Chapter 144
The Japanese food on the table looked scrumptious, but neither Christian nor Bella had the appetite to
enjoy such a delicacy.
The corner of Christianâs lips curved up, but there was not a hint of joy in his eyes. âIâm afraid I can only
apologize. Daisy is one of the employees in my Delta Club. Iâm not going to hand over an employee to
become the partner of an old man almost on his deathbed.â
âAre you threatening me, Chris?â Bella squeezed out a forced smile as her body tensed up.
Christian calmly replied, âIâm just reiterating the facts.â The conversation seemed so familiar, but their
roles had changed.
She froze for a moment, then smiled, clenching her fist tightly, and said softly, âI came here today
looking for Daisy because my grandpa has asked me to. So itâs not a big deal if this doesnât work out.
But I may decide to sue Victoria due to disappointment if you arenât agreeable.â
He looked at her darkly and sat down.
âYouâre a smart person, Chris. You should know what to do.â Bella had regained her composure as she
drawled out the words.
âIs that so?â Christian narrowed his eyes.
She laughed. âAt least, I think youâre smart.â
âIâm sorry to disappoint you then.â He glanced at her coldly. âYou have two choices now. First, you take
Daisy with you, and Iâll treat Victoriaâs legs. The second is that you sue Victoria, but Iâll be exposing Old
Mr. Fordâs affairs online.â
A shocked Bella froze in horror but still maintained the slight smile on her face. âWhat if I take Daisy
with me and still donât agree to treat Victoriaâs legs?
âThatâs not possible,â Christian refuted.
She could no longer keep her smile at his words. âChris, do you really think my grandpa cares about
his name?â
âDoes he not?â He smiled and stood up. âGood for him, then.â With that, he turned around and left.
Bellaâs mind whirled when she saw his resolute back and bit her lips as she called out in a panic,
âChris!â
However, he did not even pause, nor did he respond to her.
âMiss, what should we do now?â When the maid saw that Christian was almost out the door, she got
anxious. âIf this matter regarding your grandpa and Miss Torres is exposed, it wonât look good on the
Ford Family, and our name will be dragged through the mud!â
Menace flashed in her eyes as she assured the maid, âDonât worry.â
She waited until Christian was at the door, ready to push it open, before speaking, âWhatever it may be,
Victoria was a friend of mine. Iâll be glad to see her legs healed.â
âYouâre a smart person.â Christian stopped in his tracks but did not turn his head and returned the
praise to her.
Bellaâs hand tightened on the armrest as she smiled. âSince thatâs settled, why donât you sit and join
us? Itâs a waste to order and not eat the food.â
âI have different preferences. You guys can go ahead as Iâll be leaving now.â Chrisitan pushed the door
and left without looking at her.
Bellaâs red lips parted slightly and trembled when she saw the empty doorway. Then, her head drooped
as pain and bitterness filled her eyes.
After Christian left the Japanese restaurant, he took a taxi to Jillâs noodle house. Jill was cleaning a
table with her back facing him as he walked into the shop. âHi, what would you like? Hang on a minute,
and Iâll be right over.â
She turned around only to see Christian standing there, and the smile on her round face froze. Then,
she swiftly set aside the broom and dustpan and told him, âOh my, the food this humble shop serves
canât possibly be appetizing for Mr. Thatcher. If itâs all the same to you, Iâd rather not waste food.â
âItâs been a while, Jill,â he greeted her.
âWell, of course.â She smiled, but her tone was snarky. âYouâre the president of the great Thatcher
Group. Iâm just the owner of a little noodle place. Weââ She pointed at the sky, then at the ground. âWe
are like heaven and earth. Itâs natural that we donât meet often. Just like today, itâs unusual that youâre
here. Itâs making my heart pound in fright!â
âIs the seafood noodle available? Iâd like to have one, please.â Christian looked down and pulled the
chair out before sitting down.
âOh well, I wouldnât dare to make it for you.â She was still laughing. âWhat if you find a hair or a fly in it
and close down my shop? Itâs safer for me to decline this sale of yours. Donât you think so?â
Christian knocked lightly on the table twice. âI think that even if there werenât any hair or flies, youâd
pluck some hair or catch some flies and add them in.â
âHaha, thatâs a funny joke, Mr. Thatcher. I wouldnât dare.â Jill picked up the broom and continued
sweeping the already clean floor. âIf you knew about that and hurt me, who could I ask for help then?â
He raised his eyebrows a little and asked, âIf I didnât find out about it, would you continue to do so?â
She stopped sweeping and chuckled while looking at him with the broom in her hand.
âDr. Walkerâs your nephew, right?â Christian dropped the act and asked her directly since Jill was not
being very welcoming. They would be talking in circles forever and never get to the point.
âYes, he is,â Jill answered. âBut heâs bad-tempered and doesnât have a close relationship with me. So if
he doesnât want to treat Bellaâs legs, itâs no use for you to look for me.â
Christian then asked, âWhat if he refuses to treat Victoriaâs legs then? Can I come to you?â
Jill paused for a moment and then let out a laugh. âYou donât need to worry about this. He returned
from Pancada a few days ago, and Iâve talked to him about treating Toriâs legs. He will do it for free until
sheâs healed.â She let out a chuckle. âToriâs got quite a temper and draws a clear line between love and
hate. She doesnât like to accept peopleâs help easily as well. If you care, Iâd like you to leave her
alone.ânovelxo.com fast update
âThatâs great. Thanks, Jill.â His eyes darkened as his slender fingers tapped on the table lightly. Finally,
he stood up to unbutton the top button of his shirt, but the weight on his heart did not lessen.
Jill replied, âYouâve mistaken. Iâm doing this for Tori, not you. So you donât need to thank me.â
âIâve got something to do. Iâll take my leave now. Iâll visit you when I have the time.â His brows furrowed
slightly as he got ready to leave.
âWait a minute!â Jill held up the broom against his knee to stop him as the smile on her face
disappeared. âI donât care about the truth about you breaking Toriâs leg two years ago, but thank you
because she would have a life sentence if that were not the case. This doesnât mean that I like you,
though. I canât accept the things that youâve done to her. If you want to repent, Iâm begging you to let
her go and leave her alone. As her auntie, Iâll thank you on her behalf.â
Christian glanced at the broom before moving his gaze up to Jill and mocked, âHow did you know that it
wasnât her who did me wrong?â
âHuh?â Jill was taken aback.
He stepped over the broom and strode out of the noodle house before biting back harshly, âYouâre in no
place to interfere with mine and Victoriaâs matters.â