Chapter 1781 You Ruined Bernice, Yet You Also Fulfilled Her
"Bernice, you don't need to go to those impoverished areas yourself," Cassie said, feeling a bit worried for her. "The conditions there are harsh."
"Yeah, if you're bored, come help us run the company," Laura said nonchalantly. "Or we could invest in another project, or we could go on a trip together."
Laura thought that Bernice's situation was now widely known. Although Lucas had gotten his comeuppance, Bernice must still be feeling bad.
"Cassie and I just got back from a trip," Bernice said, standing up and hugging them both. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I'm tougher than anyone. I just want to see more and do some charity work. Besides, since I've donated the money, I want to make sure every penny goes to those who need it most, not into someone's pocket."
"Charity work is a good thing. In that case, DreamDazzle Beauty Co. will donate five hundred million dollars," Cassie said with a smile. "We make so much money that we can't spend it all anyway, so we might as well help those in need."
"Bernice, remember to take care of your skin," Laura teased. "Come back soon. We'll be waiting for you in Whisperlyn City to hang out."
"Okay."
Bernice didn't tell anyone when she was leaving.
She left before dawn, taking a taxi to the train station.
As she was about to enter the station, someone came up behind her and grabbed her luggage. "Let me help you with that."
Milan's deep voice sounded in her ear.
Bernice turned around and met Milan's gaze.
In the morning light, Milan was dressed simply, with a large backpack on his back.
"What are you doing here?" Bernice was stunned. When she realized what was happening, her face darkened.
"Answer your phone."
Milan took out his phone, dialed a number, and handed it to Bernice.
Danielle's voice came through, "Bernice, I heard from Milan that you plan to go to the impoverished areas alone. That's too dangerous. We can do charity work, but you can't go alone. Milan told me he could go with you."
"Mom, I'm just going there to assess the situation. My team will join me in a few days, and there will be people to meet me there," Bernice said, not expecting Milan to have contacted Danielle. Danielle was the one person she couldn't refuse.
"Anyway, I don't feel comfortable with you going alone. When you entered the entertainment industry, you told me not to worry, and look what happened," Danielle said, her voice choking up. "You went through so much and didn't tell me. I had to find out online. Milan will go with you, or I'll come with you myself."
"Your health isn't good, don't run around. Fine, I'll let him come with me."
Bernice finally managed to calm Danielle down.
She threw the phone back at Milan, a bit frustrated. "You're too impulsive. If you come with me, what about your job? And do you know how many reporters and media will be watching me during this charity trip?"
"I took a half-month leave. For the next half month, I'm your bodyguard."
Milan pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his bag and put them on, flashing a bright smile. "Do I look like a qualified bodyguard?"
"Stop joking around," Bernice said, her face cold and helpless. "My situation has caused quite a stir recently. Many people sympathize with me, but any man who gets close to me will become a laughingstock, especially you."
"Nina," Milan interrupted her, "so what if you've slept with someone? Lots of women have."
Bernice's mouth dropped open in shock.
She couldn't believe that someone as serious as Milan would say something like that.
"Am I wrong?"
Milan asked, "Don't project your thoughts onto others. When my team talks about you, they admire you. You dared to stand up to the Nelson Group, which is brave. You donated a billion dollars, which is kind. Even Violet praises you privately. How many people in this world can do what you did? Honestly, those who laugh at you are the ones with bad intentions."
Bernice was stunned.
She knew Milan was trying to comfort her, but his words warmed her heart.
"With you saying that, I suddenly feel pretty good about myself," Bernice said with a self-deprecating smile.
"Nina, you've always been the victim, but you're still willing to help others. That's already very admirable. Let's go."
Milan took all her luggage. "From this moment on, I'm your bodyguard."
Bernice looked at him quietly for a moment and said helplessly, "Milan, you're very good to me, but I'm a hopeless person. I can't give you anything in return."
"I'm not asking for anything in return. Just consider me a friend. Friends help each other. It's really not safe for a girl to go alone, and who knows if the Nelson family might try to retaliate against you on the way?"
Milan said straightforwardly, then walked ahead with the luggage.
Bernice sighed and had no choice but to follow.
In the prison visiting room.
Joseph sat on one side with a phone, while Lucas, dressed in a blue prison uniform, sat on the other. With his hair shaved short, Lucas looked less handsome and more rugged and wild.
"Didn't expect to be chatting with you like this in my lifetime," Joseph joked.
"Neither did I," Lucas said, a self-mocking smile on his lips. "This is truly the most unforgettable moment of my life."
"That's why I told you not to underestimate women," Joseph sighed. "You had women, so why did you have to force Bernice?"
Lucas was silent.
He hadn't been the type to do such things before. He used to get women with money, with a mutual agreement.
But the more Bernice rejected him, the more he wanted her.
"Maybe it's because you want what you can't have."
"But even after you got Bernice, you didn't cherish her," Joseph shook his head. "In the end, you even tried to trap her. You gave her a billion dollars. Guess what she did with it?"
"A billion dollars is a big temptation," Lucas said flatly. "She hated me so much. Didn't she just blame me for not giving her money and luxury cars?"
"You're wrong."
Joseph said, "She donated the entire billion dollars to impoverished areas. And to make sure every penny was used properly, she went to build schools and hospitals. This was even reported abroad. Major TV programs praised her and held her up as a role model. You destroyed Bernice, but you also elevated her reputation to a peak. I believe no Best Actor or Best Actress award can compare to her now."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
