Chapter 439
Chapter 439
“I’m not criticizing your character, but your bond with Mitch is pretty obvious. It’s only natural you’d confide in him. I’m not blaming you or saying you’re responsible, okay?” I explained helplessly..
“Open the door first.” Neil seemed dissatisfied with our conversation through the door. He knocked, his tone stern, “Mitch already kicked down your garden gate. Do you want your living room door ruined too?”
Was he threatening me?
I was instantly irked, “You don’t have to threaten me. If you think it’s okay to continually visit me while being with Karina, go ahead. But don’t blame me if she leaves with Hiram again.”
If he threatened me, I would threaten him back. Even if his feelings for Karina were merely duty, what about Hiram?
I could tell Karina about this. Maybe she’d cause a scene with him, or maybe she’d just take Hiram and leave. Clearly, my threat worked.
Neil fell silent.
After a few minutes, I thought Neil had left, so I opened the door. To my surprise, he was still there, his face grim as if someone owed him millions and hadn’t paid up. I stepped back in shock, “Why haven’t you left?”
“You’re threatening me with Karina and Hiram now, Irene. Do you think you’re some kind of daredevil now?” Neil’s lips thinned, his words laced with bitterness. Norah should be done bathing Yara by now, so I stepped out and closed the door behind me. “Let’s go outside. My kids need to sleep. Let’s not disturb them.” Neil didn’t refuse. He even walked ahead of me, out through my damaged front door.
I followed him to a nearby tree, where a bench was placed for people to rest. I took a seat.
Neil didn’t sit. He stood nearby, his slim-fit black trousers accentuating his long legs. Combined with his lean waist, he was every woman’s dream.
Thinking of this, I recalled a media comment about Neil years ago: Mr. Whitmore’s relationships with his girlfriends didn’t last as long as his legs.
Back then, many women fell for him in his suit pants. I was different; I fell for him in his jeans years before others. Indeed, lust could be a dangerous thing. Neil noticed my distraction. “What are you thinking about? Trying to stir up trouble with Karina?”
I chuckled, “You sure seem worried.”
“I am worried. Hiram is my only child.” Neil’s gaze was icy, but I thought I saw a hint of hurt.
Speaking of children reminded me of Serena and Brandon, but that was a topic I couldn’t bring up.
I changed the subject, “You know how it feels to lose a child. Stella’s three kids are her life. She gave birth to them and raised them. You helped Mitch take them away. What’s she supposed to do?”
This topic made my blood boil.
As a mother, I knew the pain of losing a child. If it were me, I might not be as calm as Stella.
Neil’s face turned several shades of color. “When did I help Mitch take the kids? Where did you learn to make such false accusations?”
“If it wasn’t you, how did he know Yara was with me? I asked him if it was you who told him, and although he didn’t give a clear answer, his expression said it all.” I confronted Neil.
“He couldn’t have had someone else watching you? Couldn’t have had someone else investigate here?” Neil chuckled bitterly, “You’re pretty quick to blame me.” Neil rarely lost his temper, and if he did, it was likely because he felt wronged.
But if I had wronged him, how did Mitch find out?
“I can call Mitch now. If it proves that I didn’t tell him, how will you apologize to me?” Neil took out his phone, his eyes piercing as he asked.
“If I misunderstood you, I’ll sincerely apologize.” I replied curtly.
Other than saying “I’m sorry”, I wouldn’t make any other amends.
And I didn’t understand why Neil cared so much about my misunderstanding. Even if I had, what difference did it make? We didn’t have any relationship worth fussing over anymore.
“Just like that?” Neil’s face darkened, “You think my reputation is worthless?”
Neil’s reputation was important to him. If someone slandered or defamed him, he could sue them and probably win.
But our situation wouldn’t get to that point. He was a man who hated trouble, and making a public fuss over this wasn’t his style.
“Just make the call.” I didn’t waste any more words, urging Neil. Actually, I just wanted to know who told Mitch.
As I suspected, Neil didn’t continue to argue over minor issues. He dialed Mitch’s number, and something happened that I found absolutely ridiculous.
“Mr. Whitmore, it’s Ariana!” Ariana’s voice came through, feigning nervousness, “I’m sorry, but Mitch seems to have had too much to drink and asked me to pick him up. I just got here!”
That bastard Mitch!
I was livid, and the anger I felt when I discovered Neil had feelings for Bonnie in my past life resurfaced.
The feeling of betrayal repeatedly washing over me.
Neil glanced at me, his voice cold, “Where are you?”
“It’s okay, Mr. Whitmore. I’ll make sure Mitch gets home!” Ariana didn’t seem to want to tell us, only emphasizing that she’d take Mitch home.
But the more she insisted, the more disgusted I felt. Mitch was still married to Stella, and yet Ariana, with her ulterior motives, was sending him home?
I snatched Neil’s phone right out of his hand, “Arlana, get this through your head. You’re just an employee at Mitch’s company, not his wife, and certainly not his girlfriend. You think it’s decent to take a drunk man home all by yourself? Don’t you have any decency, or were you raised with no manners to know how to keep your distance?”
I didn’t sugar-coat my words for Ariana; they were blunt and filled with distaste. If she had any shred of dignity left, she should be embarrassed.
