Chapter 2

After Simon came home,Louisa sat quietly on the sofa.There was an unlit cigarette resting between her fingerst.Meanwhile,the neon lights outside the window cast shifting colors across her pale face.

“Louisa,I’m back!”

Simon smiled softly as he walked toward her.He gently took her wrist and brushed it with his fingertips.

“I was too impatient this afternoon.I’m sorry.Please,don’t stay mad.”

After that,Simon sat beside her as he pulled Louisa into his arms,speaking tenderly,“The specialist team has created a full treatment plan for Micah.The surgery has a very high success rate.After it’s done,he’ll be able to live a normal and healthy life.”

Louisa kept her eyes down in silence as she refused to look at or speak to him.Simon cupped her neck and tilted her head up.

Louisa felt disgusted.She cleverly avoided the man's kiss and made an excuse:"I have a cold.Kissing might infect you with the cold."

His tone was full of regret as he continued,“I know you’re upset with me,but Rebecca saved my life.Her health isn’t good,so I’m just helping her as repayment.Other than that,there’s nothing between us.”

Louisa’s heart trembled.She stared at him and she asked Simon with a soft yet firm voice,“If I had been the one to save you,would you do anything for me?”

Simon froze for a second,but then smiled and gently stroked her hair.

“Of course.But I would never let you be in that kind of danger in the first place.I couldn’t stand to see you hurt.”

While Simon continued to talk,he failed to notice the light fading from Louisa’s eyes.Meanwhile,Louisa didn’t answer.Instead,she slowly pulled her hand from his and stood up to go to the bedroom.She left Simon on the sofa who thought that she was simply throwing a childish tantrum.

The next day was the Jacobson Group’s press conference.Louisa had to attend as the company’s representative.She hadn’t wanted to show up at such an event,but she couldn’t let her Uncle Jonathan take full credit for the company her parents had built with their own hands.

The moment she appeared,all attention turned to her.Whispers filled the crowd,full of awe and envy.

“Miss Jacobson is truly stunning.No wonder Mr.Griswolds,who used to hate women,fell for her.”

“Anyone else who tried to get close to Mr.Griswolds would be dismissed,but Miss Jacobson can do whatever she wants in front of him.”

“When her high heels gave her blisters,Mr.Griswolds knelt on the ground to put a Band-Aid on her foot.Who would’ve thought that a man like him would bow so low for love?”

Louisa heard every word clearly.When she saw their jealous expressions,it made the bitterness in her chest grow even sharper.She quickened her steps into the interview room.

Moments later,the reporters arrived.But leading them was Rebecca who was dressed in an elegant,expensive designer dress.Holding the microphone,she smiled sweetly at Louisa.

Louisa frowned,her voice cold as she spoke first,“Why are you here?”

Before Rebecca could answer,Simon appeared behind her.He was tall,broad-shouldered,with a slim waist.His custom suit highlighted his powerful build and his commanding presence instantly silenced the room.

Simon walked over calmly,leaned slightly toward Louisa and spoke in a patient tone.“Rebecca’s never been to a press conference like this.I wanted her to come and get some experience.Don’t worry,this is your event.So,we’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Louisa almost laughed.Her lips curved into a small,sharp smile.However,she stayed quiet.She blinked several times as she was trying to hold back her feelings,but her lashes were already damp.

After that,Louisa turned away to raise her hand and gestured for the staff to continue.On the other hand,Rebecca’s smile faltered.She couldn’t understand why Louisa didn’t explode in anger.Louisa was known for being bold and forceful who would never let anyone take advantage of her.

Rebecca held the microphone with a pleasant smile,but her eyes were sharp and challenging as she stared at Louisa.

“Miss Jacobson,there have been many rumors about you,”she said smoothly.

“From visiting brothels to fighting with the young members of the Harrison Family.Why do you rarely speak about women’s struggles and instead focus only on living a wild,wasteful life?”

The room went silent for a few seconds.Then,camera flashes went off in a frenzy.Meanwhile,the livestream chat exploded with comments.Rebecca’s fans and Louisa’s critics filled the screen with harsh words.

[You’re wasting the Jacobson Family’s wealth,caring only about your own pleasure and showing no sense of responsibility to society.]

[What a shameless woman!She must only be good in bed.Otherwise,how could she have trapped Mr.Griswolds?]

Simon,who sat nearby,turned grim because of anger.Nevertheless,he didn’t move or speak.On the other hand,Louisa clenched her fists tightly.She then lifted her head to meet Rebecca’s gaze.

She spoke firmly,“This question doesn’t matter,so I won’t answer it.”

After she said that,Louisa raised her hand to signal the end of the interview and walked toward a quiet corner to breathe.As she left,Rebecca quickly followed and blocked her way.Her usual gentle look was gone.

“Louisa,do you really think Mr.Griswolds would truly love a woman like you?Someone who only wastes money and still dares to throw it at others?”

Louisa stopped and slowly turned her head.A cold,sarcastic smile tugged at her lips as she replied in a flat voice,“What does it matter if I spend my own family’s money?If Simon doesn’t love me,does that mean he actually loves you?”

“The Griswolds Family and mine are a perfect match.And you,a greedy gold digger,are accusing me of throwing money around?”

As soon as she finished speaking,a sudden creaking sound came from above.The next moment,a heavy light fixture broke loose and crashed down.Screams erupted as the crowd scattered in panic.

Simon reacted instantly and rushed forward.But the first person he grabbed was Rebecca,who was standing farther away from the falling light.He scooped her up and ran to safety.

Louisa,who was standing right beneath the fixture,couldn’t dodge in time.It smashed into her shoulder with brutal force,which knocked her out.Her vision blurred to black as she collapsed.

Just before she lost consciousness,she saw Simon desperately checking Rebecca for injuries worily.