Jacob stared at Liesel in a prolonged silence, as if trying to decipher something through her eyes. Their gazes remained locked in the quietness, and the air was so still that they could hear each other’s breathing.
The high–end gray tablecloth, the polished tableware bathed in light, the delicate pastries on the table, and the ice bucket holding the red wine all made the room feel less like a lounge and more like a VIP room.
As Jacob picked up the decanter, he slowly made his way to Liesel’s side.
She froze momentarily and gazed at him, only to see him pour her a glass of wine. His shadow cast over her. He cast an invisible pressure that made it almost hard to breathe.
It felt as if he was imposing his will on her yes, for Natalie’s sake.
The iciness in Liesel’s gaze intensified. “What does this mean now, Mr. Ford?”
Jacob shot her a glance. “Wine? I remember you like the ones from this particular winery. The grapes from this vintage have a wonderful flavor, giving it a much richer taste. You should give it a try.”
He pushed the wine glass toward her hand.
Liesel struggled to ascertain his intentions. Denzel mentioned that she could drink red wine from this particular brand, so a glass wouldn’t hurt.
She lowered her gaze, and her more complex emotions were concealed.
As she tilted the glass, the crimson wine–with slight bitterness–gradually slid down her throat. It left a lingering sweetness. She seemed to be either tasting the wine or waiting for Jacob’s response.
“Natalie isn’t what you think.” He finally piped up.
Liesel was taken aback for a fleeting moment. When she met his deep and somber eyes, she felt a palpable sense of pressure.
His towering figure blocked part of the light, and she could vividly see the chill lurking in his gaze. It was like a black hole that would swallow everything in its path.
As expected, he reacted exactly as she had assumed–defending her at first chance.
“It’s ironic, you know?”
Jacob looked at her with furrowed brows, after which she smiled and grabbed his hand.
His fingers were long and slender, and perhaps because of the iced wine bottle, his palm felt cold. Even just a touch was enough to feel his bone–chilling tension.
12
+25 BONUS
Chapter 45
Liesel raised her head to look at the man before her. She had a weak alcohol tolerance, and with just a glass, she became tipsy.
Using the last remnant of her consciousness, she slowly uttered, “So, what is Natalie like then? To you, she’s innocent, kind, and wonderful. In my eyes, however, she’s a selfish, skeptical, sensitive, and pathetic parasite who is squirming in the dirt.
“She took away my father, my husband, my job. She envies and resents me, so she takes away everything I have. It’s like she planned this from the start, yet you… You’re telling me she’s not like that.”
After letting out a scoff, she grabbed at Jacob’s collar. Despite his displeasure, he still bent down for her.
She crept toward his face. Her breath was infused with the sweet aroma of red wine and chocolate. It was rich and alluring with a hint of sultry warmth.
“She took away my everything, yet she’s the clueless and innocent one? I’ve stuck with you for three years, Jacob.”
Her cold gaze displayed hints of disorientation, and her olive–green gown added a touch of understated elegance and aloofness. She stared at him and asked, “After everything, are you just going to choose her over me?”
