Chapter 384: Heaven Has Not Treated Him Poorly

Chapter 384: Heaven Has Not Treated Him Poorly

Having had dinner together before, Silas was impressed by Leopold. Thinking Leopold didn't recognize him, he smiled and explained, "Mr. Wipere, you've got it wrong. I'm Pearl's boyfriend, remember? We all had dinner together at that grilled fish restaurant last time."

Silas thought being friendly would ease the awkward situation, but Leopold's attitude remained cold. Silas's smile became increasingly uncomfortable, feeling that Leopold's gaze was filled with disdain and sharp contempt.

Leopold said, "I don't care what your relationship is. Pearl is my friend, and if I see her being bullied, I'll definitely step in."

Silas had always resented Pearl's rich friends. At every gathering, they showed up in luxury cars and designer brands, spending money without batting an eye. Compared to them, Silas's background seemed shabby.

He could only attend these gatherings because his girlfriend was Pearl. Without her, Silas probably would never have access to this social circle in his entire life.

More than once, Silas had fantasized that if he also had a well-off family, a rich father, he would definitely do better than these people.

So when he learned that Leopold was backed by Celestial Waters Group and was Preston's son, he secretly looked down on Leopold.

"I wasn't bullying her," Silas forced out a smile. "Right, Pearl?"

He looked at Pearl, but she completely ignored him.

"Pearl." Silas stepped closer, but Pearl turned away in disgust.

Leopold observed Pearl's body language—she clearly rejected Silas approaching her.

He stepped forward, separating the two, and said, "Mr. Brooks, Ms. Reynolds and I have a client meeting at six. Can whatever you need wait until after we're done?"

Whether in height, build, or presence, Silas fell far short of Leopold. If it came to a fight, he'd definitely be the one getting beaten.

"Okay." Silas smiled awkwardly, his expression somewhat unpleasant. "Pearl, I'll wait for you at home."

After speaking, he nodded at Leopold. "Please take care of Pearl."

Leopold glanced at him coolly. "Sure."

Once Silas disappeared at the end of the hallway, Leopold said, "He's gone."

Pearl breathed a sigh of relief, finally relaxing. She lowered her eyes and said, "Thanks for the heads-up."

Leopold paused slightly, looking back at Pearl. Actually, she didn't need to thank him—she had already noticed the signs herself.

He politely held the door open for her. Pearl walked in, and once the door closed, she said, "That female colleague he brought to dinner last time—I found out they're having an affair."

Leopold listened quietly, pouring her tea.

Pearl picked up the teacup and moistened her throat, then asked him, "You noticed at that dinner, didn't you?"

Leopold didn't deny it. "What are you planning to do?"

Pearl didn't hesitate. "I already broke up with him. I gave him and his parents a week to move out of my house. The car was a gift from me, registered in his name, but I got a lawyer. Since it was my gift and we're not getting married anymore, I'm taking the car back."

Leopold admired her decisiveness. "You're pretty straightforward."

Pearl pressed her lips together. "That girl is pregnant. He needs to take responsibility, right?"

Leopold raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised to hear this bombshell. "He came to ask you to get back together?"

Pearl nodded. "Yes. He said he'd take her to get an abortion and give her money as compensation. But I have standards—once something's dirty, I won't keep it around."

Leopold paused, then looked at Pearl and said, "We're talking business tonight. You won't be a mess, will you? I don't want to be negotiating seriously while you're drinking yourself senseless."

Pearl glanced at him. "You think I'm some lovesick teenager? I'm not about to drown my sorrows over a man."

"Well said." Leopold refilled her tea and raised his cup. "Since you've got your head straight, let's work well together tonight."

Pearl raised her cup, and they toasted from across the table. "No problem."

After Pearl saw the WhatsApp chat between Silas and Nicole, she completely saw through him.

On one hand, Silas complained to Nicole about Pearl being controlling and cold; on the other, he accepted Nicole's care and advances.

Pearl was only controlling at work. She had a clear conscience regarding Silas—otherwise, she wouldn't have compromised again and again on his and his family's demands.

As for being cold, she had a huge company to manage and didn't have much time to spend with Silas—something he knew from the start when he pursued her. Back then he could understand and be considerate, so why had it suddenly become a fatal flaw?

He drove the car she bought him, taking another woman on romantic dates. While he was buried inside another woman's body, he blamed her for being cold and busy. How ironic.

During this dinner, the two cooperated seamlessly, and the deal was successfully closed.

As Pearl had promised, she didn't get drunk. After seeing off their business partners, they waited for designated drivers at the entrance.

Leopold lit a cigarette. Suddenly, a hand reached toward him. Pearl said, "Give me one."

Leopold turned to face her. "Why would a girl smoke?"

Pearl smiled. "I secretly smoked my dad's cigarettes in high school. Today's special—let me have one."

Leopold pulled out his cigarette pack and lighter and handed them to her.

Pearl's smoking technique was skilled. When a wisp of smoke slowly escaped from her nostrils, her whole body radiated relief.

"I thought you didn't care?" Leopold asked.

Pearl looked at the dark night sky and said wistfully, "I dated him for so many years. I can't say I care about him—I just feel I wasted myself. Even an outsider like you could see through it, but I threw away my youth and money and was completely fooled."

Leopold said, "If you can get past this hurdle, it's just a pebble. If you can't, it becomes a cage. But eventually, whether it's a pebble or a cage, it will pass. Time is the best medicine."

Pearl laughed.

Just then, her designated driver arrived. Pearl walked away, waving her cigarette-holding hand in the air, saying casually, "Thanks for the smoke."

Leopold smiled slightly. He needed strong business partners, and Pearl was one of them.

He watched the busy street until a designated driver on an electric scooter headed his way.

People have emotional ups and downs, the moon waxes and wanes. She was troubled by love, he was struggling to survive—everyone had their own worries, their own way to cross.

He felt grateful that fate had been kind to him, giving him a lover and a family.

As soon as Leopold entered the house, he heard footsteps from the bedroom.

"You're back. Did you drink too much?" Caroline approached, starting to look him over.

Leopold had drunk more than Pearl—after all, he was a man, and it was proper to take a few drinks for a woman.

He pulled her into his arms, swaying slightly on his feet. Caroline caught the strong smell of alcohol, making her dizzy for a moment.

"How much did you drink?" she asked.

Leopold buried his head in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath. Smelling her familiar scent, his heart filled with this peace.

He didn't answer. Instead, he pushed aside her nightgown and took her collarbone in his mouth, greedily caressing her tender skin.