hapter 20 Knives Behind Kindness
Rebecca’s tear–filled eyes dropped sorrowfully, and fresh tears streamed down her face.
“I just don’t want to see Scarlett unable to graduate.”
Bodger scoffed. “She’s from some backwater town with no background. If she can’t graduate, she deserves it!”
“Rebecca, you’re too naive. You don’t understand how cruel people can be.”
“If Connor helps her and she turns around and says she wants to break off the engagement again, he’ll become a joke all over again. Would you really let that happen?”
Rebecca froze.
Her tears hung on her lashes.
It was clear she hadn’t thought that far ahead.
She didn’t want Scarlett to lose her future–but she didn’t want Connor to be embarrassed either.
She looked torn, heartbroken–absolutely pitiful.
“Alright, stop teasing her.”
Connor sat off to the side, face cold.
“I’ve said it before–Scarlett and I have nothing to do with each other. Don’t mention her in front of me again!”
“And another thing-” He glanced at Rowan, who’d stayed quiet all this time, and added sternly, “If she asks any of you for help, you’re not to give it. Or we’re done.”
A gleam of satisfaction flickered in Rebecca’s eyes, and she let out a quiet breath.
At the hospital, Scarlett had severed ties with Calvin.
And now, she herself had shut down Scarlett’s last avenue of
support.
Without a lab to run simulations, Scarlett’s little test mice might as well be dead.
And without those mice…
She’d love to see how Scarlett planned to continue competing with her on cancer treatment research.
Connor’s gaze landed on her again, just as she teared up once more.
“But all her hard work will be wasted. She’ll be devastated… I’m worried she won’t be able to handle it.”
Connor looked into her red–rimmed eyes and grew even more furious.
“She brought this on herself!”
Bodger sneered. “Scarlett only got a few awards before because her mentor gave her all the resources. But once Rebecca came to the lab, he clearly started favoring her. Scarlett lost her edge and got bitter. Now she finally knows she’s nothing special. I’m actually looking forward to it.”
Rowan frowned. “Looking forward to what?”
Bodger leaned back in the couch.
“To the academic exchange conference in a couple weeks. I wanna see her show up with a bunch of dead mice and publicly humiliate herself in front of the entire research community!”
He laughed at his own joke.*
“That woman dumped Connor and humiliated him at his own party. Now it’s her turn to get destroyed. She’s just getting what she deserves.”
The room filled with laughter.
Rebecca anxiously stomped her foot. “Connor, don’t be like that. I… Scarlett…”
Connor didn’t stop his friends. Instead, he gently patted her shoulder.
“Rebecca, this place is too loud. Let me take you home, okay?”
Rebecca looked hesitant, like she was still concerned about Scarlett–but not wanting to reject his kind offer, she finally nodded with a conflicted expression.
But inside, she was thrilled.
Connor had once told her in confidence:
Three months ago, the Jude family had happened to connect with one of the most powerful families in Jandale–the Lane family.
The Lane family had taken a strong interest in working with them, and a special representative would soon visit to negotiate a major deal.
If the Jude family could secure this project, they would rise to a new level–and finally break into Jandale’s elite circle.
If she could hold on to Connor’s heart, her social network would grow too.
And if she managed to land a top–tier man like Mr. Fletcher? Perfect.
If not, Connor wasn’t a bad fallback.
“It’s a little cold.”
As they walked out of the clubhouse, a gust of wind blew through. She shivered.
Without hesitation, Connor took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she said, hesitant and shy–but unable to resist his overbearing charm.
Connor affectionately tapped her nose.
“What are you thanking me for? Let’s go–get in the car.”
“Mm.”
After dropping Rebecca off, Connor headed straight to his office to deal with urgent company matters, politely declining her invitation to dinner at the Joyner home.
His assistant, Haynes, handed him a folder.
“Sir, the Lane family’s representative replied. After reviewing our proposal, they’ve confirmed their visit. They’ll be arriving in Trenwyn in about two weeks.”
“They said we can keep developing the project proposal. They’re hoping for a long–term collaboration with the Gu Corporation.”
Connor grinned and slammed his hand on the table in excitement.
Right now, the Gu Corporation and the Jiang Group were neck and neck.
But if they landed a deal with the Lane family, Gu Corp would shoot straight to the top.
“Great. Tell the planning department to work overtime. I want the next draft ASAP!”
It should’ve been straightforward.
But Haynes hesitated, looking troubled.
“Sir, to satisfy the Lane family, we went through hundreds of draft proposals. In the end, it was Ms. Scarlett who personally restructured everything. That’s what secured the deal.”
Even thinking about those long nights made his soul ache.
