Chapter 281 He Doesn't Care About You
Austin walked straight up to Winona and gently unrolled her sleeves. "The AC is so cold, aren't you freezing?"
Winona, mildly surprised, asked, "What are you doing here?"
Austin glanced at Rebecca before answering, "Someone texted me. I was nearby and thought I'd drop by."
In truth, it wasn't such a coincidence. His family had been pressuring him towards Wendy, and his mom's coaxing had brought him to the vicinity. It was then that Rebecca’s message chimed on his phone.
Wendy was still sitting on the ground,fuming as she watched Austin fuss over Winona. He hadn’t even glanced her way. Jealousy flared within her like a hot coal.
Pouting, she called out, "Austin."
Austin turned his head, a slight frown forming. "Why are you sitting on the ground? Isn't it cold?"
Wendy gritted her teeth. If only Austin were aloof with everyone, she could accept it. But his clear favoritism towards Winona, down to such trifles, was humiliating. "I accidentally fell."
A typical man might rush to help, regardless of attachment. But Austin, ever stoic from his rigorous training regime, was unimpressed by minor injuries. Even if he tumbled from the horizontal bar, he’d brush it off and press on.
"If you fall, get up. Don’t bother others with such trivial matters," he admonished sternly.
Wendy said nothing, her pride stinging.
"Get up quickly, you're in the way," he urged, a note of impatience in his voice.
Wendy's eyes filled with tears, but Austin remained unmoved, his patience thinning.
Feeling utterly humiliated under the gaze of bystanders—and her rival Winona—Wendy scrambled to her feet and fled the café, her face hidden behind her hands.
Rebecca sighed disdainfully. "Austin, you are all blunt edges. Be careful, or you’ll end up alone."
Austin settled in next to Winona, scanning the menu. It wasn’t about being straightforward, he thought. He simply didn’t care about Wendy. After all, men instinctively strived to please those they desire. Even the most oblivious would make an effort for someone they truly fancy.
He looked at Rebecca seriously. "I heard you're dating recently. Let me offer some friendly advice: if a man allows you to be mistreated without stepping in, it only proves he doesn’t care. Everything else is just excuses."
Winona stirred her coffee, the metal spoon clinking against the mug as she mechanically swirled the liquid.
Looking out, she caught a glimpse of Wendy, tears streaming down her face, fleeing the café. Instead of feeling triumphant, she was reminded of her own painful past. Her previous marriage had been a litany of misery, marked by constant ridicule from the secretarial department. They mocked her both openly and behind her back for her supposedly unscrupulous climb.
During that time, there was no escape for her. She had to endure silently and pretend all was well, especially in front of Lydia. Her husband, Zachary, remained indifferent, watching her suffering with cold detachment. Dylan, who certainly knew of her torment, had never spoken a word to Zachary, not even to acknowledge her as his wife.
Rebecca glanced at Winona, seeing her friend lost in troubling memories. Austin's words had indeed struck a painful chord.
Austin, unaware of the specific atrocities that had defined Winona’s marriage, missed the look of anguish in her eyes. But Rebecca knew every dark detail. So many times, she had wished to grab a knife and end that scumbag’s life.
Winona grabbed a piece of leftover dessert and shoved it into Austin’s mouth, "Can't you stop talking while eating? How do you know I'm dating?"
She and Austin weren't in the same social circle.
Austin smirked, "Just a hunch."
Rebecca rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.
After finishing their coffee, the group decided on a restaurant for dinner. Winona’s phone rang, displaying Zachary’s name.
Ever since she had sprained her ankle, Zachary had ensured meals were delivered to her three times a day, without fail. His phone calls came frequently, typically to ask if she had eaten. Given he arranged the meals, it was clear he already knew the answer. Initially, Winona would bicker with him, but now their conversations were more peaceful.
However, today, she hung up the phone without hesitation.
A few minutes later, Zachary called again. This time, Winona not only hung up but also blocked him.
On the other end, Zachary’s expression turned stony. He listened to the busy signal, then glanced at Dylan, who was exiting the office with a stack of files. "Find out what Mrs. Bailey is doing right now."
It was the weekend, and with her injury, she should have been at home.
Dylan, who had finally been allowed to stay, felt a prickle of unease at the mention of "Mrs. Bailey." This was his comeuppance for underestimating others and assuming Mr. Bailey didn't care about Miss Sullivan, denying her rightful position as his boss' wife.
Ten minutes later, Dylan returned, his expression unreadable. "Mrs. Bailey is having dinner with Miss Davis. Austin is also there, deboning her fish."
Zachary's face was expressionless. "She ate?"
"Yes, quite heartily."
The stoic man behind the desk looked grimmer. The housekeeper had mentioned Winona never ate fish with bones.
"Leave."
After Dylan departed, Zachary coldly dialed Winona’s number again, only to be met with the busy signal.
When Winona finally returned, it was already 8 PM. As she stepped out of the elevator, she was met with a faint scent of tobacco. Curious as to who would be smoking in the corridor, she was taken aback to see Zachary standing at her doorstep, leaning against the wall, cigarette in hand, squinting at her.
Dressed in a pristine suit and tie, the latter hanging loosely around his neck with his collar unbuttoned, Zachary exuded a nonchalant air. He seemed far removed from the formal and rigorous demeanor he maintained at work, emanating a relaxed, almost lazy vibe.
The hallway lighting bathed his figure, highlighting the tension on his face, making his stern expression all the more visible.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
