"All for a woman who just looks like Natalie Morgan?"
He didn’t understand.
But Theodore Grant always did as he pleased. He was used to being arrogant and domineering, so maybe it wasn’t so hard to understand after all.
"You could say I’m a bit competitive." Theodore Grant tossed a cigarette to his lips and just held it there.
"It seems Mr. Grant still hasn’t figured out the real reason Natalie Morgan left." Felix lowered his gaze, feeling compelled to remind him, "People choose to commit suicide for one reason and one reason only: despair. You’ve already driven one woman to her death, Mr. Grant. Are you going to drive a second to it? And a third?"
Theodore Grant suddenly burst out laughing.
He turned his head to look at Felix Finch. "What’s wrong, Dr. Finch? Lost your confidence?"
"I’m just reminding you, Mr. Grant, not to push things too far."
Theodore Grant tilted his head back, watching the sunset.
’For years, he’d never been able to figure out why Felix Finch had liked Natalie Morgan back then.’
’Felix wasn’t a natural romantic, and Natalie wasn’t even his type.’
’What exactly had pulled at his heartstrings?’
’Was it just so inner heroism? Or was it simply because he pitied Natalie’s situation?’
’He was a man, too. He never believed another man would give a woman his all, helping her without expecting anything in return, if he wasn’t after sothing.’
’What was Felix really after?’
"Pushing things to the limit is my style. No need for you to worry, Dr. Finch."
Felix Finch’s brows tightened, his expression a mask of complex emotions.
The chill of late winter had yet to fully recede, but the spring rains were already falling, one after another, as if in a hurry.
The athletic field before them.
It held their shared youth.
Ti flew by, and their friendship, worn down by the years, had gradually faded...
「Fenchest.」
Natalie Morgan received a ssage.
"Miss Childs, could I invite you to see a firefly spectacle tonight?"
The ssage was from Theodore Grant.
Only then did she realize she had forgotten to delete his contact.
She pressed down on his na, just about to delete him.
Another ssage ca through.
"My foolish friend loves watching fireflies. The doctor said keeping his spirits up would help his recovery. Besides... he’s very fond of you, Miss Childs. Would you be willing to do him the honor?"
’That was just like Theodore Grant, always using the people she cared about to threaten her into doing things she hated.’
’He always had.’
’And now it was even worse.’
’It seed he was convinced she was Natalie Morgan.’
’So what?’
’As long as she didn’t admit it, she was Willow Childs.’
Just then, Felix Finch also sent her a ssage. "Ava, I’m in Fenchest. Let’s have dinner tonight. Bring Momo."
Natalie Morgan’s gaze fell back on Theodore Grant’s ssage.
The next second, she clutched her phone and replied to Felix Finch, "Sounds great, Felix. My treat."
"No need, I’ve already booked a table. I’ll send you the location in a bit."
"Okay."
After sending the ssage, she held down Theodore Grant’s na and deleted the contact.
A lingering spring chill hung in the Fenchest night air.
Theodore Grant pushed Thomas Morgan along a small path in the woods.
"What do you think? Will your sister co tonight?" A rare smile played on his lips, though it seed tinged with uncertainty. "Guess right, and you get a lollipop."
The man, hugging a doll, tilted his head and thought for a mont. "Sister, pretty. Bugs, pretty."
Theodore smiled.
On a doctor’s advice, he had leased a huge section of forest and released millions of fireflies, all for the sake of Thomas Morgan’s treatnt.
They were a specially bred variety that could glow all year round.
It cost him a fortune, but he did it willingly.
He considered it penance.
"Big Brother," Thomas Morgan said, pointing at the twinkling lights. "Wanna catch. Bugs."
"We can’t catch them. If we catch them all, there won’t be any left to see later. Be good, now. Listen to ," he coaxed with extre patience.
He had been like this for the past three years.
’He himself didn’t know where this sudden patience had co from. It was probably due to his guilt over Natalie Morgan.’
Theodore Grant parked Thomas Morgan’s wheelchair and sat down on a rock.
Raising his wrist, he glanced at the ti. It was nine o’clock.
He picked up his phone to send her a ssage.
Great. He’d been deleted.
"Weller Kendall, find out for who Willow Childs is with right now."
The other end replied imdiately, "Right away, Mr. Grant."
Soon, Weller Kendall called back. "Mr. Grant, Miss Childs is... she’s with... Dr. Finch right now... They’re having dinner together at The Laurent Restaurant."
Theodore Grant fell silent.
’He and Thomas were out here waiting for her in the cold wind.’
’And she’d run off to go on a date with Felix Finch?’
He stood up, dusted off the seat of his pants, and started pushing Thomas Morgan back the way they ca.
Thomas Morgan hadn’t had his fill and started to throw a little tantrum. "Big Brother, want to see more. Want to see buggies."
"Tomorrow. I’ll bring you to see them again tomorrow, okay?"
"Big Brother, you can’t lie to Taotao."
"I won’t lie to you. Unlike that sister of yours."
After taking Thomas Morgan back, he had Weller Kendall pick him up and take him to The Laurent Restaurant.
The restaurant’s ambiance was elegant, infused with a style befitting the Middle Ages.
Most of the diners were wealthy and influential mbers of the upper class.
He walked over, pulled up a chair, sat down between the two of them, and raised an eyebrow. "Well now, how romantic. Mind if I join?"
He looked around but didn’t see the little kid.
"Where’s Dr. Finch’s instant son? Not here? Just the two of you? How romantic."
He sneered, clapping twice.
A malicious smile was plastered on his face.
Natalie Morgan wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up coldly. "Excuse , I need to use the restroom."
She hadn’t even reached the restroom door when a large hand grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the n’s restroom.
The small stall felt crowded with the two of them inside.
She stared at the man in front of her, stunned. "What do you think you’re doing, Mr. Grant?"
"Why didn’t you co?" His large hand gripped her waist tightly. Her warmth nearly made him lose control. "Do you know how long I waited for you? And you’re over here enjoying a romantic evening for two?"
She struggled to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge. Her voice was displeased and cold. "Did I ever agree to go see so fireflies with you, Mr. Grant?"
"Do you really not care about Thomas Morgan’s condition?" He pinned her tightly against the stall door. "Or is it that now that you’ve found soone better, Miss Childs, you don’t care if your own brother lives or dies?"
"I don’t know what you’re talking about." She turned her face away.
He grabbed her chin, forcing her small face to turn back and et his gaze. "You don’t understand, or you don’t *want* to understand?"
"What does this have to do with you, Mr. Grant? Who do you think you are? If you keep trapped here like this, I’ll call the police."
"Then call them. Call them right now." He pulled a phone from his pocket and tossed it to her. "I’d love to hear what you tell the police."
Natalie Morgan scoffed.
’He really thinks I wouldn’t dare, doesn’t he?’
Raising her hand, she dialed 911.
The call connected almost instantly.
Theodore Grant snatched the phone from her hand and hung up. "You really called?"
"What did you expect?"
The man chuckled, cupping the back of her head as his lips drew closer. "You’re quite heartless, Miss Childs."
"I’ve heard you aren’t a particularly sentintal person yourself, Mr. Grant."
She wasn’t the least bit afraid of his steady advance.
Her gaze was filled with contempt and derision.
Reviews
All reviews (0)