Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Philip stepped forward, closing the distance between them. He gazed into Jessica's bright eyes, his voice lowering with a probing edge. "Jessica, what do you really think of Sarah now?"

Philip's scrutiny sent a chill through Jessica—not because of him, but because of Sarah.

"What do I think?" Jessica's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile as she drained the rinsed tomatoes. Water droplets slid down her pale fingertips. "Philip, she and I cut ties long ago. I will never forgive her—not in this lifetime."

Philip paused mid-chop, his knife suspended over the cutting board.

Jessica took a deep breath and recounted everything from her encounter with Sarah the previous night.

"She blamed me for every consequence of her own greed and stupidity. She even believes it's my fault she can no longer maintain that lavish lifestyle." Jessica's voice was eerily calm, as though she were narrating a case file about a stranger. "All she cares about now is money and manipulation. For money, she would tell any lie."

Philip's brow furrowed deeply, disbelief flickering behind his lenses.

How had the girl from their college days—vain but spirited—transformed into such a hysterical, unprincipled wreck?

"How did she become like this...?" Philip sighed, his gaze settling on Jessica's slender profile with unmistakable sympathy. He stepped closer and gently patted her shoulder. "Jessica, don't punish yourself for someone else's mistakes. You did the right thing. If she bothers you again, you need to tell me."

"I will." Jessica nodded, the knot in her chest loosening slightly.

They finished preparing a simple dinner and carried it to the table.

Philip ladled a bowl of hot soup and slid it toward Jessica, then asked casually, "So what's going on between you and Chief Sullivan? I noticed the furniture and décor here seem completely different."

At the mention of Michael, Jessica's hand froze mid-stir, and her appetite vanished instantly.

She didn’t hold anything back and told Philip everything that had happened over the past few days.

Jessica let out a bitter laugh, exhaustion creeping into her voice. "Philip, I honestly don't know what he wants. I've made myself perfectly clear, but he just refuses to let me go."

As he listened to her recount, Philip's knuckles whitened around his chopsticks. An indescribable bitterness and jealousy spread through his chest.

Michael's actions were nothing less than a domineering man's territorial claim over his prey.

He was inserting himself into Jessica's life piece by piece in the most overbearing way possible, asserting his claim over her.

Philip swallowed his jealousy and asked carefully, "So what are you going to do? Just let him keep hounding you?"

"Absolutely not." Jessica lifted her head, her bright eyes bright with resolve. "I've already documented every expense for the furniture and renovations. Once I've saved enough, I'll repay him every cent. The gap between our social classes is too wide, not to mention everything involving Sarah. I just want to live my own life in peace and cut all ties with him for good."

Hearing the words "cut all ties," Philip finally relaxed.

He exhaled quietly in relief, a warm smile returning to his face. "I'm glad you see it that way. Someone of his status really isn't right for you."

After dinner, Philip helped clean up the kitchen.

As he stood in the entryway preparing to leave, he pulled a black bank card from his coat pocket and held it out to Jessica.

Jessica froze, staring at him in confusion. "Philip, what's this for?"

Philip gave a faint smile, his tone casual yet sincere. "Jessica, I came here today not just to check on you, but also to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Jessica's surprise deepened.

"Yeah." Philip nodded. "My time here was really just a training assignment arranged by my family. Now that it's over, I need to go back home, reconnect with my parents, and begin taking over part of the family business. This card contains the savings I accumulated during my time in New York. The PIN is set to your birthday. Take it and use it to repay Michael. Only when you owe him nothing can you truly be free of him."

Jessica's eyes widened as she stepped back repeatedly, as if avoiding a burning coal. "No way! Philip, this is far too much—I absolutely cannot accept it! You'll need money when you return home. How could I possibly accept your savings?"

She knew all too well how difficult it was to repay a debt of gratitude. Having just escaped Michael's grasp, she refused to owe Philip such a significant favor.

"Jessica, listen to me." Philip stepped forward and pressed the card firmly into her hand, his gaze sincere. "My family doesn't lack money. This amount means nothing to me, but to you, it's the key to escaping your situation. We're friends. Are you really going to let him keep using money to control you?"

"But..." Jessica still hesitated, her brow furrowed deeply.

Seeing her firm refusal, Philip relented. "Alright, how about this—consider it money I'm temporarily storing with you. Once I'm back home, I'll have endless social obligations and expenses. Keeping it with you is like a forced savings plan. If you really can't stand owing me, think of it as a loan. When you're in a better financial position, pay me back with interest. Fair enough?"

With him putting it that way, refusing further would seem petty.

Jessica stared at the thin card in her hand as though clutching a lifeline.

Once she repaid Michael, she could finally stand tall and sever all ties with him for good.

"Okay." Jessica took a deep breath and carefully pocketed the card. "Philip, thank you. I promise I'll repay you as soon as possible."

Philip smiled warmly and gently ruffled her hair. "No need to be so formal with me. Take care of yourself, and give me a call if you need anything."

……

The next morning, the rain had stopped.

Winter sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting an uncommon warmth over Autumnleaf District Precinct.

Jessica had slept soundly the night before. Thanks to Philip's loan, the weight on her chest had finally eased. She planned to transfer the money to Michael after work and end this absurd entanglement once and for all.

She walked briskly into the precinct lobby, ready to clock in, when she almost collided with a familiar figure.

"Jessica!"