Chapter 1033

She went by a different name—a name she wished she could forget forever. She thought she'd never remember that part of her past again.

That evening, Lucas returned to Rosary Estates and told Teresa everything that had happened.

Teresa was just as stunned as Lucas had been, not even knowing what to say. She exclaimed, “Yalena came to you alone and said she’s in love with you?”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what she said. She claims she didn’t have anyone ruin me because she fell for me and decided to spare me,” Lucas replied, his tone flat.

Teresa fell silent.

It was true—Yalena had once told Teresa she’d sent men to violate Lucas, and the news had made Teresa so angry she went into early labor.

But later, Lucas told her it never happened, and Teresa wasn’t sure whether to believe him or not. She asked, “Lucas, do you even know her?”

“No, not at all,” Lucas replied, shaking his head.

“So what’s that supposed to mean, her saying she’s in love with you? Was it love at first sight or something?” Teresa asked.

“That’s what she said. She claimed I’m the only one she’s ever truly cared about,” Lucas replied, his voice flat.

Teresa said, “Don’t believe a word she says. You can look up Yalena’s scandals from a few months ago—there are photos of her kissing several guys at nightclubs all over the internet. And if she really loved you, would she have had people beat you up?”

She thought, ‘Yalena had Lucas beaten up and now claims she’s in love with him? That’s just plain nuts. And honestly, she really is nuts.’

Lucas nodded and said, “I never believed a word she said, and there’s no way I’d ever get together with her. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Teresa pressed.

But Lucas fell silent. Yalena had said that if Lucas agreed to be with her, she’d finally let Teresa and Mike off the hook. Lucas just couldn’t find the words to bring that up.

He thought, ‘Was I becoming a burden to Teresa?’

Seeing his silence, Teresa urged, “Why are you so quiet, Lucas? If something’s bothering you, don’t keep it from me.”

Lucas said, “I’m fine, Teresa. Don’t worry about it. I know what I’m doing, and I’m not interested in her.”

“Alright, then,” Teresa said. She thought, ‘Yalena wants to be my sister-in-law? Not a chance. There’s no way I’d ever agree to that.’

Suddenly, Teresa’s phone rang—it was a call from the company.

She answered the phone. After hearing what the other person said, she turned serious. She said, “Alright, I understand.” With that, she hung up.

Lucas quickly asked, “Teresa, what’s going on? Is something wrong?”

Teresa grabbed her car keys and explained, “There’s something at the company I need to deal with, so I’m heading out. If you don’t have anything going on tonight, you can sleep with Mike.” Then she hurried off.

Lucas wondered if Yalena was messing with Teresa again. He was worried about Teresa.

When Teresa got back to the company, she learned the news that the branch of the Kelly Group had just launched a new product today—and it was exactly the same as the one her company was about to release.

Teresa immediately realized that someone had leaked their company’s confidential information. And she knew it must be a traitor in upper management, hiding right under her nose.

Miriam had also rushed to the office, looking even more shocked than Teresa. Her face was ashen as she stammered, “Teresa, I don’t know how this happened. It wasn’t me.”

Teresa nodded and said, “I believe you.”

After all, Teresa had known Miriam for over ten years—since their school days. With a friendship that deep, she never doubted Miriam.

Tears streamed down her face as Miriam choked out, “I’ll get to the bottom of this—whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility.”

Teresa was up all night, not getting a wink of sleep as she stayed at the office.

The next day, Miriam showed up with someone in tow.