Chapter 91: ENCOUNTER
Aileen and Theodore stepped out of the room reserved for VIP customers and other important people, such as the owner of this jewelry store, none other than Aileen. At least for now.
At first, Aileen and Theodore didn't notice Hailee and Ramon's presence, because they were way too engrossed in their own conversation, but maybe because of Hailee's shocked gaze that was too sharp, or because of the atmosphere that suddenly changed, they finally noticed the two people, who were now standing in the middle of the store and had become a hot topic in the mass media recently.
On the other hand, Ramon did not expect to see Aileen and Theodore in a jewelry store, but that didn't mean he was surprised, afterall the Gevano family business was centered in the city of T.
It's just that this man only noticed the two of them when he felt Hailee's body, which was clinging on to his arm, stiffen as her face turned sour all of a sudden.
Ramon then followed her gaze and found the two figures that Hailee was staring at ferociously.
"Why did you stop here?" Ramon asked, patting Hailee's hand that was clutching on his arm, so that this girl would refocus on something other than Aileen and Theodore.
As if she had just woken up, Hailee lifted her head and forced a smile to daub her pouty lips.
But, it seemed like Theodore was oblivious to their situation when he called out to Hailee and stepped toward her followed by Aileen, who had a face as shocked as the man next to her.
It's just that, Hailee could see an angry look that was implied in her adopted sister's eyes and somehow this made her happy.
"Hailee, what are you doing here?" asked Theodore when they both reached Hailee.
"Hailee," Aileen called Hailee's name softly and stepped forward to hug her sister, but Hailee stepped away and moved closer to Ramon.
A gesture that clearly showed that she didn't want to be touched by Aileen.
And as was always the case; Aileen played her protagonist card well. The look on her face was suddenly hurt as well, as she stepped back and hid herself behind Theodore's body, making the man even more protective of his woman.
"Hailee, you don't even want to greet your sister?" Theodore rebuked Hailee without looking at Ramon in front of him and it was the first mistake he made.
"What for?" Hailee asked with an expressionless face, she didn't even want to glance at Aileen whatsoever.
"Hailee!" Theodore rebuked Hailee for this comment. "You shouldn't say that to your own sister."
And Hailee had just realized that Theodore had always been defending Aileen, even before this, when they were still in contact, he always put Aileen first in every dispute that occurred between the two of them.
Hailee felt stupid because she just realized it now.
"Sister?" Ramon spoke those words with a very cold tone and a gaze that shot icy glares at Theodore. "Doesn't the Tatum couple only have one biological child?"
Hearing this, finally Theodore shifted his attention to Ramon and stared at the tycoon with an emotionless face. His voice was so flat and monotonous when he answered.
"Aileen is the Tatum family's first daughter."
Hearing that answer, Ramon snorted and flashed a mocking smile at the man opposite him, but said nothing as he pulled Hailee away from there, as if talking to Theodore had wasted his precious time.
Of course Theodore was aware of that and this offended him greatly, it was just that he could not possibly rebuke Ramon directly.
Even in an emotional state, the logic still worked out not to get into trouble with the Tordoffs.
Therefore, he directed his next words at Hailee.
"So all this time you've been with another men? Even when you are with me?" Theodore's voice wasn't too loud, but it was enough for Hailee and Ramon to hear it.
Theodore still remembered what Aileen told him this afternoon when they ate and he was annoyed that Hailee had betrayed him first.
"With another man?" Hailee turned around, feeling the anger starting to eat away at her whole body.
How could Theodore accuse her like that when he himself had an affair with Aileen behind her back. Even though Hailee didn't really love this man, still, Theodore's relationship with Aileen couldn't be justified, whatever the reason might have been.
"You want to deny?" For some reason, realizing this annoyed Theodore to a great extent.
"What am I trying to deny here?" Hailee asked fiercely. "Where did you get the idea that I have cheated on you when we were together? It must be from Aileen, so why don't you just ask her?"
Theodore was about to argue with her for those words, but Hailee had already raised her hand first, indicating for the man to be quiet.
This action naturally took Ramon by surprise, because he didn't expect Hailee to be so assertive.
"And if you want to ask her, also ask her what relationship did she have with Roland Dimatrio. Also ask what she has done to me and why I didn't show up or return to the Tatum family in the last few months." Hailee gritted her teeth as she said all that.
She did not say everything to expose all the disgusting things Aileen had done to her in front of Theodore at this time out of consideration.
Knowing how Theodore blindly trusted Aileen was one of the strong reasons why explaining what Aileen did to her was such a waste.
Theodore had to find out and get the evidence himself, only that way, would he know what kind of woman Aileen was.
Because whatever Hailee said at this time would just be a breeze words that meant nothing to that man, without solid evidence to back up her words.
Also, their current situation made it impossible for the topic to be raised. Right now, there were already many pairs of eyes looking at them curiously.
When Aileen heard her name being associated with Roland Dimatrio, her face immediately changed. She looked nervous and embarrassed.
"What do you mean Hailee?" Aileen exclaimed, her voice went a few octaves higher than it should have been. "What kind of relationship do you mean I have with Roland Dimatrio?" The name was very sensitive right now, no one wanted to be linked with the district attorney, especially Aileen. They were in the Tatum Jewelry after all.
"Why are you asking me? Didn't we just meet a few days ago at Roland Dimatrio's house?" Hailee then walked closer to Aileen and Theodore and continued her words in a lower tone. "When you conspired with that old man to kidnap me."
"Don't talk carelessly Hailee!" Aileen exclaimed angrily, but her face turned pale when she found Theodore looking at her questioningly. "How could I do such a cruel thing, it is a cruel slander."
Aileen tried to calm the rumbling emotions in her chest and bring back Aileen- weak– and- innocent side.
Such a hypocrite…
Now, in the corner of Aileen's eye, one could see tears that were ready to slide down at her sister's accusation.
However, Hailee didn't stop there. "How about the slap I gave to you? Do you still want to deny it too?" Hailee then turned her attention to Theodore. "If you're smart enough, you'll remember her swollen face from a few days ago."
Hailee didn't know what lie Aileen had spouted to Theodore and didn't expect this man to believe her right away either, but at least she had said what she should have said.
As to whether Theodore would believe her or not, it was up to him, since Aileen's influence was so great on him, it would be hopeless for Hailee to explain.
"Slap?" Theodore looked at Aileen, he did see Aileen's face slightly swollen a few days ago, but she did not explain the cause and explained that it was just an allergy.
"Hailee stop telling lies and also thinking that I did bad things to you. You're getting married to Ramon Tordoff, why are you still talking badly about me in front of Theodore?" Aileen said in a pitiful voice, her teary eyes fixed on Ramon. "Forgive my sister Mr. Tordoff, our relationship hasn't been very good lately…"
Hailee couldn't believe how Aileen could twist the facts so smoothly and make herself look like a woman who was upset because her ex-boyfriend had been taken away by her own sister.
Aileen even acted very well as an older sister who had been slandered by her own sister.
Truly extraordinary!
Why had Hailee been unaware of Aileen's tricks until this moment?
On the other hand, Ramon, who had been quietly watching what they were doing, finally decided that this chat was not very interesting to him.
But, one thing he learned; Aileen was not the simple type of woman she looked like and Theodore was way too stupid to realize that.
"Come here," Ramon said very softly, showing some affection between them, as he pulled Hailee back to his side. It could easily be seen that this girl had been burning with rage at Aileen's treatment. It seemed that Hailee was still not used to dealing with tricky people like her adopted sister.
Meanwhile, seeing Ramon unfazed by her words, Aileen stepped forward, she even bravely spoke directly to Ramon, staring at him with puppy- like eyes begging for mercy.
"Forgive my sister, Mr. Tordoff… this is indeed my fault because I failed to be a big sister for her…"Aileen bit her lip and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Hailee looking so upset. This actually excited Aileen to continue acting full of hypocrisy.
"Aileen, stop apologizing to him. Seeing the situation like this, we are not wrong or anything. It is Hailee who owes me an apology."Theodore gave Hailee a harsh look, for she had made Aileen almost cry.
However, before Hailee could reply to his words, Ramon had spoken first. "Mr. Gevano, stop talking about the past, at least respect the woman beside you," Ramon interrupted Theodore's words. "And tell your woman to stop manipulating the situation."
Hearing Ramon's statement, of course Theodore was a little offended, but he was well trained to hide all of it.
"Mr. Tordoff, I don't think you understand the real problem ... "
And again Ramon interrupted his sentence. "Should I understand this?" Ramon asked Hailee directly, looking at her with an mesmerizing smile. "Didn't you tell yourself that if you have me, then you don't want anything else? You will really disappoint me if I have to compete with him." Ramon nodded at Theodore.
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