Atrophy of Love: Mr. Harris, Stop Fooling Around! novel Chapter 144

The Japanese food on the table looked delicious, but neither Charles nor Leah had any intention of eating it.

Charles’ lips curved slightly, but there was no laughter in his eyes at all. “In that case, I can only apologize. Tiffany Lawrence is part of Dream Club, and I can’t just give my employee away to a dying old man.”

“Are you threatening me, Charles?” Leah forced a smile, her entire body taut with tension.

Charles said calmly, “I’m simply stating the truth.”

Their conversation was familiar, but the tables had turned.

Leah’s body stiffened, but then she curved her lips and said gently, with her fists still slightly clenched, “I’m only here to ask you for Tiffany Lawrence because my elders asked me to. Even so, if you refuse me, Charles, I might get so sad that I’ll sue Sophia as a way to vent my sorrows.”

The light in Charles’ eyes darkened, and he sat back down.

“You’re a smart man, Charles. You should know how to choose,” Leah said slowly, her expression back to normal.

“Is that so?” Charles narrowed his eyes slightly.

Leah smiled. “At the very least, I think you’re a smart man.”

“Then sorry for disappointing you.” Charles gave her a cool look. “I’m giving you two choices now. One, you take Tiffany Lawrence and I’ll treat Sophia’s leg. Two, you can sue her and I’ll make Master Lewis’ sexual exploits go viral on the internet.”

Leah stiffened, but the hint of a smile still played on her lips. “What if I want to take Tiffany Lawrence from you and refuse to let you treat Sophia’s leg?”

“Impossible,” Charles said.

Leah could not maintain her smile anymore. “Charles, do you really think my grandfather places that much importance on his reputation?”

“He doesn’t?” Charles laughed and stood up. “That’s a pretty good thing.”

With that, he turned and left.

Leah watched his indomitable back as he left, her expression changing like the wind. Finally, she bit her lip and called out to him, “Charles!”

Charles did not even pause, and he definitely did not respond.

“What should we do, miss?” The maid said anxiously when she saw that Charles was almost at the door. “If your grandfather’s affair with Ms. Lawrence really makes it online, not only is it detrimental to the Lewises, it’s bad for the Joneses as well!”

There was a flash of malice in Leah’s eyes, but she said softly, “Don’t panic.”

She saw that Charles was already at the door and about to push it open. After a pause, she said, “...In any case, Sophia used to be my friend, right? I would be glad for her if her leg could be treated.”

“You are a smart woman.” Charles stopped but did not turn around as he paid her the same compliment she gave him.

Leah’s hand tightened slightly around her wheelchair handle, and she said with a smile, “Since we’ve agreed on our terms, why don’t you sit down and eat with me, Charles? It’d be such a waste to order all this food and not eat it.”

“You and I have different tastes, so we can’t eat together. Take your time with your food. I won’t disturb you.” Charles did not even turn around to look at her, pushing the door open and leaving promptly.

Leah looked at the empty door, her red lips slightly parted and shaking. Finally, she lowered her head somewhat, pain and bitterness in her eyes.

Charles said, “So is there any point asking you if he refuses to treat Sophia’s leg?”

When she heard that, Aunt Lucy paused for a moment before saying with a laugh, “Oh, you don’t have to bother with that. My nephew just returned from the States a few days ago, and I already told him to check on Soph’s poor leg for free. I made him promise to fix it for her.”

She smiled again. “Our Soph has quite the temper. She knows who she loves and hates, and she would hate to be in anyone’s debt. If you really care for her, sir, please give her a wide berth!”

“Is that so? Thanks, Aunt Lucy.” Charles’ eyes darkened, and he rapped the table with his long and slender fingers a few times. He then stood up and undid one of his buttons, but the heaviness in his chest did not seem to be dissipating.

Aunt Lucy said, “Oh, you misunderstood me. I’m doing this for Soph, not you. You don’t have to thank me.”

“I have something else to do, so I’ll leave now. I’ll visit you later when I have the time.” Charles frowned imperceptibly and prepared to leave.

“Wait!” Aunt Lucy held up the broom in front of his knees, her lips curving. “You broke Soph’s leg two years ago, but regardless of the truth behind that, the fact remains that Soph escaped a lifetime in prison because of you. I thank you for that.

“But that doesn’t mean I like you! After all you did to Soph, forget her, even an outsider like me can barely bear to think about it.

“If you really want to do good for yourself, please let her go. Stay away from her from now on. As her aunt, I’ll thank you in advance!”

Charles glanced at the broom in front of him and then moved his gaze onto Aunt Lucy. With irony in his voice, he said, “How can you be sure that I’m the one at fault, not her?”

“Huh?” Aunt Lucy was stunned.

Charles stepped across the broom and strode out of the noodle shop, saying coolly, “This is between Sophia and me. You have no right to interfere.”