Chapter 19

Nicole burst into laughter. She raised her head and looked at Sarah. "You can only fool yourself. Don't deceive others." "Grove Restaurant likes ready-to-eat meals. It isn't good for one's health. I sincerely advise you to buy food from another restaurant." Nicole didn't lose her cool, which Sarah didn't expect. Instead, Sarah lost her cool because of Nicole's indifferent tone. Sarah quickly turned around and explained, "Jacob, I really made the food myself…" However, Jacob wasn't looking at her. He faced Nicole and said, "After work, I'll bring you to a nearby restaurant." Upon seeing how furious Sarah was, Nicole smiled and replied, "Sure. You can finish your work first." "Jacob…" Jacob glanced at Sarah coldly. "Didn't you say you were leaving for lunch?" Sarah wanted to have lunch with him! Her fingers almost became swollen from how much she clenched her fists. She tried to keep a smile on her face. "I said that I'll accompany you to have lunch when you're done with work. Jacob, didn't you agree just now?" "Did I?" Jacob withdrew his gaze and kept a distance from Sarah. He was aloof. Simon walked to the side and said, "Ms. Green, I've reserved a table for you at a restaurant. I'll let the driver send you there." Sarah wanted to ask Jacob again, but she didn't dare to push it. So, she could only grab her purse and get up. "I won't disturb your work then. I'll come again sometime." The silence in the office responded to Sarah. She turned around and left the office in an embarrassing state. A moment of silence later, Jacob looked up to see Simon. "You should leave, too." Simon nodded and turned to leave. After shutting the door, he let out a sigh of relief. In the office, Nicole gave Jacob the design drawings and content of the project. "This is our design proposal. Please have a look." Jacob reached out to pick up the documents on the desk. He lowered his head and began going through the documents. It was silent in the office. As Nicole had just taken lunch and had a fever, she was sleepy. Jacob's finger tapped on the documents lightly. Casually, he asked, "Are you short of money right now?" Nicole glanced at him. Since she was having a fever, she didn't bother to speak to him. Jacob's gaze was still on the documents. His low voice didn't have fluctuations. "Why did you become an assistant for a small studio? If you're short of money, you should've become my secretary." Nicole chuckled. She rested her chin on her hand and asked, "How much will my salary be if I'm your secretary?" "My current boss appreciates me as an assistant. He pays me ten thousand every month." It was only then that Jacob raised his head. He looked at Nicole, who had a fake smile. Before he could frown, she continued, "If you employ me to be your secretary and give me a monthly salary of ten thousand, I won't accept it. The people unaware of the situation will think I became your mistress for that small sum of money." Jacob was at a loss for words. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do you think your boss doesn't have ulterior motives?" He gazed at Nicole deeply. "Ever since you graduated from university, you've been living a pampered life in my family. You don't have any work experience. Haven't you thought about why he would give you such a high salary?" Upon hearing his words, Nicole felt her head pounding when she was already feeling unwell. It turned out that he thought of her that way for the past three years of their marriage. The three years were a joke. "Don't judge others with your lowly mind!" Nicole got up from the couch. Her eyes were a bit red as she stared at Jacob. The anger she had accumulated in her heart for the past three years exploded at this moment. "Am I pampered in your family? Mr. Blake, why do you always reprimand other people arrogantly?" Nicole sneered. "There's so many rules in the Blake family. I need to read your mother's thoughts even when I want to eat a shrimp. "The household staff always looked down on me because I'm only your wife on paper. "Your mother hates me. She blames me for not giving birth to a child for the past three years. She said I have humiliated her." Nicole narrowed her eyes. She looked down at Jacob. "Can I become pregnant by myself?" Jacob's expression darkened. Nicole didn't care about Jacob's opinion. She expressed all her sufferings for the past several years in one go. "How was I pampered in your family?" Jacob felt frustrated. He tugged at his tie. "Why didn't you tell me all this?" "Tell you?" Nicole sneered as if she had heard the biggest joke of the century. "Aren't my sufferings because of you?" For three years, it was the first time Nicole saw a different expression on Jacob's face aside from coldness. Jacob stood up and walked toward Nicole. "If you told me this stuff earlier, you wouldn't have—" Nicole raised her hand to stop him from talking. With an indifferent gaze, she said, "Your attitude has determined their attitudes toward me. You don't need to feel sorry. I no longer need your apology." Upon hearing that, Jacob frowned. He grabbed her wrist. "Are you still hiding something from me?" With dark eyes, he stared at Nicole, trying to observe her expression. Nonetheless, Nicole didn't show any signs of panic. She tried to break free from his grasp. "Mr. Blake, I'm here to discuss business with you on behalf of the studio. I hope you can respect me!" Jacob's grip on her hand became stronger. "We're still married. You're still my wife on paper." "Jacob, don't push it!" Nicole flung Jacob's hand away. She didn't even realize that her voice was trembling. "Am I your dog that you can call as you wish? "When you're happy, you will play around with me. When you're upset, you will throw me in a corner. Is it fun to play with my feelings?" Nicole tried to keep her eyes open. Due to the fever, she couldn't think properly. Her emotions became complex. For Jacob, she gave up her achievements and future. She had lost the bet. There was no one to rely on in this world. She could only rely on herself. When Jacob saw that Nicole had become worked up, his expression changed. He reached out, wanting to comfort her. However, Nicole suddenly took two steps backward. She stopped crying. Her expression became cold. "Jacob, did I force you to marry me back then?"