The Reborn Wife Of The Tyrant CEO
Chapter 161 - 158

Chapter 161: Chapter 158

Salvador, clueless about the beef between me and Ariel, politely responded, "Sorry, that painting’s already been claimed. Someone’s picking it up in a few days."

I was taken aback, "Already claimed?"

I liked that painting, planned to buy it for my dad. It’d be something for us to enjoy together.

Well, since it’s already booked, let’s forget it. I didn’t want to force it, but Ariel said no because she thought I was the one who ordered the painting. Her pretty eyes glared at me with hostility, then she turned to Salvador and said, "Mr. Salvador, my mother admires your work greatly. Her birthday is coming up, so I came specifically to buy Nature in love . No matter how much you tell me, I’ll take it."

She sounded really dutiful! I was curious about who her adoptive mother was. How did a woman who could marry the vice president of Stellar Enterprises end up adopting Ariel?

I had no idea what the story was. Regrettably, Salvador shook his head. "You’re a good girl, and I thank your mother for appreciating my work. But Nature in love has indeed been claimed, and a deposit has been paid. We can’t go back on that. How about choosing another painting?"

"No matter how much the deposit was, I’m willing to pay double. I’ll pay double for the balance too!" Ariel blurted out hastily.

Karen whipped out a card and handed it to Salvador, "Mr. Salvador, here’s ten million dollars. Do you think that’s enough?"

Was she trying to throw her money at someone now?

But Salvador didn’t budge. "If you’re dead set on Nature in love, maybe you can talk to the person who claimed it. They were buying it as a gift, they might be willing to switch"

"Where is she?" Karen also looked at me, both of them thought I was the one who claimed the painting.

Salvador answered, "Damon from Coleman Co. He just took another painting, he’ll pick up Nature in love in three days. Maybe you can try to find him."

Someone who could pay ten million dollars for a painting should have a way to find Damon. Hearing that Damon had claimed the painting, a flash of surprise crossed Ariel’s eyes, quickly replaced by a hint of delight.

I wasn’t sure what she was so happy about. After the way Damon had treated her just now, was she actually happy for a reason to get in touch with him?

The world truly is a strange place. Compared to her treatment by Damon in my past life, it was night and day in this life.

"I see" Ariel nodded, then she and Karen left.

From start to finish, Ariel deliberately avoided looking at me. I could feel it.

That suited me just fine. The last thing I needed was her stirring up trouble for no reason.

After Ariel and Karen left, I also bid Salvador goodbye. After what had happened, I was no longer in the mood to appreciate the art.

Jones suggested we leave together. Not wanting to be rude, I agreed and we left Mystical Gallery

"Have you been happy these past two years?" Jones suddenly asked as we reached the car.

"I’ve been very happy. I got to see the world, try different foods." I answered honestly, "It was the most relaxing and carefree time of my life. If it weren’t. for my parents asking me to come back, I’d still be enjoying that lifestyle."

Jones looked at me. "And you’d ignore me for another two years?"

I felt a bit awkward at this. How had Jones still not found a girlfriend after two years?

If he wasn’t in love with Ariel, he should have found someone else. Wouldn’t his family be pressuring him to settle down?

"Dr. Jones, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not that I deliberately ignored your messages, it’s just that I hardly ever check my phone." I answered evasively

I couldn’t make up any other reason. The way Jones looked at me grew more complicated. After a few seconds, he said with a slightly stern face, "Eliana, I feel like you’re treating me like a fool."

"How dare I, Dr. Jones. I need to go home for lunch now. See you and we’ll chat next time!" I couldn’t bear the pressure from Jones’s gaze and quickly hopped into the car.

Jones quickly followed me in the passenger seat, "I’m also heading to your place for lunch. I’ll check on a patient while I’m there."

I asked in surprise, "What?"

"I’m visiting your mother. I was her attending physician when she was hospitalized last time." Jones fastened his seat belt and replied nonchalantly.

"Do attending physicians usually make house calls?" I asked, surprised.

’Depends on the situation. Let’s go." Jones said, expressionless.

"Does the attending doctor need to make home visits, too?" I was very surprised.

Puzzled, I drove home in silence

Seeing Jones, my mother’s face lit up with joy, "Dr. Jones, what brings you here? Perfect timing, we’re just about to have lunch. Please join us!"

"Mom, do we have enough food?" I gave my mom a look, hoping she could tactfully send Jones away to avoid any awkwardness.

My mom took one look at me and confidently replied, "Yes, we have plenty

I always knew something was wrong, but I couldn’t tell. Jones was Damon’s best friend. Even though they weren’t on good terms now, my parents shouldn’t be this enthusiastic about him. Should they?

Jones and my mom had already gone into the living room, chatting about my mom’s heart condition. They looked perfectly at ease.

on the other hand, was left out of the conversation.

At the dinner table, my mom kept serving food to Jones. The more she did, the more uneasy I felt

"Thank you for your hospitality. If you feel unwell at any time, feel free to contact me, Jones said kindly to my mom before leaving.

"Okay, Dr. Jones is such a good doctor!" My mom’s eyes squinted from smiling so much.

Jones glanced at me, "Eliana, is it easy to hail a cab around here?"

This guy was as cunning as Damon.

His question instantly turned me into a ’temporary chauffeur", and my mom told me to drive him home.

I had a face like thunder as I had no choice but to send Jones home.

"Aren’t you happy?" he deliberately asked me on the way.

"No, I’m thrilled" I flashed a smile that couldn’t be faker.

Jones fell silent for a while. The atmosphere between us turned a bit frosty, his previously good mood having clearly evaporated.

We arrived at the foot of his building, but Jones didn’t get out of the car right away, instead turning to look at me.

He said seriously, "Eliana, I want to chase after you, I don’t care what other people think."

I looked at him in surprise, my heart almost stopping. "Jones, you’d better not go after me, you should’ve understood my stance two years ago. I don’t want to accept you, not just because of your relationship with Damon, but also partly because I don’t have romantic feelings for you. I just think you’re a great guy, but there are surely other women out there who are a better fit for you."

I was not putting myself down. Objectively speaking, I was really not the girl for Jones.

I gave my best ten years to Damon, I’ve been through divorce and miscarriage, while Jones has no painful past.

He should find a woman who’s on the same page as him, instead of wasting his attention on me.