Chapter 349 It Should’ve Been Said Long Time Ago
Ben darted a reflexive gaze at Jean and replied, “All good. Almost complete.” Jean sat quietly as if she hadn’t heard anything. Myer deliberately quizzed Ben on the company’s business performance. Myer’s insinuation against Jean was too obvious to miss.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I will manage the company well.” Ben tried to steer clear of the topic. Jean didn’t react unusually during the dinner. Her apathetic response appeased Myer, so the latter stopped throwing shade at her, “Your cousin, Colin, has something to discuss with you. You are in charge of the company’s affairs.”
Ben nodded with an affirmative, but his attention was on Jean. Colin went on and told him about investing in a jewelry design company.
But Ben was concerned with Jean’s feelings. Plus, this topic had been brought up at the company meeting before, and Ludwig Group had no interest in venturing into jewelry designing.
“Hey Benny, let me explain to you today…”
Jean saw that they were having a fervent discussion, and she excused herself in a low voice, “Ben, I’m going to the kitchen to check on Mrs. Ludwig.”
This was why she came to Ludwig Residence today. Ben said inadvertently, “I’ll go with you.”
“Never mind. You stay here and chat with them. I know the way to the kitchen.” Jean smiled and headed to the kitchen. Colin was zealously explaining to Ben, but the latter didn’t bother to listen.
“Colin, Ludwig Group is not interested in this. In fact, I don’t see any attractive factor in your proposal. I think you should pitch your idea to someone else, and maybe you will find a suitor.” Ben declined subtly.
If Colin pitched his idea to Royden Group, his proposal would go into the trash can immediately. Ben was considerate and accommodating to Colin because they were cousins.
“You guys carry on. I still have something to do.” “Eh, Benny! I haven’t finished explaining yet.” Colin was going to chase after Ben but was stopped by his wife, Leah.
She burrowed her overly trimmed eyebrows, “Enough. Are you blind? He’s totally uninterested in your pitch. Why do you still want to go after him?”
Of course, Colin knew Ben was not interested, but he wanted to try harder.
“All I need is one investment, and I know I can make it!”
Leah rolled her eyes, “Are you sure you can do it?”
“Of course, my pals said. This time is surefire!”
“Well, then I’ll help you find an investor, but you are not allowed to disclose any details to Ben.” Leah uttered while carrying the dishes to the kitchen.
Colin looked at her back profile and grumbled, “What are you capable of, woman?”
In the kitchen.
Farra got shock after hearing Jean’s words.
“Mrs. Ludwig, I’ve been wanting to say this for quite some time, but I was afraid of hurting your feelings.” Jean beamed apologetically, “I do not wish to waste Ben’s time either.”
Farra wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say. She could only shake her head and sigh instead.
“You are so thoughtful and kind. It’s a shame that you and Benny fell through. And, I understand your meaning. Even so, I hope you will still come and visit me after this.”
Jean smiled, “I will.”
“Also, whatever my husband said just now, please don’t take it to heart.” Farra held Jean’s hand, “I sincerely hope you will find your Mr. Right soon.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ludwig.”
Standing by the kitchen door, Ben overheard their conversation.
He didn’t have the courage to barge into their conversation. He clenched his fists aggrievedly.
When all was said and done, Jean and he were beyond the bounds of possibility.
“Why are you standing here?” Leah asked knowingly, bypassed Ben, and entered the kitchen, “The food is so delicious. I want another helping.”
“Sure!” Farra said frantically.
Jean seized the opportunity and sneaked out of the kitchen. Seeing that Ben was standing at the door and looking disconcerted, she knew he must have heard their conversation.
He should have known her meaning.
“It’s getting late. I should go home now.”
Looking at her indifferent demeanor, Ben held back his forlorn and said to her, “I’ll send you home.”
“Don’t bother, I can go home myself. Didn’t Mr. Ludwig mention you still had things to deal with? I should leave first.” With a courteous smile, Jean walked out of the gates of Ludwig Residence.
Myer came out of his study and heard that Jean had left, “Good for her. She knows she’s not enough for the Ludwigs.”
Ben glowered, “Dad, can you please stop saying things like that? Today, she came here to make her intention clear that she had no feelings for me. It’s not that she can’t afford the Ludwig family. The truth is, I don’t deserve her.”
“You!”
Leah immediately batted an eye at Colin.
Then, she walked closer to Ben and said in a low voice, “Cut it out. We are a family. Why do you begrudge each other? Besides, I don’t think Jean has no feelings for you at all. Perhaps she just needed more time to sort out her thoughts first.”
Leah got to know about Jean and Edgar’s complicated relationship through gossip and news.
Ben looked away and said nothing. Then, he left the scene.
Leah’s smirk deepened as she looked at his receding figure. She was glad to chance upon the Ludwig’s familial discord.
Jean went grocery shopping after leaving Ludwig Residence. She had to do everything by herself since she had no servants at home to do the chores for her. When she arrived home, it was already past ten at night.
To her surprise, an expensive black car blocked the front of her house gate.
Jean took a closer look and realized it was Edgar’s car number plate.
But there was no one in the car. Did he park his car in front of her house and disappear just like that?
Jean walked around to the opposite side, unlocked the gate, and wanted to go into her house. With a click, a figure emerged from the roadside, “Did you just get home?”
There was a faint cigarette odor on his clothes. He stared straight into her eyes with his deep cold eyes.
At that moment, looking unlike his usual self, Jean realized he looked haggard.
“Looks like the great Mr. Edgar Royden likes to park his car in front of other people’s houses!” Jean said sarcastically and immediately closed the gate.
Pap!
He lifted his arm and blocked the gate from shutting.
Jean saw that his arm was still injured and didn’t slam the gate on him. He took the opportunity and slipped through the gap and into her house.
He had already sneaked past her gate by the time she realized she had missed her mark.
She gritted her teeth, chagrined for being tricked by him again.
Edgar looked at her and knew what was on her mind. He suppressed his burgeoning emotions within him and forced himself to calm down.
“Did you enjoy the dinner at Ludwig Residence just now?”
“Were you stalking me?!”
Otherwise, how would he have known where she had dinner just now?
Edgar didn’t answer her but just stared at her fixedly, “I didn’t know you enjoyed eating so much.”
In the past, Jean had always been gentle and submissive. She was sensible and knew how to please him. Jean had never done anything out of bounds during the two years where he was devising to bring down the entire Eyer Group.
She had never tried to interfere in his personal matters as well.
All because he didn’t like it.
At that time, she would patiently wait for him to come home.
But now.
It was his turn to wait on her for three hours in front of her house.
