Chapter 174
Neil’s recent behavior was like he had been possessed by a demon. The last time I saw him, he exuded a chilly aura, and now, he was radiating an aura that screamed “stay away” This aloofness made him seem like a stranger to me
I had been married to him for five years, and I knew deep down that his character was cold, but not in this gloomy coldness. All in all, there was something strangely unsettling about him now
After Bonnie finished mocking Oscar, she turned to leave, but Neil’s presence startled her. She took two steps back and leaned against the foot of the hospital bed
“Neil Bonnie called out, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.
“Get out of my sight Neil’s lips finally moved. “Fuck off”
Bonnie’s back was turned to me, so I couldn’t see her expression, but her voice was composed “Neil, why are you avoiding me? I’m not here to pester you There are some matters that need discussion.”
So she came to see me just to meet Neil?
Neil’s voice was cold as ice. “There’s nothing between us to discuss, including your current identity. No matter whose foster daughter you are, don’t
bother me.”
Bonnie was left speechless for a moment. She had worked hard to secure her status as the vice president’s adopted daughter of a major overseas corporation. She even brought back two hundred million dollars to invest in Rosemont. Shouldn’t Neil be reevaluating her given all this?
Even though Whitmore Co. was powerful, business still needed to be conducted. He couldn’t just ignore the opportunities right in front of him, could he?
I could sense Bonnie’s complex emotions in that moment.
“Trene, I’m leaving: Oscar said, unable to listen any longer. His face displayed a mix of disappointment and sadness. He muttered something under his breath before quietly exiting the room
Once Oscar was gone, I spoke up. “Can you two discuss whatever you need to outside? I need to rest”
Bonnie turned around, shooting me a resentful glance. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.
“Neil,” she turned towards him, her voice now calm, “Did you reserve Vicente’s ‘Harmony in Nature? Can you sell it to me? I can offer a higher price.”
I adjusted the covers and pulled them over myself, not wanting to hear any more.
Human nature is inherently selfish, and Neil is particularly so. I’ve come to see that he’s only interested in what he’s lost or can’t have. The more Bonnie pushes, the more he pulls away
If Bonnie and I didn’t have our conflicts, I might even want to offer her some advice.
Then, Bonnie let out a startled cry. I lifted the covers to see that Neil had grabbed her and pulled her out of the room.
Simple, direct, and effective.
I got out of bed and rushed to the door, wanting to lock it, but Neil was faster. He had returned and locked it himself.
“Do you know Finn Hackett?” Neil asked me from the chair next to him.
“I don’t,” I answered absentmindedly with my eyes closed. “But I know he was involved in the incident at Zion Chemical Plant.”
“Hmm. That’s why I’m worried he might be retaliating against you. I’ll have people to protect you in the coming days,” Neil’s voice held an undeniable dominance.
I opened my eyes, rejecting his offer without much thought. “It’s not necessary. I’ve already reported to the police. If it’s really Finn, he won’t get away”
A cold glint passed through Neil’s eyes. He was clearly dissatisfied with my refusal. He said in a low voice, ‘Do you think it’s that simple? Even though he knows who you are, he dared to make a move against you So don’t play games with your own safety”
Someone who dares to target the Whitmore family wouldn’t be afraid of me either. I knew Finn was the kind of person who was hard to deal with.
But I didn’t need Neil to arrange for my protection. If I needed a bodyguard, I could hire one myself.
“Alright then, I’ll find my own bodyguard when the time comes. Neil, you don’t need to worry about me,” I replied calmly.
“Do you have to treat me like this?” Neil’s brow furrowed, and the crease on his forehead seemed like a small mountain range. “I made a mistake. Can’t! have a chance to make it right?”
I interrupted him, ‘Let’s not dwell on the past anymore, truly. Those things are behind us now. You brought me to the hospital, helped me deal with the culprit. I’m thankful for that. But please, don’t do these things for me anymore. Spare me and spare yourself”
I knew these words would anger Neil. The last thing he wanted to hear was that I wanted to draw a clear boundary between us, but I didn’t want any room for ambiguity
Clear communication to avoid further trouble.
“No, I can’t.” Neil gritted his teeth, his gaze filled with resentment. “I won’t let you go, and I won’t let myself go either”
“What do you want to do then? Remarry so we can make up and pretend like nothing happened?” I retorted, stirring up the dormant emotions in me
If he had suggested a divorce two years ago, we wouldn’t be in this situation now
I tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep. My mind felt like a never–ending reel of autobiographical film scenes.
Unable to bear my own wild thoughts, I got up and headed to the window, hoping the fresh air outside would calm me.
My hospital room was on the third floor, relatively low, allowing me a clear view of the small garden below. Several street lamps stood by the
cobblestone path, and Neil was sitting on a bench. The light spilled onto his hair and shoulders, casting a warm hue on his figure
The hospital was incredibly quiet in the dead of night, and there was no one else below except Neil, who seemed a bit lonely.
I wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but I hoped he was mulling over what I had said.
I watched as he picked up his phone and dialed a number. A few seconds later, my own phone rang.
I hesitated briefly, then answered the call.
“We can’t be ordinary friends. Irene I’ve thought it through. I can’t do it, Neil’s voice came through the phone crystal clear.
I didn’t respond. just sighed and hung up
