Chapter 43
Sally stopped and glanced back at Lena.
Lena wore a gentle smile, but there was a sharp edge hidden in her eyes.
Sally turned around and sneered, “Now I finally get why you and Brad are always together. You two really are cut from the same cloth.”
As soon as she finished, Lena’s expression darkened.
Elise snapped, “Sally, what kind of crap are you talking about? If you can’t say anything decent, just keep your mouth shut!”
Sally shot back, “Brad also thought I took his one million dollars, but I made that money myself selling the lion statues. Funny how you both say exactly the same thing. Only people who are two of a kind could be that in sync.”
Lena was left speechless.
Brad really bought that pair of lion statues from Sally.
There was no doubt about it.
Elise couldn’t stand seeing Lena bullied. She stepped in and shot back at Sally, “With your lousy medical skills, your clinic will tank in no time. That one million dollars won’t last long. If you can’t get a single patient, it’ll be beyond embarrassing.”
Sally shot back, “Don’t worry. Even with my so–called lousy medical skills, fixing whatever is wrong with your brain would be a breeze.”
“You!” Elise was so mad that her chest was heaving.
“If nobody else can help you, you’re welcome to come see me. Once our clinic opens, we’ll be happy to have you anytime,” Sally pulled out a business card and shoved it right into Elise’s hand. Then she strode off without looking back.
Elise glared at Sally’s retreating figure and then looked down at the card in her hand, fuming.
Elise cursed, “Acupuncture, cupping, acupoint therapy… what a joke.
‘She’s just a scam artist, only good at fooling old folks. If she ends up killing someone, let’s see how she talks her way out of that!”
Lena glanced at the card in Elise’s hand, listening to her rant and rave.
She turned to Elise. “When is Sally’s clinic opening?”
Elise shot her a look. “Why do you even care? Don’t tell me you actually want to support her!”
Lena’s expression softened and she gave a calm smile. “I just want to send Mrs. Zale a grand opening gift.”
The moment Elise saw that smile, she immediately caught on.
She handed the card to Lena. “I’ll find out for you.”
“No.” Lena reached out her fair, delicate hand and pushed the card back. “It wouldn’t be right for me to send it. It has to come from you.”
Elise pressed, “So what are you planning?”
Lena just smiled mysteriously, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
That evening, when Sally brought Lillian home, she spotted a familiar figure from a distance.
Jaxon leaned against his car, wearing a sharp white shirt and tailored pants that accentuated his long legs. On the phone, he looked cool and distant, exuding an air of authority that kept people at bay.
When he glanced over and accidentally met Sally’s eyes, she was a little taken aback.
Jaxon hung up and walked over to them.
“Mr. Zale, what brings you here all of a sudden?” Sally asked, standing in front of him with Lillian by her side, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
“Just came to see Lillian,” he replied casually, his gaze landing on Lillian.
“Lillian, say hi to Mr. Zale, Sally prompted gently.
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Lillian obediently stepped forward and greeted him softly, “Hi, Mr. Zale.”
Jaxon teased with a faint smile, “How come you’re not calling me Dad anymore?”
Lillian blushed and quickly hid behind Sally, a shy smile on her face.
Sally chuckled at the scene, “Since you’re here, why not come up for some coffee?”
Jaxon nodded lightly. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you alone about something.”
“Okay.” Sally led Lillian inside Windmere Estates, with Jaxon following right behind.
Once they got home, Lillian went off to do her homework, leaving just Sally and Jaxon in the living room.
Sally poured him a cup of coffee and handed it over. “Here, have some coffee, Mr. Zale.”
“Thank you.” Jaxon took the cup but didn’t drink right away. “I came today because I wanted to talk to you about making Lillian my goddaughter.”
Sally paused for a moment. “Mr. Zale, are you actually serious about this?”
“If we’re going to put on a show, we might as well go all in.” Jaxon spun the cup in his hand. “Since the word’s already out, we should do it right. Later, you can ask Lillian if she’d like to be my goddaughter…”
“I want to!” Before Jaxon could even finish, a young voice suddenly called out from the doorway.
Sally and Jaxon both turned to see Lillian standing there, hugging her workbook.
Sally’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Looks like Lillian really likes Mr. Zale.”
Lillian grinned and then turned and headed back to her room, leaving the door half open.
Jaxon looked away, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he finished off his coffee in one go.
Sally suggested, “Mr. Zale, in that case, let’s have dinner together soon and do a simple ceremony. That way, it’s settled.”
“Alright.” Jaxon nodded, his smile growing a bit wider.
It was the first time Sally had ever seen him smile.
His smile was honestly mesmerizing.
Truthfully, the reason she agreed to this was just to give Lillian another layer of protection. With so many threats around, no one knew what the future would bring.
If Lillian had Jaxon backing her, even just as his goddaughter, no one in Westmere would dare mess with her.
“When’s your clinic opening?” Jaxon’s voice snapped Sally out of her thoughts.
She looked up and gave a soft smile. “In about five days.”
“That’s pretty efficient,” he said lightly.
Sally gave a gentle smile. “You’re flattering me, Mr. Zale.”
Jaxon said he had something else to take care of and needed to head out first, so Sally walked him to the door.
As they stepped outside and reached the stairs, her shoe suddenly slipped, and she instinctively leaned back.
Right before she could fall, a pair of strong hands caught her waist. She quickly grabbed onto Jaxon’s arm, her body lurching forward on reflex.
They were so close that, by accident, her lips brushed right against his Adam’s apple.
For a split second, it felt like the whole world stopped.
Jason’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
Sally quickly steadied herself and stepped out of his arms.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” After sneaking a glance at his throat, Sally instinctively lowered her gaze.
Jaxon looked at her, but his eyes lingered on her lips.
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Suddenly, he reached out with his long, defined fingers and gently lifted her chin.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
