Fake Friends Hurt Each Other
Underneath Vincent’s scrutinizing gaze, Jonathan finished his bowl of pasta without looking up.
Subsequently, he took out a tissue and wiped the corners of his mouth elegantly.
Getting to his feet, Jonathan’s steady voice rang out. “Zack is my nephew. What’s wrong with me
helping him?”
After a busy morning, Vincent was already hungry. Just when he thought he could catch Jonathan off
guard to reveal some clues, the man remained as composed as ever.
When he saw Jonathan about to leave the dining room, Vincent sprang to his feet and grabbed his
sandwich. Following the former, he continued to rattle on, “Theoretically, there isn’t. However, taking into
account what you have done previously, why do I get the feeling that you’re just using your nephew as a
stepping stone?”
Suddenly, Jonathan stopped in his tracks. Giving Vincent the side-eye, he cracked a faint but gentle
smile.
“Let me remind you to keep your mouth shut. After all, you were the one who got someone to leak the
rumor. If Quentin finds out about this, he will probably complain to the Sullivan family. When that
happens, you will be the one to suffer the consequences.”
Jonathan’s eyes glistened as if they were smiling. Ignoring the stunned expression on Vincent’s face, he
walked to the couch and sat down.
The sight of Jonathan’s nonchalant expression exasperated Vincent. He plonked his butt down on the
couch opposite the man. “Jonathan, I can’t believe how heartless you can be.”
It was true that he leaked the rumor. In fact, he even found a few other magazines just to avoid Quentin’s
suspicion. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t have dared to do it without Jonathan’s permission.
After deliberating on the matter, Vincent’s suspicions were raised. It was only then that he realized he
had fallen into the trap that Jonathan had laid.
D*mn it! How could I have fallen into his trap for so long without even realizing it?
As cold sweat broke out all over his body, Vincent felt a chill down his spine. Suddenly, he felt like crying.
Oh, God, how I wish time could go back to before I met this man. I just want to go home. I’m nothing but
an innocent child.
Faced with Vincent’s gaze, Jonathan broke into a disarming smile. It wasn’t long before Vincent gave up
and raised his hand to block the smile from view. “Wipe that smile off your face. Isn’t it enough for me to
admit my mistake?”
Ever since they were young, Vincent would always be terrified by Jonathan’s innocent-looking smile. It
was a phobia left behind from the trauma of being sabotaged by Jonathan when they were young.
At that moment, Jonathan’s phone vibrated. When he checked it, he saw that it was a message from
Gary.
Gary: Mr. Xander, Ms. Lingard and Mdm. Simmons are at the furniture store.
From the constant updates Gary had been giving him, Jonathan was well-informed of everything that
went on in the Lingard family.
She must be bored at home. I guess it’s not such a bad idea for her to go out and clear her mind.
Nevertheless, Jonathan was still worried due to the special circumstances. Hence, he replied: Keep a
close eye on them. Let me know if there’s anything.
“Whose message is it that have you so captivated?”
When he saw Jonathan crack a vibrant smile from the corner of his eye, Vincent leaned over boldly. By
the time his gaze fell upon the man’s phone, Jonathan had already put it away. He then hinted for
Vincent to leave. “Don’t you have work at the office?”
“I have finally realized how Machiavellian you are for discarding me once you have no need of me,”
Vincent grumbled.
Cocking his brows, Jonathan looked at Vincent as if he was an idiot. “In that case, are you admitting that
you’re useless?”
Every time they sparred verbally, Vincent would end up on the losing end.
Feeling the urge to slap himself twice, he got to his feet in exasperation and prepared to leave. On his
way out, he grumbled, “Jonathan, from now on, I’ll never get involved in your affairs again!”
After taking a few steps, Vincent stopped abruptly and slapped his forehead. He turned around and
asked, “D*mn. I was so pissed off I forgot something important. The company has taken on a new
project, and I’ll be traveling to Gerton for it. If you’re staying for the time being, why don’t you come along
with me? After all, Gerton is famous for their beauties. So don’t you dare accuse me of not inviting you
along!”
“No,” Jonathan rejected outright. What’s so interesting about ogling at beauties? I should focus on
pursuing my future wife!
After pointing his finger at Jonathan, Vincent turned around in disappointment.
Even though the wedding had been canceled and the matter had become the talk of the town, both
mother and daughter went out shopping without a care in the world.
When the engagement was first decided, Michaela was still very young. An engagement banquet wasn’t
organized since both of them were still students. Hence, the ceremony was just marked by a dinner
between both families.
Back then, Hannah felt bad for her daughter. But given what had happened recently, she realized that
she had saved a lot of trouble.
The furniture store was located in the city center on Harmony Street. It comprised twenty-five floors and
sold many home products that spanned many brands.
As a result, it would take a lot of time and stamina to browse through every single one of them.
As the pair of mother and daughter walked through the store, their similarly exquisite features caused
them to easily be mistaken as sisters. Consequently, their beauty and elegance naturally attracted the
attention of many.
Over three days, Hannah had set her work aside to accompany Michaela shopping as a way to clear her
daughter’s mind. They had gone shopping for furniture, home products, clothes, bags, and even
makeup.
Ever since the day Jacob smashed everything in the living room, he never returned home. Even Lucille
seemed to have disappeared into thin air.
At that moment, the mother and daughter duo were heading to a café on the first floor with their hands
filled with shopping bags. Unexpectedly, Michaela’s phone rang the moment they stepped out of the
elevator.
What was even more surprising was the chaotic noise that rang out from the phone. “Hello, are you
Lucille’s family? I’m calling from City Hospital. Lucille has committed suicide and is currently being
treated in the emergency room. We need you to hurry over to get some paperwork done.”
“What did you say?”
Michaela stopped in her tracks, looking stunned.
Faced with Michaela’s question, the nurse lost her patience and demanded again, “Are you Lucille’s
family or not?”
“Yes, I’m her elder sister.”
“In that case, come over here immediately because this might be the last time you see her!”
Once the call ended, Michaela remained frozen where she stood. Sensing that something was amiss,
Hannah asked anxiously, “Mich, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“Mom!” When she finally regained her senses, Michaela’s voice was both trembling and choking.
“Lucille… Lucille has committed suicide!”
In truth, Michaela had given the matter a lot of thought over the last few days.
Even though Lucille had done something wrong, she was still the sister she had grown up with.
Therefore, she was still willing to believe that Lucille had her own reasons for doing what she did.
Even if she has feelings for Zack, she still wouldn’t have ruined her reputation like that, would she?”
In fact, Michaela was prepared to trust and forgive Lucille if she was willing to explain herself. Michaela
figured that Zack shouldn’t be the reason for both of them to fall out with each other.
It wasn’t until she received the call from the hospital that Michaela was sure that Lucille acknowledged
her mistake. Or else, she wouldn’t have chosen to take such drastic action.
During the journey to the hospital, Michaela was seized by helplessness and panic. More than that, she
blamed herself. If she had given Lucille a call the night before, the circumstances might have turned out
differently.
The frustration, regret, and self-blame culminated in an avalanche of emotions that almost overwhelmed
her.
When she frantically arrived at the hospital and saw two figures hugging intimately in the room, the
complex emotions she felt earlier were replaced by an icy glint in her eye.
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