Chapter 4 Misunderstood Her

You're not that important.

Although she knew he had no feelings for her, hearing him say those words so coldly still left a pang in her heart, a fleeting pain like needles pricking at her chest.

"Juliet Shaw, if you could be more straightforward, for the sake of our marital bond, I might still give you some face. But with your constant pretense—portraying yourself as an innocent maiden while constantly scheming behind the scenes—I just can't bring myself to like you."

Juliet Shaw felt as if she had been plunged into an icy abyss. She had thought about calling the driver to confront him, but what was the point? Herbert Leopold was biased against her; even if he knew she was wronged, he wouldn't feel the slightest bit of remorse.

A sense of helplessness and absurdity welled up within her. At this moment, all she wanted was to leave and go somewhere far away from Herbert Leopold.

Juliet Shaw didn't argue with Herbert Leopold anymore. She shook off his hand and walked straight out.

Herbert Leopold's voice followed her, "Juliet Shaw, behave properly as 'Mrs. Lu,' and we can both maintain our dignity."

Dignity?

In her previous life, right after she had lost their child, Herbert Leopold handed her a divorce agreement, saying, "Juliet Shaw, sign it, and let's both maintain our dignity."

Only those who don't understand dignity would constantly demand it.

Juliet Shaw closed her eyes, her resolve growing firmer. She needed to get a divorce as soon as possible.

***

After leaving the lounge, Juliet Shaw approached Hua Zhi.

"Mom."

Hua Zhi affectionately took her hand and whispered, "Zhi, things seem to be going well between you and A-Ting."

Juliet Shaw smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

"Good girl, you've suffered enough. But don't worry, A-Ting is slow to react. Once he realizes he loves you, he'll stick to you for the rest of his life."

With that, Hua Zhi winked at Juliet Shaw suggestively.

Herbert Leopold was indeed the type to devote everything to his true love once he was moved.

Unfortunately, that "true love" wasn't her.

Juliet Shaw lowered her gaze, saying nothing more.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. The Lu Group's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala is about to begin. Please welcome the company's president, Mr. Herbert Leopold, to the stage."

As the host spoke, cheers erupted from the audience. The lights dimmed, and Herbert Leopold emerged from a corner, a spotlight illuminating him.

"Wow, President Lu is so handsome!"

"President Lu's looks rival those of top celebrities."

"Too bad President Lu got married so young."

"Oh my, the woman who married President Lu must have saved the galaxy in her past life."

Juliet Shaw glanced at the person who said that, unable to help but mock herself. Before marriage, she had been just as naive, thinking she had found her soulmate and a lifelong support. Instead, she had stepped into hell.

Herbert Leopold began his speech on stage, his deep, magnetic voice captivating the women in the audience.

Throughout the banquet, Juliet Shaw stayed by Hua Zhi's side, never giving Herbert Leopold another glance.

Halfway through the event, rarely attending such gatherings, Juliet Shaw's face showed signs of fatigue.

"Mom, I'm going to the restroom."

"Alright."

Leaving the banquet hall, she finally found some peace.

"Ouch!"

"..."

Juliet Shaw looked up to see Herbert Leopold and Debby Kathleen embracing.

She immediately stepped back, hiding herself.

"This floor is too slippery!" the girl's annoyed voice rang out.

"Are you okay?" the man's cold, magnetic voice followed.

"I'm fine, thank you, sir. If it weren't for you, I would have gotten hurt."

Debby Kathleen's voice was sickeningly sweet, like it was laced with a ton of white sugar.

So they were already involved at this time.

Herbert Leopold was still pretending to be a gentleman in front of her, a man rotten to the core, always accusing her of seducing him.

Hmph, get lost!

Suppressing her suffocation, Juliet Shaw took out her phone and expressionlessly snapped a photo of them.

She turned and left, uninterested in watching the despicable couple fawn over each other.

When she returned to the banquet, she decided not to pretend anymore. "Mom, I've been in meetings all day, and I'm quite tired."

"But... you're the lady of the house... Zhi, can you bear with it a little longer?" Hua Zhi asked, somewhat worried.

Juliet Shaw remained silent, her lips pressed together.

Hua Zhi, seeing her like this, sighed, "Alright, there's nothing much happening here. I'll stay, you go ahead and rest."

"Thank you, Mom."

***

When Herbert Leopold came back, he saw his mother chatting with a group of high-society ladies.

Holding a glass of wine, he looked around, but the annoying figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Looking for Zhi?" Hua Zhi asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Why isn't she with you?" Herbert Leopold asked, displeased.

"Zhi has been busy at school all day, and she's tired. I let her go home."

Hearing this, Herbert Leopold's brows furrowed.

On such an occasion, it was inappropriate for the hostess to leave early.

Hua Zhi noticed her son's unhappiness.

"A-Ting, did you and Zhi have a fight?"

"No..." Herbert Leopold met his mother's probing gaze and understood.

Aunt Wang was his mother's confidante. She must have known about their argument in the morning.

"Once a woman falls in love with a man, she loses her rationality and will do anything for love. You should cherish Zhi now. If she ever stops loving you, you'll regret it."

Herbert Leopold sulkily remained silent.

"I had someone pick Zhi up today. I thought you two were getting along well. You're married, and as a man, you should take the initiative."

"Mom, you had someone pick her up?" Herbert Leopold's brows knitted together.

"Yes, otherwise you two would be sulking. Today is such an important day; if Mrs. Lu didn't show up, people would gossip."

"..."

Herbert Leopold realized he had misunderstood Juliet Shaw.

How could that be? He thought she had come on her own, so when he saw her, he couldn't help but sneer, thinking her excuses were just to save face.

He knew Juliet Shaw, her habit of saying one thing and meaning another.

Before, when they were together, he often made her cry by refusing to spend time with her.

—Herbert Leopold, you're too much. I don't like you anymore.

She always said that, but she always broke her word.

He thought she would quietly come to the gala today and then arrogantly say, "We're married, I have to be here."

But it turned out his mother had brought her.

Suddenly, Herbert Leopold felt something was changing.

He recalled the woman's unusual behavior today and her crazy talk about wanting a divorce, clenching the wine glass in his hand.

Hua Zhi patted her son's shoulder, "Silly boy, Zhi is a good girl."

"Mom, we're adults. I know what I'm doing."

Seeing her son's cold demeanor, Hua Zhi smiled helplessly.

Perhaps, she shouldn't have pushed them together.

A quiet, unassuming girl like Zhi would have been a good daughter to her.

***

Herbert Leopold was unsettled by Juliet Shaw all night.

His mother kept praising her, but no matter how good she was, he didn't care. It was that simple.

Returning home at 1 AM, he found, to his surprise, that the night light was not on.

What was Aunt Wang thinking, not knowing he hadn't come home yet?

Herbert Leopold yanked off his tie, draping his coat over his arm, feeling irritable.

He wanted to ask Juliet Shaw why she left early, not behaving like a proper Mrs. Lu, showing no respect!

Upstairs, he forcefully twisted the doorknob.

But—

The door was locked.

Herbert Leopold froze. Who was she trying to keep out?

"Bang! Bang!" He pounded on the door without restraint.

He needed to show her who was the master of this house!

"Bang! Bang!"

The urgent knocking disturbed the sleeping person inside.

"What are you banging for?"

"Juliet Shaw, open the door!" he growled, holding back his anger.

What was she up to now?