Chapter 22 A Better Man
Eugene left the hospital feeling extremely frustrated. On his way home, he turned his car and arrived at a somewhat rundown apartment complex.
This was where he used to rent when he first started his internship and didn't have much money. But Jennifer never looked down on him at all. Not only did she never demand gifts, but she often bought groceries and came here to cook for him.
The first meal she made him was spaghetti with tomato meat sauce - she put in too much salt, but he still thought it was delicious.
This place held so many beautiful memories of them together. He still remembered how shy she was during their first kiss, with her eyes tightly closed. She used to love him so much.
But now it was Francis who was holding her face and kissing her. Maybe right now they were having sex in that hospital bed, just like he and Aria had done earlier!
Eugene couldn't accept this image. He gulped down a big mouthful of whiskey, and the numbing effect of the alcohol made him feel much better. Looking at the photo of the two of them on the fridge, he thought bitterly, 'This is the price of success, and I don't regret it!'
Just then, his phone rang. It was his mother, Audrey Bailey.
After Lester died, Eugene was raised by Audrey through hard times, and he always felt sorry for her. So even though he was in a bad mood, he quickly answered the phone.
Audrey said, "Eugene, I heard Aria got hurt. I want to go to the hospital to see her. After all, you two are getting engaged, and as an elder, I should care more about her."
Eugene frowned impatiently. "Mom, we're not engaged yet. You don't need to make a special trip to see her."
"I have to. You're a grown man - what do you know about taking care of people? Aria is a good girl, and I must go see her." Audrey said firmly, and Eugene couldn't talk her out of it.
Early the next morning, Audrey came to the hospital to see Aria, bringing homemade apple pie and a fancy fruit basket. Because there were quite a few things, Eugene's cousin Lucy Kim came along with her.
The two of them ran into Jennifer, who was out for a walk in the hospital corridor. Jennifer recognized Audrey and smiled politely at her, preparing to step aside. When she and Eugene were together before, Audrey had been very warm to her, but now that they'd broken up so badly, she didn't know how to treat Audrey.
Audrey's smile disappeared, and she said somewhat defensively, "Jennifer, why are you here?"
Lucy glared at Jennifer and clung to Audrey's arm adorably. "Eugene broke up with her ages ago. Why do you still care about her, Aunt Audrey?"
Jennifer slowed her steps. "I'm injured, so naturally I came to the hospital."
Audrey smiled. "Jennifer, your relationship with Eugene is in the past now. He has a new relationship, and they're getting engaged. You shouldn't keep pestering him. You're so beautiful - I'm sure you'll quickly find a man who will cherish you. Actually, I've always liked you, but you and our family just aren't meant to be connected."
Jennifer's brow furrowed. So Audrey thought she came to this hospital to get close to Eugene. When it was clearly Eugene who was pestering her!
Lucy chimed in. "That's right, women should have some shame. You don't think that by acting pitiful and clinging to Eugene, he'll turn back to you, do you? You're so far below Aria; you could never compare to her in your whole life."
She had never liked Jennifer, always hanging around Eugene. In fact, she didn't like the arrogant Aria either. But Aria was generous with gifts, giving her designer bags, so she accepted Aria as Eugene's wife.
Audrey looked at her disapprovingly and smiled insincerely. "Jennifer, don't listen to her. That's not what I meant. I'm doing this for your own good. I know a good woman like you would never pester an ex-boyfriend. I sincerely hope you can find a man even better than my son."
She knew Eugene was clinging to Aria for power and status. She couldn't provoke Jennifer, in case Jennifer ruined Eugene and Aria's relationship. So she spoke nicely, first praising Jennifer, then blessing her, but it was all to make her stay away from Eugene.
Jennifer understood the meaning behind these words, and even someone with her good temper got a bit angry.
Seeing a man approaching in the distance, Jennifer deliberately raised her voice. "Don't worry, Audrey. My being here has nothing to do with Eugene. As for a better man, I've already found one, so you don't need to worry."
Eugene strode over, his face dark as he said to Audrey and Lucy. "You're here. Go find Aria quickly." His manner was intimidating, and Audrey and Lucy didn't dare say more and hurried off.
But he grabbed Jennifer's wrist and demanded. "A better man - are you talking about Francis? Besides being richer than me, what makes him better? Have you slept with him?"
Jennifer looked up and glared back. "Yes, he's better than you in every way. Not only is he richer than you, he's more handsome, and even in bed he lasts longer and is more vigorous!" She said this just to infuriate Eugene. Actually, she and Francis hadn't slept together at all.
Eugene angrily pushed her against the wall. "Jennifer! When did you become such a shameless woman? It's all because I was too gentle with you before. Do you think someone like Francis would seriously date you? You've already slept with him, but has he given you the status of being his girlfriend? He's just playing with you! Only I—"
Before he could finish, Lucy ran over anxiously. "Eugene, Aria is urgently asking why you haven't come yet. She's about to come out looking for you."
Eugene's rationality instantly returned. He couldn't let Aria discover his past with Jennifer. He snorted coldly, let go of Jennifer, straightened his tie, and walked toward Aria's room.
Jennifer thought he was so two-faced, always acting deeply devoted to Aria when she was around, though it was obvious he cared only about her wealth and power.
Applause came from the other end of the corridor. Francis looked at Jennifer with a mischievous smile. "I perform very satisfactorily in bed for Ms. Brown? How come I didn't know about this?"
Jennifer's face instantly blushed. He had heard her angry words. She covered her face and said quietly. "I'm sorry, Dr. Carter. I was just trying to make him angry."
"I thought Ms. Brown had dreamed about me - a wet dream even." Francis leaned close to her ear and said in a low voice, his suggestive breath making Jennifer's ears tingle.
Jennifer shook her head quickly. "I didn't. I'll never dare say such things again." She swore sincerely.
Francis finally stopped continuing this topic and became serious again. "Jennifer, I'm formally notifying you. all your indicators have returned to normal, and you can be discharged this afternoon."
While handling the discharge procedures, Jennifer received a message from Francis reminding her that there was a dinner party next week and he needed her to accompany him.
Looking at her bank account balance, Jennifer replied okay. She first went to visit David, and to avoid worrying him, she hid the fact that she'd been injured. Then she went back to work at the company. After taking several days off, many things had piled up that needed handling.