Chapter 4

“I’m not a dog, Sebastian. You can’t boss me around just by offering small favors. There will be consequences if I decide to back out. Don’t even think about getting the money then,” Lisa asserted confidently, her plan firmly in place.

Her words forced Sebastian into a corner. He had no choice but to agree. “All right, I’ll transfer the five hundred thousand dollars to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Sebastian,” Lisa said sweetly.

Sebastian was angry and turned to leave.

Isabella watched her husband leave and walked over to Lisa, saying, “Don’t blame Seb. He’s been in a terrible mood because of Leslie. He’s worried you’ll leave with me if you have all that money.”

“Mom, you underestimate yourself,” Lisa said, “It’s two million dollars. Why would anyone give up that kind of money?”

Isabella stuttered, “W-Well, he treats us quite well. I-If it wasn’t for him, you wouldn’t even have the opportunity to study.”

“You can’t just jump to his defense, Mom. You do the dishes and the laundry and help raise Leslie. You do everything a wife should and don’t even spend his money. Where else can Sebastian replace such a lovely wife?”

Lisa disagreed with her mother. She thought Isabella was too subservient, like women of older times. Still, Lisa thought what she had done was sensible. “I also saved our family despite not being the head of the house like Sebastian is.”

Isabella did not know how to respond.

…

Lisa lazed in bed the following day when her mother knocked on the door, saying, “Lisa, someone from the Parker family is here.”

“Okay!” Lisa rose from her bed, freshened up, and walked out with a spring in her step.

Her visitor was a man in his thirties wearing a sharp-looking suit. He handed Lisa his business card, saying, “Hello, Ms. Lisa. I’m Leonard’s assistant.”

Lisa glanced at his name and muttered, “Jackson… Let’s talk over here.”

She brought Jackson to the balcony because she did not want her family to hear about the five hundred thousand dollars Leonard had promised her.

Jackson seemed apprehensive. However, the initially lovely Lisa wasted no time once they were alone. She asked, “Have you guys transferred the money? I’ll only sign the divorce papers once I receive it.”

Jackson was a little speechless.

‘Are young women these days so shrewd? No wonder studies show that today’s youth are too severe.’

“Mr. Leonard said he’s no longer seeking a divorce.” As Jackson finished speaking, he noticed the sudden change in Lisa’s expression. Her cheeks went from rosy to a miserable shade of white.

She looked like she had seen a ghost.

“That’s impossible,” Lisa said anxiously, “Leonard hated me so much that he told me to leave!”

Jackson smiled. “He often tells me to leave, too, but I’m still working for him.”

“It’s not April Fools today, is it?” Lisa pulled out her phone to check the calendar.

“It isn’t. Mr. David refused the divorce, so Mr. Leonard has no say in this,” Jackson continued, “I’m here to pick you up.”

Lisa’s heart pounded. “Wouldn’t it be better to get a divorce? Leonard’s parents only wanted me to marry him to save his life. He’s already awake, right? Frankly, my family’s status is too low, so we’re not worthy of the Parker family.”

“It’s pointless for you to tell me this.” Jackson was unmoved. “Mr. Leonard stated that you must return. Otherwise, your family will be in trouble.”

Lisa’s heart sank. The Jones family treated her well, and she was not the kind of person to be unfair or ruthless. “Fine, I’ll pack up and go with you.”

She dragged herself back to her room to pack while Sebastian and Isabella were disappointed to learn that Leonard had retracted the divorce.

While Lisa prepared to leave, Sebastian said, “You must replace a way to divorce Leonard as soon as possible or make him fall in love with you. Our little secret won’t be safe for long.”

“I’ll try to make him hate me,” Lisa sighed. After all, making Leonard fall in love with her was more challenging than a moon landing.

…

An hour later, Lisa returned to the hospital’s elite care unit. Leonard’s condition significantly improved after two days of recovery.

He leaned into the hospital bed in his expensive pajamas and saw Lisa approaching. He spoke sarcastically, “You must be proud of yourself. I don’t know what trick your family pulled, but my father forced me not to divorce you.”

Lisa was stunned by his words but retorted with a sneer, “Plenty of other wealthy families live in this country. It’s small families like mine who contribute to the economy. If we were so influential, perhaps we can even surpass your family to become Queenston’s new rising force.”

Jackson smiled as he entered with Lisa’s luggage and heard her comment. However, his smile quickly faded into realization, causing his entire body to freeze. He acted as if he had a violent cough.

Meanwhile, Leonard was enraged and looked even more repulsed than before. “Jackson, who told you to bring her here? Doesn’t my old man like her so much? Send her straight to the mansion and let my father keep her.”

Jackson thought, ‘You’re only taking it out on me because you can’t win the argument with her.’

Still, he explained, “Mr. Parker told me to send Ms. Lisa here so that you two could spend some time together.”

“She’ll just make my blood boil.” Leonard glared at Lisa viciously.

Lisa blinked at him, her eyes widening. “According to the doctor, good blood flow means all illnesses have disappeared. Look at how enthusiastically you can speak now. It’s a great sign that you’re healing nicely.”

Leonard’s cold demeanor sent shivers down Jackson’s spine while Lisa remained oblivious. Jackson finally understood Leonard’s aggressive behavior in the room the day before.

“Go to the other room. I don’t want to see you.” Leonard was fuming as he grabbed the cup from the table and hurled it at Lisa.

The latter frowned and skillfully dodged the cup. “You say that as if I have any desire to see you at all.”

Immediately after, she gathered her things and went next door.

Leonard clenched his fists and beckoned Jackson. The former asked, “Was she excited when you picked her up?”

Jackson choked, “No, I don’t think so.”

“Tell me the truth,” Leonard demanded, pressuring his assistant to reveal hidden information.

Jackson lowered his head and said, “She looked like she saw a ghost. She wasn’t happy at all.”

Leonard smirked and tugged at his hospital gown. “Well, she’s just putting on an act.”

Jackson sighed silently.

‘It’s unfortunate Leonard is so unaware of his delusion.’

…

Meanwhile, Lisa realized how luxurious the Parker family was when she entered the other room. The ward she was in resembled a hotel suite.

‘Since Leonard doesn’t want to see me, I don’t want to see him either. I’d rather play games on my phone or write an article. I can even order food and drinks if I get hungry or thirsty.’

During Leonard’s recovery, he often heard delivery people at his door saying, “The fried chicken you ordered is here. Here’s the peach tea you ordered. Your pineapple pizza is here.”

Leonard despised the smell of pineapple as it gave him a headache. “Lisa, get over here!”

However, there was no movement from Lisa’s end.