Chapter 61 : Your Scarf Is Really Pretty
Nigel recalled that he did have a habit of picking things up for Sherrie without thinking, so he did not question it.
Feeling victorious, he sped up on the drive back to the Rogers mansion.
As soon as the car pulled up at the main entrance, Ruth and Sherrie hurried out to greet him, wanting to know what Nigel had brought back from the Lopez family.
Faced with their anxious expressions, Nigel looked like a victorious general, nodding confidently at both of them.
Knowing the marriage was almost settled, Sherrie felt relieved. Ruth clasped her hands together and thanked Buddha for the blessing.
That was when Sherrie noticed Allison walking behind them. The pink scarf around her neck looked… unusual.
She frowned slightly. “Allison, your scarf is really pretty. I don’t remember you wearing it when you left.”
Nigel chuckled. “Probably from Mr. Jackson. He’s still looking out for her.”
With that, he sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.
Sherrie’s eyes stayed fixed on Allison’s scarf, jealousy swirling in her eyes. Mr. Jackson gave her that? Does that mean he hasn’t completely written her off?
Nigel took a sip of tea and set the cup down. After a brief pause, he turned to Allison and said bluntly. “Allison, back at Maplecrest Villa, Ronan begged me. He insisted on marrying Sherrie. I could tell he’s really over you. Whatever happened between you two three years ago, he’s not taking responsibility for it anymore.”
At his words, both Sherrie and Ruth turned to Allison, their faces filled with pity and worry.
Three years ago. Back then, rumors had spread that Ronan and Allison had gone too far. But since they were engaged, no one made a public issue of it.
Jackson had said he owed her a debt, but this was that debt. Her reputation was ruined. The engagement was broken. They had both made mistakes, yet Ronan was still sought after, while Allison had become secondhand goods.
Nigel had agreed to let Allison marry into the Berry family, but deep down, he had already lost respect for her. With her name stained, what respectable family would still want her?
The Berry family had been her best option, and now, even they did not want her, either.
All Nigel could do was place his hopes on Sherrie, praying her future would be brighter.
But deep down, he was scared Allison might grow bitter and ruin it.
So he kept trying to persuade her. “Nigel beat Ronan badly for what he did to you, but he still refused to give in. Allison, listen to Nigel. Don’t waste your energy on someone who isn’t worth it. Let him go.”
Allison almost laughed. She wanted nothing more than to throw Sherrie’s phone right at Nigel’s face and make him see the truth.
Sherrie had bugged her phone. Allison had replaced the receiver long ago.
There was no way Nigel could have known that he had been carrying Sherrie’s old phone, and everything he and Ronan had talked about had already been heard loud and clear by Allison.
Sure, he beat Ronan up, but it wasn’t for her. Everything he said, every word of concern, had been for Sherrie.
He had even used her as a pawn to pressure Ronan, making her sit at the door and suffer humiliation just to force Ronan’s hand. In the end, even the so-called guilt Ronan owed her was paid back to Sherrie.
Ronan had already failed her.
Now he was going to fail Sherrie, too? What a joke. Why did my suffering have to be doubled and given to Sherrie as compensation? And what about me? Was I just born to pave the way for Sherrie? Allison had once believed that, despite his bias, Nigel still had a shred of decency.
If she had not overheard the truth this time, she never would have realized how good he was at playing the good guy. She wanted nothing more than to throw that bug right in his face and watch his expression crash as the mask fell.
But she was curious to see what else he was planning.
Allison smiled. “I said I didn’t want him anymore when I signed the cancellation papers. I even wished him and Sherrie a lifetime of entanglement.”
She said exactly what Nigel wanted to hear, but the way she said it stung.
Nigel frowned. “You’re not a kid anymore. Can’t you watch your mouth? ‘Entanglement’? It’s called a happy union.”
Even Ruth shot Allison a disapproving glance, probably thinking she was being spiteful.
Still, Nigel let it go, thinking she didn’t know the truth. He simply asked, “So you’re okay with Sherrie and Ronan getting married?”
Allison nodded. “I’m fine with it.”
Nigel didn’t hesitate, and he quickly suggested. “Then I’m sure you’ll be willing to say a good word for Ronan to Mr. Jackson.”
Allison’s expression turned cold. She clearly hadn’t expected Nigel to squeeze out even the last bit of value she had left, all for Sherrie’s sake.
Yes, Jackson felt some guilt toward her. But anyone with a bit of decency knew this would be the final time Allison could ask anything from the Lopez family.
Once it was spent, that courtesy would be gone for good. And even this one chance, she wasn’t allowed to use it for herself.
Nigel didn’t wait for her to refuse. He quickly interrupted her, saying, “No need to speak to Mr. Jackson yet. Wait a few days and follow my lead.”
Allison’s eyes flickered with surprise. Why wait a few days? Did Nigel and Ronan already have something planned that I didn’t know about?
Nigel stood up and patted her shoulder, trying to sound comforting. “Ally, once Sherrie gets married, you’ll be the only sister I have left. From then on, I’ll treat you better than anyone.”
It sounded like reassurance, but it was really for his own sake, as if saying it out loud might soothe his conscience.
Of course, Allison knew his scheme.
She let out a soft chuckle and said coldly, “That’s a strange thing to say. It’s almost like Sherrie stops being your sister the moment she gets married. Are you saying you won’t treat her well anymore?”