Chapter 22


    Chapter 22


    When I felt a chill in my chest, I realized I might be underdressed.


    However, Neil seemed unbothered and wanted to continue.


    I put a hand on Neil’s chest, my gaze icy, and said, “Are you testing me again?”


    My words hit him like a bucket of cold water, putting out the desire in his eyes. He stared at me for a


    few seconds beforeying back down again, the whole process cold and quick, as if everything that just


    happened was an illusion.


    I silently turned my back to Neil and fell asleep, but my heart was filled with a deep sense of loss.


    There was a time when I had thought about seducing Neil, even imagined having a child with him and


    living a simple and happy life.


    But now, all I wanted was for him to divorce me so we could each live our own lives.


    Because I went to bedte, I didn’t wake up until noon. It was only then that I noticed several


    messages on my phone.


    One was from Faith, saying they had to return to Springvale due to some urgent matter.


    Another was from Barbara Sands, asking if I wanted to take a gig at a concert.


    And then there was a message from an unknown number, which shocked me. It was a photo of me


    pulling Oscar away from the parking lotst night. From the angle of the photo, we looked like a couple,


    but Oscar looked battered and pitiful.


    I racked my brain for a minute, considering all possibilities. Was I caught by the papa raz zi? Or did


    those three fat guys have aplices who took the photo?


    Despite my father and husband’s prominent positions, I have always kept a low profile. Especially after


    marrying Neil, even Ste and her friends couldn’t get me to go out, so how could I attract the attention


    of the pap ara zzi?


    Unable toe up with a reasonable exnation, I decided to call the unknown number, but the call


    was hung up as soon as it went through.


    So I texted back: Who is this? Can you tell me your name?


    If that photo got out, even if my rtionship with Oscar was normal, it would be misunderstood. I just


    wanted to live a low-key life without bing a hot topic.


    The reply came quickly. It was Russel Dawson.


    I was almost scared silly. Was he also at the parking lotst night? And he took a photo of Oscar and


    me!


    He had suspected something between Oscar and me at the hospital before. Now, no matter how I


    exined, it would be useless.


    I quickly texted back: The person in the photo is indeed me, but you must’ve misunderstood. How


    about I take you out for a meal and exin everything?


    Then Russel went silent as if the number was nonexistent.


    Unable to hold back, I dialed his number again. This time, he picked up. “Send me the time and ce


    for the meal.”


    His response surprised me a bit.


    “Alright.” I hung up the phone and, after some consideration, chose to meet at the Orchid Hotel. Since


    the misunderstanding happened there, it seemed appropriate to exin it there as well.


    Russel replied simply, “Ok.”


    With a heavy heart, I spent the rest of the day until seven in the evening. I changed my clothes and


    went to the Orchid Hotel, picked the most high-end private room, and ordered lots of dishes.


    I didn’t believe that after eating so much, he wouldn’t be convinced by me.


    “Ms. Finch, here is the surveince video you asked for.” The hotel manager appeared before me


    again, respectfully handing over a USB stick with the CCTV footage from the parking lotst night.


    “Alright, thank you.” I took it and gave a small nod.


    After a while, Russel finally showed up. He wore a brown shirt and looked elegant.


    He sat across from me and said directly, “You can exin now.”


    “Let’s chat while we eat,” I tried to keep myposure, shing a casual smile.


    “What’s your rtionship with Oscar?” Russel asked directly, not ying along with my pace.


    I calmly replied, “We’re just friends, we met by chance. I even know his girlfriend!”


    Russel looked surprised, “He has a girlfriend?”


    I nodded but thought to myself. But he’ll be single soon, and you and Neil will be chasing after his


    girlfriend.


    Seeing the gentleman in front of me and thinking about Neil’s good looks, I couldn’t imagine the two


    outstanding men who could attract attention wherever they went, eventually bing enemies over a


    woman.


    “Look at this!” Seeing Russel deep in thought, I quickly connected my phone to the USB drive and


    showed him the surveince video. I confidently stated, “From this angle, you can see all my


    interactions with Oscar in the parking lot, as well as what I said. We are innocent!”


    Whether we would remain innocent in the future, that was a different story.


    The angle of the photo Russel took probably didn’t capture the scene where I confronted those fat


    guys. It looked more like he took the photo after Oscar and I had walked some distance.


    Russel took my phone and started watching the video intently. I craned my neck slightly, watching for


    changes in his expression.


    When he saw me p one of the fat guys, his eyebrows twitched, a hint of amusement in his eyes.


    After finishing the video, he handed my phone back, “You’re quite tough.”


    “I can’t just let people walk all over me, right? After all, I am Neil’s wife, and my father is a man of


    status.” Iughed awkwardly and put away my phone.


    “Does Neil know about Oscar?” Russel asked again.


    His question was filled with concern, as if he was worried his good friend was being deceived.


    I knew that Neil and Russel had grown up together and were the closest among their friends. But


    because I wasn’t familiar with their rtionship, I didn’t know why they


    were so close.


    1/2


    11.100


    Now I understand, Russel had put a lot of effort into Neil’s marriage.


    However, these two best friends would eventually be enemies because of a woman, which madeN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    me sigh..


    I shook my head, “He doesn’t know Oscar, because Oscar isn’t an important friend to me.”


    Russel took a sip of water but didn’t respond.


    I wasn’t sure if he really believed me or was just pretending to. Either way, he didn’t say anything else


    to me after that. Out of all the dishes, he only tasted two before leaving


    “What a waste.” I looked at the exquisite food, called the waiter over to pack it up, and then left the


    restaurant carrying several bags of food.


    a


    On my drive home, an address suddenly popped into my head it was the one Ada had written down as


    her home address in her papers. They were local folks of Rosemont, living on the border of Rosemont


    and Springvale. Even though it’s still technically in Rosemont, the level of prosperity is much lower and


    the housing prices areparatively lower.


    Inparison to Oscar’s ce, Bonnie’s ce is a bit more uptown. Oscar’s ce is just in some


    small town in the sticks.


    Today, my inws headed back to Springvale, so Neil can finally go free and will try to get as close to


    Bonnie as he can. Finding Bonnie’s info would be a piece of cake for him he must’ve already known


    her home address.


    Even though Bonnie hasn’t been working these past couple of days and the school term hasn’t started


    yet, she’ll probably head home for a few days to rest.


    In a sh, I wheeled around, making a beeline for Bonnie’s ce.