Chapter 482 The Joker
When Wrenna hung up the phone, the girls in her dorm were still wide awake. They knew that Wrenna was on the phone with Damian. However, they were astonished that they spoke for so long!
That’s really weird. These two have never done anything like that before or after getting married. Now that they’re officially divorced, do they have endless topics to talk about now? Obviously, something fishy is going on.
They were waiting patiently to talk about this matter. As soon as she ended the call, Dora popped the question. “Wren, why did you two talk for so long? It’s the direct opposite of when you were in a relationship with him. It’s almost two hours. Aren’t your ears tired? I’m surprised your phone didn’t explode.”
Wrenna fell silent. She was unsure how to respond. “What’s going on, Wren? Haven’t you gotten over Mr. Quigley?”
“I think Damian is the one acting strange here. Wren has always had feelings for him. How could she just erase everything in a flash? The thing is that Damian was the one who called her first and went on talking to her for hours. Don’t you think that it’s weird? Wren, what is he thinking?”
Wrenna was dumbstruck. “I have no idea. Maybe he’s just bored.”
“He called you up because he was bored? Then, who did he call when he felt bored last time? I’ve never seen him being so keen. I’m pretty sure something is off. You’d better beware, Wren.”
“Beware of what?”
“That he wants to make up!”
Wrenna chuckled. “You girls think too much. Damian and I are divorced. I’m not his type. We’re just god siblings. At most, we’re a pair of close god siblings. It’s impossible for us to be together again. Anyhow, once bitten twice shy, so I won’t consider that possibility.”
“If that’s what you’re thinking, I’m relieved. Never look back, Wren. Instead, you should look around for more options on campus. In the near future, I’m certain you’ll find a better man. If nothing works out, I’ll introduce my fellow acquaintance to you. Just make do with it. He’s from my hometown…”
“Shh… Dora, how can one make do when it comes to an important matter like this? You’re overthinking things. I can’t even cope with my studies now, let alone develop a relationship. We shall see once I’ve successfully completed the two-year program and graduate with a degree.”
They pondered for a while.
It’s true. Wrenna is so busy nowadays. She can’t even find time to juggle with her studies.
At first, Wrenna found Damian’s action strange too. However, after talking it out with the girls, she made up her mind to prioritize her studies.
She was not very interested in economics. Therefore, studying the course was quite a challenge for her. In order to graduate, she needed to go the extra mile and put in a lot more effort.
I don’t want to bear the shame of getting my family to support me financially if I fail to graduate.
The following day, Wrenna attended her lecture formally. She met some new coursemates as well as the counselor. Upon learning more about her schedules, she realized that she would not have much free time to socialize. She had set her mind to be utterly focused and serious from the very first lecture. She was so hardworking that her world only revolved around her studies.
With Wrenna turning over a new leaf, her good influence had rubbed off on her friends. Gradually, they also became more enthusiastic in their studies.
Not many of Wrenna’s coursemates were as attentive and hardworking like her.
It had been a while since Stella resigned from her previous company. Recently, she succeeded in becoming the CEO of a particular company.
Apparently, the only reason why the most authoritative director of the said company appointed her as the CEO was because they were having a fling.
Many people within the business world were tacitly aware of the constant rumors involving Stella and Nigel Lourdel, the company director. Burnham hit the ceiling, and he was extremely embarrassed upon knowing Stella cheated on him. Above all, he was really disappointed in her.
He was wrong about Stella. Initially, he justified her actions as being young and ignorant. Later on, he realized that she was just downright greedy and over ambitious.
After getting what she desired, Stella decided to come clean with Burnham. She asked him out for the first time after half a month of not contacting each other.
Burnham suspected that Stella would resort to being frank with him. However, he did not expect it to happen so soon.
When Stella got out of a flashy sports car in her lavish clothing, Burnham knew at once that she was a changed person.
As far as he could recall, Stella was a bubbly and vibrant person in her younger days. Though she always had low self-esteem, she lived with dignity.
As years went by, she became more charming and confident, especially after she returned from abroad.
Burnham started seeing through her layers of disguise and discovered her true colors. Eventually, Burnham realized that there was nothing unique about her when compared with other hypocritical women.
Although she indulged in an extravagant lifestyle, and everything she wore was very costly, she had turned into a despicable person.
“Burnham.” Stella strode toward him and took the seat opposite. She looked awful as if she had been suffering from guilt and pain.
Burnham remained unfazed, but let out a wry smile deep down.
He kept quiet, waiting for Stella to speak first.
Moments later, Stella gave him a bitter smile.
“Burnham, as you’ve possibly known, I won’t justify for myself. I’ve tried and worked on our relationship, but I can no longer fool myself. I know that you’re a very good man and that I should love you. But…” Stella shook her head with an anguished look on her face.
“But I have to be true to my feelings. I’m sorry, I…” Tears rolled down her face, painting a picture that she felt so horrible for what she had done to Burnham.
She looked as if she was in great affliction. It was written all over her face that she could not force herself to love a man whom she had no feelings for.
Seeing how she bawled her eyes out, Burnham’s lip twitched. “You don’t love me, do you?”
“I’m sorry. I really am…”
He shook his head and let out a thin smile. “There’s no need for an apology. We can’t force love. So, do you love Nigel Lourdel?”
“I… I’m not sure. I’m so confused. However, he does make me feel happy sometimes.”
“Happy? Do you mean when he bought you the villa? Or when he gifted you that expensive car outside? Or was it when he handpicked you as the CEO of his company?”
Flabbergasted, Stella put on a face to show how hurt she was by his words.
“What are you talking about, Burnham? Is this who I am in your eyes? Am I a person who will discard my dignity for a big house and a car? Are you implying that Mr. Lourdel would simply leave his company in the hands of a woman like me? Is this how you see me?”
Burnham said nothing. Hence, Stella took it as he was ashamed of what he said to her.
Shaking her head, she sobbed. “Burnham, it’s true that I came from a lowly family, and I’ve always lacked money. But, I work hard and put in the effort to get what I want. All that I possess today, I’ve attained it on my own accord. Why did you think of me as a rotten person? Is this how you show love to me?”
Burnham still did not utter a single word.
Upon bombarding him with a series of rhetorical questions, Stella calmed herself down. Then, she continued explaining, “I don’t have my own place despite being the CEO of the company. Thus, Mr. Lourdel allowed me to temporarily stay in his villa. That vehicle is also a company car. In return, I need to work hard and show my capability. I’m not a filthy woman like how you’ve described me. Mr. Lourdel and I are on equal footing. As for our relationship, it’s got nothing to do with my job nor the material things given to me.”
Arching his brow, Burnham stated, “I’ve wronged you.”
“We’ve known each other for years. Don’t you know me?”
Of course I do.
“In that case, I congratulate you for becoming a CEO. A bright future awaits you.” Burnham did not bother to say further.
“Don’t tease me. I can’t let Mr. Lourdel down. He expects a lot from me. So, I have to weigh each step before making a decision. As for the both of us, Burnham, I hope that we can be good friends despite not able to stay as an item. Everything will just be like how things were when we first met. Can you promise me that?”
“Promise you to still be friends?”
“Yes, just friends.”
Smiling, Burnham did not answer. Stella, on the other hand, assumed that he had agreed to her suggestion.
She heaved a sigh of relief.
Well, well, Burnham is still a silly guy. What a softie! He will just believe everything I say as long as I pick the right words and shed some tears.
In actual fact, Burnham’s smile was an indication that it had finally struck him and he finally understood why Damian had kept quiet even after seeing Stella’s true color. He had never exposed her nor talk bad about her to others.
It’s a real treat seeing how she performed various tricks right before my eyes, thinking that she is able to fool all men.
It was at that moment that Burnham made up his mind not to expose Stella.
Let’s see how far will she go. Does she think that she can keep me as a guy to fall back on? Or is she planning on an alternative in case her grand plan fails?
Whatever the outcome, Stella had thought too highly of herself when the joke was actually on her.
After being taken advantage of for years, Burnham’s only consolation was to watch how Stella made a fool out of herself.
“Sure, we’re still friends. Stella, as your friend, I wish you nothing, but the best. Just make sure that you find your Mr. Right. It doesn’t have to be me in the end because I truly love you.”
Burnham’s acting skills were not too bad either. The way he gazed at her affectionately brought about a sparkle in her eyes.
Smiling smugly, she leaned forward and grabbed his hands. They locked eyes with each other, but both were scheming something in their hearts.
“Oh right, Burnham, we should get together sometimes. Damian and Wrenna are now divorced, so I’m not a threat to their relationship anymore. I do want to patch things up with Damian, not as his lover, but as an old friend.”
