Indeed, people behaved in mysterious ways. But this was just the way they were wired as humans.
Oftentimes, if someone didn't want to give you something, there will always be someone else that was
willing. But you might not accept it. This game was unfair to Alice and she had lost completely. She had
put many things on the line and all of them went down the drain.
Nevertheless, she was undeterred. She refused to give up so easily. This was because she had her
own conviction on the matter. Alice wouldn't change her perception just because of the statements and
actions of other people. She shunned all the opinions from people.
She had already met several kinds of people in her lifetime. These people came with different
characters and perceptions. During those years, she had disappointed some people. But she had also
put her confidence in other people and it was thwarted. They all let her down!
For this reason, Alice would never forgive those individuals. Her heart was already hardened towards
them. After all, there was a law of cause and effect. It clearly stated that everything happened because
of a previous action.
"Mr. Joshua, stop praising her. You might just scare her away with your praises. Then I wouldn't know
what else to do. She had been abroad for a long time and suddenly, she insisted on returning. I still
don't know the reason for her return. Well, I think it's time to call it a day. I should take her home now."
Thompson glanced at his watch. Although it was still early, he was fed up with the conversation. He
was tired of associating with these hypocritical people. They were actually not his type.
Thompson's patience was gradually running out. With a gorgeous smile plastered on her face, Alice
looked at him and nodded. She didn't forget the reason why she came to meet Thompson in the first
place. Also, she didn't think that he forgot.
At that instance, the both of them figured out what to do. It was best to end the discussion as soon as
possible. Alice was confident that Thompson would give her a good answer.
Because of this, she tried to smile even if she had to listen to all the bullshit they were spewing.
Besides, Alice didn't want to offend a powerful person. If she did, her life would get worse than it
already was. It would be her doom!
"Mr. Thompson, you are right. We are leaving now. You have already spent a lot of money today." The
fat man stood up and patted his clothes.
As Alice sat there, she felt like the man was emitting a kind of disgusting smell from his mouth. This
made her feel sick in her stomach. Despite her disgust, she still gave the stout man a fake smile and
remained mute.
Alice felt embarrassed deep down in her heart. This was because she was forced to give such a kind
expression to a chubby and unattractive man. Fortunately, they were finally leaving. But she was yet to
start her business.
Within a few seconds, the group of people exited the private room. Then Alice was left alone with
Thompson. In a daze, she stared at the wine glass without uttering a word. Several thoughts were
running through her mind, 'Did Thompson know?
Perhaps he knew, or maybe he didn't. How would I respond if he asked?' Not once did Alice think that
she would get pregnant. It had never crossed her mind. The happenings in her life were simply due to
an unknown fate.
"Did Jacob ask you to come back?" Instead of looking at Alice's eyes while he asked the question,
Thompson was staring at her belly. He looked as if he was thinking about something.
Actually, he was petrified by the slight bulge of her tummy. He didn't know why but he was feeling very
uncomfortable. At that instance, cold sweats ran down his broad back.
Truly, no human knew exactly how wide the gap between imagination and reality was.
Maybe a single snap of fingers could change everything on earth.
"Yes, he did. Because I'm pregnant." Alice lowered her head and said with a calm voice.
The enthusiasm she had when she met the guests seemed to have disappeared. Now, Alice was no
longer in the mood to discuss.
"Did you tell him that the baby belongs to him?" Thompson stroked the wine glass with his fingers. At
that moment, he had an unreadable expression on his face.
The jade ring on his finger also sparkled under the soft light. Just like his expression, it was difficult to
see the ring clearly. He was an expert in hiding his feelings from his face.
With wide eyes, Alice stared at Thompson. She was taken aback by his question. He didn't ask about
the child, instead he asked about the results directly! She thought she could deceive Thompson, but
she had failed. Thompson was so smart and he couldn't be played.
Of course, Alice really didn't want to hide it from him. She knew that he would find out about everything
in the end.
"Yes, I did."
Alice didn't know where to start. However, she felt an unbearable urge in her heart. This feeling was
indescribable.
At that moment, her emotions could be likened to the air in a big balloon. Peradventure she couldn't
handle it, it would explode and she would finally break down. Being a strong woman, she never wanted
to experience the day that she would break down. Alice swallowed hard in order to ease the tension
she felt in her throat. She was able to comport herself after a few seconds.
"What did he say?"
Thompson raised his glass and took a sip. He had a strong hatred for wine. But sometimes he had no
choice but to drink it. Oftentimes when he drank alone, he would take a sip.
For a few seconds, Alice stared blankly at him. She was having pensive thoughts.
'Is Thompson really worthy of my trust? Will he betray me when he didn't need me anymore? Is he
really more reliable than Jacob?'
Several thoughts flashed through Alice's mind. She was feeling hesitant all of a sudden.
As she sat there, she remembered Jacob's words to her. The pain in her heart also rekindled. The echo
of his words to her seemed to ring in her head. Even after wasting her youth, Jacob didn't care about
how she felt. He hurt her without batting an eyelid.
Alice concluded that she would no longer be considerate towards him. After all, two can play the game!
Besides, no one in the world would be so kind to someone who hurt them.
"Actually, I wanted to have a good discussion with him. But the meeting ended in a disagreement."
Alice smiled bitterly. The smile showed that she was in despair.
Just by listening to her, Thompson could picture how the whole scenario had played out. Quietly, he put
down his glass.
"Oh! How could it be?"
Thompson spoke in a soft tone which was filled with doubts. Nevertheless, it sounded like he was really
concerned about her.
Alice thought she didn't hear him correctly. But after replaying his voice in her head, she confirmed that
she did. Then she sniffed. Her heart was filled with unshared sorrow and pain.
However, she was too proud to let go of her self-esteem and confide in Thompson. This was because
Alice felt that she and Thompson had different goals. Although they were currently allies, it was only
temporary.
None of them knew who would betray the other one first. Alice had pondered on this fact while she was
abroad.
She had come to understand that there was no such thing as a free lunch. And so she knew that she
was going to pay the price.
"Jacob said a lot of hurtful words to me. He even asked me to abort the baby. I think our alliance is
about to end. Because I cannot win him back,"
Alice murmured with her head lowered in defeat. As she sat there, Alice was feeling very tired so she
lay down. The whole drama and the effects of the pregnancy were taking a toll on her.
Thompson walked over and sat next to her. Under dim light, he reached out and pinched her chin
playfully. At that moment, they were both in an intimate position.
"Do you know what you are talking about? This isn't the woman I know. Alice, where did your
confidence and pride go?" Although Thompson was teasing her, he still spoke in a friendly tone.
"Currently, I have nothing. I have lost everything! No matter how hard I try to get Jacob back, I only end
up making him more disgusted. Anyways, he doesn't have feelings for me anymore."
Alice's eyes became wet. This was probably a special and difficult period for her. Just then, Thompson
saw the tenderness and love in her eyes.
Damn it! There was pure affection in her eyes. This was the kind of love Thompson wanted the most.
His heart longed for the tenderness and love in women's eyes. But until now, he was still unlucky.
For a moment, Thompson was daydreaming. Instead of letting go of Alice's chin, he continued to pinch
it absentmindedly.
"Forget it. In fact, I knew from the very beginning that our partnership wouldn't last long." Thompson
finally released Alice's chin. Then he adjusted himself on the sofa and then crossed his legs.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda