His voice was laced with sarcasm as he asked, âSo you think youâre more qualified to take care of a cripple like me?â
Hesterâs eyes welled up with tears.
âI really care about you, Mr.
Douglas.
â
Leonel raised an eyebrow, âYou⦠care about me?â
Leonel repeated her words, and then shot back with a smirk.
âSo tell me, what do you really like-this broken body or my deep pocket? Hester, I hired you to make Alexis believe Iâve move on, but that doesnât mean Iâm a fool.
â
Duefron had plenty of women like Hester.
Sure, maybe in the past, heâd have taken her out for dinner or something.
But after what happened with Anika, he was done with this type.
Even if he was single now, he wouldnât get involved with any of them.
Leonel sneered and added, âI bet you spent a lot to get where youâre at right now.
So you wouldnât want to lose everything or get blacklisted in Duefron for crossing the wrong person, right?â
Hester felt utterly humiliated.
She was used to people fawning over her.
No one had ever spoken so harshly to her like that.
Leonel had nailed it.
âThose guys who say sweet things to you? Itâs because they know youâll sleep with them.
â
Leonel knew all about Hester, including her history.
Hester shot back, âLeonel, if you know everything about me, why did you still hire me?â
âs BunnyBookery
Leonel slid the curtains closed with a smooth motion.
The dark fabric reminded him of Alexisâ jet-black hair.
After a long pause, he replied coolly, âNothing special.
I picked you because youâre just like all the others.
â
He just chose someone at random, really.
Then Leonel asked Hester to leave.
He hired her for show, not to live with him.
Hesterâs dorm was in the back of the villa, tucked away with the servants.
After she left, Leonel stared out the window.
A single raindrop slid down the glass, sparkling like a tiny gem.
He made up his mind to cut ties with Alexis.
Leonel didnât want to see her, and he definitely didnât want her in his life.
Alexis didnât push him, though.
Sheâd just visit occasionally.
Sometimes, sheâd bring a book she thought heâd like.
Other times, sheâd show up with Waylenâs handmade beef dumplings-some boiled and others fried, which had always been Leonelâs favorite since he was a kid.
The rich beef filling made them irresistible.
When autumn came around, Alexis brought Leonel a sweater.