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.