CHAPTER 51 THE RETURN OF LILA What Derrick never knew was that the woman he's planning to woo knows him more than he even knows himself. He insisted until Lila smiled with her eyes as she continued to pick the berries on the table, chewing them slowly. “You know for sure that no woman would say no to a handsome man like you, right? And you shouldn't expect that from me either! But—the problem is, what if I'm only moved by your physical demeanor without having true feelings for you?” She asked with a polite smile. “I only need you to love me, Lila. The reason behind the love doesn't matter,” Derrick said reluctantly but with a serious face. “Except if you're with your escort already,” he added, his voice leaking with a hint of flirtatiousness and jealousy. “You know already that I can't be here with you if I were already married or engaged; moreover, I don't flirt,” Lila responded with a plain look. Soon, the commissioning ceremony started, and Lila saw a young lady whos
CHAPTER 52Lila looked scornfully at the aggravated woman who had just been helped by her husband from falling off the stairs.“You shouldn't have done that, Derrick!” She scolded sneeringly as if she cared, with a surge of pity on her face, while her heart flushed with a smile, seeing Cynthia's face gripped with fear.“How could you do that to my wife, Derrick!” Grey yelled, but his tone instantly turned low, forcing a faint smile on his face when the woman he can't fail to admire moved closer.“Hey, Cynthia, are you hurt?” She demanded softly, her tone laced with concern, while she swirled her hands and rolled her hands around Cynthia's body back from head to toe.“We're really sorry for what happened, Mr. Grey. It's all my fault! All this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't stepped in with the intention of salvaging the situation.” Lila added calmly, leering at Grey with a corner eye.She turned to Derrick and lifted his hands off her shoulders, shifting a seductive gaze at him. “De
CHAPTER 53UNFORESEEN THREATSDerrick watched as Lila's smile gradually faded at the mention of her resemblance to Mishell.Seeing that he was beginning to get suspicious of her, Lila fixed her innocent eyes on him with furrowed brows as though in deep confusion."M...I...shell? Who is she? Plus, the name sounds familiar!” She claimed.“You know her, right?” Derrick replied immediately with a light grin on his face.“Is she your sister? Or your aunt? Or, is she your mother? Is she,”“Hey—hey—hey! Calm down.” Lila interrupted his speech, pressing her hands in the air to calm him down.“Who is the lady to you, and why are you so obsessed with knowing my connection to her? Besides, I don't even know her! I mean—this is the first time I'm hearing such a name!” Lila claimed with a plain face.“Is this woman cracking a joke or something?” he said inwardly, looking more confused at her funny act.“Lila, are you serious? You live in New York City, yet you don't know who Miss Mishell is? The m
CHAPTER 54EXCHANGE OF PARTNERS Cynthia slowly dropped her hands, which were clenched to Grey's shoulders, with an absent-minded look on her face. “Are you okay? You look tired,” Grey observed with a bit of concern when he saw the mood swing in his wife immediately after his mother left.“What did she tell her?” He wondered.“Isn't this what you wanted? That I go dance with your good-for-nothing brother while you dance with your mistress?” You and your mother are so despicable, Grey!” She said hoarsely with teary red eyes and made an attempt to move.“Where do you think you're going?” Grey demanded while he held her wrist tightly, drawing her back with force.“Let go of my hands! You're hurting me!” Cynthia screamed, hitting his hand hard with a violent pull of her wrist out of his grip.“What are those two doing? Fighting in an event they planned?” Derrick, whose eyes had been glued to them since he noticed their silly dance steps, muttered loudly with a frown.“Well, that's what w
CHAPTER 55 “Don't you have some little shame in you, Miss Ricks? Look how you're flaunting yourself on a married man in public." Cynthia rambled as soon as she got close to them and pushed Lila away from her husband's grip, which made her almost slip on the floor.Lila remained mute. She calmed herself down because she knew it would be pointless arguing with a demented woman.“Well, congratulations on your new achievement, Mr. & Mrs. Grey Shun. And to you, Mrs. Shun, I wish you a glamorous birthday. It's really nice meeting you, and I hope we meet again,” Lila said politely and sashayed back to her partner with her smiles, ignoring the bitter looks Cynthia was throwing at her.“I said it! I know Derrick can never be associated with any good person in this life!” She continued.“Enough! Cynthia, this is the last time I'll ever tolerate you talking ill of my brother again!” Grey yelled with a thunderous voice, which began to draw unwanted attention to their side. He had gotten enough
CHAPTER 56THE SHOPPING MALLAs usual, they both drove home in different cars. From the moment Derrick claimed Lila to be his invited guest and decided to be overprotective of her, Grey didn't have a good expression. Every second of the smile Derrick shared with the woman was provocative, steering out every ounce of jealousy in him.Cynthia also was heartbroken. The one and only birthday she had ever taken out her time to organize turned out to be the worst party ever. She couldn't appear in the clothes a celebrant ought to have appeared in because of some malicious woman, who turned out to be the center of attraction instead of her.“I believe that you're not blind, Cynthia,” a husky voice retorted the moment she attempted moving up the stairs to her room.Cynthia retraced her steps. She actually saw the old woman seated on the couch, but because her day had been messed up, she decided to pass without any greetings.“Hmmmm,” Cynthia took a deep breath and growled, looking angrily a
Chapter 57SHE'S A THIEFLila sneered and continued her shopping as if she cared less about the woman.To show the woman that she's not afraid of her, Lila kept an eye on her direction of movement.“Over there; I think I've seen the type of jewelry I've been looking for all this while,” Lila said to her partner who was romantically helping her out in holding the shopping basket.“Yes, here is it,” she said and tapped him to halt his steps as soon as they approached the woman who was trying to shy away from her earlier.Cynthia looked at her in disdain with bloodshot eyes.Lila acted as if she never knew her from anywhere but made sure she raised her voice and acted more intimately to provoke more anger in Cynthia.Seeing how the man was assisting Lila like they're a newly wed couple only reminds her of everything that happened yesterday.“Never! You can never go free today, Lila! I must teach you a lesson you'll ever regret!” She thought to herself as her heart pumped faster than usua
CHAPTER 58. THE REAL CULPRIT “Why not display the footage if she insists!” Some people in the background suggested in murmurs.Cynthia began to feel nervous; she tried everything possible to refute the idea of wasting their time to go through the CCTV, but it was futile. One after the other, the sharp ones who had been making videos with their phones slowly dropped them down, folding their arms as they anticipated the video.Cynthia felt dejected as she watched the security scroll through the footage. She knows that she'll be exposed once the video is made available.“Ahhhhhhh.” The crowd exclaimed with their mouths agape. Everyone's face changed as they watched how Cynthia slipped the watch into Lila's handbag when they walked past her.The crowd that was once throwing accusatory looks at Lila got stiffened, and they began throwing apologetic looks at her. Cynthia was so embarrassed that she couldn't stand the ramblings of the angry mob.She lowered her head and tried to secretl
CHAPTER 81DYING OF DEPRESSION “Hey, is everything okay? ” Lila asked, feigning concern the moment Grey dropped the call.“Yeah, fine. Everything is okay,” he said with a twitch. Grey sighed heavily, trying to conceal his heartbreak in a mild smile but the sad look on his face was too evident to deceive even a blind man.“Oh, thank God, our food is here. Trust me, you'll like their meal, because I've been eating here often, and I can say with confidence that this is one of the best places to eat out,” Lila commented as soon as the waitress served their order and left.With her eyes fixed on the plate before her but obliquely gazing at Grey, she unwrapped her cutleries and began eating, but was surprised to see that Grey hasn't made any attempt of tasting his food.“Mr. Shun, you don't seem to be okay. I'm sorry, this might seem as if I'm prying into your personal life but you don't expect me to believe that everything is fine with you,” she insisted.Grey was still speechless with d
CHAPTER 80CAN WE MEET?“Hi, can we meet?” Grey woke up with confusion to the beep-beep sound of his phone with Lila's message.Huh? His brows furrowed in surprise.All efforts to rack his brain and figure out the possible reason behind their meeting were unyielding.Could it be that she's suing us in court for attempted murder? But the message looks rather harmless. He thought to himself, and without hesitation, his hands quickly typed, ‘Sure, we can,’ followed by the send button.“Perfect!” Lila exclaimed, and immediately, she texted him the time and address. “Good morning, sir,” the maids and the security guards at the gate greeted Grey as he left for work. But unlike the usual Grey who'd answer nicely and ask them about their night, he only glared at them with bloodshot eyes.Every domestic staff member was familiar with that reaction from him, which mostly occurs like thrice or four times a year.Anyone who has worked in the Shun's mansion need not be told what their master is c
CHAPTER 79: NEXT MOVE “I said, let go of me! There's absolutely nothing wrong with me! I can swear to you that that woman is truly Lila.” Cynthia cried out, trying to break free from the maid's grip as they awaited the coming of the ambulance. Grey stood and glared at her dangerously. “Tell me, Cynthia. What more do I need to know before you finally get locked up in the psychiatric?” He asked with a cold and resolute tone. Hoping for an answer from the crazy woman, all he could get was an intense stare into his eyes. “Sir, the ambulance is here,” one of the maids ran to inform Grey the moment she saw the ambulance drive in. “Thank you,” Grey said politely and nodded. He took a step closer to Cynthia, grabbed her chin in a painful manner with his bloodshot eyes, and whispered into her ears, “You can choose to remain mute for the rest of your life; that, I don't care, but you see that which you're hiding from me? I swear to God, I'll be forced to storm this building and strangle you to
CHAPTER 78HER MOTHER IS NEXT. Lila and Brian knew exactly what she was talking about, but the way they both frowned in confusion, focusing their gazes on her, only made Cynthia more anxious.“I'm telling you, this woman is your ex-wife!” Cynthia retorted with confidence.“Wu! Wu! Wu!!!” Lila exclaimed, sounds of clapping following each of her exclamations.“So, that's your plan, right? Even though I don't know what you're insinuating, what if I was truly allergic to those things? That means you invited me here to kill me, right?” Lila reprimanded angrily.“I'm really sorry, Miss Rick's. Please…” Grey was talking, but Cynthia shut him up immediately.“Cut the crap, Miss Rick's or whatever you call yourself!” Cynthia ranted, looking keenly at Lila's skin, especially her neck, expecting to see it filled with rashes as that's normally her first symptom of garlic and ginger allergy, but to the greatest surprise, Lila's neck was healthy and hearty without any scratches or a trace of rashe
CHAPTER 77PROVING HER SUSPICIONS As the footsteps drew closer, she figured them to be Grey's footsteps, so she slowed down her steps so he could catch up with her.Immediately Grey approached her; he grabbed her waist from behind like a kid that has missed his mother for long.A smile washed down her face seeing how Grey violently opened the bathroom door and dragged her inside.Within a nick of time, he turned her around so they could face each other before he pinned her to the wall, and his lips wasted no time to locate hers, but Lila instantly placed her fingers across his lips. His heart was already beating faster than an athlete in a relay race.“What are you trying to do, Grey?” She asked with a cheeky smile, staring at him flirtatiously.But instead of answering her question, he seemed to be too aroused at her actions.Swiftly, he held the finger, which was on his lips, and brought it down before kissing her knuckles. Grey lifted her hand and placed it on his chest, making he
Chapter 76DINNER AT THE SHUN'S MANSION Lila smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She had spent almost two hours last night trying to find the outfit that would suit the dinner. She couldn't stop blushing at the choice of seductive dress she chose.“Hey, hope you know that I'm going with you as well?” Brian asked as he stood behind her.“Oh my God! Brian, you almost startled me, you know,” she exclaimed, throwing her lipstick to the ground.Brian had left the other night for his house, and she can't remember discussing going along with him. But there he was at her back, fully dressed in his own captivating outfit already.“Brian, are you sure this is a good idea? I don't want Cynthia to feel bad. What if she only planned the dinner for one?” She asked calmly.Seeing the conflicting emotions outwardly displayed in her facial expression, Brian drew closer and held her from behind. “You know how much I don't trust those people, right? Believe me, that woman's mind can conceive a great d
CHAPTER 75THE DOCTOR'S REPORT Upon returning from work, Grey met Cynthia lying on the couch, looking so dejected with a frown engulfing her face.Expecting that she'll rush and welcome him excitedly following what happened last night, he was surprised to see her looking rather grim, not even minding the gift bag he was holding.“Hey, is everything okay?” He asked after he instructed the maid to drop his suitcase in the room.“I'm fine,” she answered plainly with an uneven tone.“Are you sure, honey?” He asked again, feeling unsatisfied with her first response as his hands gently trailed her face, pulling back the tiny strands of hair on her forehead.Cynthia couldn't help but smile inwardly at how easy it was for her to get him worried about her, but she still maintained a plain look as if she was truly bothered.“Well, I got something for you,” he said and presented the gift bag to her.Unlike Cynthia, she took the bag and dropped it aside immediately, replying with a mere ‘thank y
CHAPTER 74THE VISIT OF KARMA “She's alive, Cynthia. What are we going to do?” Her mother's words sent a chill of conflicting emotions down her spine.Is Lila truly alive? How? When? Wasn't she involved in a fatal accident that claimed her life?“Besides, why the coincidence? First, an anonymous number threatened her with exposing Jannell's identity, and now her mother is filled with fear and suspense that Lila is alive?” Cynthia thought to herself.Silence fell in the room for a while. Cynthia still couldn't get why her mother was panicking if Lila were truly alive. She's done nothing to her, right? After all, her death was a result of an accident!After a while of debating in her heart, trying to figure out the reason behind her mother's uneasiness but couldn't get any answer, Cynthia was forced to ask, “But wait, mother; how did you know and come to the conclusion that she's alive, and even if it happens to be like that, why the great panicking?” She demanded coldly, peering in
CHAPTER 73SHE'S ALIVE.Watching some video clips on her phone, she saw a new message pop up on her screen.Instantly, she opened the message, hoping that it was from one of the clients she had been anticipating a reply from.“What nonsense!” Lila shouted. Her hands began to tremble.Is Cynthia doing this on purpose just to provoke her? Lila slouched to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of cold water to cool her fast-beating heart. She sneered as she looked at the multiple pictures Cynthia had sent to her.Fuck! That wasn't the result she was expecting. So that bitch and her husband still got along without a fight even after all the call snubbings and the pictures?She thought Grey and Cynthia were no longer a lovely couple, hoping that those pictures she asked Brian to take would facilitate the destruction of their family. But no, it seems like Grey was only trying to use and dump her while he goes back to his crazy wife afterwards. “That guy must be a jerk!” She cursed with bitterness