you just call my brother Jake? O
over. Her expression was disdainful.
strode over to Natalie and gave her a once-
Natalie was confused for a moment, but she quickly realized that this was Ophelia, Jacob’s
beloved cousin.
She immediately put on a kind smile. “Hello, Ms. Ford. I’m Jacob’s lover.”
Ophelia’s expression twisted in surprise. She whipped her head around to stare at Jacob.” Have you gone insane, Jacob?”
