By admin Addicted Ex 4
Chapter 4 Too Spoiled
Brightmoor Jewelry was an old, well-established jewelry brand specializing in fine jewelry for love, commitment, and marriage.
Alyssia still remembered that shortly after she started living with the Rivera family, she once went downtown and pressed her face against the window of Brightmoor Jewelry’s flagship store, gazing at the elegant diamond bridal sets inside.
Leonard, a few years older than her, walked over, took her hand, and pulled her away.
“What’s so interesting?” He sounded impatient.
Back then, Alyssia was innocent and bold, speaking without restraint, “Lenny, buy it for me one day.”
“Alright.” Leonard didn’t look back, but Alyssia could see the faint pink on his ears.
After that, every time she passed by Brightmoor Jewelry’s flagship store, Alyssia would unconsciously smile with happiness.
Even as Leonard became colder and more resentful toward her, she always remembered the simple “alright” he had said back then and the slight flush on his ears.
Alyssia never imagined that one day, the woman walking into that store with Leonard wouldn’t be her.
The phone’s urgent ringtone sounded. Alyssia quickly muttered an apology and picked up the phone.
“It’s been half an hour.” Leonard’s voice came through, carrying a chilling coldness.
Alyssia said, “Okay.”
“What are you doing?” Leonard grumbled through gritted teeth.
Alyssia moved to a secluded spot, making sure no one could hear her. “I’m reviewing your touching love story.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Leonard spoke, “Alyssia, do you even know what you’re saying?”
Alyssia knew she’d angered Leonard. A day ago, she might’ve been scared or anxious. But now, all she felt was an empty void inside.
It was like a barren wasteland after a snowfall—cold and desolate, yet somehow it still felt like the sun might shine through after the snow.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now. By the way, Mr. Rivera, congratulations on finally escaping your troubles and finding true love,” Alyssia said.
After hanging up the phone, Alyssia immediately blocked Leonard’s number. She thought for a moment and decided it wasn’t secure enough, so she turned off her phone.
*****
When Alyssia walked out of the Vanguard Media building, it was already dawn.
Lauren remarked, “Go home and get some rest, but don’t turn off your phone. You need to be reachable at all times.”
After working late together through the night, everyone had more or less acknowledged Alyssia’s ability.
Lauren, with the seriousness of someone mentoring a new recruit, reminded Alyssia, “This Milena situation probably won’t turn around anytime soon, but we still need to watch out for any surprises.”
Alyssia thought, ‘There won’t be any more surprises. As long as the Rivera family gives their approval, Leonard and Milena will be able to get married right away.
‘I should be grateful for everything I learned last night. It gave me the clear cut I needed to silence the last bit of stubbornness and attachment in my heart.’
A silver Maserati was parked by the street and silently started moving toward her.
“Where are you staying now?” The window rolled down, revealing Charlie’s handsome face.
“I’m staying at a hotel for now,” Alyssia answered.
“Get in. I’ll give you a ride.” Charlie’s voice was gentle, but there was an undeniable tone to it.
Alyssia hesitated for a moment, then noticed a group of people walking out of the building after a long night of overtime. Not wanting to be seen, she hurried into the car.
“Working in our line of work is tough, often switching between day and night shifts.” Charlie handed Alyssia a can of drink.
Alyssia took it and was surprised to find it was warm milk. “It’s nothing. I’ve done it before,” she smiled.
“Yeah, you’re the most talented news professional I’ve ever met,” Charlie chuckled. “Seven years ago, we were in Averland—”
“Charlie,” Alyssia cut in abruptly.
Charlie seemed to pause for a moment, his expression darkening. “He never knew, did he?” His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Everything you gave—”
“It’s all in the past now,” Alyssia said softly. “Charlie, thank you for keeping my secret.”
A long time ago, she had told herself that love wasn’t a favor, charity, or coercion, and that true love didn’t need anything else to make it grow on its own.
As for how she and Leonard had ended up where they were today, Alyssia didn’t blame anyone.
Inside the car, there was complete silence. Alyssia turned on her phone, and immediately, dozens of missed calls appeared on the screen. All of them were marked as blocked.
There was also one text message. Though there was no name attached, the number was one Alyssia recognized well.
The message read: [Alyssia, you’d better never answer my calls again.] It was from Leonard.
Alyssia thought for a moment and added the number to her blacklist for text messages.
Charlie didn’t ask where she was staying, but he dropped Alyssia off at a five-star hotel.
Alyssia glanced at it and smiled, “Charlie, this place is too fancy. Let’s go somewhere else.” She couldn’t afford a hotel like this right now.
“I’ll reimburse you. Go on inside.” Charlie’s voice was still gentle but carried a hint of authority.
Charlie took care of the check-in for Alyssia, handed her the room key, and waved his hand. “I won’t go up with you. Get some rest. You’ve got two days off.”
As he turned around, Charlie’s expression darkened. Alyssia didn’t have any luggage. She’d left Rosewood Manor empty-handed. He knew, with her personality, she wouldn’t take a single penny from the Rivera family.
Charlie thought to himself, ‘Leonard has really outdone himself. What a heartless man.’
*****
Alyssia found her room using the keycard and realized Charlie had booked her a luxurious riverside suite.
At this moment, golden sunlight shimmered on the river, flowing through the window frame and down to her feet.
Alyssia pressed a button, and the curtains slowly closed. When the last beam of sunlight disappeared from her sight, she finally let go of all her pretenses, and the sadness in her eyes slowly dissolved.
The day before yesterday, while Alyssia was visiting Rosalie in the hospital, Milena had come to Rosewood Manor. Without Alyssia’s permission, Milena had sneaked into Alyssia’s room and taken the most valuable item in her jewelry box—a butterfly brooch.
Perhaps Milena had been too cocky, leaving behind traces that Alyssia immediately noticed when she returned.
Alyssia heard that Milena had gone to Clairivera Group to find Leonard, so Alyssia rushed over.
The two girls had an argument outside Leonard’s office. In the heat of the moment, Alyssia slapped Milena hard, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Just then, Leonard walked out. Milena grabbed him, crying, “Leon, Alyssia says I stole her jewelry, but I didn’t. She doesn’t believe me. You saw what just happened, right? She even slapped me.”
Alyssia bit her lip. “Lenny, it’s that butterfly brooch.”
“I don’t care about your brooch,” Leonard said coldly, glaring at Alyssia. “Even if someone really stole your things, that doesn’t give you the right to hit them. Alyssia, you’re too spoiled.”
Later, Alyssia thought back and realized that she had been spoiled. The love from the Rivera family had given her endless confidence, and the importance of that brooch had made her incredibly impulsive.
In the heat of the moment, Alyssia snapped back at Leonard, “I’ve already hit Milena. What do you want me to do now?”
Alyssia thought, ‘If Milena doesn’t return my brooch, I’ll hit her every time I see her from now on.’
Leonard and Alyssia stared at each other for a moment, his eyes cold as ice. “I’ll give you one chance. Apologize to her. Otherwise, you can forget about being my wife.”
Alyssia felt as if the air around her had frozen. She heard herself ask Leonard, “What if I don’t wanna apologize?”
“You can try breaking off the engagement,” Leonard said, his eyes devoid of warmth. “Apologize or I’ll break up with you. It’s your choice.”