Chapter 226

S21 56. Philip’s Confession

Barbara froze. Her eyes slowly traced the hand. Finding Philip’s flat expression, she grimaced.

‘Since when were you there?”

Philip slipped his handkerchief into the girl’s grasp. “Since a few seconds ago. So, Mr. Harris allowed you to stay overnight?”

Barbara blinked. While looking away, she nodded. “Yes.”

Her hand gripped Philip’s handkerchief tighter. After hesitating, she finally patted her cheek with the soft cloth.

Philip secretly put on a thin smile. “Actually, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Barbara glanced awkwardly. “What?”

Suddenly, Philip sat beside her. Their arms accidentally touched. Before Barbara had time to move, the man asked, “Are you angry

because I took the apartment from your mother?”

Barbara’s eyes spontaneously widened. She turned slightly until their knees collided. “Why do you ask that?”

Philip pursed his lips. His lungs felt full.

“When Mr. Morris stated the final decision, you didn’t smile. I even saw your brows furrow slightly.”

Barbara gaped for a moment. When her brain finished digesting, she let out a laugh. “Of course not. Why should I be angry? You didn’t take anything from my mother. That’s your right.”

Philip raised an eyebrow. “You think so?”

+25 BONUS

Barbara smiled sweetly and nodded. “Yeah. I’m actually glad you got the apartment.”

“Why?”

The curve of Barbara’s lips suddenly froze. After a few blinks, she looked down again.

“People like to judge others based on their wealth. They only want to respect and listen to rich people. My mother is of that group.”

Peeking out of the corner of her eye, Barbara lowered her tone. “If you had an apartment, my mother might stop looking down on you. She wouldn’t stop me from being friends with you anymore.”

Before her cheeks turned red, Barbara hurriedly looked away. Philip’s heart tingled at her behavior.

“Is that so? But in my opinion, it’s not something to be proud of. I didn’t get it from hard work.”

“But at least, you got the apartment because of your kindness and qualities. Rowan Harper trusted you, unlike my mother who got the inheritance because of her greed.”

Barbara’s voice lowered again, her face hidden deeper. However, Philip seemed to be able to see her expression.

“Is that why you weren’t smiling earlier? You’re worried about your mother?” he whispered carefully.

Barbara took a deep breath. “If my mother was a criminal, would you still want to be friends with me?”

Philip fell silent. Tilting his head, he looked at Barbara more closely.

“Are you afraid I won’t be friends with you?”

Barbara shut her mouth for a moment. Her index finger scratched her

+25 BONUS

thumb harder.

“Honestly, you’re my only friend,” she answered in a garbled manner.

Philip could no longer keep his lips from curling. “Don’t you have a lot

of followers?”

“Yes, but they only exist in cyberspace. Even Hailey felt like a stranger when we met. They weren’t real friends to me.”

Barbara sounded like she was grumbling. However, Philip thought her behavior was cute.

“You don’t need to be afraid. Whatever happens, I will always be with you.”

Barbara flinched. Her head was up and her mouth was slightly open.

கு

“Be with me?” Her eyes fluttered. “I’m asking about our friendship, not asking you to always be with me.”

Philip smiled crookedly. “Am I wrong? Aren’t friends always together?”

Barbara froze. She realized her cheeks blushing. When she was about to look away, Philip suddenly reached for her hand.

“You know what? I owe you an apology.”

Barbara’s eyes widened. “O-owe me an apology?”

Philip stroked her hand with his thumb. Barbara’s lungs suddenly forgot to function. A strange sensation pounded against her chest wall.

“In the past, I thought you were the most annoying girl in the world. You were apathetic, had no compassion or any sense of humanity. You were nothing more than a spoiled, troublesome girl.”

A small frown appeared on Barbara’s eyebrow. “You think that badly of me?”

+25 BONUS

“But that was before,” Philip replied, quietly.

“Now?”

Philip raised the other corner of his lips. “It turns out that, I just didn’t know you at that time. That’s why I apologize. Sorry if I just realized that you are a nice, sweet girl.”

Barbara’s cheeks began to flush. Her heartbeat felt so fast that she had to clear her throat to cover it.

“I know you’re trying to comfort me. But repeating the compliment has no effect on me.”

Suddenly, Philip’s fingers slipped between hers. Barbara could no longer breathe. Her whole body froze to receive his warmth.

“I’m not complimenting you, just making a statement. Besides being fun, you’re also amazing.”

Barbara didn’t dare take another glance. The look on her face was out of control.

“Now you’re sarcastic about me?” Barbara tried to grumble, but her tone sounded funny.

“Are you not amazed at yourself? You dare to make difficult

decisions, get out of your comfort zone, and make sacrifices for your parents.”

Barbara had to let her breath escape her mouth. Her chest was too

tight.

“I didn’t sacrifice anything.” Her vocal cords were getting squeezed.

“If you hadn’t sacrificed anything, you wouldn’t still be here, sitting on this bench, with me. You would have gone home with the divorce papers to see your father.”

+25 BONUS

Suddenly, Philip bent down, looking at Barbara’s face from a clearer angle. Not wanting their eyes to meet, Barbara closed her eyes. Her brows furrowed deeper and her grip tightened.

“Besides sorry, there is one more thing I have to say to you.”

Barbara could not help but swallow hard. “What? Just say it. No need

for small talk.”

“Thank you.”

Silence hung in the air. Slowly, Barbara opened her eyes. When she saw the man’s sad gaze, her furrowed brows relaxed. “What for?”

“You’ve defended me in front of your mother. Honestly, that’s the first time someone has taken my side. My previous friends never did that. Usually, they end up insulting and belittling me.”

Barbara found it more difficult to breathe. Her shoulders had risen too high. Not knowing how to deal with Philip anymore, she finally stood up and wiped the sweat that was dripping down her neck.

“You know what? You don’t need to thank me. Isn’t that what friends are for? We should support and defend each other.”

Philip smiled faintly. While looking at his palm which still felt warm, he also stood up. However, before he could speak, Barbara had already patted him on the arm.

“It’ll be dinner soon. We’d better get ready now. Louis and Emily will give us trouble if we’re late. Come on…, Friend.”

Without waiting for a response, Barbara walked in. Her hands. clenched at the sides make her look like a penguin. Philip could no longer contain his amusement towards the girl.

“Gosh, why is she so cute?” Philip sighed while biting his lip.

When Barbara’s back disappeared, he followed in. His steps were now

+25 BONUS

lighter. Barbara’s support and warmth had relieved his burden.

When dinner time arrived, everyone had gathered, except Melanie. Her empty chair created a lonely and strange impression.

“Daddy, is Grandma okay? Why isn’t she here yet?” Emily asked,

bringing the tips of her index fingers together under her chin. Her furrowed brows made Frank worried too.

“Nora, where is my mother?”

The servant flinched. “Sorry, Sir. I don’t know.”

“Did my mother ask for her dinner to be delivered?” Barbara asked with the same expression.

Nora glanced at the kitchen door. Another servant standing there

shook her head.

“No, Miss.”

Everyone lowered their eyebrows in unison.

“Does Grandma not want to eat?” Louis sighed, thinking.

“Maybe Grandma is sulking like Auntie before. How about after this, we deliver food to Grandma?” Emily smiled brightly.

Today’s Bonus Offer