Leonardo still did not give the instruction to “cut” even when both of Vicky’s cheeks were swollen. Summer was starting to take pity on her. She quietly prodded his leg with hers under the table and said, “Douglas!”
He turned to look at her and got the hint. With his long, slender fingers, Leonardo tapped on the table and absent-mindedly said, “That’s enough. I can’t believe you’re so ruthless that you’d slap your own beautiful daughter this terribly, Mr. Jarrett.”
He made it sound as if he was not the one who ordered it but was just an indifferent bystander.
Lynn was forced to swallow the humiliation because he could not afford to offend him. Glancing at Vicky, Lynn quickly looked away. He could not bring himself to look at her face, which was now swollen like a balloon.
Leonardo took a glimpse of Vicky and casually said, “There’s nothing wrong in teaching your daughter a lesson, but it shouldn’t be that harsh. You should have given yourself some leeway.”
Lynn bowed his head. He had to grin and bear it as there was nothing he could do now.
Since Leonardo had achieved the desired effect, there was no reason for him to linger on. He glanced over at Summer, and it was clear that he had calmed down. “Have you had your fill?”
Summer put down the unfinished pumpkin cake in her hand, her consternation fading as she nodded. “I’m done.”
“Then let’s go.” Leonardo stood up and headed for the door. By the time Summer grabbed her handbag to follow him, Leonardo had gone a fair distance-all because he had a pair of long legs. While Summer was trying to catch up, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked back as if he was waiting for her.
Perhaps too many things had happened that day, and also perhaps because of her past, Summer’s eyes suddenly welled up. Back then, Karen had brought her and Vicky to the amusement park once. As Karen was too busy taking care of Vicky, she did not have much time for her. At that time, Summer was a curious bunny. She got distracted and fell behind. When she realized it, Karen was disappearing into the crowd, never once looking back at her. How she wished that Karen would come back for her.
Seeing her standing still there, Leonardo returned with a frown. “What’s wrong?”
Summer lowered her head and wiped her tears away. When she looked up, there seemed to be nothing wrong with her except her reddened eyes.
“There was sand in my eyes because of the strong wind.”
She thought that “Douglas” would expose her lousy excuse, but he did not. He leaned down with concern. “Stop moving. Let me take a look.”
Still immersed in the feeling of being protected by “Douglas”, Summer stood obediently, tilting her head upward and letting him examine her eyes. But she forgot; even if “Douglas” was doing something good, he was not a real man of honor.
As “Douglas” got closer to her, she had a hunch that something bad was about to happen and proceeded to step away. Just then, Leonardo slid his hand over the back of her head. Holding her in place, he planted his lips on hers. It was just a brief kiss, and he pulled away. It all happened in two seconds.
Summer did not know how long it had been, but when she finally came to her senses, she wanted to give him a good scolding. Then, she realized he had just helped her. Nonetheless, it was impossible for her not to reprimand him.
“Douglas! You shameless jerk!” Summer found that she was at a loss for words when it came to rebuking “Douglas”. All she could come up with was “shameless” and “jerk”. However, he was remorseless.
“Summer, you should feel touched that I can still bring myself to kiss you considering how hideous you look right now.” While he spoke, he reached out to touch her swollen cheek.
Summer smacked his hand away, glaring at him. “Don’t touch me!”
“Douglas” found it funny and reached out to touch her again as she tried to thwack his hand away. But this time, she missed.
Before she knew it, “Douglas” had gotten hold of her hand. The woman’s hand was so soft that it felt nearly boneless in his hand. As his interest was aroused, he caressed her hand. Right before Summer was about to give him some “good news”, he held her hand and walked forward.
“Release your hand!”
Summer was struggling. “Douglas” had crossed the line today; he kissed her in public and was now holding her hand, especially when the place was just a stone’s throw away from the Jarrett Group. What if a few of the employees spotted them…
Summer was starting to go insane-probably not yet, but she was close. If “Douglas” continued to harass her, she really would. She could not shake his hand off and she had to be careful not to make too much noise and attract attention. In the end, she was forced to get into his car.
After they left, Vicky emerged from behind a pillar in front of the restaurant.
Her face was swollen like a balloon. She took a photo of herself and looked at it, sorrow flashing in her eyes.
Summer was taking advantage of her identity to mess around with her husband’s cousin. Vicky was curious to know how things would transpire. She had taken in so much humiliation as well as suffering today… and she was going to get her revenge.
…
“Douglas” brought Summer to a clinic and let the doctor take a look at her swollen face. They got some anti-inflammatory medication, and he sent her back to the Jarrett Group.
Once she got back to the office and sat down in her cubicle, Summer heard someone say that Vicky had taken leave to go home. Seeing that Summer was back, the person immediately lowered her voice. Even so, Summer’s keen ears could still make out bits and pieces of the conversation.
“I think Summer isn’t as innocent as she looks. Since the day she came, those in the managerial level have started to experience one mishap after another.”
Summer thought for a moment and could not help but agree with her. First, it was Stone, then Vicky. But, how could they blame her? Those people stepped on her toes first.
In the evening, Summer packed up and was just about to leave for home when Lynn’s secretary came over to her.
“Miss Jarrett, the president is asking for you.”
What was Lynn up to? Could it be about what happened during the day and that he wanted to seek revenge for Vicky? It was entirely possible, given how much Lynn loved Vicky.
So, Summer told the secretary nicely and seriously, “I’m sorry. I’m off work now. If there’s anything important, I’ll see the president tomorrow. If it’s about family matters, he’ll surely call my mobile. Furthermore, I need to visit that ‘male colleague’ who’s fallen sick because I skipped work the other day.”
The secretary had been working for Lynn for many years and knew a thing or two about Summer, who was anything but an ugly slowpoke. The secretary knew about the things that had been happening in the company recently. However, it was only after meeting Summer in person that she found her much prettier and also cynical.
The secretary did not give up. She said, “But Mr. Jarrett insists that you see him now.”
Despite that, Summer could not have cared less. She swung her handbag over her shoulder and left.