Where Love Lingered, Hatred Burnt

Rebecca held the microphone with a pleasant smile, but her eyes were sharp and challenging as she stared at Louisa.

“Miss Jacobson, there have been many rumors about you,” she said smoothly.

“From visiting brothels to fighting with the young members of the Harrison Family. Why do you rarely speak about women’s struggles and instead focus only on living a wild, wasteful life?”

The room went silent for a few seconds. Then, camera flashes went off in a frenzy. Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded with comments. Rebecca’s fans and Louisa’s critics filled the screen with harsh words.

[You’re wasting the Jacobson Family’s wealth, caring only about your own pleasure and showing no sense of responsibility to society.]

[What a shameless woman! She must only be good in bed. Otherwise, how could she have trapped Mr. Griswolds?]

Simon, who sat nearby, turned grim because of anger. Nevertheless, he didn’t move or speak. On the other hand, Louisa clenched her fists tightly. She then lifted her head to meet Rebecca’s gaze.

She spoke firmly, “This question doesn’t matter, so I won’t answer it.”

After she said that, Louisa raised her hand to signal the end of the interview and walked toward a quiet corner to breathe. As she left, Rebecca quickly followed and blocked her way. Her usual gentle look was gone.

“Louisa, do you really think Mr. Griswolds would truly love a woman like you? Someone who only wastes money and still dares to throw it at others?”

Louisa stopped and slowly turned her head. A cold, sarcastic smile tugged at her lips as she replied in a flat voice, “What does it matter if I spend my own family’s money? If Simon doesn’t love me, does that mean he actually loves you?”

“The Griswolds Family and mine are a perfect match. And you, a greedy gold digger, are accusing me of throwing money around?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a sudden creaking sound came from above. The next moment, a heavy light fixture broke loose and crashed down. Screams erupted as the crowd scattered in panic.

Simon reacted instantly and rushed forward. But the first person he grabbed was Rebecca, who was standing farther away from the falling light. He scooped her up and ran to safety.

Louisa, who was standing right beneath the fixture, couldn’t dodge in time. It smashed into her shoulder with brutal force, which knocked her out. Her vision blurred to black as she collapsed. Just before she lost consciousness, she saw Simon desperately checking Rebecca for injuries worily.

When Louisa woke up, she was lying in a hospital bed.

As soon as her eyes opened, Simon leaned over as he asked her in panic, “Louisa, you’re awake! Are you in pain?”

Louisa shook her head slightly as she lowered her lashes to hide her emotions. The ache in her shoulder was nothing compared to the sharp, aching pain deep in her heart. After a moment of silence, she looked at Simon and spoke calmly with a hoarse voice, “Simon, you like Rebecca.”

In response, Simon froze as his brows knitted.

His voice was steady but firm as he responded, “Louisa, don’t think nonsense. How could I like her? I only love you. What happened yesterday was an accident.”

“Really?” Louisa cut him off with her lips curling into a faint, bitter smile as she met his gaze.

“If you only love me, then give Rebecca some money and tell her to leave New York. Tell her never to come back.”

Simon’s expression darkened, but his voice was full of disapproval.

“Louisa, don’t be selfish. Rebecca came here for her career as a reporter. She’s working hard and deserves support. I’m just repaying her for saving my life. You can’t be so unreasonable.”

Louisa listened quietly, then suddenly let out a soft laugh. She didn’t argue with him out loud. In her heart, she whispered to herself, ‘She won’t leave … but I will.’

Just then, the ward door burst open with a flustered nurse rushing in.

“Mr. Griswolds, Miss Harrison is having a nightmare. She’s talking in her sleep, repeating that the cave is cold. She’s very agitated.”

Simon’s expression changed immediately. He jumped to his feet without hesitation. Louisa watched his anxious expression and spoke slowly and calmly, “Go ahead. After all, she saved your life. That’s a debt you’ll carry forever.”

Simon paused for a moment. When he saw no trace of jealousy on Louisa’s face, he felt relieved. He surely was thinking that Louisa had finally come to understand him. He then leaned down and kissed her forehead gently.

“Rest well, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon.”

After that, Simon turned and hurried out of the room without looking back. Louisa just stared at his retreating figure, while wiping the tears spilling before reaching for the bedside call button to press it.