Chapter 11

He came over.

Darcey smiled and looked at the door with affectionate eyes.

Angelia followed Darcey’s gaze and saw Jerome.

He walked in with radiance, exuding a strong aura that attracted women, not only because of his looks and wealth but also his success in reaching the top of the pyramid within five years of graduation.

While Angelia was lost in thought, Jerome had already walked up to her and said directly, “Let’s go.”

Angelia snapped out of her daze and remembered that he had mentioned something to her at lunch.

“Oh.”

He headed towards the elevator, and Angelia put down her papers and followed him.

“Mr. Taylor is so manly, overflowing with boyfriend power. I envy Angelia,” the receptionist exclaimed.

Darcey smiled proudly and said, “Angelia is Jerome’s college classmate. You can’t envy her.”

In the elevator, Jerome didn’t speak, and the air pressure in the confined space felt a little low.

She wasn’t used to being alone with him like this, so she tried to change the subject and said, “There’s a banquet at the hotel tomorrow night, and I’m a bit busy today and tomorrow.”

“Busy with recharge-related matters?” Jerome asked.

“Yes. It’s the off-season now, and the hotel is under a lot of pressure, so organizing events to stimulate consumption and increase occupancy rates,” Angelia explained.

“So how much do you want me to recharge?” Jerome asked seriously.

Angelia’s heart skipped a beat, as if he would recharge as much as she said.

But it felt like she was tricking an old classmate, and she felt embarrassed, especially since he wouldn’t be staying at Columbia for long.

“You are a friend of the big boss, no need to pay. By the way, I made dumplings when I had some free time this afternoon. What do you want to eat for lunch? I’ll order it for you from the kitchen,” Angelia spoke, deliberately changing the subject.

“What do you like to eat? Just order it and have it sent to my room,” Jerome instructed.

Angelia’s thoughts were a bit scattered. Why did she feel that Jerome was acting strange today? And even stranger was her own heart, which seemed to beat faster involuntarily.

Following him into his room, Jerome turned on his computer while she went to the pantry to order food. She poured a cup of coffee without sugar and brought it over, placing it on his right side.

“What kind of music do you like?” Jerome asked naturally, his gaze fixed on the computer screen.

“Something with a nice melody, I’m not too picky,” Angelia replied amiably.

“How about ‘See You Again’?” Jerome suggested.

“Sure,” Angelia agreed.

Jerome connected the computer to the speakers in the room, and beautiful music filled the air. He leaned back in his chair and looked at her.

Angelia met his gaze and felt flustered. Her eyes flickered, as if trying to avoid his direct gaze. “So, you said you had something to tell me. What is it?”

“Where do you like to travel?” Jerome asked again.

“I haven’t really thought about it. There isn’t any place I particularly like. Why do you ask?” Angelia replied.

“Do you mind if I arrange a trip for you?” Jerome asked directly.

Angelia’s mind went blank for a few seconds, and her breathing became a bit tight. Various thoughts collided in her mind like lightning and thunder. She was wary as she asked, “Why do you want to help me plan a trip?”

“Don’t all girls like to travel?” Jerome countered.

He arranged a trip just because girls like to travel?

When she was young, she only knew how to study and was a bit slow in terms of emotions, so her boyfriend had already been with her sister and she didn’t know.

But in recent years, she has seen too much and matured a lot.

Many wealthy men like to hunt around, and a one-night stand is a bragging right.

Jerome’s actions seem like he wants something to happen between them.

She politely refused, saying, “I’m very busy with work this year, and I’ve used up all my vacation days, so I don’t have time to travel.”

Jerome’s eyes turned cold and he said, “If you need vacation days, it’s just a matter of me saying a word. Don’t use that as an excuse to refuse me.”

“How can it be a refusal?” Angelia felt even more that he wanted something to happen between them, so she added, “Actually, I’m worried that if I go on vacation with you, my husband will misunderstand.”

Jerome was shocked, looking at Angelia incredulously, and said, “You have a husband?”

“Yes, we’ve been married for five years.”

Jerome’s face turned pale and he said, “Didn’t you say you’ve only had one relationship with a man?”

“Uh…”

Angelia replied, remembering that truth or dare game, and said with a dry laugh, “I was just joking.” Jerome didn’t find it funny at all, holding back his anger and asked sternly, “Are you joking about having a husband, or joking about only having one relationship?”

Angelia’s mind raced.

If she said it was just a joke, it wouldn’t be fair to the person she made a promise to during that truth or dare game.

But if she really did only have one relationship, then being married for five years with only one encounter wouldn’t make sense. She couldn’t answer, “Why are you asking these things?”Jerome remembered when she was about to get married, but confessed to him.

He also remembered in the garden earlier that day, when she was teasing another man.

His heart gradually became cold, and even his gaze was like ice.

The words he spoke were like poison.

“Are you in the habit of lying, or do you enjoy playing with emotions? Does stepping on multiple boats bring you pleasure or prove your feminine charm? Don’t you think you’re cheap?”

Angelia was shocked and hurt by Jerome’s words.

She had never lied or played with emotions.

She didn’t even have one boat.

She was so angry about being wrongly accused that she decided to go along with his accusations and said, “Yes, I like to lie, play with emotions, and conquer men to show my charm. And I don’t think it’s cheap.”

Jerome was so angry that he lost his rationality.

He stood up, blocked Angelia’s mouth, and kissed her forcefully.

Angelia was shocked and tried to push him away, but she couldn’t.

She was ashamed and hit his shoulder.

Jerome let go of her lips and held her face in his hands.

He angrily said, “You said you like to play with emotions, right? You shouldn’t mind if I join in. I’ll play with you.”

Angelia lost her mind and couldn’t believe that this was how he saw her.

He could kiss and insult her so casually.

She didn’t say the word “you” that was on the tip of her tongue, and Jerome kissed her again.

This time it was even more intense, as he entered her mouth and sucked hard, as if he wanted to suck her soul out.She wanted to bite him, but he held her cheeks and she couldn’t close her teeth.

She struggled with all her might, her nails digging into his flesh on the back of his hand.

With a bang, Jerome pushed her against the wall.

Just as she was trying to break free, he pressed his whole body against her, his hand covering her heart.

This action was too suggestive, and Angelia was trembling with fear.

She anxiously said, “Mr. Taylor can have any woman he wants, why lower yourself with a married woman?”

Jerome’s breathing was uneven, his chest heaving with sarcasm.

“Since you’re already married, you should abide by your womanly duties. Playing around with boyfriends everywhere, aren’t you just hoping for someone else to play with you? A toy can’t lower my standards.”

Angelia knew the dirty thoughts of those rich people who treated others as toys.

However, she was disappointed when these thoughts were directed at Jerome.

“Playing with you is not a loss to me, after all, you are the dream of many women. It’s worth a try, but you have to be prepared. I’ll serve you, and then I’ll serve my husband when I get back. If you’re not afraid of getting dirty, let’s play,” Angelia said angrily.

Jerome let go of her and stood up straight, saying in a cold voice, “I don’t like you, you can leave.”

Angelia hurried back to her room, leaning against the door, her eyes unconsciously turning red.

Even if he didn’t complain, she couldn’t bear to be his guest room manager after this fight with Jerome.

She wanted to resign and find another job.

She still had over a hundred thousand in savings, enough to live for a while.

As long as she had her hands, she wouldn’t starve.Recently, things have been going badly for her.

She can’t get divorced, and she’s not doing well at work.

Fortunately, she still has her grandmother and Alyssa.

They are her motivation and courage to keep going.

She thought of Alyssa, took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and called her.

“Mom, I was just about to call you. My wife fainted suddenly today and was taken to the hospital by people in the village. She’s still unconscious.”

Angelia stood up anxiously, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Auntie took me out to play, and I just found out,” Alyssa said aggrievedly.

“Stay with your wife and don’t leave. I’ll come over now.”

Angelia opened the door and rushed outside.

Dawn stood at the door of room 1908, and Jerome opened the door.

She glanced at Angelia, paused slightly, and didn’t understand how Angelia got over here.

Then, with a random, coquettish smile, full of pride and show off, she entered Jerome’s room and closed the door.

Angelia continued running past Jerome’s room.

She knew in her heart that she and Jerome were not in the same world.

Even if it was just for fun, she couldn’t afford it.

She hurriedly entered the elevator and went downstairs…

Jerome’s room.

“I just saw Angelia, why did she come here?” Dawn asked with a smile.

“She’s the hotel manager, it’s normal for her to be here. What do you want from me?” Jerome said coldly, sitting in front of the computer desk.

Dawn coquettishly flipped her hair and said, “Your grandmother called me and asked me to visit her tomorrow. But I feel a little embarrassed to go alone. I was wondering if you’re going to your grandmother’s house tomorrow?”

“Why did she call you?” Jerome asked sharply, looking at her.”Dawn hesitated for a moment before calling Jerome’s grandmother to ask to see her, using a random excuse to chat.

“I’ve been a bit busy lately, do you have anything else going on? If not, I’m busy here, I have an acquisition to discuss,” said Jerome, dismissing her.

Dawn didn’t want to stay any longer, “Oh. Well, Jerome, I’m leaving then.”

Jerome didn’t even look at her, his gaze fixed on the computer screen.

The more Dawn looked at Jerome, the more she liked him. She was determined to have this man.

Angelia was worried as she headed to Detroit.

Her mother had left the family when she was very young, and her father had married another woman.

The only person who had given her warmth, love, and genuine care was her grandmother.

When she arrived in Detroit, her grandmother had been transferred from the local hospital to a city hospital due to her serious illness.

Angelia asked the attending physician worriedly, “How is my grandmother? Is she in danger?”

“Ms. Diana’s organs are all failing, she has uremia, did you know about this?” asked the doctor.

Angelia’s eyes instantly filled with tears.

She didn’t know, her grandmother didn’t tell her, afraid that she would worry and spend money, always pretending to be strong.

She even asked her grandmother to take care of Alyssa without hesitation.

She should have known earlier, so that her grandmother could have received treatment earlier and not fallen ill so quickly.

She blamed herself, felt guilty, and heartbroken, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing her like this, the doctor couldn’t bear to say anything more, “Are you going to have her treated or take her home? If you want treatment…”

“I’ll have her treated, I’ll pay any amount for my grandmother’s treatment,” Angelia interrupted the doctor, determined.

The doctor was moved by her filial piety and said, “She has organ failure caused by uremia, which has been going on for too long. We’ll start with hemodialysis to remove the toxins from her body, but your grandmother is old, and it’s hard to say if she’ll recover or not.”

“Please arrange it immediately, doctor. I want my grandmother to live well,” Angelia said tearfully, as she paid ten thousand Dollar in advance.

Sloan also came over to pay, but Angelia didn’t see her and went into the elevator in a daze.

He thought for a moment and called Jerome, “Jerome, are you in Detroit?”

“No, I’m not,” Jerome replied, focused on his computer work.

“I saw Angelia at the First People’s Hospital in Detroit. She looked very sad. Weren’t you with her?”

Jerome stopped what he was doing, remembering that Angelia had mentioned having a husband. His chest felt tight as he asked in a sarcastic tone, “She was alone?”

“Yes, Jerome, there’s something I don’t know if I should tell you,” Sloan hesitated.

“What do you want to say?”

“My mom used to play cards with Angelia’s father and his wife. She’s Angelia’s stepmother. My mom said that Angelia was raped on the night of her graduation party and was kicked out of the Green family.”

“What? Raped?” Jerome’s voice rose sharply, even though Angelia had invited him first.

“Yes, there are rumors that it was done by Angelia’s sister Lillian, who drugged her. Angelia was so angry that she pushed her sister down the stairs, causing her to miscarry. Her sister is now a second-rate celebrity and is doing well,” Sloan gossiped.

Jerome remained silent, digesting Sloan’s words, his mind swirling with waves of shock and emotion.

He wanted to confront Angelia face to face and find out whether it was consensual or forced.He hung up the phone and drove to Detroit…

Anglia sat in front of the hospital bed, touching her grandmother’s face with concern.

Her grandmother’s face was thin and had no meat on it.

Her grandmother slowly opened her eyes.

Anglia was happy and excited, running to find the doctor, “Doctor, Doctor, my grandmother woke up.”

The doctor was calm, “Let’s observe first.”

“Will my grandmother get better?” Anglia asked hopefully.

“Let’s observe first. We’ll give her a full body check tomorrow. Give her something like rice porridge to drink tonight.”

The doctor’s response and attitude disappointed Anglia, seeming cold and cautious.

She returned to the ward, where Alyssa was holding her grandmother’s hand and singing “My Wife is the Best in the World.”

Her grandmother smiled happily, but Anglia’s eyes turned red.

Alyssa was very sensible and knew how to make people happy.

She went up, hugged Alyssa, rubbed her small head against Alyssa’s face, and looked at her grandmother, “Grandma must get better.”

“Okay,” her grandmother replied weakly, “You all go back and don’t take care of me, it’s too tiring.”

“Grandma is sick, how can I go back? I want to take care of my grandmother, and when my grandmother gets better, she will still have to help me take care of Alyssa,” Anglia said coquettishly.

Her grandmother showed a loving smile, “Alyssa is obedient, just like you were when you were young… I want to talk to you alone.”

When her aunt heard this, she immediately said, “Alyssa has been here all afternoon. You still have to take care of your grandmother tonight. Alyssa will go back with me. I will bring her back tomorrow morning. Children still need to sleep well.”

“Thank you,” Anglia thanked her.

“No trouble, it’s what I should do,” her aunt said, taking Alyssa back with her.Grandma held Angelia’s hand, tears in her eyes. “Grandma…I can’t stop worrying about you,” she said.

“That’s why you have to get better,” Angelia replied, her heart aching.

“Alyssa said your husband never comes home, your mother-in-law always bullies you, you got married without a wedding or a ring, and I haven’t even met your husband yet,” Grandma said, her speech labored and interrupted several times.

“Sammie is busy with his business, and my mother-in-law just wants a grandchild. As for the wedding, we’ll have it when you’re feeling better. You have to be there,” Angelia comforted her.

“I want to meet him, Sammie,” Grandma murmured.

Angelia knew this was Grandma’s hidden wish. When she and Sammie agreed to get married, they had a daughter, but Amanda Charles refused to have a wedding.

Angelia and Sammie didn’t want to have a wedding either, knowing that not many people would come, and Grandma had never met Sammie.

“I’ll call him now, Grandma. Wait a minute,” Angelia said, taking her phone and heading out to the hallway.

“What’s up?” Sammie asked impatiently.

“Sammie, Grandma is sick and in the hospital. She wants to see you,” Angelia said bluntly.

“I’m busy today. I don’t have time,” Sammie replied.

“I love this place, dear,” Read’s voice came through the phone into Angelia’s ear.

Her heart sank. It was summer, but she felt cold. She softened her tone and patiently said, “My grandma is very sick, and her wish is to see you once to know that I’m doing well and that we’ll be okay in the future. Please help me this time, and I’ll help you in the future.”

“Your grandmother is getting old, so leave early to avoid causing trouble for her. Isn’t that better? Is it fun to deceive her?” Sammie said lightly.

Angelia felt a surge of anger in her head and raised her voice, “Is it fun for you to deceive your mother?”

“Watch your tone, don’t forget that I bought you and didn’t sell you. Your grandmother has lived to a good age, while mine has long since died. Just hurry up and die!” Sammie said heartlessly before hanging up the phone.

Angelia was so upset that she threw her phone against the wall as if she were throwing Sammie. She was emotionally overwhelmed because Sammie didn’t keep her promise to come, and now she didn’t know how to tell her grandmother.

Her grandmother would know that she was not respected or cherished, and would worry and be heartbroken. She didn’t want her grandmother to worry while she was sick.

But the world wasn’t the way she wanted it to be. Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, it seemed like everything bad was happening to her.

She cried out loud, and her voice grew louder and louder. She didn’t realize she had crouched down and buried her face in her legs, crying uncontrollably.

Jerome came out of the elevator and heard her crying. His eyes deepened as he walked over to her and stood in front of her.

Angelia was still crying, and her shoulders were shaking.

“Crying won’t solve the problem,” Jerome said in a deep voice.

Angelia was surprised to hear Jerome’s voice and looked up at him.Her eyes were swollen like copper bells, with tears hanging on them.

He saw her in such a miserable state and was flustered and confused when she stood up and asked, “How did you, how did you come here?”

“I have some business,” Jerome looked at her with dark, ink-like eyes, with a hint of anger in his voice, “Where is your husband at this time?”

“He has something to do,” Angelia lowered her head.

Jerome originally came to question her and find out if he was too forceful before, but seeing her like this, he suppressed many words for the time being.

He turned around.

Angelia was anxious and grabbed his hand.

He turned around and looked at her, pursing his lips without saying a word.

Angelia knew that her request was shameless, but her grandmother might not make it, and she didn’t want her grandmother to leave with regrets. She didn’t have much time to negotiate with strangers under her grandmother’s watchful eye.

“My grandmother wants to see my husband, but he can’t come. She may not make it. Can you help me pretend, my husband’s name is Sammie, and all other information is blank. You can make up anything,” Angelia requested, feeling embarrassed and lowering her eyes.

Jerome looked at her steadily, and his ink-like eyes seemed to contain the universe. Finally…he said in a deep voice, “You go wash your face first. I’ll go out and buy some fruit. Come find you in ten minutes.”

Angelia looked at Jerome gratefully and said, “Thank you.”

Jerome looked deeply at her, turned around, and made a call, “Mr. Hernandez, this is Jerome. I have something to ask you for…”

Angelia returned to the ward. Her grandmother’s eyes were half-closed, as if she wanted to sleep but was holding back. She asked softly, “Did Sammie come?””Um, he’s on his way. He was nearby discussing business and will be here soon,” said Angelia, avoiding her grandmother’s gaze and pouring a glass of water.

“Grandma, the doctor said you can only eat rice porridge. When Sammie comes, I’ll go out and buy it,” Angelia said softly.

“I… need to rest,” Grandma said, slowly closing her eyes.

Angelia wiped away her tears secretly.

Ten minutes later, Jerome called and Angelia answered immediately.

“I’m at the door,” he said.

Angelia quickly opened the door.

Jerome handed her a fruit basket and looked towards the bed, whispering, “Is Grandma asleep?”

Before Angelia could nod, Grandma’s weak voice sounded, “Has Sammie come?”

“Grandma,” Jerome called out, walking towards the bed and sitting down on the chair next to it. “Sorry for being late. I should have come with Angelia to see you.”

Abigail Diana looked at Jerome with excitement in her eyes. “Good, good. It’s great that you’re here. Angelia, didn’t you say you were going to buy rice porridge?”

“I’ll go now,” Angelia said, looking worriedly at Jerome.

Jerome closed his eyes, gesturing for her to leave with peace of mind.

She didn’t know why, but she trusted him. He had a calm aura that could make people feel at ease.

She turned around and left the ward.

Abigail Diana held Jerome’s hand, happily saying, “You’re so handsome. You and our Angelia are a great match. Do you like our Angelia?”

Jerome’s eyes showed a slight fluctuation as he replied, “Yes.”

“Grandma specifically asked for you to come because she knows her time is limited. She has some things she wants to tell you and some things she wants to entrust to you,” Grandma’s eyes were filled with tears. “Grandma, what do you want to say?”

“Angelia, don’t be fooled by her usual playful and gentle personality. She may seem likeable with her lively and cheerful nature, but in reality, she is very stubborn and strong-willed. She keeps everything inside, even when falsely accused or slandered, and doesn’t bother explaining herself. So, she’s the type to suffer losses,” said the grandmother tearfully.

“Uh-huh,” Jerome listened quietly.

“Five years ago, she was raped, and everyone blamed her for pushing Lillian down the stairs, causing the Green family’s little girl to miscarry. But that’s not what happened,” the grandmother continued.

Jerome remained silent.

“In fact, Lillian had been with Angelia’s boyfriend for a long time. Angelia was slow to understand her feelings and didn’t want to think too much about it. She was about to get married, but Lillian drugged her and caused her to be rejected by the Johnson family. Angelia didn’t do anything wrong,” the grandmother became agitated and tightened her grip on Jerome’s hand.

“Don’t blame Angelia for being innocent. She’s proud and has integrity. She suffered from such a great injustice and slander, and resolutely left the Green family to come to the countryside to find me. But I’m still angry,” the grandmother held her chest.

“I went to the Green family to argue, and overheard Lillian’s mother’s conversation. They deliberately plotted to drive Angelia away and take everything from her. If Angelia were a promiscuous person and had been with Neville for five years, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain her purity. You have to believe Angelia and take good care of her,” the grandmother instructed.

Jerome remained silent, looking calm on the surface.

If Angelia had been promiscuous, she wouldn’t have had a boyfriend for five years and given him her first time.

He even doubted the authenticity of that love letter from before.Abigail Diana looked at Jerome, who remained silent, and asked worriedly, “Can you promise Grandma?”

“Okay,” Jerome promised.

Abigail Diana felt relieved and closed her eyes…

Angelia came back with porridge and saw that the ward was empty. She had a bad feeling and didn’t see Jerome. She rushed to the doctor’s office and asked, “Where is my grandmother?”

The doctor stood up respectfully when he saw Angelia and explained, “Your grandmother fainted and has been sent to the intensive care unit. I’ll take you there.”

Angelia was surprised that her grandmother was sent to the ICU, and wondered why the doctor didn’t go there.

However, it was just a fleeting thought. She followed the doctor into the elevator, clutching her fists anxiously.

“Um, do you know our dean?” the doctor asked.

Angelia didn’t understand what the doctor meant and shook her head.

“Several experts from our city came to treat your grandmother at the same time, and the dean also came. I thought you knew him,” the doctor said with a smile.

Angelia understood and felt a strange tremor in her heart. It must have been Jerome who was able to call in the experts.

When she entered the iron gate, she saw Jerome standing straight in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, staring into the ward.

She hurried over and leaned against the window.

The doctor had already done the emergency treatment and was still inside, seemingly discussing something that couldn’t be heard from outside.

“How is my grandmother?” Angelia asked anxiously.

“Your grandmother will be taken care of by professional doctors and nurses in the ICU until she is out of danger. Family members cannot go in and it is best not to come to see her. You will be notified,” the doctor replied.”I want to watch over my grandmother, at least when she wakes up, she can see that I am with her and not feel so lonely,” Angelia said.

“Do you think your grandmother would want to see you or would she want you to rest? Your presence will only make her worry about her illness. You should listen to the doctor’s advice,” Jerome replied solemnly.

Angelia knew that once they entered the intensive care unit, family members were not allowed to enter, and they could only look through the window for a few moments. But she was worried.

“Will my grandmother get better?” Angelia asked with red eyes.

Jerome did not speak. In fact, it was not optimistic. The doctor had just told her that many of her grandmother’s organs were not functioning properly, and her heart was twice its normal size.

Angelia looked up at Jerome.

Jerome looked at her shining eyes, feeling sorry for her, and comforted her, “She will get better. They report your grandmother’s condition to me every day. You should take care of yourself and not worry your grandmother.”

Angelia nodded, looking obedient and well-behaved.

He felt a faint heartache and softened his tone, “Have you had dinner yet?”

Angelia shook her head. She had not eaten dinner or lunch, and had no appetite. “I’m not hungry.”

“I’m hungry. Come eat with me. I have something to tell you,” Jerome said in a commanding tone, not allowing any objections, and walked outside.

Angelia thought that Jerome had helped her a lot today, and she couldn’t let him go hungry, so she followed him out.

They drove for six or seven minutes and stopped in front of the ZhaoDollar Building Hotel.

They went into a private room, and Angelia ordered three dishes and a soup. She propped up her chin, lowered her eyes, and waited quietly for the food to arrive.

In fact, she still had no appetite, worrying about her grandmother.”Two bottles of beer, please,” Jerome said to the waiter.

Angelia looked up at him and reminded him, “You’re driving, can you drink beer?”

“It’s okay to have one bottle, I’ll drink tea before we leave, it won’t be considered drunk driving,” Jerome said in a low voice.

“Okay,” Angelia replied, leaning on the table, still looking tired.

The waiter quickly brought two bottles of beer and helped to open them.

Jerome held the bottle and poured a glass of beer for Angelia, casually asking, “Did you ever write a love letter in college?”

“No, who writes love letters nowadays? It’s all text messages and messages, but…”

Angelia remembered something, “On the day of our college graduation ceremony, I gave you a love letter on behalf of Torres, I don’t know if you remember. Did you two end up together or break up?”

“Torres?” Jerome was somewhat unhappy.

He didn’t remember this person at all.

“Yes, our classmate, the cultural and entertainment committee member, she was the school flower of Harvard Medical School,” Angelia reminded him.

School flower? He remembered she was the most beautiful in their class.

“Oh, she also invited you to a hotel, I remember you agreed after reading the love letter,” Angelia recalled.

Jerome became annoyed, “Did you not read the content of the love letter?”

“Of course not, that’s your privacy,” Angelia said firmly.

He picked up the glass and drank the wine in one gulp, sharply sweeping towards Angelia, meaningfully and emotionally.

It turns out… she never liked him from beginning to end, and never invited him to the hotel to have sex. It was just a coincidence and a misunderstanding.

But he had been disgusted with her for so many years.

Angelia looked at him unhappy and seemed quite angry.

She guessed that he had an unhappy past with Torres, so she didn’t inquire further.Just as the waiter brought the food over, it relieved the awkwardness.

“Jerome, this meal is on me. Don’t compete with me. I’ll treat you when I have the chance to go to France in the future,” Angelia said actively.

He helped her today, and she wanted to repay him by treating him to a meal.

Jerome didn’t answer her and poured himself another glass of wine and drank it, looking at her.

He wanted to ask her why she didn’t like him, what he did wrong, and what she thought when he sent love letters to her on behalf of others. But, she was already married, and what was the point of asking these questions!

“Let’s eat first. I said I’m not used to letting others treat me. If you really want to thank me, make me some meals when you go back,” he said.

“Okay,” Angelia replied softly.

After dinner, Jerome paid the bill and asked the confused Angelia, “Where do you live? I’ll take you back.”

Angelia just remembered that she had nowhere to live, and there were no cars to go back to the countryside at this time.

“I want to go to the hospital to see my grandmother.”

“Get in the car,” Jerome pressed the car key, got in the car, and quickly fastened his seatbelt, looking at the red streamers swaying in the car, feeling depressed. However, he still didn’t take them down.

Angelia sat in the passenger seat, leaning against the chair.

Jerome drove.

She didn’t sleep well yesterday, and she was hypoxic from crying today.

Her head was heavy, and she was too tired.

She closed her eyes and dozed off in a short while.

Jerome glanced at her and wondered how she could go to the hospital when she was so tired.

He didn’t drive to the hospital but went to a nearby five-star hotel, got two rooms, and then went back to the car.

Angelia was still asleep, sleeping soundly.He lifted her from the car and she naturally rested her face on his shoulder, a fragrant scent hitting his nose.

Jerome looked at her helplessly.

She was so bold, didn’t she know he was a normal man?

He tried not to think too much and put her on the bed, taking off her shoes.

He thought about how uncomfortable she must be sleeping in her hotel suit and unbuttoned it.

“Jerome,” murmured Angelia.

He thought she had woken up and looked at her, but she was still asleep, restless, with a furrowed brow, trembling eyelashes, pursed lips, and uneven breathing.

“I don’t have a boat, not even one boat, don’t say that about me.”

He knew he had gone too far.

She had never seduced him, it was his misunderstanding.

But what did she mean by not even one boat?

Didn’t she have a husband?

Jerome found that he couldn’t calm his emotions, and a surge of impulse rushed to his brain.

He couldn’t tell if he was angry or frustrated, or if he had other feelings.

He lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.

He thought she would push him away, but she didn’t.

Not only did she not push him away, but she kissed him back, hesitantly, her tongue cautiously touching his lips.

Maybe it wasn’t even a kiss, just an accident on her part.

But his blood instantly ignited, and excitement rushed through his body, his heartbeat unable to be restrained.

His hands involuntarily covered her waist, gripping her body tightly, closing his eyes and deepening the kiss.

Their breaths were also tangled in the quiet space, becoming heavier.

Uncontrollable, he had a reaction and wanted more.

He was on the verge of exploding with tension, and memories overlapped with that night five years ago.

Suddenly, he remembered that she had a husband, and he was shocked and let her go.

Her softness and sweetness, however, made him addicted.

He, who was decisive and firm in the marketplace, was now somewhat confused and lost, as if trapped in the abyss of good and evil.

One thought can lead to enlightenment, and one thought can lead to evil.

He used one hundred percent of his willpower to stand up, covered her with a blanket, and looked deeply at her sleeping face.

Finally, he put a bottle of mineral water on her bedside table before leaving her room and taking a cold shower.

The whole night was destined to be sleepless.

Jerome tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

Her tears, her smile, her grievances, her anger, her self-mockery, and her flattery kept circling in his mind.

He was restless, looked at his stomach, and felt a reaction that was beyond his control, leaving him speechless.

He couldn’t deceive himself; he wanted her and wanted her heart even more, but… she was already married.

Angelia woke up around eight o’clock in the morning, and the first thing she thought of was her grandmother.

“You’re awake,” Jerome’s voice rang out.

Angelia was startled and sat up to look at him.

He was sitting on the sofa, wearing the same suit as yesterday.

Looking at his dangerous eyes, Angelia’s heart beat fast, and she cautiously asked, “You slept on the sofa yesterday?””No,” Jerome stood up, with one hand in his suit pocket.

“I stayed in the room next door last night, went to have breakfast first, and waited for you at the door.”

He turned around and walked towards the door.

Angelia felt that Jerome was somewhat unusual, but she couldn’t pinpoint what was unusual.

Her heart was pounding, and she felt inexplicably flustered.

She brushed her teeth, took a shower, quickly combed her hair, pulled her wrinkled clothes, and went out.

Jerome was leaning against the wall, looking at her obliquely, and said in a strange tone, “You’re fast. You don’t need to dress up carefully when you see me?”

“Huh?” Angelia’s mind went blank for a moment, and she explained, “I was afraid you had been waiting at the door for too long, and I didn’t want to waste your time.”

“Is that so?” Jerome walked towards the elevator.

Angelia followed him into the elevator.

“I fell asleep in your car yesterday. I’m sorry,” she said.

“What do you think your husband would do if he found out you fell asleep in another man’s car?” Jerome looked at her and asked tentatively.

Angelia’s heart trembled. She felt that Jerome’s words were too ambiguous and made her uneasy.

“He should be able to understand. I just fell asleep and didn’t do anything else,” she explained.

“Do you want to do something else?” Jerome asked, pursuing the matter.

“You sound disappointed.”

“I don’t,” Angelia explained, looking away, feeling uneasy and taking a deep breath to calm herself.

The elevator opened, and Jerome walked out first, as if he didn’t care about her.

He reported his room number and went into the buffet restaurant.

He took a plate, picked up a poached egg, a little spaghetti, a glass of milk, and ate elegantly, exuding an aura that kept others away.Angelia held the plate and hesitated for a moment before sitting opposite him, eating with her head down.

Jerome was focused on trying to absorb her.

Even with her head down, Angelia noticed his gaze and looked at him curiously.

He hung his eyes and asked indifferently, “What are you looking at me for?”

Angelia remained silent.

How did he know she was looking at him when he wasn’t even looking at her?

She remembered that he was fine yesterday, but it seemed like he had changed overnight.

She thought back to whether she had offended him last night, but besides falling asleep in his car, she couldn’t think of anything else.

“Jerome,” Angelia called out, “I want to know how my grandmother is doing. Can you help me ask?”

Jerome’s eyes showed helplessness, “I called this morning to ask, and your grandmother’s condition has improved.”

Angelia felt relieved, “After breakfast, I want to go see her.”

Her tone was pleading, and there was a hint of flattery in her voice.

Jerome’s strange and unpredictable manner had dissipated somewhat.

“I know, I’ll arrange it for you. Eat your breakfast first.”

“Okay.”

She ate her breakfast with her head down, and her phone rang.

It was Walden.

An invisible pressure came over her again.

She was planning to resign and didn’t know how to face Jerome.

Now it seemed like there was no problem between them, and in the ICU, it cost ten thousand a day.

She needed to earn money and keep this job.

She answered the phone.

“Angelia, I heard that Jerome didn’t go back to the hotel last night. Where are you now?” Walden asked with concern.

“I’m in Detroit. My grandmother is sick and in the hospital.”

“Is Jerome there too?” Walden interrupted Angelia in surprise.Angelia heard the shock in his tone and knew he had misunderstood.

To prevent the situation from escalating, she didn’t directly answer, “Wettiner, I want to take a week off to accompany my grandmother.”

“There’s an important event at the hotel today, you must come back. You can take the leave starting tomorrow, I’ve approved it,” Walden said sternly.

This hotel banquet was prepared for Jerome, and he suspected that if Angelia didn’t come, neither would he.

“Can I get an advance on this year’s bonus?” Angelia asked sweetly.

“Yes, come see me when you return today,” Walden said kindly.

Angelia calculated that she would receive over 120,000 Dollar in bonuses this year, which should be enough for her grandmother’s medical expenses.

After breakfast, they went to see Angelia’s grandmother.

Her grandmother was awake and being examined by a doctor.

When she saw Angelia, she waved.

A doctor came out of the ward and reported to Jerome, “Ms. Diana is recovering well. If there are no complications, she can be discharged in a week.”

Angelia was overjoyed and hugged Jerome tightly.

He could feel her soft body and her heartbeat skipped a beat.

Angelia realized she was too happy and awkwardly let go of Jerome, bowing respectfully at a ninety-degree angle, “Thank you, Mr. Taylor.”

Jerome frowned, “Thank me and still call me Mr. Taylor?”

She called him Mr. Taylor out of gratitude and respect, bowing again.

Jerome remained silent.

On the way back, Jerome played a cheerful song, “Inlovealong,” tapping his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel and occasionally glancing at Angelia.

“Is your relationship with your husband not good?” Jerome asked thoughtfully.

“Huh? Um, he’s very busy with work,” Angelia explained vaguely.Busy to the point that your grandmother hasn’t seen him in five years?

Jerome had wanted to ask this question yesterday, but seeing how sad she was, he suppressed the question.

Angelia didn’t want to answer the question, she brushed her hair and awkwardly laughed, “We have a secret marriage, not many people know. Jerome, I’m a little tired, I’ll sleep for a while.”

She turned to face the window, closed her eyes, clearly indicating that she didn’t want him to ask any further.

Jerome looked ahead with a heavy gaze. If their relationship was good, how could the man bear to see her suffer, even ignoring medical expenses?

When they returned to the hotel, Angelia went to see Walden first.

“Did you come back with Mr. Taylor?” Walden asked.

The answer to the question was related to whether he would approve the advance payment form.

“He happened to have something to do and went to Detroit.” Angelia explained.

Walden understood, smiled slightly, and approved the advance payment form. “Go to finance to get the money.”

“Thank you, Wettiner.” Angelia happily left.

The pager rang. She answered. “Come to my room.” Jerome said in a deep voice and hung up.

Angelia went over, and as soon as she knocked on the door, Jerome opened it.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her in, pinning her between him and the wall.

Angelia hadn’t recovered yet, and he had already kissed her lips, his fingers urgently unbuttoning her clothes…

Angelia was shocked, her mind went blank for a moment.

Why did Jerome kiss her?

If she remembered correctly, he had clearly said he didn’t like her yesterday afternoon.

She hurriedly tried to step back.

Jerome seemed to know she would step back, his five fingers went through her hair, holding the back of her head, deepening the kiss.She was about to push him away when she caught sight of Dawn coming out of the bathroom and froze.

Dawn also looked shocked as she was only wearing a towel and her hair was wet.

Many thoughts collided in Angelia’s mind.

She wasn’t sure if Jerome and Dawn had just finished or were about to do something, and if they were about to do something, why did Jerome call her over?

Was Jerome drugged?

No, Dawn was his girlfriend, so he shouldn’t have called her over if he was drugged.

Jerome slowly released his grip on Angelia’s fair skin and, looking at her bewildered expression, coldly said, “Get out.”

Angelia was even more confused.

He kissed her for no reason and then asked her to leave.

She decided to leave and walked out with her head down.

Jerome reluctantly grabbed her arm and pulled her closer, saying, “It’s not you.”

“Huh?”

It wasn’t her, so was it Dawn?

Dawn’s face looked very ugly, turning red and white, and she turned around and went back to the bathroom to change clothes.

After struggling with her thoughts for a while, Angelia couldn’t figure out what had happened and asked Jerome in a low voice, “What happened?”

Jerome looked at her lips, which had turned red from the kiss, and his eyes deepened.

He leaned closer to her and before he could say anything, his breath fell on her ear.

Angelia felt itchy and knew he was going to speak softly to her, but he was too close and she could smell a faint floral fragrance on him that was reminiscent of high-quality dragon’s saliva incense, mixed with the freshness of nature, which was very pleasant.

Her heart rate increased involuntarily, and she wanted to step back.

He lifted her chin, as if he was going to kiss her.

Angelia instinctively turned her head away, turned sideways, and escaped his grasp.Jerome noticed her rejection, his eyes dimmed and his hand was inserted into his pocket. “I’ll tell you when she’s gone,” he said.

“Okay,” Angelia replied, trying to calm her racing heart.

Dawn came out of the bathroom, perhaps having adjusted her emotions, and spoke kindly to Jerome with a smile. “Thank you for letting me use your bathroom. Since you’re busy, I’ll leave first. Don’t forget our appointment.”

Jerome closed his eyes and looked cold, his chin glancing towards the door. Dawn passed by Angelia, clenching her fists, and left.

After seeing the door close, Angelia asked, “She borrowed your bathroom?”

“Borrowing the bathroom was just an excuse. As you saw, she came out in a bathrobe. If you weren’t here, I think she would have taken it off quickly,” Jerome said coldly, with a distant tone.

Angelia was even more puzzled. “Aren’t you two boyfriend and girlfriend? Nowadays, people are very open-minded. As long as they’re adults, some things are natural and can happen.”

Jerome frowned and his tone became colder. “Who told you we were boyfriend and girlfriend? She’s the daughter of my aunt’s friend.”

Angelia suddenly realized that they weren’t in a romantic relationship. She felt a strange feeling, like an electric current rushing through her, but it was gone in a flash.

“So, you did it on purpose…” Angelia hesitated, scratched her forehead, and skipped the word “kiss” since she was embarrassed to say it out loud.

“You called me here to show her?”Here, I only know you well, and you are a married woman, so I don’t have any thoughts about you. Even if I kiss you, you won’t fall in love with me. Asking for your help is the most suitable thing to do.” Jerome said in a sarcastic tone.

“But…”

“You won’t have any thoughts about me just because I kissed you, right?” Jerome interrupted her, stopping her from giving a reason to refuse.

Angelia shook her head immediately in surprise, “Of course not.”

“Then I can rest assured. When will you make dumplings for me to eat?” Jerome looked at her with a burning gaze.

Angelia smoothly shifted her thoughts, “Dumplings, tonight there is a banquet, and the kitchen will prepare at noon. It may be very busy, and I won’t be able to borrow the kitchen.”

“So you’re planning to back out?” Jerome was unhappy and turned coldly.

Angelia looked at his back.

He had helped her a lot. If it weren’t for him helping her with a false statement, she would not only have been fired but also fined.

And it was also because of him pretending that her grandmother’s wish was fulfilled.

If it weren’t for the people he brought, her grandmother wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.

Starting tomorrow, she would take a week off, and when she came back, he might have already returned to his country. She should be grateful to him.

“How about going to my house? But I don’t have time to make lunch. I’ll give you some to eat downstairs. Dumplings can be served as snacks. The extra dumplings can be frozen, and you can ask the kitchen to cook them when you want to eat them.” Angelia said softly.

Jerome’s breath sank, his body visibly stunned for a moment, and he turned to look at her. He looked calm, but his eyes hid a storm. “Your husband doesn’t mind?”

“He’s not at home.” Angelia blurted out.After finishing her sentence, she felt that it was too ambiguous and implied something, so she immediately explained, “What I meant was that he’s on a business trip.”

Jerome’s eyes became deeper and his voice became darker, “How many days is he on a business trip?”

“Uh…”

This kind of conversation can really make people think the wrong thing.

She laughed dryly and replied, “Just a few days. What kind of dumplings do you want to eat? Corn and meat, pure meat, oh, can we eat shrimp and meat dumplings?”

Jerome looked at her nervousness and his eyes became more joyful.

Doesn’t she have any feelings for him at all, right?

“Make them all. They can be stored in the refrigerator. If I want to eat them, I can just cook them.” Jerome said.

“Okay.” Angelia turned and walked out, with him following behind her.

She didn’t know if it was intentional or unintentional, or if she was too sensitive, but she always felt his breath falling on her neck, itching and teasing something.

In the elevator, she deliberately stood in the corner.

Jerome glanced at her, “Why are you standing so far away when there are only two of us?”

“Just standing casually, there’s plenty of space. Hehe.” Angelia said with a smile, trying not to appear too deliberate.

Jerome stood next to her.

Angelia became nervous instantly, her spine stiffened, and she took a step forward.

Jerome’s gaze sharpened, he turned around, propped his hand next to her body, and controlled her between the wall and his chest, looking down at her, not giving her any chance to escape, “Angelia, have you fallen for me?”

“Of course not, how could that be? We’ve talked about this before.” Angelia immediately denied.

“Then why are you avoiding me? Am I edible?” Jerome approached her.Angelia immediately used her hand to press against his chest and said with a smile, “Why would I hide? If I was hiding, I wouldn’t have taken you to my house, right?”

Jerome looked down at her hand. She was pressing in the wrong spot and he could feel his pectoral muscles. His palm felt like it had been burned and he pulled it back, fidgeting with his clothes.

“Stand properly,” Jerome said in a deep voice, turning around and standing fifty centimeters away from her.

Angelia breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart was still beating rapidly.

She covered her chest and wondered why she was so nervous.

Did she really have feelings for Jerome?

No, that wasn’t possible. She was probably just afraid of offending him.

After all, Jerome was an authority figure who could decide someone’s fate with a single word. She still remembered what happened to June.

She parked her car in a nearby parking lot and said, “Um, I’ll go buy some groceries. It won’t take long. Can you wait for me in the car for a bit?”

“I’ll come with you,” Jerome said, unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of the car.

Angelia anxiously grabbed his arm. “The market is wet, smelly, noisy, and chaotic. Just wait for ten minutes, okay?”

“Don’t you want me to come?” he asked.

“Huh?” She was going, so why was he going too?

Her heart skipped a beat again. She hadn’t even had time to digest his words when he got out of the car and walked straight towards the market. She quickly got out of the car, locked the doors, and followed behind him.

“A young man accompanying his wife to buy groceries, would you like to buy some of my home-grown vegetables? They’re pesticide-free,” a middle-aged woman outside the market smiled and asked Jerome.

The word “wife” softened Jerome’s expression.

He looked at Angelia and said, “Buy all of her vegetables.”Angelia glanced at the ground and saw potatoes, knife beans, cucumbers, chicken feather vegetables, and pumpkin vines. “We don’t need these vegetables to make dumplings,” Angelia reminded. “You bought them anyway, stop talking so much,” Jerome responded forcefully.

Angelia helplessly turned to the middle-aged lady and said politely, “Auntie, we bought all your vegetables, but we need to go inside to buy something now. We’ll buy them when we come out.”

“You can go in and buy them again, my vegetables aren’t heavy,” the middle-aged lady said.

Angelia took Jerome’s hand and walked away. Jerome looked at the small hand in his palm and held it tighter, following her obediently. She really looked like a young wife holding her husband’s hand.

Angelia walked all the way to the place where they sold pork and realized that she had held his hand for too long. She let go and explained, “Auntie had too many things, and it was too heavy for us to carry. We’ll buy the same thing when we leave.”

“Okay,” Jerome replied softly.

“Boss, I want this piece of meat. Can you wash it and grind it into minced meat?” “Sure,” the boss put the meat on the electronic scale, pressed the calculator, and said, “It’s 105 Dollar. Let’s make it 100.”

Angelia went into her purse to look for money, but Jerome had already handed over the money. “I said I would treat you,” Angelia objected.

“Next time,” Jerome said firmly.

Angelia frowned slightly, wondering if there would be a next time for them. The boss took Jerome’s money with a smile and started grinding the meat.

Angelia thought they still needed to buy shrimp, corn, and cabbage, so she took out 100 Dollar from her wallet and held it in her hand.

The boss handed the minced meat to Angelia. She went to the place where they sold shrimp and picked out some that were not too big.

“Boss, give me a pound of these shrimp,” she said to the vendor.

“Your husband just paid for 100 Dollar of shrimp,” the vendor’s wife said.

Angelia felt embarrassed and said, “He’s not my husband.”

“Not yet, but he will be. Your boyfriend is a good person. He’s worth marrying,” the vendor’s wife teased.

Angelia was speechless and blushed. She looked at Jerome carefully, but he remained calm, with autumn-like waves hidden in his ink lotus-like eyes.

“She’s just joking,” Angelia explained.