CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

Thalia saw Lindis's humble and apologetic posture, feeling a sense of triumph within. However, she didn't show it on her face. Thalia expressed sympathy and then looked up at Liam.

"Darling, don't be too hard on Lindis. After all, she's working right now. I don't think she's unwilling to eat with us," Thalia said, smiling gently, before turning to the restaurant manager. "My husband is a bit upset today, which makes both of us uncomfortable. Alright, you two can leave."

Hearing Thalia call Liam "husband", Lindis couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. She knew that they were meant to be together, and she was just the third wheel ruining their happiness. Considering that she and Liam had no connection anymore, he was now Thalia's husband, and she had no right to be upset with the man she once loved.

"Thank you both for your understanding," Lindis said as she lowered her head to hide her emotions.

In a corner of the room, the restaurant manager looked at Lindis and sighed in frustration.

"Do you know who these two are? Do you know who that man is? He's Liam Green, the CEO of the VIN Group and the owner of this restaurant. Just one disapproving look from him, and you would have lost your job, not to mention the trouble it would have caused me. Fortunately, Ms. Thalia helped you soothe his anger."

Lindis pressed her lips together, feeling a deep sense of discomfort. She hadn't done anything wrong, and initially, the couple had been unreasonable. But now, all the blame seemed to be falling on her. 

"I'm truly sorry, I promise it won't happen again," Lindis apologized, hoping to keep her job.

The manager could see Lindis's sincerity, but the situation wasn't as simple as a mere apology. He didn't know how Liam Green was feeling right now. If Liam was still upset with Lindis, Lindis might have to quit her job after today.

"If you want to maintain your dignity, it might be best to resign," the manager said sternly and coldly before leaving.

Lindis continued to bow her head, her eyes welling up with tears, but she tried to hold them back. Some of the other employees noticed but refrained from comforting her, not wanting to get involved.

Even though she knew she wasn't in the wrong, Lindis understood that she had no right to speak up. Her emotions were mixed; last night, she had seen her ex-husband and his friends at XOX, and now, she was faced with her ex-husband and his new wife. What Lindis didn't expect was that this five-star restaurant was owned by Liam.

In a private room, Thalia happily enjoyed her meal and chatted with Liam. She had claimed Liam as her husband, but he hadn't reacted as if he agreed with it, which pleased her. What pleased her even more was that she had called Liam her husband in front of his ex-wife, Lindis, who couldn't do anything about it.

However, Thalia found it coincidental that they had encountered Lindis again. She feared that Liam might have orchestrated this situation, so she asked, "Darling, did you know that Lindis works here as a server?"

Liam shook his head and immediately replied, "No, I had no idea. This is a restaurant I often visit. I also ran into her at XOX last night."

Hearing this, Thalia couldn't help but wonder, "Could she be supported by some wealthy man? Otherwise, how could she afford to go to XOX?"

Liam maintained his usual expression as he answered, "She works as a server there."

Upon hearing this, Thalia felt a sense of satisfaction. She believed that lowly and humble work suited Lindis. While Thalia knew Liam didn't love Lindis, and their marriage was just a three-year contract that had ended five years ago, her jealousy for Lindis had never diminished. Eight years ago, if it weren't for Lindis, she and Liam might have been together. Thalia couldn't forgive Lindis, even though Lindis was now just Liam's ex-wife, so it allowed her to mistreat Lindis as she pleased.

"Did we upset Lindis just now?" Thalia seemed apologetic and regretful about her recent actions. "I just wanted her to join us for a meal."

"Thalia, you don't need to feel guilty or regretful. Someone like her doesn't deserve to dine with us," Liam recalled Lindis's unpleasant demeanor from earlier.

In the car, Thalia secretly observed Liam's expression. Liam wasn't one to smile; he was known to be quite fastidious and had cleanliness habits. Even after divorcing his ex-wife, Liam had never touched Thalia, and sometimes Thalia doubted whether Liam truly loved her or found her attractive enough to engage with.

"Liam, are you free tonight? Would you like to come over to my place for some tea?" Thalia asked hesitantly. Though they had defined their romantic relationship, Liam had never visited her home, and she had never been to his.

As usual, he responded immediately, "Let's do it some other time; I still have a few things to take care of."

Today, however, felt different to Thalia, and she feared that their encounter with Lindis may have triggered some thoughts in Liam. Regardless, she couldn't be certain if anything had transpired during the three years they had been living together that Liam hadn't shared with her.

"Liam... how do you feel about Lindis...?" Thalia wanted to know if Liam had any feelings for Lindis, perhaps sympathy. But before she could finish her sentence, Liam responded firmly, "I have no feelings for her, and you know I and her strangers to each other. I married Lindis because I was pressured by my grandfather. Thalia, you know this."

Thalia, of course, knew this, but she still felt uneasy, realizing her questions were making Liam uncomfortable. She quickly changed the subject, saying, "I know, I know you love me. I was just asking out of convenience; don't be angry." It was true, how could she doubt a man who had loved her for so many years? If Liam didn't love her, he wouldn't have bought her a house in the city center, expensive designer clothes, and even helped her family's company.

After Thalia finished speaking, the car stopped in front of her house. Liam turned to her and said, "Thalia, please don't ask such questions again. In my heart, there's only you, now and forever. I just want you to understand that. Alright, I have to go to the company now."

Thalia smiled and waved until Liam's car was out of sight, feeling content. She knew Liam was hers, and she wasn't afraid of his ex-wife Lindis taking him away.

But Lindis would pay for attempting to steal Liam from her.

"Yes, it's me. Today was really uncomfortable for me. What do you think you should do about this?" Thalia talked on the phone with a hidden smile on her face.

After receiving a satisfying answer, she hung up and happily entered her house, feeling victorious. "Lindis, don't blame me; it was your fault for taking Liam from me."

Soon after making dinner for her son, Lindis received a termination email from the MayMay restaurant. She wasn't too surprised by the result, she simply sighed. To fire a petite server like her, all it took was an email.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Leo looked puzzled at his mother.

"Nothing, did you have a good day at school?" Lindis asked her son, a question she often posed during their dinners together.

Leo began enthusiastically recounting his fun day at school. In the evening, once she was sure Leo was sound asleep, Lindis went to work at XOX.

Due to last night's incident, Isa had assigned Lindis primarily to work on the first floor, mainly serving general customers and cleaning up. However, as soon as Isa left after delegating tasks, the manager from the previous night, Kinta, approached Lindis once again.

"Ana, come with me quickly," Kinta said with a serious expression.

But Lindis remembered vividly what had happened the previous night, so she hastily replied, "Isa assigned me to stay here, I can't go with you." Lindis thought that her refusal would dissuade Kinta and he would find another employee, but it seemed it wouldn't be that simple.

"No, you must come with me. The customer wants you, and we can't keep them waiting," Kinta said, paying no attention to Lindis's objections as he quickly pulled her along.

Just like the previous day, it was Room 222 on the second floor. Lindis turned pale, afraid she might encounter Liam and his friends. While she needed this job, it didn't mean she was willing to let those guys toy with her. But Kinta had anticipated Lindis's desire to escape, so he held her hand tightly

"Do you remember us, Liam's ex-wife?" The man from yesterday teased, wanting Lindis to serve them.

Kinta led Lindis in and left. Lindis looked at the men in front of her, who were so intoxicated that they could hardly stand. Their vague and sinister gazes were fixated on Lindis. Earlier, the man had driven all the other girls serving them out because he only wanted Lindis.

The three men kept drinking and using some liquid substance that Lindis couldn't identify, but she guessed it was a prohibited substance. Nonetheless, this was a bar, and customers using illegal substances was almost routine, so Lindis wasn't overly surprised.

"Do you remember us? Today, Liam has a date with his girlfriend, so he couldn't make it. Feeling disappointed that your ex-husband isn't here, huh? No worries, the three of us will make sure you're satisfied," the man said as he pulled Lindis onto his lap, refusing to let go no matter how hard she struggled.