Nell pursed her lips. She gave it a thought and agreed.
“Alright, come in.”
Stephanie parked her car behind Nell’s, then got into the passenger seat of Nell’s car.
Nell felt awkward. It was her second time running into Stephanie’s and Justin’s business.
If it happened twice, it was no longer a coincidence. Nell had bumped into the couple twice. She would not have believed it was by chance either, let alone Stephanie.
“Miss Garrett, what do you want to tell me?”
Although she knew it, Nell still asked the question.
Instead of regarding Nell, Stephanie stared ahead coolly and said, “Did you hear what we said earlier?”
“Cough!”
Nell coughed awkwardly and explained, “I didn’t mean to, really. I was about to drive away but I didn’t expect you to be there.”
Stephanie looked at her in a jeering manner.
“So, you heard everything?”
Nell was speechless.
She could not stop herself from scowling after the way Stephanie spoke to her. She answered, “Fine, I admit I heard everything, but don’t worry. Your business has nothing to do with me, so I won’t tell all.”
A slight frown appeared on Stephanie’s face. After that, she uttered, “It’d better be this way.”
Nell was helpless.
Stephanie continued. “Actually, we aren’t a couple but he keeps bothering me. You’re a woman too, Nell, and you should understand how I feel. I don’t like him at all and I don’t want to give birth to this child, so nobody else must learn about our matter.”
Nell forced a grimace.
“In that case, why stay with him?”
Stephanie paused.
Her expression changed slightly, but she did not reply.
She took a deep breath and eyed Nell firmly. “I owe you one if you keep this secret for me. Next time, if you need any help from me, just ask. After all… You get what I mean.”
Nell smiled.
“No need for threats. Anyway, you can’t threaten me.”
Stephanie was puzzled.
Nell rested an arm by the car window in a carefree manner and looked at Stephanie in a judgmental manner.
“I keep this secret because I have nothing to do with you. I’m not interested in gossiping about your sex life either, that’s all. As for the rest, please forgive me for being forward, Miss Garrett, but you’re overthinking it.”
Stephanie’s expression took a gloomy turn.
She disliked Nell’s emotionally detached attitude. She felt that she was trampled by Nell’s lofty character.
She was the heiress of the Garrett family whereas the woman in front of her was just a nouveau riche who came from a small place. She became who she was today because of Gideon, so what right did she have to speak to her in this manner?
Still, Stephanie’s refined upbringing influenced her reaction.
No matter how displeased she was, she did not show it.
She merely nodded.
“Alright, since you say so, I feel relieved. Nonetheless, I owe you a favor and I’ll repay you one day.”
Nell grinned and kept quiet.
Once they had an understanding, Stephanie did not linger and got out of the car.
“Goodbye, Ms. Jennings.”
Old Master Garrett was not healthy but he had not shown any signs of a worsening condition either.
Why the sudden news that he was not going to make it?
Despite the tensions between the Four Great Clans, Old Master Garrett and Old Master Leith had a close bond.
The conflicts and struggles between the clans were separate from the Old Masters’ personal friendship. Thus, if Old Master Garrett was indeed about to pass away, it was natural for Old Master Leith to bring Gideon along.
Nell thought for a while and said, “Understood. There’s nothing else, go have an early rest.”
Aunt Joyce nodded and walked away.
Gideon returned after Nell had headed into her room and took her bath.
It was early in the New Year and the capital city, which was located in the North, was still cold despite the occasional warmth. Even the air at night was frosty.
When she heard the rumble of the car’s engine, Nell knew her husband was back. She got down and sensed the chill around her husband from afar. She sneezed.
Gideon stopped, then closed the door at once. He frowned when he saw how thin the fabric of her sleepwear was.
“Why are you wearing so little?”
Nell had her arms crossed and shrugged. She helped remove Gideon’s coat and said, “I’m at home anyway. How are things? Is Old Master Garrett alright?”
Gideon looked somewhat dismayed when she brought this up.
“They saved him but from the looks of it, he doesn’t have much time left.”
Nell was taken aback. The Garretts would surely be able to recruit the best medical personnel in the world. If the Garretts were told that the Old Master would not make it, it must be true.
She did not know Old Master Garrett very well and had no ties to the Garretts, but she still felt a bit sad when she heard this news.
Still, Nell was not sad for long. She soon recovered and told Gideon, “There’s some warm soup in the kitchen that Aunt Joyce prepared. I’ll get you a bowl.”
Gideon nodded.
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