Chapter 9

Luna's frown grew deeper and deeper. "Samuel, explain clearly. What exactly is going on?" "After you left last night, Ms. Sherwood, everyone went their own way. I was also on my way home when I ran into Mr. Richardson. "He accused me of sticking to you because I wanted to become your kept man. Then, he asked what it would take for me to leave you… You know that I've never had such thoughts! "I was so upset that I called up some of the others to continue our drinking session, which is how I ended up in the hospital with gastric bleeding." For some reason, I noticed Luna's expression relax slightly after Samuel finished speaking. In fact, she even looked a little… pleased? She arched an eyebrow at me and asked, "Edward, is what he said true? You really went looking for him?" I kept my explanation simple. "I met Samuel on the streets by coincidence. I didn't specifically seek him out. Since we'd bumped into each other, it was only polite to greet him—and that's all I did." As concisely as possible, I clearly explained the brief encounter we had last night. Samuel was the "familiar person" I had met on the streets last night. Back then, I had only been sincerely asking Samuel whether he was serious about his feelings for Luna. I had wanted to know whether it was Luna or her wealth that he was truly interested in. I could guarantee that I had only posed a friendly question. However, Samuel had seemingly gone mad and started insulting me, questioning why I could be a kept man but he couldn't. His behavior had simply baffled me. I had determined that he couldn't be reasoned with and gone straight home after that. Who would've known that his tolerance was so bad that he would end up in the hospital? Samuel continued to make unfounded accusations, "Wasn't it precisely because you wanted the opportunity to shine today that you waylaid me on my way home yesterday, Mr. Richardson?" Oh, this scheming old bastard was certainly a seasoned veteran at this! I didn't know what had Luna in deep thought off to the side. However, Samuel was slandering me to this extent in front of everyone. I couldn't just take it lying down! I sneered and launched my own counterattack. "This project proposal contains a plan I had originally discarded. I actually still have Plan B and Plan C as backups for any unforeseen circumstances. How about I give them all to you as study material? "You didn't even understand the contents of what you were plagiarizing, and you have the gall to accuse me of stealing your project? "Are you telling me that you weren't feigning illness to get out of today's meeting? And that you're not just jumping in to claim the credit now that Mr. Hutton and his people have left? "Even robbers wouldn't dare commit daylight robbery like you would." Samuel turned pale at my words. He refuted hoarsely, "You're speaking nonsense. You say I plagiarized your project proposal, but do you have any proof of that? "Everyone knows that I was a top student at Hoversoft University. You're a college dropout. Even if I were to plagiarize someone, it wouldn't be you!" His words left me slightly stunned. I looked blankly at Luna. Had she even told Samuel about the fact that I hadn't graduated from college? She obviously knew that this matter continued to remain one of my life's regrets, but it was now being used as ammunition against me. "So you want proof? I'd like to ask how Ms. Sherwood intends to settle this matter if I really do manage to provide the evidence." I steeled myself and looked toward Luna. I wanted her to make it clear where she stood. "Enough! Both of you, stop." Luna's voice was stern. "I was the one who gave him the draft for your proposal. "I simply asked him to help you improve on it. There's no need to make such a fuss and call it plagiarism, is there, Edward?" I stood in a daze. It felt as if my insides were twisting together as I looked at Samuel's smug face. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I had been holding onto the tiny hope that maybe—just maybe—Luna had simply been deceived by Samuel. That was why I fought back with reason and logic, hoping she'd see the truth. But she would rather place the blame on me and choose to side with Samuel. It was utterly ridiculous. I pushed my way through the crowd, leaving the conference room and returning to my office. I was afraid that if I stood there any longer, my trembling legs would give up on me. Back in the office, I tripped over something and fell. What I tripped on, I had no idea. Sharp glass shards stabbed into my palm, which instantly started bleeding heavily. Luna, who had followed closely behind me, watched everything incredulously. She walked forward and pulled me up off the ground. "Edward, do you really have to hurt yourself just so you can get to me?"