CHAPTER 185: CHAPTER 185: BREAKING UP WITH YOU WAS HER LOSS

"Your Palmer Family is free, the last time I saw your brother, you stayed overnight, did you say anything to your family? Who knows?"

Flora chuckled, "If you really want to blame this on me, go ahead, anyway, my conscience is clear."

"A clear conscience indeed." Arthur Bennett tore off his tie, "You speak as if it’s true."

Flora didn’t want to say another word to him, but considering her situation, she had no choice but to say, "Tomorrow is the day my brother takes office, I need to make an appearance."

"You can go." He understood the importance, "But you must be back before three in the afternoon."

Flora responded, turning her body, "I’m tired, I’ll sleep first."

Arthur Bennett didn’t force her, the two sharing a bed but dreaming different dreams drifted off to sleep.

Around four in the morning, his phone rang.

Flora was the first to wake up, as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw him pick up the phone to answer.

After he said ’it’s me,’ he went to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he came back, but he was getting dressed, Flora waited for him to leave before sitting up.

No longer sleepy, she also dressed and applied light makeup.

Sitting on the sofa, she embroidered a cross-stitch until it was time for breakfast at seven.

Lewis put down the breakfast, handing her a note, "From Miss Lucy."

Flora took it, looked at the words on it, and immediately tore the note to pieces and flushed it down the toilet.

After a few bites of breakfast, she lost her appetite and went to see the First Lady.

Upon seeing her, the First Lady kindly asked, "Haven’t seen much of you lately, why are you so thin?"

Flora smiled gently, "Maybe I haven’t been sleeping well lately."

The First Lady understood, "Arthur is busy with state affairs, it’s inevitable he neglects you, as a couple, you should be more understanding. Besides, with his status, it’s inevitable some improper women will throw themselves at him. If you find anything, just tell me, I’ll stand up for you."

Hearing this, Flora was sure she knew about her son’s affair with Stellan.

"I heard... there’s a woman named Grace Hughes in our courtyard who always gives Your Highness flirtatious looks, intending to seduce, and she’s even Stellan Quinn’s close friend..."

"Oh?" The First Lady immediately said, "Then I’ll have someone drive her out later, so she doesn’t get in the way."

"Thank you, Mom."

"We’re family, no need to thank me. You should try to get pregnant soon, having a child will stabilize your relationship with Arthur."

Flora didn’t take it seriously but agreed verbally, "I understand, Mother."

After leaving her mother-in-law, Flora got in the car.

Originally she and Lewis would chat now and then, but ever since that night, their conversations became scarce. They hardly spoke a word in a day.

"Lewis..."

"Hmm?"

"You..." Flora hesitated, "You don’t want to stay by my side anymore? If that’s the case, tell me, I’ll allow you to leave."

"Are you sincerely thinking this way?"

"Yes."

"I don’t have such thoughts," Lewis clarified, "And please don’t think that way anymore."

Flora glanced at him secretly, then lowered her head again to say, "Then please don’t ignore me, I see you the most every day, if you don’t talk, I’ll be bored to death."

"Alright, I understand."

Flora’s lips curled into a smile, she toyed with her fingers, thought for a moment and asked, "Lewis, how many times have you been in love before?"

"Once, we broke up because I couldn’t often be with her."

"Breaking up with you is really her loss."

"I’m not that good, she left me, it’s the right decision," he said, "Miss, you don’t really know me."

"I believe in my own feelings." Flora rested her face on the seat in front and said softly, "There is no future with Arthur Bennett, now he needs our Palmer Family and won’t do anything to me, but one day he won’t need us, then he’ll find a way to get rid of me."

Lewis didn’t speak, the car moved smoothly.

——

Seeing Lucy come downstairs humming a tune, Jacob raised an eyebrow, "What got you so happy?"

"Grace Hughes has left the Presidential Mansion too." She pulled out a chair and sat down, "Flora went to the First Lady, the recorder caught how angry Grace Hughes was."

"Outside of the Presidential Mansion, she and Stellan can’t easily stir up trouble. By the way, this morning Mason said, Northriver City Police Station has already revoked Mason Baker’s position as detective team leader."

"As expected."

"Today is the first day Elliot Gill takes office, he sent an invitation, I need to go to Northriver to congratulate him and discuss some cooperation matters."

"Okay, go ahead, James sent a message saying his parents are having him go home for a matchmaking date. He insists on dragging me along to help him evaluate. Today his parents are bringing the girl and her parents to meet in the city, we arranged to have lunch together."

"Would the girl willingly come to the city to meet him?"

"You don’t understand, rural young men with a house, car, and high-paying jobs in Ningham City are highly welcomed in ten villages, eight miles around. The rural girls who come for matchmaking look at conditions, and with good conditions, why not come over?"

"I’ve always wondered why James has no romantic feelings for you, it’s really rare."

"You think I’m a peerless beauty that everyone loves?" Lucy smiled warmly, "James and I have played together since we can remember, making mud pies, shaping clay figures, playing jump rope, hide and seek, marbles - he’s always treated me well. When I’m greedy for apples, he steals them for me from the nearby orchard. When my clothes are torn, he takes them home for his mom to sew. When someone bullies me, he defends me. Sometimes when I’m punished by grandparents and not allowed to eat, I go to his house to freeload meals. Didn’t I tell you? In my first year of university, I couldn’t afford tuition, so James gave me the money he was supposed to use for learning hairstyling. There are too many such stories, our friendship is solid, how could he have romantic feelings for me."

"I really appreciate him." Jacob smiled dotingly, "Before he knew me, he was by your side to protect you."

"Because of him, my childhood wasn’t so miserable. James is a very important person to me."

Jacob went to Northriver to celebrate Elliot Gill’s appointment but met Flora at the office door before seeing Elliot.

"My brother is inside."

Jacob nodded, "You’re leaving?"

"Yes, you can go in."

"Mm."

Elliot Gill’s secretary knocked on the door, "President Gill, Green Group’s CEO is here."

"Please come in."

The secretary opened the door, "CEO Green, please."

Jacob went in, bodyguards stayed outside the door.

Elliot Gill shook hands with Jacob, "Welcome to you."

"It’s a pleasure, congratulations."

"Thank you, please have a seat."