Chapter 169


    Chapter 169


    Blood streamed down Raymon’s forehead He touched the blood on his face, then nced at Neil in


    astonishment. His emotions quickly shifted from shock to agitation, a fire in his eyes, itching to retaliate.


    But in his drunken and injured state, Raymon had no strength to fight back. He soon slumped onto the


    chair, unsure whether he copsed due to the alcohol or the blow


    I was taken aback by it all. Just like Raymon, I never expected Neil to step up for me.


    Trene, this…” Oscar was dumbfounded, looking at the motionless Raymon on the chair, lost for words.


    “I punched him. You don’t have to worry about it.” Neil said calmly, grabbing some napkins to clean the


    alcohol off his hands. His voice had regained itsposure, devoid of anger or panic.


    Cooper went out immediately to call the staff to manage the situation in the room.


    Before long, Raymon was helped out, seemingly on his way to the hospital.


    “Thank you, and if Raymon needs medical expenses, I’ll take care of it,” I told Neil before leaving


    “Are you with him?” Neil asked coldly, his gaze fixed on me and Oscar.


    Oscar turned to look at me, his expression somewhatplicated.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to delve into matters of rtionships with Neil.


    “Oscar, let’s go, I told Oscar


    He nodded and followed me out of the hotel.


    Once in the car, guilt was all over him. “Irene, I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have faced


    this today”


    I chuckled “You don’t have to me yourself. It was my impatience. I thought that since I’vee back


    and met you again, I should find a way to help you I didn’t expect it to backfire.”


    Oscar looked at me, his eyes sincere. “Irene, thanks for looking out for me like this. I’ll be fine. I can


    continue working well in the currentpany, and if I work hard enough, maybe I can settle down in


    this city in the future.”


    “Well, as long as you put in the effort, sess is inevitable. Keep it up!” I encouraged him.


    After dropping Oscar off at his ce, I headed home.


    My dad was home that day, and my mom was cooking in the kitchen. He suddenly said, “Rena, there’s


    an art exhibition in a couple of days. Can you go for me? An old friend of mine is hosting it. He’s a


    fantastic oil painter, and it would broaden your horizons.”


    “Dad, why don’t you go yourself?” I didn’t quite understand.


    “I have a business trip, my dad sounded regretful. “Otherwise, I’d love to have a coffee with him.”


    He reminded me. I’ve prepared a gift for him, an inkwell He really likes it. Can you take it with you?”


    I nodded. I had plenty of free time, so visiting the art exhibition seemed like a good idea.


    The exhibition was scheduled for 9 a.m. the day after tomorrow, at the Mystic Luna Gallery in


    Rosemont, not far from our house..


    On the day of the exhibition, I dressed in a simple white top and a ck skirt, carrying my dad’s gift,


    and headed to the Mystic Luna Gallery


    The artworks at the exhibition were filled with artistic ir. Although I didn’t understand oil paintings, I


    could sense the excellence of these pieces. I was


    immersed in what I saw


    “Vicente Farr’s paintings are bing more and more valuable. Some rare pieces are nearly


    impossible to acquire. If I can find a piece that suits my mom today, she’ll love it!”


    Turning a corner, I was admiring a painting named “Harmony in Nature” when I heard Kate’s voice from


    the other side.


    I turned and saw Kate and another woman, holding hands, chatting intimately.


    As soon as they noticed me, they stopped abruptly.


    Kate’s face darkened instantly. She looked at me as if I were her enemy.


    The young woman beside her, whom I barely recognized, was Bonnie Tueley.


    Bonnie looked at me, arching her delicate eyebrows slightly, not as hostile as Kate, more disdainful and


    condescending


    Two years had changed her. Although it was clear that she was the same person, she seemed


    different.


    Her face, framed byrge curls, was heavily made up, exuding a more impactful allure. Coupled with


    her eye–catching designer clothes and essories, she looked so charming


    I nced at the bracelet on her wrist, and in my mind’s eye, I saw Zora, whom I’d met at the party


    when I first returned to the country. She wore an identical bracelet and had the same curly hair.


    “Irene, it’s been so long.” surprisingly, Bonnie spoke first, clearly feeling good about herself.


    “Bonnie, why bother greeting someone like her? She’s not worth it!” Kate disregarded me


    I smiled, ignoring them both, and continued to enjoy the paintings


    Bonnie was probably the same person as Zora. I just didn’t know how she was rted to Abner or how


    she recognized him as her foster father


    Looking at her extravagant appearance, it was clear she had be a wealthy young woman.


    However, a person’s true nature is hard to change from the outside.


    Although Bonnie had transformed into a wealthy heiress, her stingy character and inferiorityplex


    remained intact.


    “Irene, I thought Neil would be with you after he kicked me out. I never expected him to remain single


    these past two years. Now you and I are on equal footing You can’t bully me anymore, can you?”


    Bonnie stood between me and the painting.


    I looked at her sympathetically “Bonnie, as an educated person, how is it that your brain seems so


    limited?”


    Bonnie’s face changed, and anger ignited in her eyes.


    I continued, “If you think Neil abandoned you because of my better background and not because of the


    disgusting things you’ve done, then I genuinely admire your intelligence.”


    “If you hadn’t interfered, how could I have done those things that I had no choice but to do?” Bonnie’s


    logic was shocking.


    People were passing by from time to time. Arguing here with Bonnie wasn’t appropriate.


    Besides, given her twisted logic, continuing to argue with her was a waste of time.


    It had been so long, and every time she saw me, she had to show off, as if she never gave up on one


    thing: proving she was better than me, that she had


    won


    “Bonnie, I’m not as indifferent as you. If you have money, why not consider visiting the neurology or


    psychiatry department at a hospital? Maybe that would help,” I turned and left, not in the mood to say


    more to her.


    “Irene Finch, you’re too arrogant. You’ve never taken me seriously, have you?” Bonnie was angry and


    stood in my way.


    I paid her no attention, pushed her aside, and continued walking.


    Bonnie grabbed my hand, and the gift box in my hand fell to the ground with a muffled thud.


    It was the gift I brought for my dad. After being dropped like this, I wasn’t sure if it was damaged.


    Initially, I didn’t want to get angry, but Bonnie was like a rabid dog, always trying to bite me whenever


    she saw me!


    I pushed Bonnie away with a dark expression, a strong push that made her sit on the ground


    awkwardly.


    Kate rushed to help Bonnie and then scolded me, “Irene, are you looking for trouble? Why did you


    push her?”


    I squatted down to pick up the gift box, and as I stood up, I saw Russel standing not far away, looking


    at me.