Chapter 44
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Lilian was the evening host now. She got off work at half past nine, but Filip came much earlier at seven–thirty.
Seeing Cynthia coming out of the studio, Lilian grabbed Filip and walked over. “Cynthia, I specially asked Filip to order your favorite almond pudding. The chef of Caesar Hotel is very skilled. You must have more.”
Cynthia smiled and said, “Thanks, but I’m not hungry. Have more yourself.”
Lilian smiled brightly. “That’s what Filip told me. But I have had zero appetite recently and always want to throw up. Filip is worried that I won’t eat well at the TV station, so he insists on picking me up every day to keep an eye on me. I wonder whether he cares about me or the baby in my belly.” She deliberately acted like she was jealous.
Filip lightly tapped Lilian’s nose with an affectionate look. “How can you be jealous of the baby?”
Lilian held Filip’s arm and acted like a spoiled child. “I just hope that you only have eyes for me.”
One of their colleagues teased, “Lilian, you and Mr. Yates are all lovey–dovey. Your public display of affection is making my cake too sweet.”
Another remarked, “Lilian and Mr. Yates are a perfect match. I bet their baby must be good–looking.”
Somebody said, “Lilian, Mr. Yates is so nice to you. Caesar Hotel is known for being expensive, and their reservations are hard to get, but the manager sent us late–night snacks just like delivering takeouts. Thanks to you, we got to enjoy such delicacies.”
The TV station was a complicated workplace, and most people were shrewd.
Despite despising Lilian’s previous behavior of fighting over interviews and setting Cynthia up, people were happy to flatter her for actual benefits. Everyone here was double–faced. Not to mention, Lilian was the future lady boss of Yates Construction.
Cynthia smiled sincerely as she watched Lilian and Filip’s deliberate display of affection. “Lilian, your belly is getting big. When will you get married? We are looking forward to your wedding.”
Filip’s face darkened unconsciously. There was no trace of jealousy in Cynthia’s expression but the sincere concern of an old friend despite her ironic words.
Lilian’s face fell. Knowing that she and Filip would never get married, Cynthia purposely said this in front of others.
Sure enough, clamor broke out.
Someone echoed, “Yeah, Lilian. You’ve been pregnant for almost three months. When are you going to hold a wedding? The wedding gown won’t fit if you wait any longer.”
One said, “The wedding of the Yates family must be extraordinarily, grand, right? We will have an eye–opener then.” Another proposed, “Lilian, everyone in our team is single. How about we be your bridesmaids so that we can share in your good fortune and hopefully get married soon?”
Lilian’s face turned grim, and she said uneasily, “We will definitely invite everyone to our wedding by then.”
Suddenly, someone in the crowd said, “The Yates family seemed to have held a wedding three years ago. At that time, they kept it low–key and did not let the media report it.”
The person
continued, “Mr. Stewart sent me to take pictures secretly, but I was kicked out before entering the place. It left a strong impression on me. The bride was also from a wealthy family, and it was said to be a marriage alliance.”
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The speaker was Vince from the photo department, who had always been straightforward. For a moment, all eyes were on him. Only then did he scratch his head awkwardly and murmur. Um… I might have misremembered.”
With Vince’s reminder, the others seemed to remember the rumor that the heir of the Yates family was married.
The TV entertainment channel had previously released a ranking of Roncrity’s prominent bachelors. Filip hadn’t been included in the list because he was married.
Some people started whispering.
One asked, “Is Lilian the mistress?”
Another responded, “Didn’t you hear Vince? It was a marriage alliance, and the bride was from a wealthy family. It couldn’t be Lilian.”
Somebody echoed, “If the bride had been Lilian, she wouldn’t have called Mr. Yates her boyfriend.”
Although everyone talked in a low voice, Lilian still heard it, her expression extremely gloomy.
A reckless intern suddenly asked, “Cynthia, you know both Mr. Yates and Lilian. Lilian can’t be the mistress, right?”
Cynthia turned around and deliberately glared at Stella. “Stella, you are so straightforward. How can you survive in the TV station?” she joked. “But so what if one’s married? The divorce rate is so high nowadays.”
Then, Cynthia looked at Filip and asked, “Mr. Yates, don’t you think so?” Her tactful reply indirectly confirmed that Filip was married.
“Cynthia, that’s enough.” Filip’s face darkened.
Cynthia turned around and said goodbye to everyone. “Enjoy your meal. I’ll knock off now.”
Someone asked, “Cynthia, why are you leaving so early?”
Cynthia smiled brightly. “The one at home is very strict. Curfew’s at nine o’clock.”
Cheers erupted in the office. “Cynthia, so you’re in a relationship. Oh no, the single guys in our TV station are going to have a sleepless night.”
Cynthia said nothing else and left in her high heels.
Filip looked at her back for a while. Eventually, he couldn’t help but stride out.
At the TV station’s entrance, Filip grabbed Cynthia’s arm. “Cynthia, explain yourself.”
Cynthia turned around and smiled sarcastically. “Filip, what’s wrong with you? You used to look forward to breaking free from me, but now that I’ve let you go, you’re still pestering me. Are you enjoying the feeling of Lilian and I fighting over you?”
Filip stared into Cynthia’s eyes with a grim look. Cynthia, born with charming features, still looked attractive even when she was unhappy.
Cynthia smiled with disdain in her eyes and looked at Filip confidently. “Unfortunately, I don’t want you now.”
Filip was full of anger. “Who is your paramour?”
Still, Filip was not convinced. He believed that Cynthia was deliberately playing a trick to get back at him.
He and Cynthia had indeed hated each other for years. He had complex feelings for Cynthia. For many years, he gritted his teeth just thinking of her.
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But because of this, he had unconsciously grown attached to this intense and complex emotion. He couldn’t accept it if Cynthia really let go of their entanglement and left his life completely.
Cynthia’s wrist, clenched by Filip, hurt. She tried to break free, but Filip tightened his grip.
Faced with Cynthia’s indifference, Filip nearly flew into a rage. “Cynthia, tell me who your paramour is.”
“It’s me.” Behind Cynthia, a well–dressed man in black got out of a Maybach. He walked up the steps unhurriedly, strolled to Cynthia, and took her in his arms. His voice was cold and powerful. “Mr. Yates, I’m her paramour.”
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