Current Time
"Why… why are you apologizing?" Gabi couldn't help but ask, frowning. What is going on here? She blinked her beautiful eyes at the old man, who was bowing in front of her. "Old man… what are you doing?" she wanted to curse. This is a very awkward situation! "Stop bowing… sit down… sit down." In that deal with the old man, Gabi gained a lot of stuff. However, the old man lost his granddaughter. If one of them needed to apologize, it should be Gabi.
Sensing her thoughts, she sighed inwardly. Even her mental state isn't that strong. How could she apologize to the old man? Lyle wanted to kill her! She died because of that. It was a life for a life. The only difference is that Aden succeeded in killing her while Lyle failed to kill Gabi.
It was a very simple and logical solution. She shouldn't be overthinking about this.
Gabi realized that all her hatred was focused on Alfons.
When it comes to other people, her mental state of mind is still weak. She needed training.
"I just discovered that Lyle once again tried to kill you, even when she was in prison. This time… I was in the wrong."
"…" What's going on here? Before she could say anything, the old man continued, "I didn't think that she would still try to harm you despite my endless warnings."
"…"
"I am here to give you compensation for what happened."
"I don't think that is necessary." This old man's words were very suspicious. Was he using this to make her lower her guard?
"I hope you don't take it this the wrong way." The old man stared at her, observing her reaction. Seeing that she wasn't frowning, he sighed and took a quick sip of his tea. At least, she didn't look angry or anything, the old man thought.
Last night, the man warned him over and over not to even think about hurting this woman. Or he would obliterate his family. That's right, the term that the man used was 'OBLITERATE'. Who would use such barbaric words?
While the old man didn't believe that the man could actually obliterate his Quigly Family, the old man didn't want any trouble at all. If he could kill Lyle inside a highly guarded facility without an iota of evidence, then it would be possible for him to actually hurt the Quigly family. Obviously, the old man didn't want this to happen.
What is an apology?
Compared to the life of his family, an apology is nothing. "Moving forward, our family would never do anything that could hurt you." The old man added before he got up. "It was nice seeing you Miss Sutton. I hope to see you next time in different circumstances."
"…" Gabi was speechless. She could only watch as the old man put on his hat, grabbed his cane, and walked out of the room.
This is… a very… very strange situation.
However, instead of feeling relief, this only made Gabi more suspicious. Her senses were already on high alert. She wouldn't want that old man to fool her just after that apology. After all, it was clear that she was one of the suspects in Lyle's death.
"Hey… Mr. Quigly left?" Earl walked into the private room. "Did something happen? Did he talk about grandpa?"
"No…"
"Then…"
"It's nothing… we talked about Lyle. We should go now."
"Alright…" Since Gabi wasn't showing any intention of talking about the old man, Earl just shrugged and follow her out of the teahouse. Next, they decided to have their coffee. As promised, Earl started talking about his marriage.
"I always thought you love tea," Earl commented.
"I do. Tea is best for gossips," she smiled. "But we are not here to talk about gossips, no?"
Hearing this, Earl's expression turned stiff. He shook his head. "I don't want this marriage."
So direct? Gabi stared at him in disbelief. It took her a couple of seconds to realize the reason why he agreed, even if he didn't want it. "You don't want to disappoint your parents?"
"I live for the Ren Family."
"Bullshit." What is this? A cult? What is this living for the family? Even their grandfather didn't want to set up their marriage because he didn't want them to live an unhappy life. "Why would you agree to marry someone you just met?"
"I didn't think I have a choice."
"…" This man…
"My mother would cry." He let out another sigh. "And I don't want that to happen."
"So you are treating your fiance badly." That was not a question. Gabi was smart enough to know that Earl was purposely making that woman hate him to make her back out of the wedding on her own. "However… she chose to move into your family home instead." This means that if Earl wouldn't show up for a date, his parents would notice.
Slowly, Earl nodded. "My mother wanted me to propose. She even bought the ring… with her."
Now that is messed up. "And?"
"Well… I don't want to. I've been avoiding the topic."
So that was the reason why his face looked ugly earlier, Gabi immediately concluded. "What are your future plans?"
"Divorce."
"…" He answered without a hint of irritation.
"After my parent's death, I will divorce her."
"…" Earl looked convinced that this was the right thing to do. "You know that the best thing that you could do is actually talk to your parents about this, right?"
"But my mother would…"
"Asked your parents if they wanted to marry her instead."
"…"
Gabi continued, "Since they wanted her so much, then let them marry her. Wouldn't that be easier than making your life miserable?" Gabi leaned forward. She smiled. "But the thing is… your parents didn't really know that you are miserable, is that right?" This conclusion was from the fact that Earl was an absolute pushover. This man would do everything for the Ren Family. "If I tell grandfather about this… he would surely…"
"Don't."
"I know." Gabi nodded. "You told me these things because you are confident that I wouldn't tattle. You didn't ask for my help because you already made up your mind. You already know what to do." She was just here to listen to his story. She let out another sigh before she drank her latte. "What about kids?"
"I'm not planning to have one." He was quick to answer.
"Are you sure?" A messy divorce could leave kids traumatized. "Separation would make them confused and hurt. You don't want that, do you?"
He met her eyes. "I didn't know you like kids."
"I just don't want to see kids hurt. They are innocent of the mistakes of their parents. Don't you agree?" Why do they have to suffer from the mistakes that their parents made?
"I agree. This is why… I am going to see a doctor. I am undergoing an operation. I won't be able to have kids. Ever again."
He said it in such a cold, chilly tone that made Gabi frown. "You already thought about everything," she noted. Earl seemed prepared. He didn't falter. His voice was firm. His eyes were cold. "But what about her?"
"What about her?"
"What if she wanted children?"
"Then she shouldn't marry me."
"…"
For a few seconds, silence descended between them. Then Gabi asked. "Are you planning to inform her about this matter?"
"I already did."
"And?"
"It's included in our prenuptial agreement. I told her I was infertile. She didn't hesitate. She said it was to honor her dead parent's wish."
Gabi nodded. Now that she thought about it, both of these people were doing something for the sake of their families. Why are they willing to live a miserable life just for their families? Then Gabi snorted.
Wasn't she like that in the past life?
She stared at her cousin, who already had a resolute expression on his face. She wondered if she would try to convince him about this operation. In the end, she decided to keep her silence. Earl didn't ask for her opinion, anyway.
"Gabi? Earl?"
The two of them turned towards the woman who just called them. It was none other than Earl's mother, Linda Ren. Of course, she was with Earl's fiance. The two were carrying bags from different department stores.
"Aunt Linda… Ana…" Gabi smiled. Since the table that they were occupying was enough for four people, she immediately invited the two to join them.
"We wanted to invite Earl for lunch earlier. He said he already has an appointment." Analise smiled. "It would have been better if he told me that he was going to see you so I could invite you for lunch as well." Analise had the same kind of look on her face.
"Oh? Analise invited you for lunch? How come I didn't know about this?" Linda immediately asked her son.
Seeing this, Gabi answered. "Aunt, we were talking about a very important business venture that the company would take. So... Earl didn't want to bother you."
Current Time
"Why… why are you apologizing?" Gabi couldn't help but ask, frowning. What is going on here? She blinked her beautiful eyes at the old man, who was bowing in front of her. "Old man… what are you doing?" she wanted to curse. This is a very awkward situation! "Stop bowing… sit down… sit down." In that deal with the old man, Gabi gained a lot of stuff. However, the old man lost his granddaughter. If one of them needed to apologize, it should be Gabi.
Sensing her thoughts, she sighed inwardly. Even her mental state isn't that strong. How could she apologize to the old man? Lyle wanted to kill her! She died because of that. It was a life for a life. The only difference is that Aden succeeded in killing her while Lyle failed to kill Gabi.
It was a very simple and logical solution. She shouldn't be overthinking about this.
Gabi realized that all her hatred was focused on Alfons.
When it comes to other people, her mental state of mind is still weak. She needed training.
"I just discovered that Lyle once again tried to kill you, even when she was in prison. This time… I was in the wrong."
"…" What's going on here? Before she could say anything, the old man continued, "I didn't think that she would still try to harm you despite my endless warnings."
"…"
"I am here to give you compensation for what happened."
"I don't think that is necessary." This old man's words were very suspicious. Was he using this to make her lower her guard?
"I hope you don't take it this the wrong way." The old man stared at her, observing her reaction. Seeing that she wasn't frowning, he sighed and took a quick sip of his tea. At least, she didn't look angry or anything, the old man thought.
Last night, the man warned him over and over not to even think about hurting this woman. Or he would obliterate his family. That's right, the term that the man used was 'OBLITERATE'. Who would use such barbaric words?
While the old man didn't believe that the man could actually obliterate his Quigly Family, the old man didn't want any trouble at all. If he could kill Lyle inside a highly guarded facility without an iota of evidence, then it would be possible for him to actually hurt the Quigly family. Obviously, the old man didn't want this to happen.
What is an apology?
Compared to the life of his family, an apology is nothing. "Moving forward, our family would never do anything that could hurt you." The old man added before he got up. "It was nice seeing you Miss Sutton. I hope to see you next time in different circumstances."
"…" Gabi was speechless. She could only watch as the old man put on his hat, grabbed his cane, and walked out of the room.
This is… a very… very strange situation.
However, instead of feeling relief, this only made Gabi more suspicious. Her senses were already on high alert. She wouldn't want that old man to fool her just after that apology. After all, it was clear that she was one of the suspects in Lyle's death.
"Hey… Mr. Quigly left?" Earl walked into the private room. "Did something happen? Did he talk about grandpa?"
"No…"
"Then…"
"It's nothing… we talked about Lyle. We should go now."
"Alright…" Since Gabi wasn't showing any intention of talking about the old man, Earl just shrugged and follow her out of the teahouse. Next, they decided to have their coffee. As promised, Earl started talking about his marriage.
"I always thought you love tea," Earl commented.
"I do. Tea is best for gossips," she smiled. "But we are not here to talk about gossips, no?"
Hearing this, Earl's expression turned stiff. He shook his head. "I don't want this marriage."
So direct? Gabi stared at him in disbelief. It took her a couple of seconds to realize the reason why he agreed, even if he didn't want it. "You don't want to disappoint your parents?"
"I live for the Ren Family."
"Bullshit." What is this? A cult? What is this living for the family? Even their grandfather didn't want to set up their marriage because he didn't want them to live an unhappy life. "Why would you agree to marry someone you just met?"
"I didn't think I have a choice."
"…" This man…
"My mother would cry." He let out another sigh. "And I don't want that to happen."
"So you are treating your fiance badly." That was not a question. Gabi was smart enough to know that Earl was purposely making that woman hate him to make her back out of the wedding on her own. "However… she chose to move into your family home instead." This means that if Earl wouldn't show up for a date, his parents would notice.
Slowly, Earl nodded. "My mother wanted me to propose. She even bought the ring… with her."
Now that is messed up. "And?"
"Well… I don't want to. I've been avoiding the topic."
So that was the reason why his face looked ugly earlier, Gabi immediately concluded. "What are your future plans?"
"Divorce."
"…" He answered without a hint of irritation.
"After my parent's death, I will divorce her."
"…" Earl looked convinced that this was the right thing to do. "You know that the best thing that you could do is actually talk to your parents about this, right?"
"But my mother would…"
"Asked your parents if they wanted to marry her instead."
"…"
Gabi continued, "Since they wanted her so much, then let them marry her. Wouldn't that be easier than making your life miserable?" Gabi leaned forward. She smiled. "But the thing is… your parents didn't really know that you are miserable, is that right?" This conclusion was from the fact that Earl was an absolute pushover. This man would do everything for the Ren Family. "If I tell grandfather about this… he would surely…"
"Don't."
"I know." Gabi nodded. "You told me these things because you are confident that I wouldn't tattle. You didn't ask for my help because you already made up your mind. You already know what to do." She was just here to listen to his story. She let out another sigh before she drank her latte. "What about kids?"
"I'm not planning to have one." He was quick to answer.
"Are you sure?" A messy divorce could leave kids traumatized. "Separation would make them confused and hurt. You don't want that, do you?"
He met her eyes. "I didn't know you like kids."
"I just don't want to see kids hurt. They are innocent of the mistakes of their parents. Don't you agree?" Why do they have to suffer from the mistakes that their parents made?
"I agree. This is why… I am going to see a doctor. I am undergoing an operation. I won't be able to have kids. Ever again."
He said it in such a cold, chilly tone that made Gabi frown. "You already thought about everything," she noted. Earl seemed prepared. He didn't falter. His voice was firm. His eyes were cold. "But what about her?"
"What about her?"
"What if she wanted children?"
"Then she shouldn't marry me."
"…"
For a few seconds, silence descended between them. Then Gabi asked. "Are you planning to inform her about this matter?"
"I already did."
"And?"
"It's included in our prenuptial agreement. I told her I was infertile. She didn't hesitate. She said it was to honor her dead parent's wish."
Gabi nodded. Now that she thought about it, both of these people were doing something for the sake of their families. Why are they willing to live a miserable life just for their families? Then Gabi snorted.
Wasn't she like that in the past life?
She stared at her cousin, who already had a resolute expression on his face. She wondered if she would try to convince him about this operation. In the end, she decided to keep her silence. Earl didn't ask for her opinion, anyway.
"Gabi? Earl?"
The two of them turned towards the woman who just called them. It was none other than Earl's mother, Linda Ren. Of course, she was with Earl's fiance. The two were carrying bags from different department stores.
"Aunt Linda… Ana…" Gabi smiled. Since the table that they were occupying was enough for four people, she immediately invited the two to join them.
"We wanted to invite Earl for lunch earlier. He said he already has an appointment." Analise smiled. "It would have been better if he told me that he was going to see you so I could invite you for lunch as well." Analise had the same kind of look on her face.
"Oh? Analise invited you for lunch? How come I didn't know about this?" Linda immediately asked her son.
Seeing this, Gabi answered. "Aunt, we were talking about a very important business venture that the company would take. So... Earl didn't want to bother you."
