Chapter 3 Yet, I Find Myself Unable To Trust Men Any Longer

• The person standing outside was none other than Leo.
• He had rescued her not long ago, and now they encountered each other once again.
• Jane hastily wiped away her tears, her voice laden with profound surprise, "Mr. Johnson, what brings you here at this hour?"
• Given that it was already past two in the morning, had she not known Leo's identity, Jane might have felt compelled to call the police.
• "Do you truly believe that shedding tears for a man like Jack is worthwhile?" Leo's dark eyes intensely fixated on Jane's unadorned face, his gaze sharp and predatory, as if a beast had spotted its prey.
• Typically, Jane was seen wearing a pair of stark, rigid black glasses, at least according to the photos Leo's investigators had taken of her, along with her perfunctory professional makeup.
• Now, stripped of all adornments, she unexpectedly dazzled Leo.
• Jane, under the fierce scrutiny of Leo's gaze, became visibly flustered.
• Observing Jane's discomfort, Leo moderated his daunting presence and took a seat on the sofa, quickly scanning the disheveled bedroom and the basin discarded on the floor.
• Jane felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment, somewhat ashamed, "I apologize for presenting such a temperamental side of myself to you."
• Leo raised an eyebrow slightly, "A man who does not love you turns you into a shrew, but a man who loves you will spoil you like a child."
• Despite following Jane's lead, she discerned an underlying message in Leo's words.
• "I came here today because our conversation was not yet concluded."
• Jane's eyes flickered, her beautiful face adopting a serious expression, "Mr. Johnson, even if my fiancé has been unfaithful, I still cannot fulfill your request. In all of New York, there are countless women superior to Jane, and I wish you all the best in finding a suitable partner."
• "I trust my own judgment."
• A noticeable crack appeared in Jane's solemn demeanor.
• After a long moment, a bitter smile.
• "Yet, I no longer have faith in men."
• Leo's eyebrows twitched slightly, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light, "Just because you've tasted one rotten grape, does that mean the whole world's grapes are spoiled?"
• Jane was taken aback, not expecting Leo to engage in such a debate.
• "Regardless of whether the grapes in this world are spoiled or fresh, I cannot become Mrs. Johnson. I've just ended a five-year engagement and haven't yet recovered from this failed relationship. Expecting me to dive into another so swiftly disrespects both the past and you."
• Jane shook her slightly dizzy head, her body swaying.
• "I haven't asked you to agree to be my wife right now. I will demonstrate through my actions that I am nothing like Jack, that scoundrel. You have the right to refuse me, but deciding you will be my wife, Jane, is my prerogative. I reject your refusal."
• Jane: "..."
• What to do when her head spins even more violently?
• Suddenly, the world seemed to spin, and Jane stumbled forward.
• Her face etched with panic, but in the next second, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to safety.
• Jane crashed into Leo's embrace, her nostrils filled with his crisp, masculine scent.
• Then, she lost consciousness.
• Even through his clothing, Leo could feel Jane's temperature running higher than normal.
• Drugged, soaked in ice water, and then rushing back only to be shocked, it was natural for her body to react adversely.
• Looking down at the flushed face so close to his, Leo effortlessly lifted Jane and proceeded to leave.
• Jane, you can trust me!
• ---
• Jane was taken to the hospital, waking the next morning to find herself alone in the bright, sunlit room.
• Dressed in an oversized hospital gown, her luminous skin contrasted with her classical long black hair, lending her a disdainfully elegant beauty.
• As Jane dwelled on past memories, the quiet hallway outside was disturbed by the sound of high heels clacking against the floor.
• Soon, Amy appeared at the door of Jane's hospital room.
• Holding a lunchbox and dressed in a light pink dress, her long, curly hair cascading lazily, Amy looked radiant, like a fairy thriving on vitality.
• Seeing Jane's emaciated figure, a smug expression crossed Amy's face.
• Approaching Jane's bedside, she said, "Jane, I only found out this morning that you hadn't come to work because you were hospitalized. Haven't had breakfast yet? I brought you your favorite millet porridge. Eat up."
• Amy's voice was tinged with barely concealed schadenfreude, her smile growing brighter.
• "Was last night's scalding water not hot enough? You're here to cause a scene in my hospital room this early in the morning?"
• Jane's eyes flashed with deep sorrow. Once, she might have been moved by Amy's apparent thoughtfulness.
• Now, she realized her own foolishness.
• The mention of the hot water clearly intimidated Amy, but she quickly recovered.
• "Jane, we're supposed to be best friends. Since you couldn't take care of Jack, I sacrificed myself to do it for you. Instead of being grateful, you scold me, truly heartless. Do you know how tired I was last night? Jack was insatiable. Strangely, he never had such urges for you. As a woman, you're truly a failure."
• "Amy, don't be too pleased with yourself. Your true face will be revealed to all someday. Don't think everyone is a fool!"
• Amy's laughter at Jane's words was unbridled, as if she had heard the funniest joke.
• "Jane, oh Jane, when will you understand? Are all these people really fools?"
• Jane was at a loss for words; Amy was right.
• Until last night, she, like everyone else, had unconditionally believed in Jack and Amy.
• Despite their crude and despicable tactics, no one doubted them, no one sensed anything amiss.
• Hah, wasn't she just another fool among them?
• Amy's demeanor suddenly shifted to one of triumph, "I almost forgot to tell you, Jane, as of today, your position as head of the design department is mine."
• "What did you say?" Jane felt as if her heart had been violently struck, making breathing difficult.