Chapter 199


    Chapter 199


    That abandoned mansion must have been rigged with surveince gear, for sure.


    Bonnie’s n was to keep me and Russel under her thumb, so Neil would give up.


    I’ve gotta thank her for that.


    Now that I’ve chosen to be with Russel, I don’t give a rat’s ass about the bad press. But I do worry


    about my parents, especially my dad; he was in a particr line of work where all this news would


    bother him.


    The inte was buzzing withments. Most of them were discussing that the rtionships in our


    circle were a hot mess.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Some folks didn’t know when to quit. They were calling out Neil on social media toe see what was


    going on between his ex-wife and his best friend.


    Under normal circumstances, Neil should have sent someone to do some PR, but he didn’t react, as if


    he just vanished.


    After getting discharged, I rested at home for a day and then went straight back to work.


    “Ms. Finch, these are your flowers: please sign for them” Around noon, a courier delivered arge


    bouquet of beautiful flowers.


    I was surprised, but after I signed and read the card, I realized that they were from Russel.


    He had really nice handwriting.


    The other employees saw this and started cracking jokes. They must have seen the news these past


    few days. But because of who I am, they never brought it up in front of me; instead, they were really


    nice to me.


    This was the first time I received flowers at work. I felt a bit embarrassed but also really content.


    Soon after, Russel called. “Did you get the flowers?”


    “I did, thank you. They’re beautiful.” I replied.


    ‘d you like them; free for dinner tonight? Russel asked.


    I was about to respond when I heard a patient asking about their condition on his end of the line. He


    said in a low voice, “Message me on WhatsApp.” I quickly hung up, not wanting to hold him up at work.


    Later, I messaged Russel on WhatsApp, agreeing to dinner that night. It would be our first date since


    we made our rtionship official.


    After a busy day, I went home to shower and change before heading to the restaurant Russel and I had


    booked.


    On the way, I got a call from the police. “Ms. Finch, about your previous kidnapping, we’ve made some


    progress and would like to discuss it with you.” “Alright.”


    After speaking for over ten minutes, I felt quite down. Just as I suspected, Finn and Bonnie hadn’t been


    punished; instead, Finn’s underlings took the fall. I was really bummed out until I saw Russel.


    “What’s wrong? Don’t feel like having dinner with me?” Russel noticed my gloomy face and pinched my


    cheek, asking affectionately.


    “No, it’s just that Bonnie is so cunning that my usations as the victim can’t even get her punished.” I


    sighed as I sat down.


    Russel’s smile faded, and heforted me gently, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of it.”


    I was surprised, “How will you handle it?”


    Russel seldom used his family’s influence to do things. He just wanted to be a simple doctor, which


    was not bad, but it wouldn’t do much if he wanted topete with Bonnie.


    The news about him and me had been all over the inte, hadn’t his parents seen it?


    I once promised his mother that I’d try to avoid contacting or meeting him, but now that things were this


    way, I guess the Dawson family would have a bigger bone to pick with me.


    This meant Russel would face even more pressure.


    “Yep, I’ll handle it.” Russel said with a smile. “For now, let’s just enjoy our meal; don’t overthink.”


    “Okay” I nodded slightly, choosing to trust Russel.


    I don’t know what Russel did to keep his family calm and not bother me, but I really enjoyed this rare


    peace. I had a normal love life and a stable job. No one was bothering me, and I didn’t have to bother


    anyone either.


    About a weekter, I heard that Finn turned himself in. But he took all the me and didn’t drag Bonnie


    into it.


    I had a hunch that this was Russels doing


    But I had no clue how he managed to make a guy like Finn turn himself in.


    Then i got a message from Russel. ‘Finn’s Issue has been sorted out, but Bonnie’s situation is tricky.


    You’ll know why soon”


    I was a bit puzzled. Why did he not just tell me?


    Just then, Barbara called, “Rena, I need you to go wedding dress shopping with me again


    “Huh? I was taken aback.


    “Ss and I decided to get married. We’re skipping the engagement and getting married at the end


    advance, so I need you toe with me for a fitting Barbara sounded very happy.remindin


    But this time, Ss wasn’t just an ordinary man. He was rich and handsome, a perfect match for


    Barbara.


    The weekend was just right for me to apany Barbara, so I agreed.


    This time, Barbara picked a high-end bridal boutique. It took three to six months to make a custom


    wedding dress, so she needed to order it in advance.


    The brand’s quality was beyond doubt, Barbara just needed to pick a style she liked.


    “Ms. Tueley, wee!”


    I followed the voice and couldn’t help butugh. It was my second time apanying Barbara to pick


    a wedding dress and also my second time running into Bonnie at a bridal shop.


    What could I say? Bonnie and Barbara had simr tastes.


    Bonnie was wearing thetest Chanel, with sunsses on and bright lipstick that entuated her lips.


    When she saw me and Barbara, she stopped, took off her sunsses, and walked towards me.


    “Irene, I heard you and Russel are together now. Congrattions! Bonnie sat next to me, crossed her


    legs gracefully, and said with a smile.


    “What are you trying to y at? Are you trying to y the saint? Isn’t this what you wanted when you


    kidnapped me?” I shot back coldly. “Now you can finally stop bothering me with your dirty tricks.”


    The salespeople around us exchanged amused nces before wisely stepping away.


    After seeing Bonnie, Barbara walked straight over, ‘Let’s go. It’s a waste of time talking to people like


    her.”


    “Did you finish taking your measurements? | asked.


    “No. Once I saw her, I didn’t want to stay here anymore. Let’s go to a different store” Barbara said


    coolly, her distaste for Bonnie was as clear as day Bonnie’s situation had changed from before, and it


    was even less eptable to her to be looked down upon like this, so her face immediately turned


    Sour


    But she quicklyposed herself, and a triumphant expression appeared on her face, “Before you two


    go find another store, I have some good news to share. I’m with Neil now.”


    Then she turned to me, “Irene, you don’t mind, do you? You’re with your ex-husband’s good friend, so


    you shouldn’t mind that I’m with your ex-husband, right?”