Chapter 247: Aren't You Tired of Acting
I replied: [Okay, thank you, Sophia.]
As soon as I sent the message, Sophia quickly responded with the location details. Perhaps because Nolan was coming along, Sophia picked a well-known spot in Maple Valley. It had a peaceful ambiance and was notably kid-friendly.
Elissa, peering over my shoulder, inquired, "Message from Jerry?"
I handed her the phone. "No, from his cousin. Jerry’s birthday is tomorrow. Do you want to go to his party?"
Still fuming over the afternoon’s events, Elissa asked, "Are you sure you want to go?"
I smiled reassuringly. "It's clearly a misunderstanding. His friend will probably be there, too. Why not confront him face-to-face and clear it up?"
She sighed, exasperated but relenting. "Alright, for your sake."
I grinned, giving her a quick hug. "You're the best!"
Turning to Nolan, who was playing on the carpet, I said, "Nolan, it's Jerry's birthday tomorrow. Shall we pick out a gift for him?"
I remembered Jerry's birthday and had already prepared a gift in advance. However, if we were to celebrate with his friends, the gift I prepared might be a bit inappropriate.
Nolan blinked his big eyes. "Sure! Let's pick a gift for Jerry together!"
Nolan’s eyes brightened. "Sure! Let’s pick a gift for Jerry together!"
The next morning, at the president’s office of Apex Technologies, Heather was quickly sifting through the information her subordinate had gathered. Her eyes narrowed as she reviewed the documents.
Everyone had assumed Hope had been living peacefully as Mrs. Valence in Jacquar for the past two years. To their surprise, the records showed she had been in Fantasia Federation, battling depression and attempting suicide.
Had she done all of this because of Jerry? If Jerry heard about this, who knew how heartbroken he’d be for Hope.
After contemplating for a moment, Heather pulled one document out and handed it to her subordinate. "This document was never submitted. I never saw it, and no one investigated it. Understand?"
"Understood." The subordinate promptly shredded the document.
Just then, Steven Evans entered the office, witnessing the scene unfold. "Wasn’t this the document Jerry asked us to investigate this morning? Why are you destroying it?"
Steven was aware of the inquiry, as overseas investigations fell under his jurisdiction. Hence, he also had copies of the documents.
Heather cursed Steven’s interference but kept her composure. "Did you forget Jerry’s rules? We each have our responsibilities and shouldn’t interfere with each other’s affairs."
If she had known it would be so convoluted, she would have avoided involving Steven, ever the rigid and overly loyal one, in the investigation.
Steven gave Heather a scrutinizing look and warned her, "Don’t underestimate Ms. Royston’s significance in Jerry’s life. If you tamper with her matters, it won’t end well for you."
They had all been selected by Jerry from the orphanage many years ago, experiencing a life beyond their wildest dreams. Jerry treated them more like family than mere subordinates. And Steven believed his only means of repayment was through unwavering diligence and loyalty.
Heather, maintaining her composed facade, retorted, "If you don’t say anything, no one will know."
Steven’s growl was loud enough to echo in the room, "This is betrayal!"
“Steven.” Heather stood abruptly, her fingers deftly working at the buttons of her blouse.
One button, two buttons, three buttons.
As her shirt opened, her curves were revealed. She removed her black-framed glasses, adding a touch of seduction. “Let's find a way to shut you up.”
Steven swallowed hard, fighting the surge of desire in his eyes. “Heather, don’t. You should respect yourself!”
Heather gazed at him, her eyes piercing through his defenses. “Don’t you like me?”
Back when Jerry had chosen two girls and four boys, the other girl was stationed abroad. Heather had the most interactions with Steven. His feelings for her were no surprise.
After a nap, Nolan grabbed my phone and called Jerry. He answered quickly.
“Hey Jerry, happy birthday! Are you at the office or chilling at home?”
“Home.”
"Then we'll join your birthday party tonight?"
“Totally.” Jerry sounded upbeat but then turned serious, his tone chilling. “Where’s Hope?”
Nolan passed the phone to me. “Jerry wants to talk to you.”
I took it with a sigh. “What’s up?”
There was hesitation in Jerry’s voice. "Hope, today... I'll meet you in the basement at 6:00 p.m."
Before I could respond, he’d hung up.
Elissa, still harboring her grudge, muttered, “With that attitude, are you sure yesterday was just a misunderstanding? Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think. You could get hurt again.”
I chuckled. “Didn’t realize you hold grudges like this.”
Elissa poked my head. “Do you think there’s anything about you that I don’t take personally? I can’t stand people treating you like that, no matter who they are, Jerry or his friends.”
Seeing the caller ID display "Heather," Jerry ended the call with Hope and answered Heather's call. Efficiency defined Heather. He knew the information must be ready.
Jerry’s voice held anticipation. “Did you find anything?”
Heather’s response was methodical. “Yes, you were right. Two years ago, Hope moved to Fantasia Federation. Relevant documents are in your email as we speak.”
Jerry exhaled a sigh of relief. “She’s been abroad all this time?”
"That's right."
"Go on."
"But she wasn't alone." Heather’s tone remained steady. “Cecil Lewis accompanied her. He owns a villa there, and Hope has been living with him.”
Jerry's grip on the phone tightened. "Is this confirmed?"
"Steven helped me investigate," Heather continued, dropping another bombshell. "Cecil stayed with Hope abroad for over a month before he had to return for business. Since then, he’s made frequent visits, staying for a few days each time.”
After Heather finished, an oppressive silence hung on the other end of the line.
Jerry pinched the bridge of his nose, a surge of anger boiling within him. So, this was why Hope always evaded his questions?
But Jerry wasn’t ready to accept it just yet. His voice was hoarse, strained. "What has she been doing in the past two years?"
Heather replied, "She studied design and became Dave's student. I heard Cecil arranged it all."
Jerry's knuckles cracked from the tension, a dangerous aura emanating from him. "Is that all?"
"Yes!" Heather hesitated, initially wanting to maintain her narrative but fearing exposure. She added quickly, "Don’t worry, I'll keep investigating. I understand your connection with Hope is different; I won’t overlook any detail."
Heather softened her tone, playing the role of a confidant. "Jerry. Maybe Hope assumed you had perished in the explosion and felt she had no other choice. It’s not her fault; even the police reported you dead at the time."
There was a loud crash from Jerry's end, followed by dead silence. He had hung up. Heather smiled in satisfaction and returned to her work.
Having been by Jerry's side for so many years, Heather had learned one key lesson: success was the only option. In the past, Heather didn’t want to see Jerry disappointed. Now, she refused to disappoint herself.
Jerry's eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage. Ignoring the pain in his leg, he kicked a trash can away. But the more he vented, the more the fire inside him burned, almost to the point of madness.
Since Hope's reappearance, Jerry’s outbursts had become less frequent. Other matters rarely affected his emotions. But each time he did get angry, it was more intense than before. Hope knew better than anyone how to infuriate him.
The night before last, when she lay softly in his arms, sweetly scolding him, he had thought, forget it all. Forget everything from the past. As long as she was by his side now, it was worth more than anything.
But did Hope think the same about him? It seemed not!
The thought of Hope and Cecil spending their days together in Fantasia Federation drove Jerry mad. He didn't dare think further.
With trembling hands, Jerry poured several pills into his palm and swallowed them without bothering to get water.
Time passed and even when the phone he had thrown earlier buzzed several times, Jerry didn’t notice. He sat dejectedly on the sofa, his eyes almost unfocused as he stared out the window.
Jerry didn't notice at all. He sat dejectedly on the sofa, his eyes almost unfocused as he stared out the window.
I put my phone back in my bag and looked at Nolan. "Jerry still doesn’t answer. Should we go up and knock on the door?"
Jerry’s two frequently used cars were still parked in their spots; he should still be home.
"Okay!" Nolan nodded enthusiastically.
Elissa, on a call with a client, gestured to me. "You guys go up. I’ll wait here."
I took Nolan upstairs and rang the doorbell. This time, there was a quick response.
Jerry opened the door, his expression cold, devoid of the usual warmth in his eyes. His voice was lazy. "Hope, aren’t you tired of acting?"
I was puzzled. "What?"
"I said, aren’t you tired of pretending to like me?" Jerry sneered, looking down at Nolan. "And you 'diligently' take care of Nolan. Aren’t you tired of this facade?"
I was stunned, my nails digging into my palm, feeling a familiar pain. "What do you mean?"
Nolan, always perceptive, glared at Jerry, his eyes turning red. "Jerry! What nonsense are you talking about! Hope treats me very well, extremely well! You can’t bully her!"
"Come back." Jerry said as he grabbed Nolan by the back of his collar and pulled him inside, mocking, "Don’t cling to her anymore. See if she really wants you to!"
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