Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Lewis could tell that his family was very pleased with Doris, or else Janice wouldn’t have given such a valuable gift.
“Doris, our family doesn’t have much to give you. Just keep this jade bracelet. It’s yours” Janice gently patted her hand.
“No, no, this is too precious.” Doris was about to take it off.
“It’s really not.” Janice lied. “Its value lies in its legacy. This bracelet was passed from Lewis’s great–grandmother to his grandmother, then from her to me, and now I’m passing it on to you.
“You’ll pass it on to your children, and it will be passed down through the generations. Our family will thrive through the ages. So Doris, do your best, I’m hoping to hold a grandson soon. But don’t feel pressured, just let things happen naturally.
“Doris, from now on, it’s your responsibility to take care of Lewis. If he dares treat you badly, just tell us. I’ll make him kneel at the door for three days as punishment.”
“That’s a little too much, thought Lewis. He had literally fallen out of favor with the elders.
“Lewis, learn from your dad. Take care of your wife. If you don’t, someone else will.” Henry patted Lewis on the shoulder. “Doris, come visit us when you have time.”
“Okay.” After seeing off the Hartman family elders, Doris returned to the house and handed Lewis the money and jade bracelet she received. “You should keep these with you.”
These weren’t really hers to receive, especially the jade bracelet, which carried deep meaning.
Lewis raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t want it?”
“It’s not mine, so I shouldn’t keep it,” she said with self–awareness.
“What if I told you this jade bracelet is priceless? It could give you enough money to last for several lifetimes. You still don’t want it?”
“Then I definitely shouldn’t take it,” Doris said firmly, placing the items in front of Lewis. “I know how to make money with integrity.”
Wasn’t she the one who was greedy for money?
Facing such a huge temptation, why did she show no sign of wavering, and there was not a hint of greed in her eyes? Instead, her eyes were full of sincerity.
In the time Doris had spent with Lewis, she had been somewhat money–driven, but as she had said, she earned it through her own efforts and didn’t take shortcuts.
Lewis was moved by Doris’s honest and clear gaze. He pushed the items back toward her. “Since my mom and the others gave it to you, it’s yours.”
“When we divorce, this bracelet will be returned to you. It’s better to give it to you now, I’m afraid I might lose it and can’t compensate you.” Doris felt’nervous.
“If you lose it, you can pay me with yourself,” Lewis said with a teasing tone.
“I’m not worth much,” Doris said. Even if she sold herself, she couldn’t pay it back.
“Whether you’re worth it or not is for me to decide.” Lewis ordered, “Take it.”
Doris remained unmoving. “I have something to do. I’m leaving. You can take care of dinner yourself.”
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Chapter 40
With that, dhe leh
Then, Doris didn’t see Lewis for three consecutive days.
One afternoon, Boris delivered takeout to Goodwin LLP. She carried two big bags of drinks and snacks up to the 8th floor.
She hadn’t even reached the front desk when she turned around and locked eyes with a pair of cold, sharp eyes.
Doris thought to herself, ‘Oh no, and immediately tumed to escape, but Lewis called out, “Doris, stop!”
Boris froze in place at the anger hidden in his voice but didn’t dare turn around. She even lifted the paper bag she was holding to hide her face.
She had completely forgotten that this was Ivan’s law firm, and never expected to run into Lewis here.
She was so unlucky, Lewis walked up to her and looked at the paper bag she was holding in front of her face. “Are you trying to be like an ostrich, burying your head in the sand?”
Doris awkwardly lowered the paper bag, pretending to be surprised. “How come it’s you?”
“Is this what you call overtime?” Lewis raised an eyebrow.
Doris was wearing a “Foodexpress” vest and a blue helmet with the same logo and words printed on it.
He thought she was working overtime at Hampstone Hotel, but this was a real surprise.
“Don’t look down on people. Delivering takeout is a serious job,” Doris said, trying to hold her ground despite feeling a little
nervous.
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Lewis’s eyes flashed with coldness.
Doris felt a chill run down her spine. “I’m in a hurry. Let me finish delivering this, okay? If I get a bad review, all my hard work will be wasted.”
Though Lewis was angry, seeing how hard she was working softened his heart.
He said in a stiff tone, “Get home early tonight.”
“Okay.” Doris quickly put down the bag and slipped away.
Doris didn’t get home until midnight. She thought Lewis should be asleep by then, but when she opened the door, she saw light in the living room.
Lewis came out of the bedroom, wearing black pajamas, looking unwell. “Didn’t I tell you to come home early?”
“This is early for me,” she replied. Normally, she would get home around one or two in the morning.
Doris wrung her hands, lips pursed slightly, with innocent, watery eyes full of grievance, as if he had bullied her.
Lewis had many questions, but it was late and Doris was exhausted, so he swallowed the words that almost came out.
“Get some rest. I need to talk to you in the morning. Did you hear me?”
“Yeah.” Doris looked like she had been granted a pardon.
Lewis turned to go back to his room, and Doris immediately went to her room to wash up
In the morning, Lewis surprisingly made breakfast and handed Doris a glass of milk.
and rest.
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Chapter 40
“Thank you” She took the cup and drank a sip.
“Is something wrong?” Lewis asked, cracking the shell of a boiled egg and peeling it.
“No.” Doris shook her head, unwilling to explain why she was delivering food.
“Is it because things weren’t going well at the hotel and you changed jobs?” Lewis guessed.
“I do food delivery as a part–time job.” Doris lowered her head, avoiding his sharp gaze. “I just want to earn a little more while I’m young and have the energy.”
“Ryan is from a rich family. Didn’t he give you any compensation when you broke up? Is that why you’re working so hard?” Lewis glanced at Doris, probing.
Doris set down her cup and looked up, her eyes emotionless. “You also think I asked him for one million dollars as a breakup fee? Are you saying I’m playing the victim here in front of you?
“I’m just an ordinary person, not greedy.
“If I really had one million dollars, I wouldn’t have to work myself to the bone.
“But the feelings and time I’ve invested can’t be measured by money. Even if he was a jerk, I just considered myself unlucky and didn’t take the money and tarnish my dignity.
“Of course, when we get divorced, I won’t need a single cent from you, because it’s my own choice.
“I’ve finished eating. I’ll leave now.”
Lewis furrowed his brow, realizing he had tested Doris twice already and that she didn’t seem as greedy as he thought.
Maybe he had misunderstood her? So that was why she was so angry?
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