Love's Redemption

Redmption 22

“Mrs. Goodwin? W–What are you doing here?” I stammered.

Gordon, who was equally surprised, asked Jewel the same thing.

Jewel adjusted her robe. “I live here.” Her eyes fell on the keys in my hand. “Do you usually enter other people’s homes without knocking?”

Gordon stepped forward. “What? No… This house was prepared by Mr. Gildon for Ms. Crown.”

As he spoke, he fumbled with his phone, hastily calling Chris. In his panic, he accidentally put the call on speakerphone. “Mr. Gildon, the house at Dazzle Residences-”

Before Gordon could finish speaking, Chris cut him off, “That house is for Jewel.”

Jewel’s smile grew wider before my eyes.

“What about Ms. Crown…” Gordon tried to ask, but Chris interrupted him again. “I’ll arrange something else for Madeline. Don’t let her find out about this.” Gordon looked at me, his face flushed with embarrassment and guilt as if he was the one who had wronged me.

He didn’t dare say more, knowing it was his mistake to bring me here without verifying with Chris first.

But it was too late.

I didn’t expose the truth. Gordon would surely lose his job otherwise.

With the economy in a downturn and many companies laying off employees, it was hard to find a well–paying job. Gordon had just started dating someone last month. If he got fired now, his

relationship might not survive.

I didn’t lose my temper or act out. Even I was impressed with my own composure at this moment.

Gordon awkwardly hung up the phone and looked at me apologetically. “Ms. Crown…”

“It’s not your fault.” I said after a brief pause, “Mr. Yates, why don’t you sit over there and have some coffee? I need to talk to Mrs. Goodwin.”

I didn’t want Gordon to leave, just in case Jewel decided to pull some fainting or stomach pain stunt. It would be harder to explain myself if I were alone.

After reassuring Gordon, I glanced at Jewel. She was looking at me with a mixture of wariness, defensiveness, and a readiness to confront me head–on.

However, I didn’t give her the reaction she expected. Instead, I began to survey the spacious apartment.

It appeared to be over 2000 square feet, with a simple yet meticulously detailed design. What caught my eye was the floor–to–ceiling window with a cozy beanbag and a small table in front of it; it was reminiscent of a painting I once made.

The morning sunlight lazily streamed through the glass immediately soothing any underlying tension.

The apartment was in the best location in all of Hilcord, with an optimal floor position. To the left was the CBD commercial center, offering a view of the Gildon Corporation building, and to the right was the vast, undulating sea, with flocks of seagulls soaring freely in the sky.

This was my dream house.

Gordon said this was Chris‘ gift for me. I could tell Chris had put some thought into it.

However, now his intentions seemed misguided.

After I finished inspecting the living room, I looked at the other rooms‘ arrangements. The bedroom, bathroom, and open kitchen were all designed according to my preferences. This layout was exactly like the one in my painting.

The way I didn’t say anything and only continued observing made the two people in the room increasingly uncomfortable.

Jewel felt especially disturbed.

“Madeline, I’m sure you heard Chris loud and clear. This house is mine. Please leave. I need to rest.”

I withdrew my gaze and looked at her, recalling the bedding she had chosen yesterday. “Has Chris slept here?”

Jewel pursed her lips.

“Let me be more direct.” I smiled. “Have you two fucked?”

“Madeline, how can you say something like that?” Jewel’s pale face showed a few traces of feigned superiority.

“You haven’t?” I glanced at her belly. “Oh, right, now’s not the best time for you to do that.”