Chapter 20 Breaking News
At night.
Leila lay in bed after taking a shower, chatting with Shirley over video call.
“Haha, where are you going to find a boyfriend to introduce to your mom?”
Leila leaned back against the bedhead, feeling annoyed. “I don’t know.”
“Although I’ve always been against you getting involved with Mason, given the current situation, it seems like there’s no one else but him. If worse comes to worst, why not consider him?” Shirley leaned closer to the screen. “I’m serious. You might want to think about it.”
Leila sighed. ” Who do you think the Mason is?”
Shirley laughed at Leila’s response. “I’m just kidding. Besides, even if you’re willing, with his status and position, it’s unlikely he’d cooperate in playing along with a woman.”
“By the way, I have a cousin at The Ramirez Group. He’s single. How about I ask him to help you out?”
Leila furrowed. “Is that appropriate?”
“Letting him help a beautiful woman is his greatest honor.”
Before ending the call, the two decided to enlist Shirley’s cousin’s help.
In the wee hours of the night, Leila was almost asleep when her phone, placed on the bedside table, vibrated twice with a text message from an unknown number.
“Tonight, Hunter is having a date with Mrs. Brown at the ‘SW hotel’, did you know?”
Leila didn’t pay much attention to it.
That night, Leila slept very restlessly. She had many dreams, all chaotic and suffocating.
First, she dreamed of the day The Patel Group went bankrupt, when she and Mrs. Patel were trapped in The Patel Group’s office building. Those shareholders and relatives who used to be friendly with them now seemed eager to tear them apart.
Mrs. Patel, accustomed to a life of luxury, didn’t know what to do besides crying. Leila stood in front of her, seemingly calm but actually helpless and nervous.
Then, the scene shifted to Hunter’s affair.
Even though he was the one at fault, he pointed fingers at her and accused her of being involved with someone else.
They argued relentlessly by the floor-to-ceiling window. Suddenly, Hunter sneered at her, reached out, and gave her a hard shove, pushing her out of the window.
Leila jolted awake from the dream.
She got up and went to the water dispenser for a half cup of water. Just as she took a few sips, she suddenly remembered the text message from last night before she fell asleep.
Who could the sender be?This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
One of Hunter’s colleagues? A competitor?
Lost in thought, she unconsciously finished the glass of water.
Leila finished her water and turned back to her bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed and picked up her phone, noticing a new contact on WhatsApp, Daniel.
Daniel messaged: [Miss Patel, did you know that Mr. Brooks was on a date with Mrs. Brown at ‘SW hotel’ last night?]
Leila replied: [Mr. Daniel, was it you who sent the message last night?]
Facing Leila’s question, Daniel remained silent for a while. After a few minutes, he responded: [Miss Patel, I was just trying to help. Do you believe me?]
Leila knew Daniel’s position as an assistant, he wouldn’t meddle without a reason. His actions were undoubtedly influenced by someone else’s instructions.
Leila didn’t expose his lie and replied: [Thank you.]
Daniel asked: [Miss Patel, aren’t you angry?]
Leila replied: [Sorry, Mr. Daniel, this is my privacy, and I’d rather not discuss it in detail.]
Daniel was speechless at Leila’s response.
After a while, he replied: [Sorry for bothering.]
…
Leila had breakfast and packed her things to return to Neo city.
As Mrs. Patel watched Leila leave, her phone rang. She hesitated for a while before answering, “Hello, Dr. Hans.”
“Ms. Galang, It’s been a week, have you made a decision?” Dr. Hans inquired.
Mrs. Patel glanced in the direction Leila had left and smiled as she spoke, “Dr. Hans, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t undergo the surgery.”
“Ms. Galang, this is being irresponsible to yourself. Your condition…” Dr. Hans tried to interject.
Mrs. Patel interrupted, “Dr. Hans, thank you for your concern,” and hung up the phone. She wiped away the tears on her face, determined not to be a burden to her daughter…