Erica chuckled when she realized that Matthew was concerned about her. Her fingers flew across her screen as she typed, "They made it differently. I didn't know that there is a layer of shaved ice on the bottom. Don't worry. I won't eat it!"
Matthew replied a second later, "If you have nothing else to do, go back early and rest."
'Wow! People say that those who reply to your message so quickly care for you.'
The happiness glimmering in Erica's eyes couldn't be concealed. She decided that Matthew would be the light of her life from now on!
Shortly after their return from South City, Erica recovered from her cold. Matthew, who had been angry before they had left for South City, finally ended the tension by declaring, "I don't want to argue with a weak and sick woman."
Erica's heart soared when Matthew finally stopped being angry with her. She ignored the words—weak and sick.
'As long as Matthew is happy, it doesn't matter if I'm wronged, ' she thought.
After her return to Y City, Erica didn't dare to go to Mr. Wang with Watkins. After all, that would agitate her husband.
She had to curb her desire to discover the truth before Watkins asked her out.
'Does Phoebe think that I will let her go so easily? Then she is wrong!'
As per Erica's observation, every time Phoebe left school and got into the Su family's car, she would sit on the right side of the back seat.
One day, as the Su family's driver smoked beside the car, a male college student ran to him. After a brief moment of hesitance, he shyly asked, "Sir, can you do me a favor, please?"
The driver shot him a puzzled glance and questioned, "What's wrong, young lad?"
The student pointed at a car not far away and said, "I can't start my car. Would you take a look?"
"Oh, I see. No problem!" The driver and the student then made their way toward the car.
A split second later, a figure quickly ran to the Su family's car. She stopped and glanced around to ensure that no one noticed her. Then, she gently opened the back door, squatted, and placed something inside. Finally, she closed the door and hid behind a big tree.
The student's car roared to life. With feigned confusion, he stared at the car and said, "That's odd. I couldn't start it a few minutes ago. Sir, you are so awesome!"
The driver was stunned. He turned to face the student and explained, "There is nothing wrong with your car. Perhaps you didn't start it correctly."
"Okay, I see. Thank you so much, sir."
"No problem!" The driver waved at him and returned to his car.
Meanwhile, the girl hiding behind the big tree snuck back to the student's car and climbed in the back seat.
The student was none other than Hyatt, and he was already waiting for her inside. When he saw Erica clamber in, he thumped his chest and breathed a sigh of relief. His face had turned red! He glared at his friend and declared, "I was scared to death!" He had never done such a thing before.
Erica cupped her hands and expressed her gratitude generously. "Thank you very much, sir. I will repay you double!"
Her behavior amused Hyatt. Then, he thought of something. Concern reflected in his eyes as he said, "Erica, what if Phoebe knows it was you who did it?
"Don't worry. She can't do anything even if she finds out. They know that I put the snake on her bed last time. What could she do about it? Nothing!" Matthew was supporting her now. Last time she had tricked Phoebe, but he had no intention of getting even with her.
It was a pity that she couldn't see Phoebe wither with embarrassment after her plan worked.
Erica's driver, whom she had sent to buy water, returned. He climbed into the driver's seat and handed the bottle to her. "Mrs. Huo, here's the water you wanted."
Erica leaned forward, grabbed the bottle, and thanked the driver. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome, Mrs. Huo!"
Just then, Phoebe appeared at the school gate. However, Erica's driver had already started the car. They left before anything happened.
Phoebe had rested at home for half a month before returning to school for further study.
As usual, she made her way toward her car, opened the right back door, and climbed in.
"Ahhh!" she screamed as soon as she sat down.
The driver immediately turned and asked, "What's wrong, Miss Su?"
Phoebe was in such agony that she closed her eyes tightly. Something in the car had pricked her leg.
She supported herself by placing one hand on the seat. She wanted to search for what had poked her, but before she could find it, something else stung her palm. "Ahhhh!" Another scream escaped her lips, and she quickly withdrew her hand, as if she had touched electricity.
A thorn protruded from her fair palm.
The driver was shocked. Concern laced his voice as he asked, "Miss Su, what's this?"
Phoebe was confused, upset, and furious. She glared at him. "How would I know? It hurts!" Carefully, she removed the thorn from her palm.
Then she checked the seat to ensure that nothing else was around her. Just as she shifted, she found three more identical thorns on the back seat.
The thorn in her leg had not punctured her too deep because she was wearing jeans.
However, blood began to ooze her injured palm.
Phoebe was pissed off now. She seemed to have encountered a spate of bad luck. No matter what she did, something awful always happened to her.
She handed the thorns to the driver, and asked with disgust, "What are these? Who put them here? My hand is bleeding! I'm a painter. Who will take responsibility if there is severe damage to my hand?"
"I'm sorry. Give them to me, Miss Su." The driver apologized several times. He didn't dare to say anything else as he knew that nothing would pacify her now.
At once, he studied one of the thorns. It was reddish-brown and hard to break. The color and appearance of the thorn stupefied the driver. He had no idea what it was or where it came from. He cautiously suggested, "Miss Su, I'll take you back and then find someone to identify them. Would that be acceptable?"
"Whatever!" Phoebe said impatiently as she wiped the blood on her palm with a tissue.
Two days later, much to her surprise, the wound had swollen up. The puncture site on her leg had swollen just like her palm.
She winced as she gingerly touched the wound. It was not only swollen but painful as well.
Phoebe, who had forgotten about this accident, summoned the driver and asked, "Did you find out what pricked me?"
The driver shivered with fear and immediately apologized. "I'm sorry, Miss Su. After I brought you home that day, I was instructed to take your father to the company. I forgot about it. I'll go and find out now!"
Phoebe was outraged by the driver's forgetfulness. 'He is so useless!' she cursed inwardly. Her eyes widened in anger. "Go and check now! My hand and leg are swollen. Tell me what they are as soon as you find out!"
"Yes, Miss Su. I'll do it right away!"
Phoebe stood still and gasped for breath as the driver bowed and scampered off.
She glanced at her swollen palm, and fresh anger surged through her. She knew the identity of the culprit. Regardless of whether that person did it on purpose or not, Phoebe swore that she would make her pay for what she'd done.
A few days later, Phoebe marched into the CEO's office of ZL Group.
As soon as she stopped in front of Matthew's desk, she slammed a test report on the desk. "Matthew, Erica has gone too far! This time, I won't tolerate her tricks. I've already contacted a lawyer, and we are preparing to sue her."