When Left
CHAPTER 158

Chapter 158: Leave This to Me

I whipped my head around, about to ask further, when Cecil strode over with a stem expression.

“Cecil,” I acknowledged with a slight

slight nod His gaze was firm as he responded, “Hope.”

The moment Johnson caught sight of Cecil, his demeanor shifted dramatically. He began stammering, “Mr. Lewis, Mr. Lewis, what brings you here?”

It was clear he was utterly intimidated by Cecil.

Cecil cast a quick glance my way, ensuring I was unscathed, before fixing his intense gaze on Johnson. “Have you so soon forgotten what I told you?”

“No, no!” Johnson denied it vehemently, forcing a sycophantic and cautious smile. “I was just here to see my wife, and Hope happened to come by.”

Seeing how scared johnson was of Cecil, I pressed on. “What exactly were you talking about earlier? You’ve hinted at it repeatedly, don’t tell me it was just a casual comment.”

Johnson recoiled, avoiding Beata’s eyes, finally mumbling, “I just…”

“You’d better tell the truth,” Cecil interjected with a deceptively gentle smile. “I’ve seen her cherished like a princess by her parents since she was

How could you say such things to her?”

Desperate to know the truth, I urged Johnson. “Go on”

He lowered his head, as if hiding from an unseen judgment. “I just didn’t want a divorce! So I made it up!”

I exclaimed, Impossible!”

If Johnson was concocting lies, he had an arsenal of other tales to spin. Why choose this particular narrative? And not just once or twice, but consistently.

Beata shot Johnson a withering glare before turning to console me. “Hope, don’t let his nonsense get to you. He’s just trying to manipulate me into not divorcing him…”

“Yes,” Johnson agreed eagerly, his desperation palpable.

On the way back, my mind was clouded with distraction. I truly couldn’t fathom what was unfolding.

Beata had always treated me kindly, like a younger sister, and had no reason to deceive me. Moreover, Johnson’s evident terror of Cecil suggested he wouldn’t dare perpetuate a lie.

Cecil’s voice broke my reverie, “What’s on your mind?”

I pressed my lips together. Im trying to figure out how to get to the bottom of this.”

Whether it was a lie or the truth, I needed to uncover it. Without clarity, peace of mind would elude me

Cecil gave my head a gentle pat. “How do you plan to investigate? Leave it to me; I have connections in Velvet City

My eyes sparkled with hope. “Really?”

I had no foothold, no contacts in that area..

Cecil’s smile was reassuring. “Why not?”

A smile tugged at my lips. “Once everything’s settled, I’ll treat you to a grand feast!”

Cecil nodded, a promise in his eyes. “Ill hold you to that.”

I responded with enthusiasm, “Okay!”

Despite the reassurances, I couldn’t relax. If Johnson was lying, everything would be fine. But if he was telling the truth….

10

Chapter 158: Leave This to Me

Then I truly would be the orphan Kimberly and Skylar always taunted me about.

I wouldn’t even know where I came from

Cecil dropped me off at my apartment building. Seeing that it was still early, I politely asked, “Would you like to come up for some coffee?”

“You know what it means to invite a man up for coffer at night, right? Cecil looked at me with a teasing smile.

Feeling my cars burn, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt. “I just meant coffee

Cecil’s smile lingered, but he declined, “Alright, I won’t tease you. I have some urgent work at the office to attend to.”

“Okay, take care.” I felt a twinge of relief as I climbed out of the car.

Once inside, I headed straight to the bathroom. After a hot shower, I set to work on Kimberly’s dress

This design required high precision in tailoring. To avoid any snide remarks from Kimberly, I needed to complete it quickly and personally oversee the pattern making and garment construction,

Suddenly, my phone rang.

It was Beata.

I answered, puzzled. “Beata?”

Beata’s concerned voice came through. “Hope, haven’t you left yet? Are you feeling unwell?”

I was puzzled. “What?”

“I was just on the balcony, and I thought I saw Mr. Lewis. Weren’t you two together?” Beata inquired, her confusion evident.

I chuckled, brushing off the odd feeling in my chest. “You must have seen wrong. We left a while ago. I’ve already showered and settled in at home.”

“That’s good,” Benta said, her voice easing.

1 asked, “Has Johnson given you any more trouble?”

Before Cecil and I had left, Cecil issued a stern warning to Johnson. Johnson had nodded fervently, nearly dropping to his knees.

Beata nodded. “No, don’t worry. He’s already signed the divorce papers and just left.”

I was a bit surprised. “He signed so easily?”

It seemed he was truly terrified of Cecil.

Beata also seemed relieved. “Yes, you should really thank Mr. Lewis. He’s a good person.”

I smiled. “Don’t worry, I will thank him properly.”

Beata’s smooth divorce was a big relief for me. Now, in the future, I would only need to look after Beata and not worry about Johnson anymore.

Elevatejoy, my new brand, naturally had average business, given its nascent stage. But that didn’t stop me from being extremely busy. It took nearly half a month to finally finish Kimberly’s engagement dress. Diamonds, Australian white opals, and rubies. Everything was meticulously chosen.

The Australian white opals were used for the shoulder straps, harmonizing with a silver–white shimmering fabric and a meticulously tailored waistline that accentuated Kimberly’s figure. The skirt was adorned with numerous small diamonds, making it sparkle even when just hanging.

To complement, I designed a matching choker featuring an oval ruby of exquisite hue at the center, which would subtly sway with every step.

Kimberly got everything she desired, without the ensemble appearing overly intricate.

As soon as Elissa clocked in, she called Kimberly to inform her that the dress was ready for fitting. However, Kimberly delayed her visit until the evening. By then, everyone else had already departed, leaving just me, Elissa, and Avery.

2/3

Chapter 158 Leave This to Me

When Kimberly was about to arrive, Elissa came in to forewarn me. “You’d better brace yourself. She’s definitely going to stir up trouble today and won’t pay the remaining balance easily,”

I rose and stretched by the floor–to–ceiling window. “Don’t worry. She’s already paid half the amount. If she insists on causing trouble, it’ll only spoil her own engagement party and be a waste of her money. At worst, we’ll just drag it out. I’ll accommodate whatever changes she demands.”

I turned around and smiled. “Anyway, she’s not getting back the money she’s already paid.”

“Wow, you are a shrewd business woman now.” Elissa was surprised.

“What other choice do I have?” I shrugged. “I can’t let myself lose money and you lose your wages, can 17”

Just then, a knock resonated from the office door, and Avery stepped in, her voice sweet as honey. “Hope, Ms. Harris and her mom are here.”

Kimberly, arm–in–arm with Skylar, stood at the entrance, surveying my office. “Hope Royston, where’s the dress?”

I replied, “In the fitting area.”

I led Kimberly and Skylar to the designated fitting space, where the dress hung prominently in the center. Kimberly’s eyes lit up instantly, though she quickly masked her delight with a facade of dissatisfaction.

Avery stepped forward and carefully took the dress down. “Ms. Harris, please go in and change. If you need any help, just call for me.”

Most dresses were complex and challenging to manage alone, but this one was designed with simplicity in mind.

Barely two minutes passed before Kimberly yelled from within, “Are you all dead? Can’t you come in and help mer

Her words were harsh, causing Avery to frown.

Skylar patie

noticed and snapped at me. “Hope Royston. Your employee lacks

“You can insult me,

cks the same self-

same self–awareness

ss like you.”

but leave Ms. Royston out of it!‘ Avery, usually sweet and lively, suddenly turned cold, looking like a rabbit ready to bite.

Skylar sneered, “I’m talking to Hope Royston. Who do you think you are to interrupt? Let me tell you, if Kimberly isn’t satisfied today, not only will we not take the dress, but your company will also go under!”

Avery retorted, “You and your daughter are even more insufferable than the rumors suggest..