Chapter 14: No Grudges, Why Is He After Me?
Jensen frowned and pulled his arm away from the woman beside him. It was obvious he found her clinging too blatant, embarrassing even. Everyone at the table had known each other for over twenty years. No one was ignorant of each other’s dirty laundry. She wasn’t even trying to hide it—almost as if she was flaunting her status as a mistress.
An awkward silence fell over the room. Paul tugged Elsie to a seat but didn’t bother introducing her. Owen watched their intertwined hands with growing irritation. The engagement with Yunice wasn’t even officially annulled yet, and he was already with another?
Noticing the shift in Owen’s expression, Elsie instinctively tried to pull her hand away. But Paul, as if deliberately trying to provoke, tightened his grip and placed their joined hands openly on the table for everyone to see.
Naturally, this action drew attention to Yunice. Several gazes fell upon her, but she remained seated, composed, her eyes downcast in quiet detachment. It was as if the world around her didn’t exist.
Both Owen and Lily sighed in relief. Finally, Yunice was acting sensibly. She should know when to let go if she couldn’t hold on. But Paul’s face darkened. Why wasn’t she reacting? Why wasn’t she making a scene? Did she not care about me at all?
Yunice seemed like nothing more than an extra at the table. She paid attention to neither the conversations nor the unfolding drama. It was as if she was there merely to have a meal. And truthfully, no one was speaking to her either.
Soon, the waitstaff arrived with the dishes. Margaret didn’t bother with formalities; she picked up her chopsticks immediately. She served herself, then placed food onto Yunice’s plate, whispering, “Eat up. If nothing else, at least don’t wrong yourself.”
Yunice couldn’t say she wasn’t touched. Betrayed by both family and fiancé, she had long stopped placing expectations on anyone. So Margaret’s warmth made her feel a little bitter. Quietly, she ate the light, refreshing dishes, her stomach finally at ease.
Once the last dish was served, a server smiled and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, all dishes have been brought out. If you need anything else, please call my employee number.”
“My number is 1030.”
The sound of plates knocking and chairs scraping against the floor merged as Yunice abruptly shot up, her voice trembling as she instinctively responded, “Present!” Her reaction was so sudden that everyone flinched in shock, especially Lily, who clutched her chest as if she might faint.
Without a word, she turned and left. Why stay and endure their contempt? She’d rather have some peace outside. Ironically, as she left in embarrassment, not a single person spoke up.
Just when she thought she was finally out of it, Jensen’s voice rang out, “Hold on.” Yunice stopped and turned around. She saw Jensen exchange a look with the woman beside him, who then retrieved a red envelope from her bag.
Both Yunice and Paul recognized it instantly; it was their engagement contract. Jensen’s imposing gaze bore into Yunice. “You know why you’re here today. Do I need to spell it out? Sign off and leave.”
Yunice stepped forward, took the document, and glanced at it. Paul suddenly tensed. If she signed, the contract would be void. Surely, Yunice wouldn’t go through with it? If she truly wanted to break it off, why had she been acting so indifferent toward me? Isn’t it just a ploy to get my attention? Now that she was about to lose me as her last bargaining chip, she wouldn’t keep up the act, would she? Maybe she’d even beg us to…
Just as Paul was imagining Yunice breaking down in regret, her calm voice cut through his thoughts. “I’ve signed.”
“What—?” Paul shot to his feet. Now it was everyone else’s turn to give him odd looks. Wasn’t he the one demanding the breakup? Why was he so agitated now?
Yunice placed the annulled engagement contract neatly on the table and left. But once outside, she had nowhere to go. She leaned against the railing, staring at the red ink on her fingertip, feeling a crushing emptiness. He had been my fiancé for over ten years. It was impossible not to feel anything as our bond was officially severed. I didn’t know who else I could rely on. I felt like a floating weed, with no place to call home.
Just then, a waiter approached her kindly and said that a lady inside had asked her to return to the room and wait instead of wandering around. It was Margaret. Taking the key card, Yunice started heading back.
“You went to the black market that night. Does your family know?!” A playful voice rang out behind her, making Yunice stiffen. She turned around quickly and met Wyatt’s gaze.
Wyatt stood with his hands resting atop a cane, his sharply tailored trousers fitting his long, straight legs. When motionless, his limp was almost imperceptible. No one knew the truth about his leg, but everyone knew about his notorious reputation. Half the people in Silverburgh avoided him, while the other half wished they could take him down for good.
Yunice’s expression turned wary. Nothing good ever came from dealing with him. Noticing her guarded stance, Wyatt raised his wrist and smirked. “Did you steal this from home too?”
Seeing the jade bracelet on his wrist, Yunice’s breath caught. She lunged forward, reaching for it. “That’s mine! How did it end up with you?” Wyatt lifted his hand above his head. Given their height difference, even on tiptoes, Yunice couldn’t reach. Jumping twice only left her gasping in pain.
Wyatt tilted his head, watching her struggle. “Is it yours? I thought it belonged to the pawn shop.” Yunice glared up at him. “You investigated me?” I had pawned the bracelet before running into him. For him to have it now meant he had looked into me after the fact.
“But pawn shops have confidentiality policies—” Wyatt cut in indifferently. “Policies bend to money. Do you think buying your bracelet was difficult?” Yunice had no counterargument. After a pause, she closed her eyes, resigned. Talking about rules in a black market—only a fool would do that.
I had planned to buy back the bracelet in three months once I had saved 70,000 dollars. Now, even if I had the money, the shop would just claim it was lost and throw me some compensation to shut me up. Regret washed over her. But soon, another question dawned on her.
I and Wyatt had no grievances. If anything, I had saved his life that night. Though the situation had been less than dignified, it wasn’t enough reason for him to chase me down for revenge. Maybe I had judged him unfairly. Just because others called him a villain didn’t mean I should assume the same.
So, with a sincere expression, she asked, “Did you redeem my bracelet to repay your debt for me saving your life?”