Chapter 282 Unexpected Encounters
"She's guilty of child abuse. Take her to the police station," Teresa instructed. Then, she got into the car with Diana, ignoring Unity's desperate struggles and vitriol from behind.
The bodyguard followed orders, escorting Unity to another car and heading straight to the police station.
That Saturday, after returning from the amusement park, Gabriel had checked the surveillance.
Unity, who was initially waiting for the car with little Russell, pushed the child into the path of an oncoming car.
The car struck Russell, knocking him down, and didn't stop as it sped away. The footage had made Teresa's heart heavy all evening.
At the time, she couldn't understand why Unity would do such a thing.
Now, it was clear—to exploit her gravely ill son to scam money from her. "It's tragic how far Unity has fallen," Diana said, sitting in the backseat with Teresa as the car drove away. She couldn't help but express her dismay.
"Indeed," Teresa nodded. "I never saw that coming."
"Even if the Lewis family has hit rock bottom, she’s able-bodied. Can’t she make her own living?" Diana wondered, puzzled.
"Yeah, she's got it all—looks, health, and the ability to make a living on her own if she felt like working," Teresa said with a resigned chuckle. "But habits are scary things. Once someone gets used to living off others' money, the thought of working to support themselves just doesn't cross their mind. Unity's one of them."
Diana couldn't help smiling at her friend's observation. "So, even if the Garcia family was rich enough to rival some small countries, or even if Gabriel was ready to hand over his entire fortune to you, you'd still choose to work? Even though a month's salary might not cover a single shopping trip?"
Teresa was thinking of those shopping sprees at a luxury department store where, without spending hundreds, she might not bring home everything she wanted.
Teresa nodded affirmatively. "Yeah, at the very least, it gives me the power to say 'no' to Gabriel when I need to."
"He adores you so much, however. A man willing to give you the world, and you're still thinking about saying 'no'?" Diana almost rolled her eyes at her friend.
Teresa shot her a sidelong glance, and their conversation continued amidst laughter until about half an hour later, their car pulled up at a restaurant owned by the Bennett Group.
Thanks to Teresa's call ahead, the restaurant reserved the best private room for them. Once out of the car, the waitstaff led them up to the third-floor room.
However, as they reached the elevator, Teresa noticed Diana's gaze fix on something, her expression going blank.
Following her gaze, there he was—Liam.
And he wasn't alone. A woman was latched onto his arm, their cozy demeanor clearly marking them as a couple smitten with each other.
That woman... Teresa squinted, finding her strangely familiar.
Oh, recognition dawned.
That was Faith Coppola, the prized daughter of the Coppola family from West City.
"Teresa, Diana." Now that they had crossed paths, Liam decided to embrace the moment. Arm around his companion, he strode over with a slight uptick at the corners of his mouth.
"Liam," Diana responded, mustering a cordial smile in greeting.
"Teresa, what a coincidence to see you here," Faith's glance flickered over Diana before she turned a cheerful greeting Teresa's way.
"Faith, indeed, what are the odds," Teresa replied with a smile, looking at Liam. "Have you two finished dining, or...?"
"Just arrived," Liam interjected before Faith could respond, looking straight at Teresa. "Wanna join us?"
Back in the day, Teresa used to call him by his first name, now she had switched to "Liam."
Though it was just a subtle change in how she addressed him, the sense of distance and indifference it brought was deeply wounding.
"Right, Teresa, why don't we all go together?" Faith suggested with a smile, then turning to Diana, she inquired, "And who might this be?"
"Hi Faith, I'm Liam's secretary, Diana." With an air of confidence, Diana introduced herself.
At that moment, seeing Liam with another woman, Diana felt her heart growing numb.
"Diana is also my best friend," Teresa said, glancing at Diana and then looping her arm through Diana's. She added with a smile.
"Liam, I had no idea you had such a lovely and professional secretary. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Faith chided him playfully, her arm in Liam's, and then turned to Diana, "I might need your help in the future, Diana. I hope you can take good care of me."
"No trouble at all, Faith. Just let me know if you need anything," Diana replied with a properly professional smile.
Watching them interact, Teresa thought they seemed like a couple.
‘But if Faith became Liam's official girlfriend, then where did that leave Lauren? A secret lover tucked away?’
Diana wondered how Lauren would feel if she knew all this.
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