Glancing at the number displayed on her phone screen, Rebecca Quentin’s body stiffened. She hesitated between answering and ignoring the call.
"Is that Mr. Geoffrey calling?" Aunt Clare asked. She had already seen the number displayed on Rebecca’s phone screen.
To avoid Aunt Clare’s suspicion, Rebecca forced a sweet smile. "Yes."
"Then answer it quickly. Having Mr. Geoffrey’s help would be best."
Aunt Clare had originally thought Howard Geoffrey wouldn’t help Rebecca, considering the plaintiff was the woman Howard cherished most. But after seeing Rebecca successfully get his help last time, Aunt Clare didn’t try to stop her this time.
"Um, okay." Under Aunt Clare’s expectant gaze, Rebecca answered the call she least wanted to receive in her life. "Hello..."
Howard Geoffrey’s cold voice came from the phone. "Where are you?"
Her heart felt like ice, but she managed a smile and feigned a coquettish tone. "I’m out having dinner with Aunt Clare!"
"Come back!" The two words were devoid of warmth, a clear indication of his extreme displeasure.
"Alright, I’ll head home right away. Please send someone to pick me up!"
Rebecca put down her phone. She feigned a shy expression to hide her embarrassment and whispered, "He’s always , getting very anxious whenever he can’t find me..."
Aunt Clare nodded. "You should go back then. It’s a good opportunity to talk to him about Old Master Geoffrey’s affairs tonight."
Although Rebecca’s acting was convincing, Aunt Clare remained skeptical.
Rebecca stood up and reluctantly agreed, "Alright... Okay!"
Aunt Clare walked Rebecca out of the café. She only truly believed Rebecca’s words when she saw her get into the car Howard Geoffrey had sent.
The car smoothly entered the Geoffrey estate.
Rebecca Quentin took a deep breath before stepping into the villa.
Howard Geoffrey was sitting on a soft couch in a dimly lit part of the living room. His long legs were crossed, and he held a glass of some unknown liquid in his right hand.
He was watching the liquid swirl in his glass as he spoke, his voice cold, "You seem to have forgotten my warning."
He had warned her not to go anywhere without his permission.
He had used such cruel means to make her remember his every word. Of course, she remembered. But right now, she didn’t want to speak to him.
So, Rebecca stood a short distance away from him, silent.
She knew her current mood stemmed from the morning’s events, but she couldn’t control herself, even though she was aware her actions might have serious consequences.
Howard Geoffrey got up, set down his glass, and walked towards her.
She turned her head, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
He grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him. His eyes, glinting with an eerie, dangerous light in the dimness, bored into hers.
She closed her eyes, enduring his touch but remaining silent.
His slender fingers traced a path from her cheek, slowly down to her jawline.
Suddenly, his hand clamped around her throat, applying pressure.
She trembled in pain but clenched her jaw, refusing to open her eyes.
He gradually tightened his grip. Pain contorted her features, and her breathing became increasingly labored...
Just as her face turned deathly pale, he suddenly released her.
She choked, stumbling back several steps. Clutching her chest, she looked at him with despair, her voice weak. "Go on, why don’t you? You want me dead, don’t you? Fine, I’ll make it easy for you. Kill me!"
He seemed unfazed, his lips curling as he coldly uttered, "Do you really want to die?"
Her face was ashen, like a wilted flower. A despairing laugh, laced with deep hatred, escaped her. "You’re so rational. How could you impulsively commit murder over someone like me? I’m just curious, what exactly did I do to offend you, to warrant so much of your... attention?"
Her words dripped with hatred. No one knew that as she spoke, she was fiercely pinching her own thigh, the pain a stark reminder:
Rebecca, you can’t cry. Even if you have nothing left, you cannot lose your dignity in front of this man...
He didn’t respond, merely watching her defiant expression.
She looked back at him, her tone laced with sarcasm. "What’s wrong, Mr. Geoffrey? Silent now?"
She noticed the enduring coldness and ruthlessness on his face. She seemed to want to say more, but her vision suddenly went black, and she collapsed before him...
「Daylight had long since broken.」
The curtains remained tightly drawn. Rebecca Quentin awoke from what felt like a harrowing dream, tear tracks still damp on her cheeks...
Sitting up, she recalled the previous night. Their conversation replayed vividly in her mind. She wiped the lingering tears from her eyes, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Suddenly remembering what day it was, she stopped wondering how she’d ended up in this bed. Rubbing her stomach, she quickly got out of bed.
Rebecca picked up her phone and, as expected, saw several missed calls from Aunt Clare.
She anxiously dialed back. As she did, she inadvertently glanced at the time displayed on her phone: it was already noon. Rebecca froze, momentarily stunned.
Just as she was lost in thought, her phone suddenly vibrated.
Seeing Aunt Clare’s number on the screen, Rebecca snapped out of her daze and quickly answered, "Aunt Clare, the court hearing..."
Aunt Clare interrupted her, her tone surprisingly light. "With the lawyer Mr. Geoffrey arranged, the hearing actually went well."
Rebecca’s eyes widened in shock. "He... he helped?"
"Of course. Didn’t you ask him for help?"
"Uh, yes... You said it went well. What was the outcome?"
"Although the other side had substantial evidence, our lawyer managed to raise some points of doubt. The judge found it difficult to rule, so a second hearing has been scheduled. The lawyer said he wasn’t fully prepared this time but is confident he can win the case next time."
Rebecca slowly let out a breath of relief. "That’s good."
"Miss, Mr. Geoffrey mentioned you weren’t feeling well last night. Are you alright now?"
"I’m fine. I think I just caught a chill last night. My stomach has been bothering me..."
As Rebecca strolled through the garden, she couldn’t fathom why Howard Geoffrey would help her. She found herself alternating between frustrated thoughts and sighs...
Noticing Rebecca’s preoccupied expression, a maid couldn’t help but ask, "Young Madame, is something troubling you?"