Chapter 1746 A Bad Penny Turning Up
âWhy did you stop the security guards, Mr. Tierney?â the receptionist asked, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Jeff lowered his head to look at her. âYouâve only been working here for a month, so there are a lot of things that youâre still unaware of. Iâll only tell you thisâdonât stop Janice when she comes to see Mr. Simpson. At least, not unless the engagement becomes a sure thing set in stone, got it?â
âBut why?â
âItâs complicated. You donât need to know. Just do as I say, okay?â
Though still dubious, the receptionist nodded. âOkay, got it.â
Worried about his boss being sandwiched between the two ladies, Jeff hurried upstairs.
Meanwhile, one step ahead of Janice, Maya stood face-to-face with Wilbur. Only after surveying her countenance and attire did he ascertain that she was, in fact, Maya.
âMaya?â he called, blinking.
âSurprised to see me?â Maya remarked. âIs my presence not welcomed here?â
Wilbur contained his astonishment, his expression changing into a neutral one. âWhy are you here?â
âWellâ¦â Wondering how to phrase the question she had in mind, she glanced at the chair beside them.
The man followed her gaze and offered, âHave a seat!â
Maya complied before speaking up. âIâm here because I saw the news that youâre about to be engaged three days later, and I was reminded of how I hit you over the head with a wine bottle some time ago. So I just wanted to check on your recovery, wondering if that incident left a scar that would affect your appearance.â
She scanned his face carefully. âWell, it looks like my worries are redundant. Thereâs no scarring from what I can see.â
Wilbur chuckled in amusement. âWhatâs with that regretful tone? Are you displeased that I didnât get a scar from that? Is that why you came over to smash another bottle over my head after you heard about my engagement? Oh, I get it. You must be jealous, so you wish to stop the engagement by injuring me. Am I right?â
Maya raised an eyebrow. Iâd never think of that! Heâs such a jerk!
âStop that nonsense,â she said with a hint of annoyance. âI wouldnât do such a thing. And anyway, you deserved it the last time. We were dating, and all of a sudden, a woman showed up, claiming to be pregnant with your child. Am I wrong to punish a cheater?â
Observing her stern expression, Wilbur broke into a smile. âSo youâre here today because you care about my wellbeing?â
âI-Iâm just curious because I heard something unbelievable about you and wanted to verify it.â
âWhat is it?â
âI heard thatââ
Thud!
Before she could finish her sentence, the office door was slammed open. The two of them looked in that direction, eyes widening when they saw Janice barging in.
Displeased, Wilbur frowned.
Maya, too, sighed inwardly in exasperation. Talk about a bad penny always turning up. I was just about to ask him about the baby in her womb!
Janiceâs eyes gleamed when she saw Maya. What is she doing here? Didnât she declare she wasnât into Wilbur and wouldnât be entangled with him anymore? Yet sheâs here with him just a few days later. What a hypocrite!
Despite the antagonism she harbored toward the latter, she plastered a smile and greeted her sweetly, âOh, Maya, what a coincidence!â
Mayaâs gaze was on Janiceâs stomach as she replied, âIâm here to discuss something with Wilbur.â
âAh⦠I see.â Janice nodded with faux cheeriness. âItâs good that youâre here! I was worried that you had meant what you said at the parking lot that day, about you never seeing Wilbur again. What a relief to see you were only joking! Even though Wilbur and I are about to get engaged, it doesnât mean that he canât have female friends, you know?â
Sashaying to the man, she deliberately placed a hand on his shoulder. âWilbur, donât forget to come home early tonight. Iâm making you something healthy for dinner.â