Liesel laughed. “Then again, you did the same thing too.
“For Natalie, you made me leave the secretary department and told me to be the manager of the project department.
“The victim should be the one to avoid the abuser. The victim should forgive the abuser, and should not take revenge on them…
As she spoke, her smile widened. “Do you hear how ridiculous you sound right now, Mr. Ford?”
Jacob stared at her silently.
Liesel did not continue to press on. She laughed again and poured herself a glass of water to wash down the sweetness of the dessert.
There was sweetness on her tongue, but bitterness in her heart.
I’m sorry. I misjudged you. I see now that Ophelia had acted on her own accord today,” he said. His voice softened.
Seeing that he was about to leave, Liesel put down her glass on the table with a loud thud.
“Wait. Don’t confront Ophelia,” she said. Jacob turned. “Don’t make her relive her trauma.
Ophelia had been traumatized by the suicide of her best friend, which was caused by her friend’s stepmother and half–sister.
She had only been a teenager at the time. Therefore, she loathed homewreckers and illegitimate children with a passion.
“I will talk to Ophelia.” Jacob gave Liesel a look. Just as he was about to say something else, an old man’s voice sounded.
“Jake, Lili, you’re here too!”
It was Vincent.
Both of them froze awkwardly.
Vincent did not seem to notice anything wrong. He introduced Jacob and Liesel to his
friends with a wide smile.
His friend had an unmarried grandson who was already in his thirties. Vincent bragged, These two got married several years ago. They told me they’re going to give me a great- grandchild soon!”
He did not notice that Liesel had blanched.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 29
She placed a hand instinctively at her belly while keeping a light no one would notice anything wrong
le on her face so that
Once Vincent was done bragging, he said to them, “I need to talk to my friend. You can leave if you have somewhere else to be.
“Oh, by the way, didn’t you say that you wanted to try the food market near Alden University? It’s open today. I saw some new shops. You can get Jake to bring you there.”
Liesel paused. She was about to turn Vincent down when Jacob agreed to it.
Drew had already returned by that time and was waiting outside the restaurant. He raised his eyebrows when he saw Jacob coming out with Liesel. “Where are you headed next, Mr. Ford?”
“The food market at Alden University,” Jacob said lightly.
“There’s no need for that. Just send me home.”
Liesel didn’t want to go to the market with Jacob. She would rather get some rest at home.
“It’s fine. Treat this as an apology.”
Jacob did not let her back out of the trip. He gave Drew a look. Drew understood immediately and started the car.
The car arrived at the food market near Alden University.
The university was having some sort of event, so the market was especially packed. Thin wisps of smoke filled the air, along with the fragrant smell of barbeque. It seeped through the windows and into the car.
Liesel hadn’t had much to eat at the Royale Restaurant. She had only intended to try out the new menu, but one of them contained fish, which made her nauseous. She didn’t eat much of the food in the end. Until now, she was still fighting her nausea.
Now, surrounded by the smell of barbeque, she found herself starving.
