Chapter 3 They Are Working Together

• Meanwhile, back in the room, Howard moved his hips relentlessly as he panted out, “Baby, what’s the hurry? The mortgage for this house is still undergoing review at the bank. Once I get my hands on the money, I’ll dump that b*tch faster than you can say snap!”
• I was utterly stunned at what I was hearing. So that was what these two lying cheating wretches were planning! Previously, Howard told me that he wanted to start up his own business but did not have enough funds. Thus, I graciously offered to mortgage this villa to the bank. But now I finally knew the truth! He was not actually starting up a business; he was just using me to get money! Once the repayment date was due, the bank would then auction off my villa, which was not of any concern to him. As for that b*****d, he would lose nothing over this!
• By that point, I had bitten down on my lip so hard that I could taste the coppery tang of blood. It was probably the same place that I had bitten earlier, but I was already numb from the pain. All I knew was that I struggled to contain my impulse to rush in and give them hell. However, I kept my head clear as I knew it wasn’t time yet. With that, I backed away slowly and snuck my way downstairs before bolting for the door.
• The only thing that mattered now was to get to the bank as fast as I could! I needed to cancel the mortgage application at once. My mother had left me this villa, and there was no way I would allow it to become a tool for them to get easy money!
• Hailing a cab, I climbed inside and stared out the window dumbly. I really had to give it to those two. They played me like a fiddle, and I was oblivious to it all. Suddenly, I felt the terrible urge to laugh. My lips twitched, but no sound came out. Unbidden, tears trickled down my face.
• One was my best friend, while the other was a man I had hoped to spend the rest of my life with. I treated them oh-so sincerely, but what did I get in return? Cruel and heartless betrayal! They even went behind my back to cheat on me together!
• Just then, my phone rang. When I saw that it was Howard, I was tempted to reject the call. Upon second thought, I decided to answer because I did not want to let him know something was up.
• “Jennifer, are you coming home this afternoon?”
• Was he worried that I would barge in and interrupt their fun? The scene in Shannon’s room earlier replayed in my mind. Instinctively, a sneer curled my lips, but I forced myself to sound calm. “Nope. I’m still busy at the office!”
• “Wow, you’re still at work?” He was silent for a moment before he chuckled and replied, “Alright then, take care of yourself, okay? Don’t overexert yourself. I love you.”
• I love you.
• Just hearing him say that had revulsion rising in me. It took all of my efforts to play along as I said, “I love you too.”
• Before I could hang up, the cab came to a stop. The driver turned around to inform me, “Miss, we’ve arrived at the bank.”
• “The bank? Jennifer, what are you doing at the bank?” There was a slight hint of alarm in Howard’s voice.
• Shit! He’s definitely suspicious now. Panicking, I immediately ended the call and rushed out of the cab.
• Near the front doors of the bank, I bumped into the last person I wanted to see at that moment. It was a man who angered me even more than Howard - Lucian!
• His gaze was cold and distant while the bespoke suit accentuated his model-like body. Every single motion he made screamed of arrogance and power.
• Behind him was a man built like an ox, who was probably his bodyguard. Bowing my head down, I sprinted past them as I headed straight for the office of the business manager. Right before I entered, Lucian’s voice called out from behind me, “Jennifer?”
• With a sigh, I twisted my head around to throw him a glare before yanking the office door open. As I was going to enter, the business manager came barreling out of his office. I quickly stopped him, saying, “Mr. Walton, I wish to withdraw my mortgage application. I don’t want to mortgage my house anymore.”
• “Oh, it’s you, Ms. Quinn.” Mr. Walton smiled and nodded at me in greeting. Looking down at the folder in his hand, he stated, “Please wait inside my office for a moment. I have an urgent document that needs to be signed. Do excuse me for just a moment. I’ll be right back.”
• I nodded and walked inside his office. When I sat down, another employee helpfully served me a glass of water.
• A short while later, the office door swung open from the outside before Howard and Shannon came running in.
• “Where’s Mr. Walton?” Howard took a glance at me nervously before asking one of the employees.
• “He just left but will be back in a moment.”
• Hearing that, Howard’s eyes gleamed brightly, and then he fell silent.
• The sight of the two of them sent fury roaring through me again, and this time I couldn’t hold back any longer. My teeth were grinding so hard that my jaw was aching. Storming over towards them, I raised my hand to slap Howard. Unfortunately, he grabbed my wrist before my palm could land on his cheek. He looked at me and demanded lowly, “Jennifer, just what do you think you’re doing?”
• “Are you seriously still pretending?” I pointed an accusing finger at Shannon and hissed, “You b*****d. I knew about the revolting things you two are doing behind my back! Yet you still have the audacity to ask me what I’m doing? Don’t you have any shame? Doesn’t it disgust you at all?”
• “Jenny, there’s nothing going on between Howard and me. Please don’t misunderstand!” Shannon hastily replied. “I know you’re unhappy about what happened earlier, so you can take out all your anger on me. But please don’t withdraw the mortgage application! Otherwise, Howard won’t be able to start up his business!”
• “Shannon Gott, since when are you so chummy with Howard, hmm? Didn’t you use to call him Mr. Coffey?” I seized her collar and shook her as I snarled, “Even now, you’re still trying to lie to me! You’re still hoping that you’ll get money from selling my house. Well, you can dream on because it’ll never happen!”
• Howard obviously could not bear seeing Shannon being manhandled like this. Like a knight rescuing a damsel in distress, he shoved me away roughly and snapped, “Jennifer, that’s enough! Stop this nonsense of yours!”
• To think he used to be so gentle towards me! The man in front of me became like a total stranger as I stare at him dumbfounded. I was absolutely incensed. At that moment, the door opened, and Mr. Walton entered. Instantly, I darted over to him and clutched his arm, urging, “Mr. Walton, please withdraw my application for the mortgage!”
• Once again, he glanced down at the folder in his hand with a smile and replied, “I’m sorry, Ms. Quinn, but the documents were reviewed and signed. Congratulations, the mortgage contract has officially come into effect.”
• My heart skipped a beat at his words while realization and horror dawned on me. So he was taking my documents to be reviewed earlier! And I was still waiting for him in the office like a fool! He was obviously just stalling for time!
• My chest felt like there was a raging fire burning inside it, and such was the extent of my anger. Ignoring the fact that I was still in a public area, I screamed, “Mr. Walton, what is the meaning of this? Didn’t I tell you to withdraw my application earlier?”
• His gaze was indifferent as he stared at me for a few seconds. Then, he took out one of the documents in the folder and handed it to Howard. “Buddy, I did what I can. Here, you can keep the contract. I’ve already filed a copy away.”
• So they were working together to trick me! Even though I was here before Howard, one phone call from him was enough to seal the deal.
• Howard kept the document in his briefcase while thanking Mr. Walton profusely. Mr. Walton winked and replied, “Hey, that’s what classmates are for! The five million has already been transferred to your account. Don’t forget what you have promised me!”
• Patting the other man’s shoulder, Howard laughed triumphantly and answered, “Don’t worry. I won’t!”
• “You b*****ds!” Consumed by my rage, I threw myself at them recklessly. Unfortunately, my impulsive actions only served to cause me more humiliation. My face was beaten up so badly that it was already starting to swell. Not only that but my clothes were also ripped in the one-sided battle.
• After the ruckus, Howard straightened his tie and sneered. “Jennifer, I suggest you get the hell out of my sight immediately. Continue kicking up a fuss, and I’ll break your legs!”
• My entire body was shaking with the intensity of my outrage. I really wanted to curse at him. However, I had a split lip, so even opening my mouth made me hiss in pain.
• At that moment, the office door was shoved open, and a glacial voice rang out, “Who dares to say such disrespectful things here, even threatening to break someone’s legs!”
• Turning my head to look, my gaze landed on the unsmiling face of Lucian.
• Behind him was that bodyguard I had seen earlier, along with several pot-bellied men in suits. An ostentatious smile crossed Mr. Walton’s face when he spotted the group of men. He instantly bowed and greeted them, “Good day, Directors.”
• Nonetheless, the men did not reply to his greeting. They merely stood behind Lucian respectfully.