The Genius Bride He Underestimated Chapter 08

The Genius Bride He Underestimated Chapter 08 Little Sister’s Photo

Ronan thought she’d run into someone she knew, so he didn’t go over to interrupt.

Declan strode forward. Just as he reached out to help her up—

Ronan stopped him. “Declan, don’t bother with her. She had it coming.”

Declan pulled her up anyway and asked, “Are you okay?”

Sloane was in too much pain to speak. She didn’t lift her eyes to look at the man in front of her. She only shook her head, limping toward the insulated lunch container that had been knocked away.

Declan turned to Ronan. “Didn’t you see she’s pregnant? This is Jaxson’s company. What if something happens?”

Ronan stared at Sloane’s broad back and let out a cold laugh. “She’s fine, isn’t she? And if something did happen, it’d be better if she lost it.”

The moment Sloane heard that, her body went rigid. Her heart clenched in a sudden, tearing ache.

If Ronan could say something like that, then the only explanation was that Jaxson didn’t want this baby either.

Declan frowned.

Just then.

A bright, sweet voice rang out. “Declan!”

Declan snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. He saw Liora running toward him. The girl wore a beret and a high-quality knit sweater with a pleated skirt. Her slim legs disappeared into white boots. She looked young and radiant, bold and beautiful.

Behind her walked a handsome man, her coat draped over his arm, his gaze fixed on her with open indulgence.

“Why are you running so fast?” Declan scolded. “What if you fall?”

Liora looped her arm through his and pouted. “I’m not a little kid. How would I fall that easily?”

Ronan stepped up. “If Miss Reed ever fell, our great Mr. Cole would probably tear this whole place down and rebuild it.”

Liora’s cheeks flushed. She huffed. “Brother Anming, what are you talking about?”

Jaxson walked over. “Let’s go. We’ll eat first.”

Ronan and Declan had come here to meet Jaxson and Liora.

Liora let go of Declan and reached for the man beside her, her fingers sliding into his hand.

The group headed toward the entrance.

And there, they saw Sloane crouched with difficulty, lifting the insulated container back up.

Jaxson’s face didn’t change. His expression stayed cold, detached.

Liora glanced at him instinctively, then looked away.

They walked straight out of the company doors.

The cars pulled up slowly.

A security guard hurried over to open the door.

Jaxson carefully guided the girl into the car.

Two vehicles drove off.

Sloane turned around with the lunch container in her hand, a mess, and moved slowly toward the elevator.

Back at her desk.

Sloane had no appetite at all. She sat there blankly, motionless. She didn’t even want to cry. She didn’t want to feel wronged. She’d always been tough—she never wanted anyone to see her at her lowest.

But right now, she really wanted to cry.

She really wanted to let it all out.

After lunch, Jaxson and the others went to a golf course.

Declan sat in the lounge area, holding a pocket watch and staring at it. Inside was a photo. A girl who looked about ten, wearing a woven hat, standing by the sea with a conch shell in her hand, smiling so brightly.

“Still looking at your little sister’s photo?” Jaxson’s voice came from behind.

Declan snapped the watch shut and slipped it into the inside pocket of his suit. He lifted his teacup and took a small sip. “It’s nothing.”

He didn’t even know why. Thinking of that pregnant woman Ronan had bullied left him with an inexplicable feeling he couldn’t quite name.

Jaxson looked at Declan. They’d met back when they studied abroad and started a private equity firm together.

After all these years, Jaxson had always known Declan had a biological younger sister. He carried her photo everywhere—proof of how much he missed her.

Back then, his mother had divorced and remarried into the Reed family in Eldermore, bringing him with her. The Reed family was prominent in Eldermore. Declan took his mother’s surname. Mr. Reed had invested heavily in raising him, and now Declan was the executive president of Ward Capital.

“Now that you’re in Halston, you’re not going to look for her?”

Declan shook his head. “Seeing her would only make it hurt more. Maybe she doesn’t even remember she has a brother.”

The year he was taken away by his mother, she had only been nine. More than ten years had passed. In Sloane’s heart, he was probably already blurred into nothing.

Even if they met, they’d just be familiar strangers. What would be the point of that?

“You don’t want to know what she looks like now?”

Declan’s gaze landed on Liora in the distance, as if he were using her to imagine someone else. The corner of his lips lifted faintly. “Probably about the same as Liora. I just don’t know which punk is going to get lucky in the end.”

Jaxson let out a soft chuckle, watching Liora walk toward them. “Liora can’t know you have a biological little sister. If she finds out you’re still this hung up on her, she’ll get jealous.”

Declan said, “I’m not against you dating Liora, but until you sort out your own mess, I’m definitely not letting Liora live with you.”

Jaxson’s lips curved into a shallow smile, but he didn’t respond.

“Bro, what are you guys talking about?”

Declan smiled. “Nothing.”

Ward Capital

Sloane, what’s your problem? You think you’re something special now?”

Thea slammed a stack of documents down in front of Sloane.

Just minutes earlier, Thea had—as usual—tried to dump work that wasn’t Sloane’s onto her. This time, Sloane had refused outright.

Sloane looked at Thea’s flushed face and gave a cold smile. “Thea, if you can’t handle this much work and need someone else to do it for you, maybe you should just quit.”

The other coworkers in the office all turned to watch. Hearing Sloane talk like that caught them off guard. She really seemed like she didn’t care anymore—like she’d decided to burn it all down.

Thea’s face twisted. She raised her hand and lunged forward, ready to slap Sloane.

Sloane grabbed the water cup from her desk and struck first, splashing Thea square in the face.

Thea froze, water dripping down her chin. Then she shrieked, “Sloane, you shameless fat bitch!”

“What’s all this noise?”

Adrian’s voice cut through.

Thea stopped mid-charge. Adrian stormed over, staring at Thea’s soaked, disheveled state. “What happened?”

Thea drew a sharp breath. “I assigned work to Sloane, and she refused to do it.”

Adrian frowned. Displeasure flickered darkly in his eyes as he locked onto Sloane. “Who do you think you are? This is a company, not your living room.”

Sloane yanked the employee badge from her neck and tossed it onto the desk. She met Adrian’s gaze coldly. “Then I quit. Happy now?”

With that.

Sloane grabbed her bag, picked up the insulated lunch container, and walked out.

“Sloane!”

Adrian’s face went red with fury. He hadn’t expected her to dare do this.

Sloane took the elevator down. The moment she stepped out, she ran into Jaxson returning to the office.

When Jaxson saw Sloane, his expression hardened.

Sloane saw him too. Just now, after dropping off his little girlfriend, he was finally coming in. She lowered her eyes and looked away, biting her lip hard to swallow everything churning inside her.

She kept walking.

When she passed him, she didn’t say a word. She walked straight out the company doors.

Sloane hailed a cab and went back to the Emerald Bay Mansion. She was going to pack up and move home.

When she arrived at the villa.

She didn’t see either housekeeper. She didn’t bother asking. She went straight to her room, pulled out a suitcase, and started packing.

She’d lived here over six months. She couldn’t move everything at once, so she only took essentials and clothes. After the divorce, she’d come back for the rest.

She finished packing and was about to leave.

Maren suddenly appeared in the doorway. Seeing her with a suitcase, her face tightened. “What are you doing? Mr. Cole is coming back tonight. Where do you think you’re going? Clean yourself up and get dinner ready for him.”

Jaxson was coming back.

Probably because of the fight with Thea today. Adrian must’ve told him, and now he was coming to put her in her place.

Fine. She’d settle things with him face to face.

Sloane stared at Maren, her voice ice-cold. “Are you the housekeeper, or am I? Should I call Wren right now and tell her you’re angling to be the lady of the house?”

“You… you…”

Maren’s expression shifted. The Sloane who used to be so meek and obedient—how was she suddenly a different person? Talking to her like this. Wasn’t she afraid Mr. Cole would throw her out?

“You’re completely unreasonable. A madwoman.” Maren snorted and turned to leave.

Bang.

Sloane slammed the door.

Maren flinched, then, furious, immediately pulled out her phone and called Lyra.

Sloane leaned against the door from inside, tilting her head back, dragging in deep, ragged breaths.

The feeling of being wronged surged up without warning, and tears spilled down her face.

That night.

Jaxson returned to the villa.

Maren was the first to run to him and tell on Sloane.