Liesel looked at Jacob. Her tone was calm as she said, “I don’t owe Natalie anything, nor do I owe you. Work-wise, I’m only her senior. Regarding my personal life, my mother didn’t owe her anything.
“Natalie came knocking on our door when her mother chose to marry another. No woman can accept her husband’s illegitimate daughter. She might have had Natalie sent to the countryside, but Natalie was also given more than enough money to survive there.
“I don’t owe her, whether professionally or personally. Why should I be more accommodating and tolerant of her? Why should I back down when facing off against her?”
When she finished her speech, silence descended upon the car. Jacob looked at her. She wore a simple dress that clung to her curves, and her delicate features were arranged into her usual mask of aloofness.
There was something cold and tenacious about her. She was so brilliant that one could almost neglect her beauty.
His gaze flitted over her eyes. After a moment of silence, he said gently, “I’m sorry. I didn’t handle this matter appropriately.”
Liesel didn’t say anything. He looked her in the eye and said, “I shouldn’t have made you suppress yourself and back down for Natalie’s sake. You’re a wonderful woman, Liesel. Even though we’re divorced now, I still hope you’ll live your own life.”
She clenched her fists and tried to keep her tears at bay. She couldn’t deny that she really, really liked Jacob. However, certain things just couldn’t be forced.
…
Liesel headed home. She had someone ask around about the doctor Jacob was going to arrange to examine her. Meanwhile, Chelsea was worried. “Can’t you just tell him the truth? He might not be that cruel. You two were together for three years, after all.”
“I’d rather not.” Liesel caressed her belly. She was silent for a while before saying, “Since I can’t abort the child, there’s no need to let Jacob know about this. We’re already divorced, and this child is part of my life now. I’ll need your help dealing with the doctor.”
Whatever it was, she couldn’t let Jacob find out about the baby.
Chelsea didn’t object. She seemed to think of something and said, “Natalie used to intern at Shifter Corporation. Do you think it’s just a coincidence, or does she know something?”
This came as a surprise to Liesel. Natalie had interned at Shifter Corporation? Did she know it belonged to Liesel, or…
It piqued Liesel’s suspicions, but she didn’t dwell on the matter. “It’s probably just a coincidence. She graduated from Alden University, and Shifter Corporation does campus recruitments there, too.”
Chelsea had only brought it up since it had occurred to her. She smiled and said, “Mr. Shifter and Neal should be back soon, right? I’m sure you’ll feel more secure with them around.”
Neal Shifter was Jonathan’s son, and the Shifter family had been managing Shifter Corporation on Liesel’s behalf all these years. Since Heather’s passing, the Shifters had become like family to Liesel.
She smiled, and a rare hint of relief flashed in her eyes.
…
The following day, news of Uriah’s downfall broke out. Elijah looked like a dandy playboy but had surprisingly ruthless methods.
He’d gotten someone to leak information on the dirty tricks Uriah had pulled to the paparazzi. Coincidentally, Uriah had recently killed someone while driving under the influence and had gotten a scapegoat to take the fall. Thanks to everything being lumped together, he was soon arrested.
Elijah had proper quality stocks delivered to Ford Corporation in exchange for the subpar stocks. When Liesel went to handle the handover, he watched her with interest.
“Don’t you trust me, Ms. Sharp?” He raised an eyebrow and eyed the light sheen of sweat at her temples. His gaze turned pointed.
