Ms. Lawson was taken aback by my bluntness. Caught off guard, she stammered, "I... I just think Max turned out this way because of his problematic family background. If he had grown up in a normal family, he would surely be a promising young talent now!""He managed to attend Johnsonville University and establish himself there, already rising above his family background. It was his own twisted mindset that led him astray. What goes around comes around - his current fate is entirely of his own doing!" I retorted.Many people in this world have worse family backgrounds, yet they don't resort to scheming and harming others for money like he did."Ms. Lawson, tell him that his mother will end up alone and destitute in her old age. All of this is the consequence of her son's actions!" I said firmly."Aren't you being too cruel?" she asked, taken aback."I could be even crueler. Would you like to hear more?" I challenged."I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come today," Ms. Lawson said, tossi
"I... I'm having my period," I admitted, feeling embarrassed as I covered my face.The pain was normal, so there was no need to go to the hospital.Seeing Luke's insistence, I decided to be honest with him.Luke stood there, holding me. I could see his brows furrowing as he processed my words through my fingers.Surely he understood what I meant by "period"?"It's my menstrual cycle," I clarified, explaining that women go through this every month.Blushing, I spoke softly, afraid he might not hear. "I... I don't have any sanitary pads. If you're willing to help, please put me down and buy some for me."What was I thinking, asking Luke to buy sanitary pads? I immediately regretted it. "Never mind, I'll get the pads myself."I could call the receptionist for assistance.Luke studied my face. "Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?""No, it's okay! Period pain is normal. Some hot water will help a lot."Some painkillers and a hot pad would be even better.I squirme
I thanked him and headed towards the bathroom. Just as I left the office, I ran into Joey. Lately, she had been coming to the company frequently, with or without appointments, and Luke always met with her. Various magazines and newspapers had been speculating about Luke and Joey's relationship. The perceptive receptionist always let Joey in directly."Ms. Parker," I greeted her briefly, planning to leave quickly because of my stomach pain.Joey glanced at the shopping bag in my hand. "Ms. Middleton, you look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?""Thank you for your concern, Ms. Parker. I'm fine," I replied distantly, feeling distant towards her.Joey blocked my path. "Ms. Middleton, are you having your period?"I smiled slightly, silently confirming her guess.Joey's grip on her bag tightened, her eyes turning cold. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.Not having spare clothes at the office and worried about staining, I sidestepped her and hurried to the bathroom.
I stared at Wendy in shock and asked, "Is this true?"Wendy shook her head and said, "It's just a rumor. They say he's an illegitimate child. Mrs. Walker had trouble conceiving, so the Walker family kept the child but not the mother, bringing Luke home to raise.""Makes Mrs. Walker's situation seem cruel," I mused. Few women could be so understanding. Maybe this explains why Mrs. Walker wants to control Luke so much."What if Mrs. Walker arranged the whole thing with the illegitimate child?" Wendy raised her eyebrows suggestively."You mean Mrs. Walker's marriage was arranged, she didn't like her husband, and didn't want to have his children, so she pushed him towards another woman?" I asked incredulously. It sounds like a far-fetched soap opera plot."I'm not sure about the exact reasons," Wendy explained. "On my recent business trip, I met someone who claimed to be Luke's high school classmate. While we were having dinner, I casually mentioned Luke. He was drunk and started goss
Wendy reacted swiftly, extending her foot as Annie approached me. "You wicked old woman! You failed to raise your son properly, and now you have the audacity to come after Jen!"Annie stumbled over Wendy's foot, losing her balance and screaming as she fell forward.Upon witnessing this, I swiftly retracted my hand and dodged out of the way."Annie, are you alright?" Ms. Lawson cried out, rushing to assist Annie. She scolded Wendy, "She's elderly! If she's seriously injured from this fall, you'll be held accountable!""She attacked first! We were merely defending ourselves!" Wendy retorted. Ms. Lawson may be a lawyer, but it was evident that her emotions were clouding her judgment.I stood by coldly, stating, "Ms. Lawson, you secured her medical parole. You should be keeping her under control, not allowing her to attack people like an aggressive dog!""Jen, you slut! Who are you calling a dog?" Annie howled in pain, pointing at me and spewing a torrent of vile insults."Shut your
"Your son is about to be executed, and yet you're here, enjoying a good meal. It seems like he doesn't mean much to you," I said, turning back to Annie before leaving. "If I were in your shoes, having raised a son like that, I would be too ashamed to show my face in public.""If she had any shame, she wouldn't have conspired with her son to drug you and harm your child," Wendy chimed in. "Not only do they refuse to apologize to the victim, but they're also trying to attack her. What is this world coming to?" She looked at Ms. Lawson as if she were crazy. "You better wake up, Ms. Lawyer, or you might find yourself with no one to turn to.""Please, stop! Annie hasn't had much of an appetite lately. It was my idea to bring her here!" Ms. Lawson pleaded.Annie leaned on Ms. Lawson, sobbing pitifully. Her age was showing, and after the beating, her hair was disheveled, and her face was swollen, making her look utterly miserable.Ms. Lawson, filled with sympathy, continued to wipe Annie'
"Jen, why are you so stubborn? Max has repented, that's why he signed the organ donation agreement! Do you know how many people his decision could help?" Ms. Lawson pleaded."The number of people he helps has nothing to do with me! I only remember how he destroyed my family and almost cost me my life! I won't allow him to be buried near my parents!" I retorted."Jen, you can't be so domineering!""That's because you've crossed my bottom line!""People need to learn to let go. You're being...""When you've been through what I have, then you can talk to me about letting go!"Unable to tolerate Ms. Lawson's self-righteous attitude any longer, I stormed off and called Wendy, telling her about Ms. Lawson's plan to bury Max in the same cemetery as my parents."She's buying a plot for that scumbag Max and taking care of his mother? What kind of spell did he cast on her?" Wendy exclaimed."Was I as unreasonable as Ms. Lawson is now when I was with Max before?" I asked, recalling my fat
"Max is dead now. Annie is a pitiful old woman who lost her son. Since you're so compassionate, why don't you give her your house for her retirement? You're still young and a lawyer. In a few years, you can buy another house.""You make it sound so easy! A house costs over a million. I'm still paying the mortgage. Where am I supposed to get money for another house?" Ms. Lawson retorted, flustered.I replied sarcastically, "Weren't you always telling me to let go? It's just a house. Compared to losing my parents and child, it's nothing. Should be easy to let go of.""I..." Ms. Lawson was at a loss for words, looking ashamed."How come when it's your turn, you can't convince yourself to let go?" I mocked."I... I misunderstood you before. I apologize," Ms. Lawson said sincerely. "Every time I visited Max, he'd tell me about his childhood and school days. His stories made me empathize strongly. Gradually, I started feeling sorry for him and his mother, thinking they had it tough and