CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 44: PROUD OF MY DESOLATION AND POVERTY NOWADAYS 3_2

But it wasn’t until Isabella Joanna returned from abroad that she found out Rebecca Quentin had already gone overseas. For the next year, the two lost contact. It wasn’t until three years ago, when Isabella Joanna finally received responses to the emails she had been relentlessly sending to Rebecca Quentin, that they reconnected.

"Let the past be the past. It was just a minor interruption in my life," Rebecca Quentin replied lightly, as if this was a realization born from extreme pain.

"I heard he’s already engaged and his career is flourishing. I presume he’s still living well!"

Rebecca Quentin remained silent.

Isabella Joanna suddenly asked, "Becca, in these four years, have you two been in contact? Or has Howard Geoffrey ever tried to find you?"

They had never loved each other, and now they were strangers living in two different worlds. How could they possibly still have any contact?

Shrugging as if it didn’t matter, Rebecca Quentin answered truthfully, "There’s no point in talking about this anymore... Enough about me, tell me about you!"

Isabella Joanna sighed. "Actually, I’ve had my own share of troubles these past few years..."

"Go on, I’m listening."

"You know I’ve been single all these years. But during the last fashion show in London, I met a very shameless man..."

「The next morning」

When Rebecca Quentin woke up, she discovered that Isabella Joanna had already packed her things and left the hotel.

Rebecca Quentin knew Isabella Joanna was flying out of G City for work early that morning, but she was surprised that Isabella Joanna had left without saying goodbye.

Fearing something might have happened to Isabella Joanna, Rebecca Quentin picked up the phone on the bedside table, intending to call her. But the moment she picked up the phone, she inadvertently saw a note and a silver bank card left on the bedside table.

Puzzled, Rebecca Quentin picked up the note and opened it—

"My dear,

"I’m so sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. The truth is, I knew if you were awake, I wouldn’t have the heart to leave you.

"Thank you for your warm hospitality yesterday. I know how difficult things are for you right now.

"Did you know, two months ago, I came to G City...

"I originally wanted to surprise you, since you were always too busy to meet. But when I arrived at the company where you said you worked, I found out you weren’t actually working there...

"You lied to me, my dear...

"I spent a whole month in G City searching desperately for you. Later, I accidentally walked by a jewelry shop and discovered you had joined Leonard.

"When I stood outside the window watching you painstakingly introduce jewelry to customers, I couldn’t control my tears...

"My dearest, I never imagined you’ve had such a difficult life these past four years...

"Do you know, yesterday, when you tried so hard to convince me you were still doing well, I felt so heartbroken for you...

"Howard Geoffrey, that damn man! I wish I could tear him limb from limb right now...

"If you hadn’t met him, I believe you would still be the innocent, naive young girl you once were, never like you are now...

"But, I’m so glad you were so calm and at peace when you talked about him last night. A man like him is utterly unworthy of someone as wonderful as you...

"Becca, I sincerely hope you find happiness and joy in the days to come.

"I know your pride will make you reluctant to accept this card, but it’s a token of my feelings. Please accept it..."

Stunned, Rebecca Quentin sat on the bed as tears welled in her eyes, eventually streaming down her cheeks and dripping onto the white bedsheet.

Despite everything not going her way, life had to go on...

After checking out of the hotel, Rebecca Quentin had originally planned to go home first to shower and change. However, she realized it was too late and, to avoid being late for work, decided to go directly to Leonard.

But after rushing to Leonard in a taxi, she had just stepped out of the cab when, in her haste, she accidentally collided with an oncoming car.

The owner of the car had been leaning back in his seat, casually on a call—

"Brother, you can’t blame me for this. Dora didn’t even notify us when he got married. How was I supposed to know what this Miss Quentin looks like? Afterwards, the newspapers often published pictures of Dora and his ’new wife,’ but they were almost all candid shots, so how could I get a clear look? Besides, I don’t have time to scrutinize Dora’s women all day... This Rebecca Quentin doesn’t look like her either. Probably just someone with the same name. After all, her looks aren’t stunning enough to catch Dora’s interest..."

BANG—

A sudden loud noise sounded. The man in the car put down his phone, frowning in annoyance. "What happened?"

"Sorry, General Leonard, it seems we’ve hit someone."

"Get out and take a look."

"Yes, sir." The driver scrambled out of the car as if escaping.

By now, Rebecca Quentin had fallen to the ground and was wincing in pain as she tried to push herself up.

The driver got out and rushed to help Rebecca Quentin up, asking nervously, "Miss, are you alright?"

Once Rebecca Quentin was standing, she saw that her dress was dirtied. Even more tragically, the sudden impact of sitting on the ground had caused the fabric to tear from rubbing against the pavement, leaving her looking utterly disheveled.

Perhaps her mood from earlier this morning was affecting her now. Seeing her ruined borrowed dress and her own disheveled state, her nose tingled, and Rebecca Quentin suddenly burst into tears...

Faced with Rebecca Quentin crying before him, the driver was at a loss. "Miss, Miss..."

Seeing a female figure in white ahead, Roger Leonard, who was still in the car, suddenly felt a flicker of interest and got out.

The driver respectfully called out, "General Leonard."

Only after getting out of the car did Roger Leonard realize that the person standing before him was none other than the ’Rebecca Quentin’ he had just been discussing on the phone.

Perhaps yesterday, seeing her in a salesclerk’s attire and only finding her vaguely familiar, he had merely thought she was ordinary. He hadn’t noticed then how exquisite her features were, nor how fine her figure was.

When she stood before him in her white dress, head lowered and sobbing, her pitifully beautiful face was surprisingly stirring...

"’You...’ Faced with such a heart-stirring woman, Roger Leonard found himself momentarily speechless. ’Do you need a tissue?’"

Hearing his voice, perhaps fearing her disheveled state would be seen, Rebecca Quentin didn’t even lift her head. She choked out a, "Thank you," and turned to leave.

Roger Leonard was quite surprised. When he saw Rebecca Quentin again half an hour later, she had regained her radiance. Standing at the counter and smiling at customers, there was no trace of her earlier emotions visible at all.