Chapter 25 - bewitched followers (2/2)

However, to Winners surprise, phone went silent.

Joy didn't reply to him.

”Mom, are you listening? You wouldn't like to see me die, would you? If they break my legs, I don't want to live like that. I'd rather die!”

Joy stayed silent.

Winner got anxious and urged in a sobbing tone,” Mom, are you listening to me? Please tell me what I should do.”

”Come with me to apologize to Jean. Only if she forgives you will you be able to get the land for your father. As long as you can get the land, your father will forgive you for sure.” Joy replied to Winner softly after the thinking for a long while.

Winner was stunned by Joy's advice. He was not willing to do what she asked. It was his reluctance to apologize to Jean that forced him to come to Joy for help.

'Apologize to Jean? Who does she think she is? Why should I apologize to her?

' These thoughts floated around in Winner's mind. He stayed silent as he mulled over his mother's instructions.

”Just do what I tell you, okay?”

Joy said impatiently. In fact, she didn't want Winner to apologize to Jean. Since Jean was her step-daughter, Joy always regarded her as an outsider not as a part of the Wen family. This was why Joy was reluctant to let her son bow before Jean. However, she had heard that Jean, backed by Zed, had toughened her attitude toward the Wen family.

Winner, who was still in a daze, grunted in response to Joy's command. It seemed he had neither accepted nor rejected her suggestion.

”Your sister will update me about Jean's health and other developments. If everything goes smoothly, we can do it tomorrow. Keep this a secret from your father. He is still angry with you, so perhaps, it's best if you don't come home too soon. I am not sure how he will treat you. Find a hotel and stay there tonight. I just transferred some money to your other account. It's enough to support you for couple of days. And, the girl you ɨmprėġnȧtėd? I have settled that situation for you.”

Instead of patiently and earnestly advising Winner as she usually did, Joy said in a grim tone.

It was as though she felt extremely disappointed with Winner.

Winner, however, knowing Joy was his last hope, didn't want to offend her. He knew that his life would no longer be peaceful if he displeased her.

As the sun gradually settled and he wind started to blow, it got colder.

When Winner left home in the morning, he wore a T-shirt as the sun had been shining brightly. He could feel the warmth brought about by the sunlight at that time.

Now the sun had set, and the sky was completely dark. The temperature had lowered and a single T-shirt was not enough to fight the cold he was feeling.

”Thank you, mom, I will be cautious in the future.” Winner's teeth chattered as he replied to his mother.

”Cautious about what? Don't talk about the future. If you cannot handle this situation well for your father, I am not sure whether he will allow you back home in the future, do you understand?”

”Yes!”

”Okay, then find yourself a hotel and settle down. Remember, leave me a message to let me know that you are safe.”

”Okay...”

However, after ending the call, Winner was in quite a good mood. He was happy as one of his problems had been addressed. The girl he had ɨmprėġnȧtėd would never bother him again. Compared to the threats from the girl's family, Jean was much easier to deal with.

'Apologizing is nothing to me. Only those who can drain the cup of humiliation are real men.

I am a real man!'

Winner consoled himself. Meanwhile, he found the number of his family's private driver and then called him. After a while, the driver arrived. Winner then got into the car and instructed the driver to head to the best hotel.

...

Jean looked out the window. The tree that grew in front of her window obscured most of the sky. However, she saw a waning moon that was bȧrėly lighting up the night sky.

Another day had ended. And yet, Zed stayed and looked after Jean. Ever since Jean had been brought to the hospital, Zed had remained by her side. He hadn't left.

While Jean found that she wasn't drowsy, Zed had fallen asleep on the sofa. Whether it was because of his work or his efforts to take care of Jean, Zed was exhausted.

Since the sofa was opposite to Jean's bed, she had a clear view of Zed.

Lying in bed, Jean cupped her chin with her hands and focused her gaze on Zed.

This man... Though asleep, he was still charismatic and graceful. He was seated upright on the sofa with his head tilted sideways. He had placed a small cushion to prevent his head from rolling around while he slept. His eyes were closed and he wasn't frowning.

besides him lay a heap of papers on which he was working .

how scrupulous he was !

before napping, zed had made the effort to arrange his papers properly !

such a scene made jean feel a sense of adoration she reached out and grazed zed's lips with her finger's