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Chapter 90: How Will You Explain It?
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Just as Serena was about to hit her head on the steps, she realized she'd miscalculated. She’d only intended to fall gently, not mar her beauty. In a gut reaction, she threw her hands up to protect her face, but the fall was still brutal.
There was a thud that echoed, arresting the attention of everyone present.
"Serena!"
Her friends flocked around her as the rest of the group from the private room converged. Lillian stood still, her hand frozen in the air, her heart tightening. She had not even touched Serena. So, how did she fall? A twisted ankle, perhaps?
Then, an icy voice cut through the buzz.
"What happened?"
Oliver and Mason were here. Oliver’s gaze swept over Lillian, her disheveled hair, and his expression darkened. He grasped her shoulders, straightening her stance.
"Did she hit you?"
In that moment, Lillian was stunned, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and uncertainty. Could it be that Oliver not
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Lillian remained silent, lost in contemplation. Sophie released a sigh through the phone. "I know she once helped you, and it's like you're seeing her through rose-colored glasses. But think about it, even her help back then had ulterior motives. Sure, we can repay her kindness in some other way, but that doesn't imply she won't harm you now.""I understand," Lillian nodded, albeit to herself.Sophie detected low spirits in Lillian's tone and suggested, "Why don't you come over tonight? We can talk. I can call in sick tomorrow, stay up all night with you.""No, it's alright," Lillian shook her head gently. "Grandma’s waiting at home. I can’t skip."And besides, the night's events had cleared away any illusions she might have harbored after Ji Qingbei's words. All fantasies were effectively shattered.Blame whom? Herself, for harboring hopes of impossibilities."Alright, then hurry back. It’s not good to sit outside the hotel in this wind. It's piercing my ears just hearing it; aren’t
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With this in mind, Kartika averted her gaze, a veiled distance echoing in her voice, “Planning on settling down here long-term?”“Yeah, everything should be stable in about half a month.”At that, Kartika replied, “Then consider this an early congratulations on your return. However, I foresee my schedule being quite packed. It's unlikely I'll have spare time to hang out.”Dima needed no further hints to grasp the subtle rejection in Kartika’s tone. Yet, the impulsive youth he once was had evolved into a more patient man. Years had taught him not to rush things—for Kartika, he was willing to play a long game.“It's alright,” he maintained his calm, “We can catch up whenever you’re free. Just don’t forget this old friend, even after all these years."His unexpected composure left Kartika second-guessing her earlier assumption. Had she misunderstood his intentions?Quickly, she made peace with the idea. It was possible that Dima, after five years abroad, already had a girlfriend. The tie
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Farhan's words paused, trailing off as they should have been followed by the revelation: I saw you come back in Dima's car.But the words never quite made it past his lips. Perhaps, he thought, she'd clarify things herself, especially after being dropped off right at their door.However, to Kartika's ears, she assumed he was broaching the topic of Lestari's accident. She was certain she hadn't pushed her, but there was little point in explaining—would he even believe her?He'd probably only believe in "his" Lestari, right?With this in mind, Kartika looked squarely at Farhan and retorted with a question of her own, "What did she tell you?""What?" Farhan was taken aback, his mind still preoccupied with her return in Dima's vehicle.After a beat, he caught up to what Kartika was asking about. "You mean Lestari?"The affection in his voice for Lestari didn't escape Kartika, prompting a mocking smile, "Yes. She got hurt, didn't she? If I told you she fell on her own, would you believe me
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The more Lestari pondered, the more her resentment festered, igniting fury that paid no heed to the attempts at restraint. There stood Lee, Farhan's aide, called in post-work hours by an abrupt summons, now silently observing the commotion at the hospital's entrance, her outburst scattering debris like confetti. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a silent eyewitness to the unfolding drama, inwardly shaking his head at the facade crumbling before him. Despite the distressing idea of Lestari's potential scar, which the doctors had grimly predicted, his compassion was short-lived. The thought of Kartika's pregnancy instantly striped away any pity for Lestari. Especially when her friends incessantly insinuated to the all-too-trusting Farhan that it was Kartika who had pushed Lestari. How could Kartika, already silently bearing the brunt of her pregnancy, be responsible for such an act? If so, surely there must have been provocation. Lee's loyalty obviously lay with Karti
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With that stern edict, Farhan turned and made his way back up the hospital stairway, each step measured and resolute. Lee's mission to fetch back the defiant assistant was cut short when he saw Farhan's return. Pausing, he steeled himself for confrontation. "Mr. Qin, about Lestari, she—"Before they could finish, Farhan strode past without a sideways glance, consumed by the aftershocks of his clash with Kartika, and oozing an aura frostier than the hospital's antiseptic corridors.The crowd of women, picking up on the icy blast emanating from him, stood frozen in place, none daring to intercept him with questions or pleas.Yet Farhan hesitated at their silent stares, pivoting to scrutinize one among them."You, why are you still here?" he questioned, his voice razor-sharp, pinning Suo Qiao beneath an arctic stare that sent shivers down her spine, her mind scrambling for an alibi."Farhan!" In the midst of this standoff, Lestari's desperate voice echoed from across the hall.They all
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Lestari was dumbstruck, feeling all color drain from her face.She could never have anticipated Farhan's words. What did he mean by advising her to be more careful next time? So, was he implying that today's fall, her injuries, were all her doing, and that Kartika had nothing to do with it? He wasn't planning on holding Kartika accountable, was he?No, that was not what she should be focusing on right now. The question at hand was why Farhan had returned with such a change of heart. It must have been something Kartika said, Lestari concluded, her face paling at the thought.In an instant, overwhelmed by her swirling emotions, Lestari lunged at Farhan, sobbing softly in his embrace."I'm sorry, I'll remember what you said. It's just...my wound hurts so much, and the doctors...they said it will scar. My mind is a mess right now. Where did you go earlier? Farhan, did you hear about the scar and think I'll be ugly... that you won’t want me anymore?"The soft warmth clinging to him only ag
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Kartika stood perplexed, the color draining from her face at Farhan’s words.She didn't expect him to say that—implying the accident was her own fault and clearing Kartika of any wrongdoing. It became clear that any hopes of peaceful coexistence with Lestari had dissipated, and Lestari would most likely blame Kartika for the fall, regardless of what had happened.It seemed Kartika would have to be more vigilant around Lestari from now on; the woman was not as simple as Kartika had initially thought. She might have pretended gentleness and vulnerability, which would be fine if true to her nature, but a façade hiding malice was a different matter altogether.“I’ll take good care of myself,” Kartika reassured Vina. “And look, her plot against me backfired, didn’t it?”“Yes,” Vina agreed with a nod. “It’s comforting when the harm intended for others rebounds upon the instigator.”Their conversation was interrupted as the waiter served up another sweet treat for Kartika.Vina’s eyes widene
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The room fell silent at Su Qiao's unexpected suggestion. Everyone stopped to consider the possibility—Duan Ziye was a thug and literally a desperado, making him the perfect candidate for some dirty work.Lestari was shocked by Su Qiao's words and quickly tried to dissuade Duan Ziye from considering it. However, Duan Ziye was resolute in his conviction, indicating that he had never done anything significant for Lestari in the past but had sworn never to let anyone hurt her. If anyone dared, they would have to answer to him.Lestari's friends did not want her to speak well of Kartika anymore, asking Lestari what she had done to deserve Kartika's visit or any concern. The consensus was that since Kartika had not shown up for Lestari nor shown any remorse, she did not deserve any kindness in return.Lestari lowered her eyes in sadness, "I was just..."However, the others wouldn't let her finish. They knew of her kind nature, but they were not willing to be as forgiving if they were treate
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With these thoughts, Kartika let out a mocking laugh, her eyes looking at him with a cold intensity. "If you have needs, go to Lestari."Farhan's eyes darkened with a shadow of anger as he bit down hard. "I want you, no one else."Despite Kartika slapping him and telling him to leave, Farhan’s grip on her wrist tightened as he raised his voice in frustration. "Angry? Weren't you playing the role of the dutiful wife quite well these past days? Why stop acting now?"Furiously struggling against his grasp, Kartika no longer had any desire to reason with Farhan, her sole focus was to free herself.As he watched Kartika's vehement resistance, Farhan felt both irritated and pity. Recalling the recent conversations with Ji Qingbei and Mrs. Qin, he gripped her wrist tighter. "These were your own words before, so why are you angry now? Shen Nuonuo, what are you angry about?"He was trying to confirm something with his intense gaze. "Are you upset because I said you’re just a physiological need
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