CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: NINA SULLIVAN POSTED HER BOYFRIEND’S PHOTO

Vera frowned and turned her face away.

Was he trying to prove to her that he and Nina were innocent?

It wasn’t until she saw him dial Elias Crowe, his assistant, that Vera believed he was serious.

She stopped him, "Ian Kane, don’t interfere with my work."

Ian Kane was unwilling to give up. After looking at her and confronting her for a few seconds, he finally hung up the call.

Vera looked out of the car window again.

The man’s warm hand covered hers. When she tried to pull away, he firmly intertwined their fingers and said in a warm, deep voice, "Honey, you were so badly hurt as a child and endured so much pain dancing. You even injured your foot for me. How could I bear to let you suffer any grievance?"

Vera felt a pang in her nose but didn’t respond.

With so many unanswered questions, she was reluctant to blindly trust him.

When getting off the car, she refused his offer to carry her. Ian Kane was very accommodating, patiently coaxing her to stay still, saying he’d fetch the wheelchair.

Vera didn’t move.

Seeing Ian Kane pushing her inside, Maeve asked with concern and quickly offered to serve them food.

Vera said, "Maeve, I’m not hungry. Help me upstairs to rest."

Maeve noticed the tension between them and didn’t dare speak. She quietly assisted Vera.

Ian Kane bent down to engage the brakes without touching her.

Back in the bedroom, Vera, exhausted and sweaty, rested on the chaise longue. Maeve thoughtfully elevated her injured ankle.

In Vera’s view, Maeve was considered one of her confidants.

Previously, when Jean Crowe tricked Maeve into revealing that she and Ian Kane had been sleeping separately since their marriage, Maeve had promptly informed Vera about it.

Maeve covered her with a blanket.

Vera said, "Maeve, leave me be. I want some peace."

Maeve reached the door and, recalling something, quickly searched her pocket, "Oh, Vera, remember you told me to be careful while vacuuming? I actually found Mr. Kane’s cufflink."

"See, isn’t it this one?"

Vera suddenly opened her eyes and sat up straight.

The gem-encrusted cufflink Maeve handed over sparkled coldly under the light, with slight scratches on its edges. This certainly looked like Ian Kane’s usual accessory.

It was platinum set with a deep blue sapphire, bearing an English logo on the back.

So, the one in the dressing room was just similar; it really wasn’t Ian Kane’s...

Vera’s emotions were in turmoil, restless and varied.

Did she truly misjudge Ian Kane?

If not, could it be that Maeve colluded with him, and this cufflink was a forgery?

Conflicting voices argued in her mind.

Vera, arms crossed, calmly pondered alone for a long time, preparing to discuss this with Ian Kane.

Just then, a knock came on the bedroom door.

Ian Kane entered with a tray, closing the door behind him. As he approached, a rich aroma of food filled the air.

Vera suddenly felt hungry.

The man wore a slightly undone white shirt beneath an iron-gray vest, defining his slim waist and long legs.

A few strides took those long legs to her side.

Vera dropped her gaze, slightly embarrassed, "Maeve found the cufflink."

Ian Kane placed the tray down and stood beside her, gazing at her quietly without a word.

The atmosphere was subtle.

Unsure if he was angry with her, Vera looked up.

In the light, his handsome features were cool and somewhat detached.

"I’m sorry."

Ian Kane still didn’t speak, maintaining an aloof demeanor.

Vera recalled dismissing his explanations, outright accusing him of infidelity, thinking he must be furious. Attempting to rise from the chaise longue, a sharp pain shot through her ankle, and her frail body nearly toppled.

Ian Kane steadied her by the waist.

Vera didn’t resist, looking up at him earnestly, "Mr. Kane, I’m sorry, please don’t be mad."

Finally, Ian Kane smiled, his eyes filled with warmth, gently pinching her slender cheek, "How could I dare be mad at Ms. Sheridan? Dare I?"

His tone was seemingly helpless yet affectionate.

Vera’s heart warmed, her eyes reddening at his understanding.

In the car earlier, he had even said it was his fault for not giving her enough security.

Perhaps she was truly insecure in relationships, causing her sensitivity?

After a while, Ian Kane let go, "The noodles are getting soggy; let’s eat."

They both sat down, and he donned disposable gloves to peel shrimp for her.

After eating, he took care of her until she lay down before leaving.

Vera rested at home for a few days. Once her ankle was completely de-swollen, she returned to work at the dance troupe.

On Monday, as Vera entered the troupe, she immediately noticed scaffolding in the main lobby where several workers were putting up a large poster.

The person in the poster was Nina.

Her own poster lay discarded on the floor, trampled upon with numerous footprints.

"Ms. Sheridan, you haven’t heard yet, have you? Nina is now our troupe’s lead," said a passing cleaning lady.

Vera raised an eyebrow.

She really didn’t know.

Besides, this year’s lead selection process hadn’t even started yet.

The cleaner leaned closer and whispered, "Her boyfriend pulled some strings for her."

Vera suddenly recalled Nina’s provocative words that night.

"Ms. Sheridan, do you know Nina’s boyfriend’s background?" The cleaner, leaning on her mop, looked at Vera, "That day, I saw him outside the dressing room. He’s like your—"

Like her what?

The cleaner was hesitant to continue, lowering her head to mop, "Ms. Sheridan, I’ll get back to work."

Vera’s smile was faint, "Okay, see you."

"Ms. Sheridan, be careful, I just mopped the floor!" The cleaner watched her limping away with regret, such a beautiful woman, with a crippled foot...

As Vera’s figure disappeared behind the elevator doors, a young man emerged from the lobby corner, his hoodie brim shading his eyes, leaving only his sharp jawline exposed.

The young man picked up Vera’s poster like a golden staff, casually placing it over his shoulder, and swaggered off on his long, straight legs.

The cleaning lady didn’t even see who he was before he vanished, "This poster could fetch a few scraps as waste paper; why take it?"

While she grumbled, bright laughter echoed from the dressing room.

"Everyone gets a Frappuccino, all yours! Tonight, let’s go karaoke; how about it?"

Before Vera entered, a rich coffee aroma wafted over, accompanied by the girls’ excited chatter.

"Yes, yes! Which nightclub?"

"Nina, who exactly is your boyfriend? When will you introduce him to us? Is he handsome? How old is he?"

Leaning against the wardrobe, sipping coffee, the Jade Bracelet on Nina’s wrist shimmered warmly. She wasn’t annoyed by the "how old" teasing, aware those girls looked down on her, thinking Nina could only latch onto some old man.

"My boyfriend’s family is among the top in Ardendale. He’s not even thirty, stands 6’2", weighs 176 pounds, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, an eight-pack, and Forbes’ top thirty!" She beamed with pride.

Upon hearing this, Vera’s steps halted.

Most of the girls from humble origins vividly imagined Nina’s words; they knew of only one such man, Ms. Sheridan’s husband—Mr. Kane.

That’s when they noticed Vera entering.

Each paused briefly before greeting her, "Ms. Sheridan!"

Nina picked up the Starbucks paper bag from the bench, approaching her, "Ms. Sheridan, this is for you."

Also a Frappuccino, with full sugar.

Vera slightly narrowed her eyes, "Thank you, I don’t drink sweet drinks."

Nina pouted, "Ms. Sheridan, I know you’re very disciplined and avoid sweets, but look at you now; there’s no need to maintain your figure or weight. You should treat yourself."

As she spoke, she glanced at Vera’s right foot.

Anyone could tell she was being sarcastic, mockingly taunting Vera.