You Are The Apple of My Eyes
Chapter 788 You Pushed Me

Contrary to what Valerie thought, Michelle actually remembered what had happened on the night of her accident. She might have hit her head, but she didn't suffer from memory loss. When she regained consciousness, she didn't say anything about Valerie because she wanted to smooth things over, and she knew that it was the ballerina who called the ambulance. Michelle was willing to let the incident go if Valerie was going to own up to her mistake.

If Valerie claimed it was an accident, Michelle had planned on agreeing with her.

As long as the other woman apologized, Michelle would do her a favor and let this transgression pass.

When Michelle was a child, she once wanted to play on someone's lawn. There had been a sign telling people not to step on the grass but she ignored it.

Later, her father asked her about it. Afraid to admit that she had blatantly ignored the warning sign, she lied to him. She told him that she had accidentally stepped on the grass.

That time, her father didn't scold her or call her out for lying. He merely told her that it was not a big deal as long as she would never repeat her mistakes. And Michelle never stepped on the lawn again. Her father had protected her self-esteem.

Now, Michelle was careful not make people lose face. She thought that Valerie claimed the incident was an accident because she was afraid of being criticized.

Since Valerie called for an ambulance and came to visit her, it meant that she regretted her actions.

People were not saints. Everything would be fine as long as Valerie owned up to her mistake.

Just like Michelle had when her father had let her off for a childish mistake.

But to Michelle's surprise, Valerie suddenly changed the story of what had happened that fateful night.

She frowned and maintained eye-contact with the ballerina, deciding to give her a second chance.

"Didn't you say earlier that you pushed me accidentally?"

Valerie felt a stab of guilt as she thought to herself, 'What does that mean? Does Michelle know that I deliberately pushed her?

That is impossible.

If Michelle had known all along, she would have told Leon.

I don't believe she's so kind as to forgive me and not tell Leon.

If I were her, I would've already told Leon.

I think she just doesn't remember what happened that night.'

Valerie mulled over her options and decided to stay in denial.

She should stick to her excuse that she failed to grab Michelle's hand in time.

After all, she was a weak woman.

The more Valerie convinced herself of this, the more relieved she felt.

"I was traumatized after seeing you fall. I thought it was my fault for accidentally pushing you, but when I looked back on the incident, I realized that I didn't push you. I actually tried to prevent you from falling but failed. For that, I'm sorry," she said a little too calmly.

Michelle's expression darkened. Disappointment shone in her eyes.

She had misread Valerie.

She used to think that the other woman was beautiful and kind-hearted, but that was no longer the case. Valerie was unwilling to admit that she had done something wrong.

"You pushed me," Michelle declared in an even voice. She looked at Valerie with certainty.

It was Valerie who pushed her.

She had nearly found her balance back then. If it weren't for Valerie, she might have made her sprain worse, but her head wouldn't have gotten injured.

At Michelle's revelation, Bryant felt his heartbeat start to race.

He knew that Michelle wouldn't lie about something she was sure of.

But sometimes, it was difficult for him to make the right judgment when it came to Valerie.

Had his cousin lied to him again? Bryant couldn't help but be in doubt.

Pretending to be upset, Valerie responded, "Why would I push you, Michelle? Don't you know what I'm like? Even if you make me feel uncomfortable, I will talk to you face-to-face just like..."

She faltered.

Valerie didn't want to talk about what happened three years ago, but she had to make Michelle believe her through another incident from their past.

"Just like I did three years ago."

Michelle remembered what she was hinting at. Three years ago, Valerie had requested for them to meet at a cafe.

Back in the present, Valerie continued to speak. "I won't apologize for what I didn't do, but I will say sorry for failing to save you. I'm really sorry. Can you forgive me?"

Bryant sighed in relief when he heard her apologize.

After everything that had happened, this issued could be resolved as long as Valerie sought for forgiveness. He had repeatedly told her not to make her relationship with Michelle worse, and it worked.

She had listened to him this time.

This was a promising start.

Michelle was quiet for some time. She was sure that Valerie had pushed her, but she wasn't sure if it had been on purpose.

Besides, Valerie had apologized.

Michelle also wanted this matter to be over as soon as possible because she was concerned about Leon who was connected to them both.

After all, Valerie was his ex-girlfriend whom he had loved for many years.

Seven years to be exact.

Michelle had only been Leon's girlfriend for less than a month.

She didn't want to cause him any trouble.

So she forced her lips into a smile and said, "Fine."

Feeling the nervous tension in his body melt away, Bryant nodded and smiled gratefully at Michelle.

However, Amy asked, "So why were you alone with Miss He in the emergency stairwell, Miss Feng?"

Bryant's shoulders tensed as his nervousness return.

This was also what he had been wondering.

Michelle also thought that part of the incident was strange. Valerie had something to tell her back then, but she stared at her bracelet the entire time.

Valerie was ready with her alibi. With an easy smile, she replied, "I just wanted to ask Michelle something."

"Really?" Amy looked at her intensely. "So why couldn't you talk where others could see you? Why did you have to go to the dark and isolated emergency stairwell?"

At that moment, she sounded like she was interrogating a prisoner. Valerie felt uncomfortable, but since the woman worked for John, she couldn't bring herself to get angry or say anything in return.

Suppressing her annoyance, Valerie faked a smile as she said, "I just wanted to ask Michelle about her relationship to Leon. If they were a couple, I wanted to tell her not to believe rumors of our engagement. Leon and I are just friends, and the truth is I'm about to be engaged to someone else."

She made it seem as if nothing bad had happened during their conversation. But the fact that she expressed support for Michelle and Leon's alleged relationship made Bryant realize a major flaw in her story. After all, it was he who suggested that Valerie should get engaged to someone else.

But that proposal was made just the previous night.

The timing of their stories didn't match at all.

So what Valerie and Michelle actually talked about in the stairwell was still a mystery. As for what his cousin had wanted to say or do, only she knew.

Valerie was lying to both Amy and Michelle.

Bryant was sure of this.

So Valerie really did hurt Michelle by pushing her down the stairs.

His body started to tremble. He couldn't believe that Valerie was capable of harming others without any remorse.

Bryant was thankful that Valerie at least had the sense to call for an ambulance. By doing that, she had not committed an irreversible crime.

Worried that Valerie might say something else damning, he backed up her story. "Yes, Valerie is set to be engaged soon. I'll send you an invitation."

He ended their visit by saying, "There's something we still have to deal with so we'll take our leave." Bryant quickly turned to leave the room, taking Valerie with him. He could only hope that news of her impending engagement would smooth any ruffled feathers.