The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 137: Your grandfather is sometimes a mean jerk.

Chapter 137: Your grandfather is sometimes a mean jerk.

It was amazing that when someone loved another so deeply, everything they did made sense. But when that love disappeared — shredded brutally — everything that same person did was pathetic. Everything that Vincent had done recently just made her wonder: where was that smart and humorous guy she fell so deeply in love with?

She no longer recognized Vincent. He was neither smart nor humorous anymore. He was just... pathetic.

"Fil!"

Fil closed the door behind her, shunning the energetic call from Vincent. She huffed in irritation, shaking her head as she walked away from the ward. If the chairman wasn’t in here, Fil would’ve used this chance to create more ripples in the sea of fire she would light up in the future.

However, for the sake of her grandfather’s good friend, she didn’t.

This was probably the first and last thing she could do for the chairman. To reveal how nasty his family was and how they had been playing him for years. It was up to him what he was going to do with that.

’Good thing, though, I don’t have to spend the entire day with Marcus,’she mentally consoled herself. But just when she thought she could go home and wait for Jackson to come home, she stopped upon reaching the elevator.

Fil gazed at the middle-aged man standing near the elevator. As soon as he saw her, he offered a meek smile and lowered his head.

’I guess I’m not going home as soon as I thought I would.’

The neatly dressed middle-aged man approached, saying, "Miss Lovin, the chairman feels uneasy that you would go home alone."

"Did he ask you to wait for me?"

"He was waiting for you in the car," said the chairman’s most trusted employee. "He said if you could indulge with him a little. After all, he felt embarrassed for not knowing your situation and, at the same time, for walking out."

Fil didn’t answer immediately before she sighed in defeat. For some reason, she wasn’t surprised that the chairman stayed instead of leaving over a small humiliation.

"I can’t refuse now since he already waited, can I?" she conceded with a small smile. "Fine. Please take me to him."

********

Just as the man said, the chairman waited for Fil inside his car. However, even when she sat in the back seat with the chairman, she said nothing. Instead, she sat still and kept her gaze downcast.

This man was still someone she respected, despite putting him in an ’embarrassing’ position.

"When your grandfather was alive, I promised him that I would take care of his family if ever he left first." After minutes of nothing but silence, Felix, the chairman of the Hale Construction, broke the ice. "I owe your grandfather a debt that no amount can suffice. So, when you and Vincent were together, I thought it would be easier to take care of you since you’ll be a part of the family."

The chairman smiled bitterly as he sighed heavily. "That boy used to be so bright and delightful. That is why I trusted him. I knew he wouldn’t hurt you, and I also knew his love for you was genuine and pure."

Fil pursed her lips into a thin line and turned her head to stare at the chairman’s side profile. She didn’t have time to notice it earlier today, but now that there were only two of them, she couldn’t help but notice.

Time was catching up with him.

Looking back, Felix used to look ten years younger than his age. Despite his visible fine lines and strands of white hair, he was always charismatic and in shape. But now, he looked old and weak. He might’ve appeared much more pleasant with his neat suit, but his money could no longer deny he had aged. Maybe not overnight, but the difference was palpable.

’When was the last time I saw him?’ she wondered as she almost forgot how many months it had been since she saw the chairman. ’He looked healthier then, but now... I’m worried.’

"You are a smart and brave young lady, Filomena," he continued in the same sentimental tone. "For what you had become... not only your grandfather is proud of you, but I am too. You are making a name all on your own without anyone’s help."

The chairman slowly faced her, offering a meek smile. "Everything I said is coming from the bottom of my heart."

"I know that, chairman." She nodded. "You’ve been looking after our family even before my grandpa’s passing."

"And I apologize if I didn’t know better," he added, continuing his sentiments. "I should’ve known Vincent was hurting you. I could’ve disciplined him better."

"Chairman." Fil sighed. "I appreciate all your help, but Vincent and I parted ways because of many things. It’s a problem we should’ve fixed ourselves, not anyone else’s."

The chairman shook his head. "I know you, child." He nodded at her reassuringly. "You wouldn’t break off your engagement without a reason. And I am also aware that Vincent had been... quite ambitious. He’s following in my footsteps and I’m afraid he would make the mistakes I made in the past."

"Thank you for being honest with me." His smile stretched. "I wouldn’t know my daughter had been fooling me if you didn’t. Also, I’m proud that you spoke your mind. I’ve always worried about that part of yours. It greatly reminds me of someone I know."

"I’ve... been trying to change, sir chairman," she whispered, holding her hand on her lap. "I won’t lie that I was disappointed whenever I didn’t get the invitation to your party. After all, my grandfather used to spend his time finding a gift for you around this time of the year. It made me think you probably forgot about him."

"I will never forget Connor, not his existence and not our friendship. Not even everything he did for me." The chairman looked ahead and forced a smile. "This is truly embarrassing."

"It’s already in the past, Chairman. At least, now I know I was wrong. You didn’t forget about him."

Felix looked back at her. "Will you come to my party?"

"Pardon?"

"I’ve always had you as my most important guests every year," he explained with a subtle smile. "I should’ve done it in the beginning instead of relying on other people to do it. I’m not asking you to come as my grandson’s fiance, but as my distinguished guest."

"Chairman..."

"The Solana Project will take years to finish," he reasoned out. "Career-wise, it’s better to meet and get introduced to the same type of people you might work with in the future. It is not only good for your career growth, but it’ll help you know how to deal with selfish and arrogant rich jerks who will try to take advantage of a rising engineer in the field."

Felix leaned back, eyes still on her. "I am not like Connor, who is capable of cheering up the people he cares. It’s pathetic, but this is the only method I know to show you my sincerity. Please take it. I want you to be someone my grandson would regret hurting and someone who won’t need him."

The two of them stared at each other in silence. Fil had always known the chairman wasn’t the affectionate type. Her grandfather had always pointed that out because Felix was often misunderstood. However, she also knew he had always tried to help her in his own little ways ever since she was a kid.

Just like right now, instead of consoling her, he gave her an opportunity that would benefit her.

"My grandfather always told me not to learn from you every time we visited you back then." She smiled after a momentary silence while the chairman laughed.

"Your grandfather is sometimes a mean jerk."

She laughed, looking at the chairman gratefully. "If you were the one asking, I don’t think I have the heart to refuse."

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m fre𝒆webnov(e)l.com

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.