Chapter 45 The Protective Charm
Chapter 45 The Protective Charm
“Why?” Steven asked, his confusion clear. “Wouldn’t she appreciate you for being kind?”
Flint answered, “Do you really believe there’s such a thing as a free lunch?”
Steven, obviously annoyed, shot back, “Boss, are you insulting my intelligence? Of course, I don’t believe in that!”
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Flint stayed calm, continuing, “Well, just like that, she won’t think she’s met some kind–hearted guy. Instead, she’ll probably think there’s an agenda behind it and pull away.”
Steven muttered under his breath, “But you do have an agenda, don’t you?”
Flint shot him a glance, his face unreadable.
“Sorry, I’ll keep quiet.”
After finishing her roasted corn downstairs, Lisa headed back upstair
As soon as she stepped inside, Bernard was waiting, eager for answers. “So? How was it?”
“How was what?” Lisa feigned ignorance.
“How did it go with Mr. Hale?”
Lisa spoke honestly, “He was in a rush. I saw him to the door, and he left.”
“That’s all?” Bernard seemed taken aback.
“Yeah.”
He gave her a frustrated look but didn’t press further.
Bernard understood the saying “haste makes waste” very well. Lisa was clearly going through a rebellious phase. If he pushed too hard, she might just turn on him.
Even though Lisa was at the hospital, she hadn’t seen Mario. By the afternoon, she left with Tiffany and the others.
She thought that would be the end of it, but Tiffany soon returned.
“Lisa, Tiffany said, pushing the door open, “I need to talk to you.”
Lisa’s voice was cold. “Sure.”
“Are you still upset?” Tiffany sighed. “I’ve already spoken to Xavier about everything, but you know how he is–he’ll never admit when he’s wrong. Please, don’t stay mad. Holding on to anger only hurts you, right?”
Lisa asked, “Is that why you came to find me?”
“No, Tiffany replied, gently taking Lisa’s hand. “You saw how bad Mario’s stomach ulcer is. He’s always been picky with food, but now he has no appetite. Can you-”
Lisa immediately pulled her hand away. “No.”
“Lisa,” Tiffany frowned. “Hasn’t Mario always treated you well? Now that he’s sick, don’t you feel any sympathy?”
Lisa almost laughed bitterly.
Mario had always struggled with stomach issues. Every time he had an attack, his appetite disappeared. In the past, Lisa would cook and bring him soups to help him recover, but even with all that effort, Mario never showed her He remained cold, distant, and always trying to arrange a marriage for her, treating her like a mere responsibility.
any kindness.
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3:54 PM
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Chapter 45 The Protective Charm
Lisa had researched countless recipes and spent sleepless nights trying to find something that would help him, yet he never once expressed gratitude. To him, it was just something she had to do.
And now Tiffany had the nerve to say Mario had treated her well?
Lisa’s mind wandered back to the first day she arrived at the Olsen Mansion. She had tripped on the stairs and instinctively grabbed Mario’s sleeve for support.
At the time, he hadn’t said a word, but later, the maid threw away his shirt.
Because of that, Lisa avoided speaking to Mario for a long time. Perhaps, to him, even sharing the same space with her was a burden.
Seeing Lisa’s indifference, Tiffany cursed silently, realizing that words alone weren’t going to change her stance.
Is it just my imagination, or has Lisa changed since the blanket incident?
Could it be that the slap from Xavier shifted her personality?
“Lisa.” Tiffany paused, considering her words carefully. “You’ve always wanted to get along with the brothers, right? Now’s your chance. People always praise those who show up during the good times, but it’s the ones who show up in tough moments that truly make a difference. If Mario sees how much you care about him now, he’ll definitely see you in a new light.”
Lisa stayed quiet.
“Besides, you’ve always wanted to know what happened to that necklace of yours, right?” Tiffany added.
Lisa’s eyes flickered.
The necklace Tiffany was talking about was a protective charm her mother had given her.
When Lisa was a child, the village kids had pushed her into the water, almost drowning her. Her mother, terrified by the near–tragedy, had gone to the local cathedral to buy a protective charm for Lisa, even though the seller had swindled her out of 20 dollars.
Though 20 doliars might not seem like much to others, for their family, it was a small fortune.
Her mother, naive as she was, never realized she had been tricked. She truly believed that the charm would protect her daughter and cherished it deeply, always making sure it stayed around Lisa’s neck.
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