Chapter 36 We Should Break Up
Yvette didn't understand why he wanted to keep her there.
Under everyone's gaze, the feeling of shame and helplessness almost drowned her.
She tried to pull her arm back, but Albert was too strong, and she couldn't break free.
Yvette couldn't help but look up and plead, "Can you let go of me?"
Albert's gaze towards Yvette was laden with complexity, his brow furrowed. After a moment, he turned to Lassie and said, "I apologize for my earlier words. My attitude was unwarranted."
Although Albert's attitude had changed, Lassie was still not satisfied with his apology, but she didn't continue to argue. It was only after the argument that Lassie regained her composure. Now, with Yvette pregnant and married, if she were to undergo an abortion and divorce, it would only inflict harm upon Yvette. So, if she targeted Albert, her family would be the ones to suffer, but if she accepted the apology so easily, that was impossible, too.
Lassie crossed her arms over her chest and said harshly, "What is your relationship with this lady that makes you do so much for her?"
Yvette was silent for a while and then replied, "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Ms. Swift and I are just colleagues."
"You said you're colleagues, but she doesn't think so! Look at her; she's still waiting for you!"
Hearing Lassie say this, everyone looked at Violet.
Albert looked sternly at everyone, then turned to Violet. "Ms. Swift, since they are all family, let's end this today. I have to attend a family dinner so I won't be able to accompany you."
Finally, everything came to an end.
Yvette splashed water on her face in the bathroom. Her reflection appeared somewhat worn out, the remnants of red marks still visible on her face, serving as a stark reminder that what had just occurred was indeed real.
Following quietly behind, Lassie entered the scene. She did not speak; instead, she stood with her hands on her hips, scanning the space to ensure they were alone before approaching Yvette.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, tenderly cupping Yvette's face as she examined her.
Yvette instinctively took a step back, remaining silent and merely shaking her head in response.
In a hushed tone, Lassie confessed, "I pretended to compromise, but in reality, I was vying for greater advantages." She gazed at Yvette with resignation before unleashing her accusations. "You never mentioned having a boyfriend. Was it because he liked that woman? What were you thinking? Being with a man who fancies someone else, getting pregnant—you're trying to drive me mad. If I hadn't pressured him to make a stand, they would have continued entangling themselves today!"
With eyes cast down, Yvette stayed silent.
"If you weren't carrying a child, I would have definitely walked out on you. I wouldn't have even shown up for this meal. However, now that you're pregnant, if we continue this discontent, you will be the one hurt the most."
Growing increasingly agitated as she spoke, Lassie couldn't resist poking Yvette's head with her slender fingers. Lassie's nails weren't long, but the pressure still caused Yvette a slight sting.
"How could you do such a thing? You're humiliating yourself and dragging the whole family down with you. Now, we're all being gossiped about. How can I not be furious?"
Yvette said nothing and only slowly raised her head after a long time. "What should I do? Should I abort the child?"
"Nonsense!" Lassie said, "Since he has made his stance clear, of course, you can't abort the child. During dinner, don't say anything. The Orlando family should get what they deserve, not a penny less!"
Yvette looked up at Lassie, a multitude of words on the tip of her tongue, but then she thought better of it, feeling it all to be pointless.
"Ask for more money. Maybe out of a bit of guilt, he'll give you more today." She smiled bitterly. "After all, I'm the kind of woman who can accept anything for more money."
That night, Albert was more silent than usual, hardly saying a word.
He replied to Lassie's inquiries with minimal effort, giving short and indifferent answers.
Lassie, feeling that the day's events had left Albert in debt to the Orlando family, interrogated him like a detective prying into his private affairs, with most questions circling around money.
"Did you buy a house? How big is it? Where is it?"
"What's your income? Do you get a year-end bonus, and how much?"
"What about your parents' income? Can they provide any help?"
Albert was already impatient, and his gaze at Lassie started to carry coldness and disdain.
Lassie didn't notice his coldness at all. She changed the topic and began to praise Yvette.
"Yvette has been obedient and smart since she was little. She went through college on scholarships. After graduation, she worked at Central Hospital and later became a flight surgeon." Lassie said proudly, "Many boys pursued Yvette and came to our house to ask for her hand, but I didn't agree to any of them. Any neighbor who saw Yvette wanted to introduce her to a boyfriend. In our community, no girl as excellent as Yvette received less than $20,000 in gifts from their husbands."
Hearing this, Albert frowned slightly. He knew what Lassie meant, so he took out a bank card and pushed it in front of Lassie.
"I don't know how much is appropriate. You mentioned $20,000 earlier; this card has $100,000."
Although Lassie didn't say anything, her expression completely betrayed her. The surprise and excitement in her eyes were almost jumping out.
She accepted the card without hesitation.
Yvette turned slightly and saw the undisguised disgust in Albert's eyes.
Although the dinner started unpleasantly, Albert's $100,000 made it end smoothly, even creating a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.
The Orlando family left, and Lassie actually let Albert take Yvette away.
Albert drove, and Yvette sat in the passenger seat.
Neither of them spoke.
Albert had a string of beads hanging from his rearview mirror, which looked old and seemed to come from some church.
Yvette recalled that since she had been with Albert, those beads had always been there.
Yvette didn't know why she asked Albert, "Where did you get this?"
Albert had been thinking about how to break the silence. He hadn't thought of a way when he heard Yvette's question.
He glanced at the beads.
"If you don't like it, I'll take it down."
Yvette had just asked casually, but hearing his response, she instantly understood.
The beads were a gift from Violet.
Of course, Albert was always careless, buying the simplest things. The car's decoration wouldn't be something he bought.
Yvette's hands clenched her pants until they were slightly wrinkled.
After a long time, she bit her lip and said, "I'll get the money from my mom and pay you back."
Albert frowned and slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop.
He turned to look at her. "What?"
Yvette hung her head and said quietly, "Albert, we should break up."
