Chapter 306
My hand was tightly clutching the cup, I was lost in silence for a long while.
The air seemed to solidify, the silence so thick it was suffocating.
“What’s up? Got some guessing now?” Russel broke the silence.
“You’re saying Neil and Ethan teamed up against my dad?” I finally voiced my unthinkable suspicion, “You think I’d believe that?”
“Why would Neil still be in contact with Bonnie, why would he be with Ethan?* Russel shot back, a little nervously, “Why would you come here instead of just believing him?”
I sprang to my feet, my chest heaving with agitation, “Just spit it out, don’t pressure me!”
“I’m not pressuring you, I just want you to see the truth, instead of being fooled by him.” Russel returned my gaze, his voice heavy.
“If you’re suggesting Neil and Ethan teamed up against my dad, what proof have you got? Why would he do that?” I forced myself to calm down, settling back down.
Since I was here, I had to clear things up.
Russel looked at me, silent for a moment, then answered, “You know, Bonnie and I worked together once, so we’re still in touch, I know quite a bit.
“As for why Neil would do that, isn’t it obvious?” Russel tapped lightly on the table, “He wants you back, and now, hasn’t he achieved that?”
My last line of defense crumbled, even though Russel didn’t provide any evidence, what he said aligned with my suspicions.
I’ve had my suspicion that if StarGlow Enterprises could so easily frame my dad, could Neil be involved?
Just because Neil had been a big help recently, I didn’t want to consider this, I still needed his help.
“Didn’t you ask Neil to investigate your dad? Didn’t he quickly give you some leads? Haven’t you wondered how he got the info so quickly? Because he knows Ethan, he’s one of the masterminds!” Russel’s voice rose suddenly, his words shocking me.
I stared at him blankly, knowing I shouldn’t easily believe his words, but they were hard to ignore.
Was it Neil? Did he, Bonnie and Ethan team up to oust my dad from his position, just to get me back?
So, he, Bonnie and Ethan have been in contact all along. I just didn’t know.
I didn’t want to hear anymore from Russel. I turned and left.
Russel called out to me twice, but I went downstairs, then immediately tumed back, rushed up, and took out the ring he gave me, “I don’t want anything to do with you or Neil, take your ring back.”
A look of unbearable pain flashed across Russel’s face, he took a deep breath, staring at me, ‘Is this your choice? You are returning my ring and then go back to him to be deceived again?”
“I know what I’m doing. I was already somewhat numb, “But Russel, if you ever bring up my infertility again, if you use it against me, I will never forgive you, never see you again.”
Having said that, I left again, not looking at his stunned face.
Neil is still hoping I could get pregnant, after all, I’m his parents’ favorite daughter-in-law candidate, they’re still hoping we’d get back together, if they knew I had fertility issues, I’d lose my leverage over him.
I suppressed my anger and distress, and returned to Sterling Estates.
Neil and the others had returned, all at home, Ryan and Faith looked grim, only easing slightly upon seeing me.
“Irene, where’ve you been?’ Faith came over and took my hand, worriedly
“I just needed some fresh air.” I forced a calm smile, “What’s up, you all look down?”
Nell looked at me deeply, his eyes as inscrutable as a dark pond, I couldn’t read him.
It seemed like there was a slap mark on his face.
Did Faith hit him? I thought subconsciously.
‘It’s fine, I’ve dealt with Bonnie, Irene, you and Nell should go rest. Faith gave Nell a look.
Neil got up and walked upstairs, I didn’t refuse, and followed him.
Back in the master bedroom, I closed the door, Neil was taking off his jacket, his back to me, his voice low, “Did you tell my mom about seeing me and Bonnie at the hospital?”
“Yep. held back my resentment, forcing a smile, ‘Even if I didn’t, she’d find out, wouldn’t she?”
Спартет зо
Neil threw his jacket on a chair, then turned to look at me, his handsome face clouded over, “You’ve never trusted me, have you? So you rushed to tell my mom, to get back at me.”
I took a deep breath, retorting, “And you, do you trust me? Why were you with Bonnie and not tell me?”
Neil’s gaze deepened, “If I said it was to get your dad out as soon as possible, would you believe me?”
“Oh, Neil, you know Ethan, but you still need to contact Bonnie to hook you up with him, right?” I scoffed, “Are you kidding me?”
Neil’s eyebrows furrowed instantly, “Irene!”
I cut him off, ‘No need to explain, since you’re so diligent, there should be progress soon, I’m all eyes.”
Russel’s words affected me, although I tried to force myself to stay calm, I couldn’t help being malicious in my words.
After all that, I saw Neil’s face darken even more, but I didn’t care, because I felt like I was the one being deceived.
“I can’t sleep, and I’m going downstairs for some wine.” I didn’t want to be around Neil in such tension, so I turned and left.
Ryan and Faith had gone to bed, but Hannah was still downstairs, seemingly waiting for me.
“Ms. Finch.” As soon as she saw me, she immediately handed me her phone which was displaying a video.
I played the video, the scene was set in a hospital. It showed a fuming Faith, storming towards Neil and Bonnie. She walked up to them and without hesitation, slapped Bonnie right across the face!
“Ah!” Bonnie shrieked, falling onto the floor. She covered her face, looking up at Faith through teary eyes, “Wh…Why would you…”
“Mom!” Neil spoke up, but didn’t make a move to help Bonnie.
Bonnie was sitting pitifully on the ground, sobbing, looking all frail and helpless.
