Love Me The Way I Did

Margaret could feel that Gideon’s mood had worsened, but she didn’t care. In her opinion, it would be better if he was pissed off by others so that he wouldn’t bother her anymore.

“Okay, got it,” Gideon replied halfheartedly and turned away slightly, clearly not wanting Margaret to know who was on the other end of the phone.

He thought that he was discreet enough, but he forgot how well she knew him.

Every time Roxanne called in the past, Gideon would have the same reaction in front of Margaret. She couldn’t pretend not to know and sneered, thinking Roxanne was probably up to her tricks again.

She hoped Roxanne’s tactics would be better than a few years ago, enough to keep Gideon preoccupied, and he wouldn’t have time to come looking for her again.

As soon as Gideon hung up, Margaret asked considerately, “Are you leaving?”

Gideon stared at Margaret’s face for a long time. He saw nothing unusual but a faint sense of expectation there.

“No.” Gideon didn’t want Margaret to feel triumphant, so he changed his mind. He wasn’t rushing to the Lambert residence and thought it might be good to leave them in the cold so that they wouldn’t think they could control him. The Lambert family had indeed helped him in the past, but he had also paid them back over the years.

Without the Compton family, the Lambert family would have gone into downfall And if it weren’t for his reputation and unfinished

ambitions, he would have cut ties with the Lambert family. Now the dividing between the two families was only a matter of time.

“Are you willing to let your fiancée toss and turn alone at night?” Gideon’s unexpected move irritated Margaret, completely spoiling her good

mood for the day.

“And what about you? How could you bear to let me toss and turn alone for five years?” Gideon truly knew how to hit back.

“You’re funny, Mr. Compton. Have you been short of female company in the past five years?” Margaret asked sarcastically. Just because she wasn’t in the country didn’t mean she didn’t know anything happening there. There would be people who always sent her updates from time

to time.

Gideon was clueless about Margaret’s life over the past five years, but she knew everything about him.

Despite his upright appearance, there were several rumors about him and some celebrities and socialites. Some were true and some were false. But strangely enough, Margaret could distinguish between what was true and what wasn’t. She thought that maybe she owed her keen reporter’s instincts to Gideon.

“It seems that you still care about me.” Gideon could always find words that favored him, which was why he could win negotiations over and

over again.

With Margaret, Gideon employed all the tactics he used in business. He didn’t understand the difference between business and emotions.

“Mr. Compton, you’re too self-centered. It’s not that I want to pay attention to you, but there are just too many rumors about you circulating. I can hear people gossiping about you wherever I go,” Margeret said.

“Should I be happy about my fame?” Gideon asked.

“Suit yourself. Anyway, I need to rest. You can leave now.” Margaret bluntly dismissed him.

“I’ll stay with you,” said Gideon.

“Mr. Compton, you should head back and be with your fiancée. I don’t need you here.” Margaret insisted, continuing to urge him to leave. She Intended to open all the windows in the house so that Gideon’s presence would dissipate once he left.

“What if I insist on staying? Gideon asked.

“Then, I’ll leave,” Margaret wasn’t joking. She was ready to go back to her room and get her purse.

Since coming back, she hadn’t had the chance to enjoy the bustling nightlife. As a young woman, she felt that it was time to let loose a bit.

Gideon was still sitting in his seat, unmoving Margaret thought that he probably thought she was just bluffing.

Too lazy to bother with the male chauvinism, she walked into the bedroom, locked the door, changed into a camisole and shorts, let down her hair, put on some lipstick, and prepared to go out.

Gideon had to admit that Margaret was impressive. It had been a long time since someone had made him angry in an instant. ‘Look at how she’s dressed, with her shoulders and thighs exposed. How many men on the street would have criminal thoughts looking at her? Does she know how attractive she is? he thought.

Without even glancing at Gideon, Margaret walked straight to the door and took a pair of high heels. Just as she opened the door, Gideon grabbed her arm from behind and pressed her against the door.

“Woman, you’re smart,” Gideon praised, although the compliment lacked sincerity.

“Thank you for your compliment. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going out. Please let me go, Mr. Compton.” Margaret provocatively pushed out

her chest, but she was unaware that it was a slight stimulus for Gideon. While it didn’t make him lose control, it did remind him of many

pleasant moments.

If he could, Gideon would really want to relive those past moments then.

He knew that if he wanted to, he could definitely seduce Margaret that night. But afterward, neither of them would be happy, and she would

start avoiding him again.

Having experienced her hiding skills, he was genuinely worried that she would hide completely and he would never find her again.

“Maggie, let’s take it slow this time, but I won’t let you go, Gideon said. He planted a light kiss on Margaret’s shoulder before opening the door, taking her with him in a spin. Then, he looked at her in a lingering manner for a moment and left.

Flipping her hair haughtily, Margaret made a face at Gideon’s back and triumphantly flashed a victory sign. Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt that she shouldn’t waste her outfit and made a call before heading out.

Having returned for almost half a month, it was time for her to catch up with her friends.

Luciana had always been a party animal. She

he had me

I met her current husband at a bar. At first, she had planned for a one-night stand, but she unexpectedly encountered a scheming man and fell into the grave of marriage.

However, she still maintained her playful and lively nature. Whenever there was an invitation from friends, she always chose a bar as the venue. She always insisted that the place was her lucky charm and that going there would bring her good luck.

But with her married label, she had given up oh those bars with downtempo music and opted for quieter ones. Listening to music and chatting was still a good choice, Otherwise, Margaret wouldn’t have agreed.

Standing at the bar’s entrance, Margaret had already rejected two men who approached her. Looking at those young men nearby, her pride as a woman returned, and her smile became brighter.

They had agreed to meet at 8 p.m., buyLuciana only arrived 10 minutes later, panting and apologizing as she hurried over. There was a

noticeable affection in her demeanor, suggesting she had been lavished with care before arriving. Margaret couldn’t help but wonder if Luciana had deliberately tried to upset her. It felt like their friendship was more like a feud from a past life. She felt like leaving on the spot.

“Sorry for being late,” Luciana said,

“How controlling is Zachary? It’s been three years since I last saw you. Is it that difficult for him to let you spend some time with me?” Margaret said, linking arms with Luciana. She knew Zachary too well, he wanted Luciana by his side every day and refused to let her go

anywhere.

“I’m here, right? You have a lot of clout. Isabel Invited me out a few days ago, but he didn’t let me go out.” Luciana pushed open the bar door and took a deep breath. However, the familiar smell didn’t stir her turbulent heart anymore.

“Isabel’s back, too?” Margaret asked in surprise. Isabel Wood was another best friend of theirs. She was naturally adventurous, and as soon as she graduated, she embarked on travels around the world and became a travel blogger. She earned money and lived the life she wanted, which could be considered a win in life.

“Yeah, she’s back to take a break before setting off again. Zachary was afraid she’d take me away, so he didn’t let me go out with her. Instead, he cooked a table full of dishes and invited her over to supervise our conversation,” Luciana complained.

“Hey, stop showing off. Please spare a thought for a singleton like me.” Margaret pretended to be offended, but she was genuinely happy that Luciana had found her happiness

Everyone had their own stories, and Luciana’s was complicated. She loved to have fun because she was afraid of being lonely. Now that she had someone who would always be with her, making her feel less lonely, Margaret sincerely felt happy for her.

“You could have stopped being a singleton a long time ago if you wanted. Gideon is too fickle and c u n n i n g; he’s not suitable for you. Have you ever considered Dr. Huxley?” Luciana was the only one who knew all of Margaret’s stories. She felt that the latter was tired of being alone and should find someone to rely on.

“Stop it. I didn’t ask you out today to be my matchmaker, Let’s just relax and enjoy.” Margaret shifted the topic.

Luciana knew Margaret’s stubbornness in relationships and sighed. She stopped saying anything more. She skillfully led Margaret to a secluded corner booth, and as soon as they sat down, the waiter came over. The bar was owned by Zachary’s friend, so Luciana had some privilege there.

“Luciana, Zachary said that you can only drink this.” The waiter smiled and offered six bottles of alcopop drinks, each with a different flavor.

Luciana rested her arm on the table and propped up her forehead, feeling speechless. She smiled at Margaret awkwardly. “I have a husband with strict rules.”

Annoyed, Margaret ignored Luciana’s gaze and asked the waiter, “Hey, handsome. Zachary didn’t say I can only drink this, too, right?”

The waiter nodded, and Margaret ordered a glass of Margarita and two bottles of Budweiser, both of which were Luciana’s favorite drinks. But right then, the latter could only watch.

“Maggie, you’ve gone bad,” Luciana commented after taking a sip of the blueberry-flavored alcopop drink.

“People have to grow up,” Margaret replied.

Luciana wanted to ask about her love life and whether her feelings for Gideon had changed as she grew older. But when the words reached fer lips, she swallowed them back. Those unpleasant memories were best left unmentioned.

The two of them chatted as if they were back in college, recounting the events of the past three y

years one by one as if they had never been

apart

When Margaret talked about the several dangerous encounters she had in the war zone, Luciana tightly held her hand, and the latter’s eyes turned slightly red. She suddenly realized how difficult it was to see Margaret, who had made everything sound so simple in emails.