Chapter 12
Reed’s expression was cold.
“You need to apologize,” he said, staring at the woman.
She clearly recognized Reed, and her aggressive attitude deflated by half. “Me? Why should I apologize?”
Reed straightened his cuffs, his eyes fierce.
“Because I can make sure you never set foot through these doors again.”
As she tried to argue, Grace appeared from nowhere.
“Reed, please don’t fight. She’s my friend.
“Olivia, she was just frightened. Don’t take it personally, okay?”
At that moment, Noah gave a desolate smile and shook off my hand.
“Do I know you? Why are you interfering in something that doesn’t concern you?”
I stood frozen, realizing he was saying this to prevent me from being judged by
association with him.
He had already disappeared into the night outside.
People continued to gossip.
“The fifteen–year–old patricide case from four years ago. It was quite sensational.” “His father was an alcoholic who gambled and abused the family: The boy was protecting his mother.”
The pale lights and noisy voices became increasingly unreal.
My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.
When I opened my eyes, Reed was dozing beside me, dark circles under his eyes.
“Noah is fine. I had someone take him home to rest.”
He answered my unspoken question before I could ask.
Then came a lecture.
“Low blood sugar, malnutrition, exhaustion.
“Am I not paying you enough that you can’t afford to eat properly?”
I curled my lips into an ugly smile.
“Mr. Harlow, if you care about me this much, I’ll find it hard to leave you.”
1/2
He fidgeted with a water glass, speaking as if making a joke.
“Then don’t leave.‘
“If I back out on Harlow Industries, no company will hire me in the future. What
then?”
I half–seriously tested the waters.
