Callie didn’t want to destroy Ximena’s love, but this love was just an illusion. Besides discouraging Yamilet’s greed, she also needed to save Ximena from this wrong relationship.
“Joaquin hasn’t changed and he’s still gambling. People like him are habitual liars with no bottom line. If you marry him, your life will be ruined. I hope you consider it carefully,” Callie advised.
Ximena closed her eyes, her shoulders shaking as she cried. It felt like a nightmare to her.
“You’re a good girl and shouldn’t be dragged down by Joaquin. You can find a better man. So, cancel the engagement with Joaquin. I’m not advising you as his sister but as a woman.”
Callie patted her shoulder. Ximena completely broke down, crying uncontrollably in Callie’s arms. “I never thought he was like this. I thought… I thought… he genuinely cared about me!”
“He’s just trying to get you to help pay his debts and share his burden!” Callie said, gently patting Ximena’s head. “In today’s society, love without money is fleeting, easily dispersed like mist in the wind.”
After about half an hour, Ximena finally calmed down and agreed to reconsider her relationship with Joaquin.
By the time Callie left the cafe, it was past 10 PM. She hadn’t eaten, but strangely, the prolonged hunger left her feeling numb to it.
The bus service had stopped, so she reluctantly took a cab back to Paucaster Villa Complex. Looking at the fare, she silently cursed Joaquin, ‘You brat, Joaquin, let’s see how you’ll pay me back.’
During the long ride, Callie dozed off, only to be jolted awake by her phone vibrating. The caller ID showed [That Man].
“Hello…” she answered groggily.
“Where are you?” Nelson’s calm yet anger-laden voice came through the phone.
Hearing his voice, Callie immediately snapped awake.
“Mr… Mr. Oconnor! I’m on my way back. What’s wrong?”
“Do you know what time it is?” he asked.
Callie glanced at her phone, “It’s 1:58.”
“If you’re not back in ten minutes, don’t bother coming back,” Nelson said.
His anger had reached its peak. He sat on the living room sofa, looking extremely grim.
He had come home early, expecting to see that clumsy woman, only for Nancy to inform him that Callie had called to say she’d be late.
But Callie still hadn’t returned even by midnight.
Nelson didn’t know why he was waiting for her. He had planned to rest but couldn’t sleep. He repeatedly asked the maids if Callie had returned.
“No, Mr. Oconnor,” the maids replied each time, growing more fearful.
Nelson checked the design department’s work schedule for the day and found no business activities today. Callie’s colleagues said she left right after work.
‘What was she doing out so late?’ Nelson recalled the troubling incident where Garrett had drugged her, growing increasingly anxious until he finally called her.
Soon, Nelson heard footsteps outside the house.
Callie, looking exhausted, opened the door and saw Nelson sitting on the sofa, exuding a cold aura.
Seeing him staring at her, she innocently waved her phone, showing the time. “Mr. Oconnor, I still have eight minutes before your allotted time. I’m not late.”
“Where were you?” he demanded.
“I was putting your advice into practice,” Callie said cheerfully, placing her handbag down and walking over to Nelson, ready to share her day.