Chapter 171

Defiant as she was, Velvet had no choice.

“Understood,” she said, lowering her head before backing out of the room.

Not long after, I heard Spade lecturing her from the end of the hallway.

“I’ve told you to stop causing trouble, haven’t I? From now on, I’ll escort her whenever she comes over.”

I glanced in their direction, but Frederick stepped in to block my line of sight.

“Come in,” he said. “There’s still a lot of work to do.”

I nodded. Frederick closed the door behind me and gave me a curious look.

“What’s your take on Velvet?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, visibly perplexed.

“You were staring at her with such interest earlier. I thought you were into her.”

I chuckled. “I’m straight. Don’t get any weird ideas.”

He was caught off guard for a second, then laughed. “Got it. Let’s get to work.”

Not long after, we delved into work.

I was full of energy. I didn’t know what the 25-year-old me was like, but the 18-year-old me was still a bold, inexperienced college student. Driven by raw passion and big dreams, I wanted to succeed more than everyone else.

Night fell before I realized it.

Frederick glanced at me, stretching as he asked, “Where are you planning to go tonight? Back to the Ford residence?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to go back there yet.”

Alicia had been staying at the Ford residence, and the last thing I wanted was to run into her the moment I walked through the door.

At first, I thought the house was big enough that we could avoid each other. But somehow, I always managed to bump into her whenever I came home. Maybe she did it on purpose.

She’d either deliberately provoke me or go running to Jonathan, which annoyed me to no end. Eventually, I got tired of it and decided it was better to just move out altogether.

But Jonathan didn’t want me to live alone. He gave me two options – to either stay at the Ford residence or move into Willowcreek.

I didn’t want either of those.

“I’m not going back,” I told Frederick. “I’ll just find a hotel and stay there for the time being.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you worried that Jonathan will come looking for you?”

“If he wants to come, let him,” I replied nonchalantly. “We can’t even stand the sight of each other now. Let’s see who lasts longer.”

I yawned, starting to feel a bit tired.

“Honestly, I don’t get why he keeps dragging this out,” I added. “Sooner or later, we’re going to get divorced anyway. It doesn’t matter when. I really don’t understand why he’s so unwilling to end it.”

I couldn’t help venting my frustration to Frederick. He simply gave me a pointed look and said, “I don’t want to get involved in your marriage. Just make sure you separate your work and life.”

“Would I do otherwise?” I scowled. “I don’t need you to remind me.”

I grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it at his head. He caught it and tossed it right back. We messed around like that for a while, surprisingly immersed in a game we both found childish.

Just then, Velvet came in to bring some drinks. She froze when she saw us, but said nothing. After setting down a fruit platter, she turned to leave.

“Do you remember what I told you before?” Frederick suddenly asked.

With her back still facing him, Velvet hung her head low and stayed silent.

Frederick frowned. “Let me make this clear again. I told you not to disturb me."

Clenching her fists, she suddenly spun toward him and blurted out, “Mr. Guzman, I still have to speak up – even if you’re going to fire me! Elise is still married. You can’t do this!”

His expression turned cold in an instant.

“I don’t need you telling me how to live my life.”

Chapter 172