Chapter 14 — For Compensation

It was 6 a.m. Giselle slowly opened her eyes, then got out of bed with a look of relief on her face.

"Yes! Finally, my back doesn't hurt anymore!" she whispered softly as she stretched out on the bed.

The girl immediately headed to the bathroom, humming softly as she washed her face. Today she was returning to class after three days of absence due to the incident with Leon. As a final-year medical student, Giselle knew she couldn’t afford to fall behind on the material.

Downstairs, Mrs. Hansel sat elegantly reading the newspaper. Ailyn approached and whispered, “The young lady is awake and seems to be heading to campus.”

Hansel smiled slightly. “Good. Leon probably hasn’t left yet, so he can take her.”

Shortly after, Leon appeared from the stairs in a neat suit, a dark gray shirt, and his wet hair making him look even more handsome. Behind him, Joe, his personal assistant, carried his briefcase.

“Leon,” Hansel called softly.

Leon sighed before responding, “What else, Mom?”

“Take your wife to campus.”

Leon turned quickly. “What?! Mom, I have an important meeting this morning. Joe has already prepared the car; I have to leave now!”

Hansel placed the newspaper down slowly, but her gaze was sharp. “Leon, take your wife to campus once in a while.”

Leon rolled his eyes. “Mom, please. I’m not a driver. Besides, she’s already healthy; she can take a taxi or ask a driver to take her. If I take her, her status as the young lady of the De Santos family will be exposed.”

Hansel started to open his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Giselle appeared.

“Good morning everyone…” Giselle greeted them, looking cheerful.

Leon only glanced at her briefly. “Your waist is better now, right? So you can go to campus on your own.”

“Yes, I can go on my own without you taking me.” Giselle replied while tying her hair. “I have to go to campus. Today there’s a pathology class and a clinical discussion.”

Hansel smiled at Giselle. “Honey, do you want Leon to take you to campus?”

Giselle lit up immediately. “Actually, Giselle really wants to, Aunt Hansel. But...”

Leon grabbed the car keys from the table. “Sorry, I can’t. Joe, let’s go now!”

“Yes, Mr. Leon,” Joe replied quickly, bowing politely.

Leon walked quickly toward the door, leaving Giselle standing frozen in place.

Hansel sighed. “Leon is so stubborn.”

Giselle chuckled. “It’s okay, Aunt Hansel. I can go on my own.”

Hansel turned to her. “Alright. The driver will take you.”

Giselle nodded. “Alright, thank you, Aunt Hansel.”

Meanwhile, inside the car, Leon sat in the backseat, his face expressionless. Joe glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

“Sorry, sir, but I think... that young lady is different from the other women you’ve met.”

Leon furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“She’s not afraid of you.”

Leon remained silent. His eyes stared out the window, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. For some reason, that kiss from earlier resurfaced in his mind. The girl’s gaze was unwavering.

“She’s just acting,” Leon muttered finally. “She’s forced to suppress her fear for the compensation my mother will provide.”

Joe just smiled slightly. “Does Mr. Leon have a plan to ensure that the young lady cannot stay here with you?”

Leon closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. “Of course.”

Leon then recalled the woman who had saved him that night.

“Joe, has the girl who saved me been found?” Leon asked.

"Not yet, sir, I’m sorry. It’s very difficult to find any trace of that girl," Joe replied.

"Keep searching until you find her!" Leon ordered firmly.

On the other side, Giselle sat in the car. She looked at the road with a faint smile.

“One day... he’ll definitely take me to campus without being told by his mother,” Giselle whispered.

Then, by chance, Giselle spotted her ex-boyfriend, Dirly. He was seen holding hands with a beautiful woman as they got into a car. Of course, it was that woman from the night before.

"So, I'm not the only one betrayed by that scoundrel. Aura was too!" Giselle muttered. Then, she instructed the driver to follow Dirly's car.

Giselle decided not to go to campus.

"Who knows, maybe something surprising will happen."

Giselle wanted to create a scandal for Dirly. Hoping this time she would find a way to bring down the man who had deceived her.