Free Web NovelChapter 36: Chapter 36: Sleight of Hand
"I-Is that really Sonia Quincy?" The assistant behind him was stunned by Sonia’s transformation. He completely ignored the fact that his boss was still there and immediately started gossiping with a colleague.
"How dare Sonia Quincy talk to Mr. Lockwood like that? Has she lost her mind?"
The colleague replied, "They say pregnancy brain lasts for three years. If you ask me, being pregnant fried her circuits. Every time she saw Mr. Lockwood before, wasn’t she always bowing and scraping, trying to suck up to him? Now, with a bankrupt husband to lean on, she has the audacity to be so shameless. I can’t think of any other reason besides her brain being broken."
"Hmm?" The assistant narrowed his eyes. "I can think of another reason, actually."
His colleague looked at him. "What is it?"
The assistant said, "Right after Felix Preston went bankrupt, Sonia Quincy held a press conference. At that conference, she swore up and down that she wouldn’t divorce him and that from then on, she was going to build a good life with him."
"The way I see it, this change in her is probably because she’s really had a change of heart and wants to be with Felix Preston for real."
"Impossible." The colleague rejected it without a second thought. "Sonia Quincy isn’t that kind of person. She didn’t change her ways when Felix Preston was still rich, so why would she suddenly change now that he’s a penniless bankrupt? What’s she going to do, move into a rented apartment with him and live on scraps?"
The assistant hesitated. "Hmm... you have a point. But if that’s not it, why has Sonia changed so much?"
The colleague began, "I have a..."
"Have you said your piece?"
Ethan Lockwood’s voice, laced with fury, suddenly cut in, forcing the two to swallow their gossip.
Both of them lowered their heads in unison, not daring to utter another sound.
Ethan Lockwood unclenched his fist. He slowly turned, his gaze cold and menacing as he stared at the two of them.
"Do I pay you such high salaries to stand around and discuss this?"
"We’re sorry, Mr. Lockwood," they apologized in unison.
Ethan Lockwood said, "If there’s a next time, you’re fired."
"Yes, sir."
Ethan Lockwood shot them a cold glare, then reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a business card. "One of you wait here. When Felix Preston comes out, give this to him."
The gossipy assistant hurried forward, taking the card with both hands. "I’ll do it, Mr. Lockwood!"
Ethan Lockwood asked, "Do you know what to say?"
The assistant’s tone was confident. "Of course! You can count on me, Mr. Lockwood!"
Ethan Lockwood gave a soft "mm," then turned and went upstairs.
"If you have a question, just ask. Why do you keep sneaking glances at me?"
Sonia Quincy said suddenly after coming out of the restroom.
Felix Preston froze for a moment, then gave an embarrassed smile.
Ever since they ran into Ethan Lockwood, Felix had been stealing glances at Sonia. She had noticed long ago. She guessed something was on his mind and decided to wait for him to bring it up himself. But after ten minutes of him not saying a word, Sonia lost patience and had to be the one to initiate.
Felix Preston mulled it over for a few seconds before asking, "Why the sudden change in attitude toward Ethan Lockwood?"
Sonia Quincy countered, "Shouldn’t this be my attitude toward him?"
Felix Preston shook his head. "I don’t know. It just feels a bit sudden, because you used to be in love with him."
"I was blind before." Sonia didn’t hold back in criticizing herself. "Liking him back then... I must have had my head stuffed with lard. A selfish, hypocritical, two-faced piece of trash like him—I should have seen through him long ago."
"Mm," was Felix Preston’s only reply, his single-word response betraying no emotion.
Sonia Quincy looked up at him. "Why would you find it sudden? Didn’t I curse him out over that incident with the reporters? I stopped liking him a long time ago."
Felix Preston said, "I know, but back then..."
"Back then, what?" Sonia pressed. Then, she answered her own question. "Back then, you didn’t believe me, did you? You thought it was just some kind of trick I was playing?"
"..." The words were harsh, but Felix Preston had to admit she was right. He was unwilling to lie to her.
"Yes. I didn’t believe you back then."
Sonia Quincy asked, "What about now? Do you believe me now?"
Felix Preston frowned. "Not entirely."
"That’s okay." Sonia had expected as much, but she didn’t mind.
"I understand how you feel. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t be so quick to believe me either."
"You..." Felix Preston hadn’t expected Sonia to be so frank. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
Sonia Quincy gave him a gentle smile. "It’s alright. We have a long life ahead of us. I’ll make you believe in me, slowly but surely, with all your heart. I’m confident I can."
"..." Her words struck Felix Preston’s heart when he least expected it. His eyes widened slightly, a hint of pleasant surprise flickering in his amber pupils.
Sonia Quincy looked away and abruptly changed the subject. "Felix, you know perfectly well that Ethan Lockwood is not a good person. Why do you still greet him with a smile?"
Felix Preston gave a helpless smile. "Besides greeting him with a smile, what other choice do I have? Right now, he’s the hottest new tycoon in Aethelburg. How many people wish they had the chance to smile and greet him but can’t?"
"...What do you mean?" Sonia’s expression changed slightly. "Are you trying to suck up to him?"
Felix Preston gently flicked her nose with his finger. "How could I?"
Sonia’s eyes were full of vigilance. "Then what are you trying to do?"
Felix Preston raised an eyebrow, the gentle smile on his face suddenly taking on a different flavor. "Sonia, do you remember when you reminded me that my company’s bankruptcy was likely related to Ethan Lockwood and Cecilia Quincy?"
Sonia Quincy replied, "Of course I remember. Why, have you already found some evidence?"
Felix Preston watched the crowds milling about in front of them, his voice soft. "Not evidence, exactly. Let’s just say I have my suspicions. And with those suspicions, I have no choice but to place Ethan Lockwood on the opposing side. When dealing with a potential enemy like him, do you think it’s better to confront him directly, or to greet him with a smile first to confuse him?"
"Ah... I get it now." Sonia was no fool; she understood the meaning behind Felix’s words as soon as he finished speaking. "You’re smiling at Ethan Lockwood just to placate him for now, to lower his guard so it’s easier for you to dig up more information."
Felix Preston said, "Clever girl. A man like Ethan Lockwood, who has climbed to his current position, is definitely not someone to be trifled with. If I opened fire on him right from the start like you did, he would immediately suspect that I know something. If I tip him off, investigating him will become much harder."
"Oh..." Sonia nodded, impressed by Felix Preston’s composure and foresight.
"Hello, Mr. Preston."
Just as the couple was getting into their conversation, the young assistant Ethan Lockwood had left behind suddenly popped out from the side, making Sonia jump.
Felix Preston instinctively pulled Sonia into his arms to protect her, his expression displeased. "Can I help you?"
