Chapter 193 Do You Not Like Me?
Tristan's eyes were dark, still lounging lazily against the back of the sofa. He barely lifted his eyelids and said coolly, "We haven't had anything to do with each other for a year now."
A year ago, after Bella made a scene at the hospital, he ended things, which led to Bella's meltdown when she found out the truth.
Since then, Michael hadn't reached out to him.
Right now, Michael wasn't talking about friendship; he was straight-up threatening him.
"Fine, I get it. Just don't regret what you did today," Michael snapped, his face red with anger. He clearly didn't expect Tristan to be so cold.
Was he really not worried about the Forbes family coming down on him?
Michael stormed out, and the others in the room stood up, looking like they wanted to say something but held back. No one followed him.
Tristan stayed put, acting like Michael's exit didn't matter at all.
"Tristan, Michael's not wrong. He can help you..." Eudora started, trying to reason with him.
Before she could finish, Tristan cut her off, "Help me with what? Fix things with my dad or fight him to the end? The problem isn't here. Don't be naive."
After that, he pulled Katniss to sit back down and nodded at Nicholas, saying, "Weren't we here to mediate? Go on."
Nicholas suddenly stood up, put one foot on the coffee table, and pointed at Saskia, breaking the tense mood.
"Saskia, I'm not done with you. Who are you insulting with $250? Today, I have to sleep with you. I'm more generous; I'll give you $251!" He rolled up his sleeves and charged at Saskia who got up and ran as they chased each other around the big room.
Katniss felt a tight grip around her waist and saw Tristan's hand slide down from the back of the sofa. He watched the playful chase between Saskia and Nicholas with a smirk.
The room was dimly lit, and his profile was a bit blurred. His black shirt, with two buttons undone, hinted at a magnetism that drew the eye with every move.
She leaned slightly, resting in his arms, and his hand around her waist tightened a bit.
After some silent gestures, they both looked at Nicholas, who had caught Saskia and was carrying her on his shoulder like a trophy, grinning at them. "I'm outta here, off to spend some money—$251!"
Saskia pounded on his back, "Three minutes for $251, what a rip-off!"
Nicholas's face darkened, and he slapped her butt, "Shut up!"
He cursed as he carried Saskia out.
Seeing this, Eudora stood up, hands in her pockets, and said, "Let's go. Can you give me a ride?"
Tristan got up, making Katniss stand too, his hand still on her waist.
They left the room, Eudora trailing behind, her eyes on their little gestures.
Katniss pried Tristan's hand off and interlocked their fingers, catching Eudora's deepening gaze.
On the way to drop off Eudora, Katniss sat in the back with her out of courtesy.
She didn't say much; it was mostly Eudora chatting with Tristan, with him occasionally responding.
Katniss noticed Eudora seemed like she wanted to say something to her but couldn't find the right moment.
After getting out of the car, Eudora waved at them through the window and said to Katniss, "Let's connect on Facebook later."
"Okay," Katniss quickly replied, a bit surprised.
The G-Wagon turned around and gradually drove out of Eudora's sight. Her gaze fell on a security booth at the entrance of the villa area, where a very ordinary car was parked.
She vaguely remembered that the car had been following them when they returned.
Frowning, she wrapped her coat tighter and walked over. The car's tint wasn't great, and she could see the driver was a woman.
The woman was fumbling with something, and the car wouldn't start.
Eudora walked over and knocked on the window. The person inside glanced up, flustered, then quickly lowered her head and tried to start the car.
"Get out, or I'll call the cops," Eudora said coldly.
"Don't!" Delphine quickly shouted, getting out of the car. She pressed her body against the car, biting her lip as she looked at Eudora. "Why would you call the cops? I'm not a bad person; my car just won't start."
Eudora's face was stern, and she was almost a head taller than Delphine. She looked down at her. "Why are you following us?"
Delphine shook her head, "I'm not!"
Eudora crossed her arms, "Then what are you doing here? Don't tell me you live here!"
This car couldn't even buy a bathroom here.
The mocking tone made Delphine lower her head in shame, biting her lip and saying nothing, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"If you don't tell the truth, I'll call the cops right now." Eudora took out her phone, but Delphine grabbed her wrist.
Eudora's icy gaze fell on Delphine's hand, and Delphine quickly withdrew her hand, rubbing it on her clothes. "I just want to talk to Katniss. She won't answer my calls or messages."
The trial was about to start, and with the evidence submitted, she was 'doomed.' What would she do next?
A strange look flashed in Eudora's eyes. "So you're looking for Katniss. Tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help you."
The words "I can help you" made Delphine's eyes light up instantly.
"She's suing me..." Delphine spilled everything, even crying and playing the victim. "I really have no other options. My mom is sick."
"Sad people always got some dirt. That saying is absolutely true," Eudora said condescendingly, glancing at her with disdain. "I can't help you with this. The evidence is solid. Unless you use some underhanded method to threaten Katniss to drop the lawsuit, there's no other way. You're on your own. I won't do anything to harm Katniss."
She put her hands in her pockets and turned to walk into the neighborhood.
Delphine watched her back, both anxious and angry. She had promised to help, so how could she go back on her word?
Suddenly, she thought of something, her tightly furrowed brows relaxing and then furrowing again.
Threaten Katniss to drop the lawsuit?
Back home, Katniss grabbed Tristan by the collar and pinned him against the wall. "Tristan, why did you hide the fact that you had a falling out with your family from me?"
Previously, Travis had only been suppressing Tristan from within the Forbes family, but publicly announcing their relationship's severance changed everything.
Tristan's body was pressed against the wall, his strong heartbeat vibrating through Katniss's arms. He held her waist with both hands, his tone identical to hers from the previous night. "You don't care enough about me. You never ask."
She frowned, pressing harder against his chest. "Stop changing the topic. What are you planning to do next?"
"I only have the Nightfall City project left. If the project isn't completed, I won't have any income. I won't be able to support you or myself." His tone sounded somewhat pitiful, but his expression remained calm.
His hands around her waist tightened, almost pulling her into his arms.
What he said was true, and Katniss knew it.
The project had already started smoothly and could proceed.
If Travis caused trouble for future projects, they would definitely be impossible to carry out.
"Then I'll support you," Katniss said, confident that she could take care of Tristan.
Tristan chuckled, "Then that's how it will be. From now on, you call the shots at home."
"Alright, don't you have to go to the company tomorrow?" She tried to move, but he held her tightly in his arms.
Only then did she realize their awkward position. She was straddling Tristan's leg, almost off the ground.
He bent his leg and lifted her. "I'll take you to the educational institution tomorrow morning."
"No need, I can drive myself," Katniss said, having gotten used to driving herself these past few days.
Tristan raised an eyebrow and said, "It won't be convenient for long. Driving with weak legs is dangerous."
The night outside was hazy, and the orange light barely illuminated the surroundings until the sky gradually brightened.
The morning sun filled the city, making it hard to keep one's eyes open even through the car window.
Katniss squinted as she finished her breakfast. The car stopped just in front of the educational institution, and she got out.
Her legs almost gave out, and she nearly fell. Tristan leaned over to support her, his lips curling into a slight smile as he met her angry eyes.
He said, "Be careful next time."
It was unclear whether he was telling Katniss to be careful not to fall or referring to himself.
Katniss closed the car door and turned to enter the educational institution. Upon closer inspection, one could see her legs trembling slightly.
Having woken up late, Katniss hadn't had time to check her phone. Sitting in her office, she opened her computer and glanced at her phone, only to find a late-night Facebook message from Eudora.
Eudora had asked to meet at the coffee shop across from the educational institution at 8 a.m.
It was already 8:30 a.m.
She quickly replied: [Sorry, Miss Savoy, I just saw your message. Are you still at the coffee shop?]
Eudora responded quickly: [I'm still here. You can come over now.]
Seeing this, Katniss glanced at the pile of unfinished files on her desk. The online course software's registration numbers had skyrocketed, and there was a lot to handle.
Since Eudora had come, she had to make time to go over.
She left her office, greeted a few colleagues she met on the way, and took a few seconds to handle some minor issues.
She headed straight to the coffee shop across the street and saw Eudora sitting by the window.
Sunlight bathed her, and she wore a trendy dress with exquisite makeup, exuding elegance.
Seeing Katniss, Eudora smiled and waved.
Katniss smiled back and entered the coffee shop, walking over to sit beside her.
"Excuse me," Eudora called, intending to order a coffee for Katniss.
Katniss quickly said, "No need, Miss Savoy. I have a lot of work to do. Let's skip the coffee and get straight to the point. Are you here about Aaron?"
"No," Eudora denied, then added, "What? Do you dislike me and not want to talk to me?"
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