Susie felt even more outraged. If not because of what Harvey could give her, she would have slapped him already.Her and Harvey's marriage not only led to Nancy's divorce but even ruined the life of Harvey's unfortunate ex-brother-in-law.Susie abruptly felt sorry for the man named Austin Campbell. He had such rotten luck.Then, upon recalling the name, her eyes flashed with resentment.As she eyed Harvey, something made her ask, "Harvey, your ex-brother-in-law is called Austin Campbell, right? Are you sure he doesn't have any money?""Hah! He's just a moocher. How could he possibly have any money?" Harvey scoffed while rolling his eyes. "Why are you asking about him?"Susie shook her head. She felt like she was going crazy thinking about the man she spent the night with.Austin Campbell was a fairly common name, so why did she think it would be the same guy?She explained, "A week ago, a customer by the name of Austin Campbell came to the bank to withdraw money. He had a debit
Susie felt like she was dreaming.How could it be such a coincidence?The Austin that Harvey described to her was nothing like the Austin she met at the bank.Yet, the icy face she saw through the windshield was the very same one.After that humiliating night, how could she forget his face?"Oh, right. I forgot you're penniless now," Harvey remarked.Not noticing Austin's hostility, Harvey continued to mock, "What a shame. If you'd only taken our advice and let your mom die, you wouldn't have had to divorce my sister. Well, you really have nothing left now."Austin was clenching his fists so tightly that the veins along his arms were bulging.Ever since he married Nancy, he had to suffer constant disrespect from the Welches, and because Nancy took her family's side, his standing in the family dropped even lower.Even though he became the assistant general manager of Dominion Properties in just three years and frequently gave money to the Welches, they still looked down on him
Austin sneered, but his gaze hardened with determination.Dahlia was everything to him. She was his rock and his foundation.Even if he had a do-over, he would have chosen to divorce Nancy anyway.Nancy was willing to do everything within her means to help a useless person like Harvey, but not Austin."That's enough!" Susie snapped as she abruptly flung Harvey's hand off her. "You've gone too far, Harvey! Apologize to Mr. Campbell at once!"Harvey's gloating expression was replaced by one of shock."W-Why are you so worked up, Susie? I didn't do anything wrong, so why should I apologize to him?"Turning red, Susie rebuked Harvey, "You were too rude to Mr. Campbell! I refuse to allow you to treat him that way!"She was berating Harvey because she wanted to stop Harvey from mocking Austin any further, lest Austin became so mad that he exposed what happened that night. Also, she was trying to take Austin's side so that she would leave a good impression on him.Harvey was clueless
The encounter with Harvey was merely a minor annoyance. Austin did not care about it.He devoted all of his attention to the west city slum redevelopment project.It was the answer to the test given to him by his father whom he had never met.It was also his first time being able to fully show what he was capable of.An exorbitant contract that cost Dominion Properties an additional 30 million in losses was indeed a calamity for the company.Every single employee knew what such a loss meant.Thus, when Austin arrived at the office, he found that the atmosphere was unusually heavy.Everyone was focusing on their work, but there was tension in the air. The entire office was alarmingly silent.Feeling a little helpless about it, Austin ignored the situation and walked into his office.He knew that they stayed even after finding out about the contract because they had faith in him.But, the trust they had was not enough to stop them from feeling nervous and agitated.He could no
"I'm your mother! Here I am doing my best to introduce you to a new guy! How dare you refuse to go? Do you know how humiliating it would be for me?" Urma screeched.Derek, who was sitting on the couch, kept sighing as he watched the fight."Dad!"Feeling desperate, Nancy turned to Derek. "Please help me talk Mom out of it.""As if he'd dare to!" Urma shrieked.Derek felt bad for Nancy, so he said, "I think the guy you picked isn't right for Nancy either. He's in his 40s. That means he's almost our age.""So what if he's in his 40s?"Urma frowned and continued, "Men get better with age, and he's rich too. He's an eligible bachelor. Nancy's a divorcee. She's used goods. Do you think she can get a handsome and wealthy young man? Would they even want her?"Nancy was stupefied. She stared at Urma in disbelief.She never expected Urma, her own mother, to call her used goods."Mom …" Nancy cried out tearfully."Shut up!" Urma fumed. "You're the one who insisted on marrying that use
After getting off work that night, Austin rushed home to prepare some soup. Once it was ready, he rushed back to Legacy Hospital.When he came to Dahlia's hospital room, he ran into Isaac and a few other doctors who were doing their rounds.When Isaac saw Austin, he waved at his colleagues for them to leave without him. Then, he smiled at Austin and said, "You're a very loving son, Mr. Campbell. I see you cooking for your mother everyday."Austin smiled before asking, "How's my mom doing, Dr. Navarro?""She's been recovering well. In a few days, she can be discharged from the hospital. However, with all organ transplants, there's a risk period where the patient's body might reject the new organ. It can last between six months to a year. We'll have to wait until that passes before we can say she has fully recovered."Austin grew anxious, but Isaac smiled and added, "However, you don't need to worry about that, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Lockwood has spoken to me. The hospital will do our be
Austin felt a headache coming on.Frazzled, he said, "Please leave. Don't ever visit my mother again.""I refuse!" Susie shook her head and giggled mischievously. "If you stop me from visiting your mother, I'll tell her about your divorce."Having lived in the city for some time now, she had a few tricks up her sleeves. She understood men and knew how to get her way with them.If not, she would not have chosen to visit Dahlia after getting ignored by Austin."Are you threatening me?" Austin growled. His eyes blazed with hostility."That's right. I'm threatening you. Do you want to get even with me?" Susie asked with a coy smile. She raised her hand and tapped her finger against Austin's chest.Austin took a step back. "I want you to leave!"Susie's smile froze. She did not expect Austin to reject her so firmly.He was nothing like the man she slept with that night!Susie was a smart woman. She knew when to stop.Taking a deep breath, Susie withdrew her hand. Her sultry expre
As a light rain started falling, Nancy felt a stone-cold feeling in her heart.She stared listlessly at her phone. Austin's response cut her like a knife."Go in, Nancy. He's waiting for you," Harvey urged. He did not know about Nancy's WhatsApp conversation.Nancy wiped her tears away and walked toward the restaurant. She slowly looked up at the night sky and smiled in despair. "In the end, I have to bear the brunt of everything alone, huh?"The warm light and relaxing music of the dimly lit restaurant made it the perfect dating spot.In the corner, Brock was lounging on a couch. Now and then, he would smooth out his hair while ogling at the photo of Nancy.Getting married at his age was considered quite old, but he did not mind.He did not want to get married. He had not had enough fun yet.His older sister had married a wealthy man, and with their help, he led an easy life of luxury.When he was the general manager at Dominion Properties, he used his position to demand sexu