What a joke.Liesel had always been polite and soft-spoken before Jacob, but right now, her anger made her appear animated.Jacob ran his fingers over the paper. "I just want Natalie to learn and grow from this. After what happened with Elijah, I'll get the other secretaries to review every contract she is in charge of before sending it out to ensure that there won't be any mistakes.""I hope you know what you're doing, Mr. Ford," Liesel said. Her eyes flashed.Just as she was about to leave, Jacob's low voice sounded from behind. "I saw your medical report. You should get some rest."Liesel did not turn around. She just nodded slightly before walking toward the door.Just then, someone knocked sharply on the door.Liesel opened the door. A young woman stood outside. She was tall and had a great figure. Unlike Liesel, whose beauty was hidden under a cold demeanor, the woman carried herself with grace and gentleness.When she saw Liesel, joy appeared on her face. "Oh, you're her
Ophelia was the only one who could speak to Jacob so rudely. "Jacob, you're married. Are you having an extramarital affair? Have you been corrupted by high society as well?"She was shocked beyond coherence. "How can you be so immoral? The Ford family taught you better than that!" she continued babbling without giving Jacob a chance to reply. She looked shocked.The word "immoral" made Jacob laugh out of sheer anger. Lowly, he said, "Ophelia Ford, stop spouting nonsense.""I'm not spouting nonsense! You are having an affair. I'm just telling the truth!" Ophelia clenched her fists. "Don't worry, Liesel. I'll tell Grandpa when I get home. He'll teach his jerk a lesson!""Ophelia, Jacob and I got a divorce," Liesel said. She stopped Ophelia before she could do anything rash. Her voice was calm as if she was telling a story that she wasn't involved in. "Don't tell Grandpa. He's getting on in age and won't be able to take the shock."Ophelia stopped. She turned to stare at Liesel in sh
"Your sister? Who's your sister? Did you just call Liesel your sister? You—"Ophelia turned to Jacob and Liesel. She needed a proper explanation as to who Natalie was right now.Natalie looked upset. "Liesel is my elder sister, Ms. Ford."Ophelia was so shocked that she stumbled unsteadily on her feet."I know you despise me because of the circumstances of my birth, but how is that my fault? My mother made a mistake in the past. I didn't know anything about that when I was born. I'm innocent. I didn't even know that Jacob was my brother-in-law when I fell in love with him," Natalie sobbed.Ophelia felt as if a bomb had exploded in her mind, set off by Natalie's words.The circumstances of Natalie's birth, her mother's mistake, she was innocent…All this just to say that she was an illegitimate child born out of wedlock who became the mistress of her sister's husband.She looked at Natalie's frail demeanor, and disgust welled up in her heart. Unable to restrain herself, she slap
"Will Ms. Ford really ever be protective of me? I think she hates me," Natalie said timidly. Her voice was choked up.Liesel did not continue eavesdropping. She closed the door, ignoring the both of them.As soon as the door closed, Natalie sat down on the armrest of Jacob's chair. Her fingers fiddled with the collar of his shirt as she asked timidly, "Jake, can I attend the Homecoming Day Ms. Ford mentioned as well? I'm an alumni of Alden University too, and I haven't been back to visit the campus for quite some time."She pressed her face close to Jacob's. "Plus, I don't want you to go with Liesel. That makes it look like you two are a couple. I don't like it."Her voice was soft and coquettish. She sounded like she was fully dependent on Jacob.Jacob ruffled her hair and changed the subject. "The Royale Restaurant's new menu has some desserts that you like. I'll take you there to try them."Natalie clung to Jacob's arm while gently swaying. "Will you bring me to Alden's Home
"It's me." Ophelia looked at Natalie coldly with a haughty attitude. Natalie put down her fork and straightened her back. She smiled kindly. "Fancy meeting you here, Ms. Ford.""It wasn't a coincidence," Ophelia smiled coldly. "I'm here to talk to you."Natalie was surprised. She didn't say anything, as she didn't know why Ophelia wanted to talk to her."I just wanted to see what kind of woman would follow in her mother's footsteps and knowingly be a homewrecker by ruining a perfectly good marriage," Ophelia said scathingly. Her smile had dropped.Natalie's smile remained, but she was also staring at Ophelia consideringly.Ophelia dressed lavishly, which fit her role as the daughter of the Ford family.From the way she dressed to the way she carried herself, she looked like the emblem of a socialite.Before Natalie could say anything, Ophelia plowed on. "I want to talk to you so that I can check you out properly. You're not much, aren't you? I don't know what Jacob sees in you
Natalie stumbled out of the Royale Restaurant. Outside, the cold wind chilled her.Her hair and clothes were wet. The wet fabric clung to her skin, making her shiver as the wind swept over her.Natalie hurried over to the curb. She wanted to call a cab.Head lowered, she did not dare to look at anyone, so she ran straight into a firm chest."Natalie?"Hearing her name, Natalie looked up and saw Jacob's frowning face.Apart from his scowl, there was no discernible expression on his face. He towered over her and was blocking the harsh wind.Standing in front of her, with his arms supporting her, Jacob felt safe and sturdy.The warmth from his hands transferred to her skin.Natalie's tears suddenly began flowing as she looked up at Jacob.She couldn't bring herself to say anything. All she could do was cry.Jacob paused for a moment before saying, "Let's get you into the car."Natalie got into Jacob's car. She noticed that he'd really gotten a new car. He wasn't driving Liesel
Liesel’s voice was nonchalant. She wasn't scared of him at all.The look she gave Jacob was also blank and impassive.She pushed down the pang in her heart forcefully.How could she not be upset?They'd been married for three years. Jacob knew exactly what kind of person she was.She'd never bothered with such despicable tactics. However, it seemed like that was what Jacob thought of her.What a joke.Jacob's expression was cold. He clearly did not feel anything for her anymore. "You're close with Ophelia. She did that to Natalie because of you."Liesel poked at the strawberry on her plate. It had almost been reduced to a mash. "Have you considered the fact that maybe Ophelia just doesn't like cheaters and illegitimate children?"Liesel's gaze was firm and steadfast."Ophelia hates them because her best friend in school committed suicide because of her stepmother and her stepmother's daughter."You should know why she hates them. You can't blame me for this." "Then why are
Liesel laughed. "Then again, you did the same thing too."For Natalie, you made me leave the secretary department and told me to be the manager of the project department."The victim should be the one to avoid the abuser. The victim should forgive the abuser, and should not take revenge on them…"As she spoke, her smile widened. "Do you hear how ridiculous you sound right now, Mr. Ford?"Jacob stared at her silently.Liesel did not continue to press on. She laughed again and poured herself a glass of water to wash down the sweetness of the dessert.There was sweetness on her tongue, but bitterness in her heart."I'm sorry. I misjudged you. I see now that Ophelia had acted on her own accord today," he said. His voice softened.Seeing that he was about to leave, Liesel put down her glass on the table with a loud thud. "Wait. Don't confront Ophelia," she said. Jacob turned. "Don't make her relive her trauma."Ophelia had been traumatized by the suicide of her best friend, which