Chapter 201 Spoiled rotten
“She’s been spoiled rotten by my family her whole life, which is why she has such a high-handed and unreasonable temperament.”
“At the end of the day, it’s your family’s failure to raise her properly. Camila’s temperament is largely due to you and your family enabling her since she was young.”
Cole nodded and said earnestly, “I know. I’ll talk to her and make sure she stops picking on you. And I hope... the two of you can get along well...maybe even like sisters...”
Alana shook her head. “That’s impossible. Camila and I could never be sisters.” How could a bully ever become sisters with the one she bullied?
What about all the pain she’s endured?
Was she just unlucky? Was she just a total loser?
“Lana...” Cole’s lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something to persuade her.
Alana guessed his intention and cut him off without hesitation. “Cole, you’re not me. You haven’t gone through what I’ve been through, so you have no right to tell me to forgive Camila.”
Bullies and the bullied are forever at odds!
Cole was at a loss for words; he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the right words.
Alana couldn’t help but add, “Besides, I just slapped your sister. Given her vindictive nature, do you really think she’ll let me off that easily? Please keep a close eye on your sister from now on. If anything happens to me, she’ll be the first person I suspect!”
Cole couldn’t argue.
He recalled back in middle school when Camila had even hired a few boys from outside the school to bully Alana and humiliate her.
If he hadn’t shown up in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. After a long moment, he finally said, “Alright, I won’t let her hurt you.”
Alana nodded. “Is that all? If that’s it, I’ll be going now.”
Cole couldn’t help but add, “One more thing...”
Alana asked, “What is it?”
Cole stared at her and said, “Camila aid she saw a man, and that man said he was your boyfriend.”
Alana nodded, her expression calm. “Yes, I told you before I have a boyfriend.”
Cole frowned. “Camila said your boyfriend tried to hit her, that he has a violent streak...How could you date such a reckless boyfriend?”
Alana found it amusing. “Your sister, Camila, was bullying me and tried to hit me.
My boyfriend gave her a stern warning to defend me, isn’t that perfectly normal? Was he supposed to just stand by and watch me get bullied by another woman without doing anything?”
Cole’s breath caught, and he couldn’t help but explain, “No, that’s not what I meant. I’m worried he might abuse you or treat you badly!”
Alana replied earnestly, “I know exactly whether he’d abuse me or not. For your information, he treats me well, and I believe he isn’t the kind of person who acts without
reason or consideration.”
Cole swallowed hard, his voice thick with emotion. “Is he really good to you? You’re not lying to me?”
Alana replied, “Yes, he’s very good to me.”
Sadness welled up in Cole’s eyes, but deep down, he refused to accept it and wouldn’t give up so easily.
He had finally found her; he didn’t want to let her be with another man so easily.
“In that case, bring him here so I can see him for myself.” He didn’t believe that man was truly good to Alana.
Perhaps, in every man’s eyes, aside from himself, no one would feel comfortable entrusting their beloved woman to another man.
Alana pressed her lips together, finding that absurd.
Cole stared intently at her, his tone carrying an air of authority that brooked no
refusal.
“Didn’t you say you were going to treat me to a meal? Bring your boyfriend along. I want to meet him!”
Alana bit her lip, feeling uneasy inside. “I... I’ll think about it.”
Would showing up with Stephan make Cole let go of her?
Would she finally have some peace?
“Alright, I’ll wait for your answer.” Alana left Cole’s office and returned to her own desk.
Thinking about what Cole had just said, she felt a bit uneasy.
Cole had asked her to bring Stephan to dinner. If she did, would there be any conflict between them?
Besides, she didn’t want Stephan to find out she went way back with Cole.
If he found out, it would mean she could no longer hide her sordid past.
But... the truth couldn’t be hidden forever; Stephan would eventually find out.
So, what should she do?
Alana was caught in a dilemma, unable to find an answer right away.
Even after she got off work and returned home, she still hadn’t worked out a solution.
Stephan could tell she was distracted; she wasn’t even eating properly during dinner.
He reached out and pinched her cheek. “What are you thinking about? You look so preoccupied. Are you still thinking about that woman who bullied you this morning? If you still feel wronged, I’ll step in and teach her a lesson.”
Alana looked up, meeting the man’s deep gaze. His dark, speckled eyes overflowed
with concern she couldn’t hide.
She shook her head. “No, I’m thinking about something else.”
He pulled the girl into his arms, seating her on his lap, then looked at her intently. “What is it?”
Alana gazed at the man’s earnest, handsome features, her knuckles tightening.
Her throat felt as if it were blocked, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak.
Stephan could tell she was hiding something, but he didn’t rush her. Instead, he took one of her small hands and gently stroked it to comfort her.
“Tell me what’s on your mind. We’ll figure it out together.”
Alana gazed into his sincere eyes and suddenly found she couldn’t bring herself to
keep this from him.
Although she had every right not to tell him, she simply couldn’t bring herself to deceive someone who was so sincere with her.
After much hesitation, she decided to speak up. “I... want to tell you something.”
Stephan smiled, ruffled her hair, and spoke in a voice so gentle it was almost unbelievable. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Alana blinked and warned him, “If I really do tell you, don’t get angry.”
Stephan smiled, coaxing her to speak. “Go ahead. I won’t get angry.”
Seemingly encouraged by his words, Alana bit her lip and whispered, “It’s just... last time, didn’t you hit Manager Cole from my company? I worked it out with him. I convinced him not to press charges for you hitting him, on the condition that I treat him to a meal.”
Stephan furrowed his brow. “So? Did you agree to that behind my back?”
Alana nodded. “Mm-hmm. I just figured that since I caused the trouble myself, I should handle it myself.”
Stephan’s tone turned stern. “What do you mean, ‘trouble you caused yourself’? It was
clearly my doing. Why are you taking the blame on your own without even asking me, the person involved?”
Alana shook her head. “Not exactly. I just wanted to smooth things over for you. I was afraid he’d hold you accountable. If I agreed to treat him to a meal, he’d be willing to let you off the hook, wouldn’t that be for the best?”
Stephan gave a forced smile, “Your intentions are good, but don’t even start.”
The way he put it made it sound like she’d meant well but ended up doing more harm
than good.
Stephan narrowed his eyes and asked, “So, did you agree to it?”
Alana nodded.
He laughed bitterly, grinding his teeth. “Lana, you agreed to treat a man to dinner, did you even consider how I’d feel? Besides, that man has feelings for you. Aren’t you afraid I’ll get jealous or misunderstand?”
“I...” Alana’s lips trembled; she wanted to explain, but didn’t know how.
She had indeed been thoughtless about this. She clutched the man’s sleeve with her small hand and tugged at it pleadingly. “I’m sorry. Don’t be mad. You just promised me you wouldn’t be.”
Stephan remained expressionless. “I’ve changed my mind! No one would be able to stay calm if they heard their girlfriend agree to treat another man to a meal!”
After saying that, he angrily shook off the sleeve she was holding onto.
He wouldn’t let her hold onto him.
The man’s expression was stern; he turned his head away coldly, deliberately avoiding
her gaze.
Alana blinked.
He truly embodied the saying, “A man’s words are as unreliable as a liar.”
She felt both at a loss and exasperated.
What should she do?
She’d merely mentioned that she’d agreed to treat Cole to a meal, and he was already this angry.