Chapter 231


    J was in the middle of a pleasant lunch with her colleagues.


    "Lind, your phone''s been ringing for a while now. Someone is probably trying to reach you." Gerda


    spoke through a mouthful of beef noodles. She was exceptionally observant by nature, so she was


    able to hear J''s phone even with all the chatter around them.


    It was a good thing, too, since J herself hadn''t been paying attention to the device.


    She picked it up now, and hurriedly opened her screen to a message from Bernie. He was asking


    her out, saying that he wanted to apologize to her in person.


    J paused, hesitating.


    Bernie had never treated her badly. If anything, he had always tried to do the best for her. He used


    to speak up for J whenever Jocelyn would bully her. He certainly wasn''t as vicious as Fiona or


    Jocelyn.


    Moreover, Bernie had a gentle, easygoing demeanor. It wasn''t even much of a surprise that he had


    reached out to her after they had fallen out.


    After a moment''s consideration, J typed a reply. She agreed to meet with Bernie at a cafe of his


    choosing.


    She headed straight over once office hours were over.


    J sat there for a good while, but Bernie seemed to be runningte. It was already well past the


    appointed time.


    She ordered a cup of coffee just as the sun was starting to set outside.


    She finally decided to give Bernie a call, but it went unanswered.


    J told herself to wait for ten more minutes, and if he still didn''t show up, she would just leave. It


    was the rush hour, so Bernie could have gotten stuck in traffic.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the waiter, who set her coffee on the table. The


    intoxicating aroma was irresistible. J was just about to take a sip when someone stopped her.


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    It was Kent.


    She had no idea when he hade, but he just slid into the chair across her table as if it was the


    most natural thing in the world.


    "I strongly advise you not to drink that," Kent warned before grabbing the cup from her hands. He


    put it back down on the table with a loud clink.


    "What do you mean?" J asked, frowning. "What kind of trick are you ying this time?"


    Her temples began to throb. She always had a headache every time she came across this man.


    She had really thought she wouldn''t have to deal with Kent again, what with the coboration


    between theirpanies being over and all. To be precise, she wasn''t expecting this yboy''s


    interest in her tost this long.


    J made to get up, intending to leave the cafe altogether. But Kent stopped her again. He braced


    his hands on either side of her, trapping her in. Hisrge frame loomed over her dangerously. The


    overpowering scent of his cologne washed over J. It was nothing like Ethan used, neither cool


    nor refreshing.


    "What do you think you''re doing? Back off, or I''ll scream!" J raised her chin defiantly and tried to


    stand up again, only to sit back for fear of touching Kent.


    He could tell she was only pretending to be brave. He saw the panic in her eyes. Kent chuckled


    softly. "I was just worried about you, you know. The waiter who served you just now is a wanted


    rapist with an impressive criminal record. Oh, did you want him to have his way with you, by any


    chance? If so, then please, be my guest."