Chapter 1289


    Ian had meant to wrap his arms around her waist, but seeing her retreat so suddenly, almost knocking


    over the potted fern nearby, caused him to pause.


    "Maja!"


    He called out, takingrge strides to check on her.


    Maja curled into herself, her mind in turmoil.


    She fumbled to rise from the floor.


    "Ian, I need to rest. My head hurts."


    Her fingertips brushed against the wall. Not waiting for Ian''s response, she moved away.


    Ian rushed to follow, but as Maja reached the corridor, she heard a woman''s voice.


    "Has Mr. Raymond been home today? I''ve visited several times recently and he hasn''t met with me. My


    belongings are still at Greenfield Gardens."


    Footsteps echoed from outside, growing steadily closer.


    Jolin looked up, seeing Maja. Recognizing the simr features, she instantly knew this was the woman


    Ian had fallen for.


    Maja simply looked in the direction of the approaching footsteps, not saying a word, and tried to move


    away.


    Jolin raised an eyebrow. So, this woman was blind?


    A sense of triumph washed over her. Surely no sane man would choose a blind woman over her.


    Feigning surprise at noticing Maja''s condition, she offered, "Miss, can I help you? I''m familiar with this


    ce."


    Before Maja could respond, her arm was being guided. She frowned in difort.


    "No need, thank you. Let go."


    She really didn''t need help, especially not from a stranger.


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    With her heightened senses, she could smell the woman''s scent, a scent she''d once detected on Ian.


    Remembering what Patric had mentioned about a woman who''d been close to Ian during her absence,


    Maja felt a pang of difort.


    Ian''s heart dropped when he saw Jolin. He hadpletely forgotten about her.


    Days ago, Jolin had mentioned that she was heading to Crystalbrook Valley to visit her family and


    wouldn''t be around for a week. He had agreed, assuming it wouldn''t be a problem.


    But now, she was here, meeting Maja face-to-face.


    Feeling guilty, Ian moved quickly to Maja''s side.


    "Maja, let me take you to your room to rest. This is the new housekeeper at Greenfield Gardens. If you


    don''t like her, I''ll have her dismissed immediately."


    Jolin''s eyes widened in disbelief. She might resemble this woman, but she was younger. Surely Ian


    wasn''t so desperate to be with a blind woman!


    Once he''d escorted Maja to her room, Jolin was waiting outside.


    As soon as he emerged, she linked her arm through his.


    "Mr. Raymond, you''ve been so cold to me. You used to hold me often. Have I been gone so long that


    you''ve forgotten me?"


    Ian regretted his past actions deeply. If Maja could see, she''d likely be furious to see Jolin wearing the


    same outfit she''d worn for her high school graduation.


    Seeing another person imitate her would offend anyone.


    Today, Jolin had purposely styled her hair in a ponytail and even wore the same school uniform. She''d


    figured out that Maja was also a high school graduate, so they must have worn the same uniform at


    some point.


    "Mr. Raymond, don''t you like what I''m wearing?"


    Ian frowned. "I''ve asked Jeff to take you away. Your debts have been paid. Don''te looking for me


    again."


    Jolin stood still for a while, then stepped back.


    "Mr. Raymond, are you joking with me?"


    She couldn''t ept it. She was being discarded for a blind woman!


    Damn it, why didn''t this blind woman just die?


    Jolin had been pamperedtely, losing sight of her original ns. She''d thought she could easily


    manipte Ian.


    So when he said those words, her first impulse was to barge into the room and push Maja out of the


    window. Killing that wretched woman would solve everything.