Chapter 8
I remained silent; my fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms.[]
The assistant, clearly flustered, said, “Ma’am, don’t make it difficult for me. This offer is very generous. Though you’ve suffered, you’ll find some solace in this compensation.“[]
“Our boss, Jack, is also about to become a father. He’s very sincere about resolving this. Ignore Lucy–she’s mentally unstable. Do you really want to fight with someone like that?“[]
Excuses?
Mental illness?
How can she have mentally ill?]
And how could this assistant speak so evasively?[]
I glared at him and searched for my cell phone, only to find he’d taken it. He was adept at his job, turning away and presenting another settlement offer to persuade me.]
“Ma’am, let’s be clear: ten million dollars is the highest we can offer. Sign this settlement, and you’ll get your phone back, stay in the hospital for a full month if you want. After discharge, you can take the ten million and leave, avoiding any more trouble with Lucy. You wouldn’t want to be involved with her, would you? Our boss, Jack, is sincere in making this right.”
I smiled bitterly and gestured for the settlement letter.
The assistant, thinking I’d accepted, handed it over with a
grin.
I grabbed the letter and tore it to shreds, shouting, “Ten million isn’t enough! Ask Jack how much his child is worth!“]
The assistant, flustered, hurried away.
Locked in the sick room, I had no contact with the outside world. At eight in the evening, I heard commotion outside. It was Jack, accompanied by Lucy.[]
Lucy strutted down the corridor in high heels until Jack grabbed her and slammed her against the wall. Lucy fell, no longer pretending, and began cursing.
“Jack, what’s going on?”
“What’s going on?” Jack’s anger was barely contained. “Who gave you the right to cause this mess? You beat her up, she lost the baby, and you’re dragging my name through the mud?“]
“Why can’t I do this? We were close in the office. I’m serious about love, and I’m heartbroken!“]
“Look, we’re all adults. Didn’t you understand our arrangement? Go in and apologize. Settle this, and don’t let my wife find out.”
“You have a wife?!“[]
Chapter 8
Lucy’s shock was palpable–whether genuine or an act to escape her wrongdoing.
“You never mentioned you had a wife, and neither did anyone else at the company! You let me test you repeatedly while keeping this secret?“]]
“Am I required to inform you about my marital status?“]
Jack flung open the door and dragged Lucy in to force her to apologize.
With the gauze covering my face, Jack still didn’t recognize me and assumed I was just an innocent bystander who had been assaulted by Lucy.[]
He had evidently just returned from a business trip and was trying to clear up the mess, thinking he could sort everything out and then return to being a good husband and father.]
But he was mistaken.[]
He’ll never get that chance again!
