"Oh, are you crying? I am sorry it was just a slip of tongue. Charlie and Shirley have been kidnapped and you must be worried. Oh, I shouldn't talk about that at all. I am really sorry! Please forgive me," Holley apologized sincerely as she drew a tissue paper out of the tissue box and handed it to Sheryl. She pretended to be compassionate toward Charlie's and Shirley's terrible suffering. On the other hand, in her heart, never had she felt so happy before. Sheryl's pain had always made her happy. She thought, 'Well done Leila! I am so happy that you kidnapped Charlie and Shirley. Charlie is probably safe, but I am sure Shirley won't be treated kindly at all. My dear sister, I will also do my best to torment you. You will pay the price for what I have suffered. My life has been ruined and thus, you won't even live a happy life either.'
"It really doesn't matter. I am anxious and worried about Charlie and Shirley. I never thought such bad things would ever happen to them. Miss Ye, I am sorry I haven't been more welcoming to you," Sheryl replied as she shook her head to show she didn't mind Holley's words at all. She knew her boss was just showing solicitude to her employee. Although she was not clear why Holley had treated her much better than her other colleagues, she was grateful especially when she was in terrible suffering. Holley's visit made her feel much better. Her stress surely needed to be shared. She was indeed, in need of a shoulder to cry on.
"Don't say that! I came here to visit you, not for a warm welcome. Just lie down and rest. Only after you recover, you can look for your daughter. You agree with what I am saying, don't you?" Holley stopped Sheryl who was trying to sit and said solemnly. However, this time she wasn't pretending. She really hoped Sheryl, would get better soon to suffer more pain.
"Alright." Sheryl nodded and laid down on the bed. After a short consideration, she asked curiously, "But Miss Ye, where did you get the news from?" She was not a fool. 'It's impossible for Charles to tell my colleagues especially my boss about our kids' kidnapping. But, Holley knew that news. Why? It's weird, ' thought Sheryl.
As Holley heard the question, her face became pale. Since Leila called to inform her that she had taken Charlie and Shirley away, a feeling of ecstasy stopped Holley from thinking clearly. She came to the hospital in which Sheryl was staying before she knew what she was doing. She was stoked to see Sheryl's appearance.
As expected, Sheryl was stricken with anxiety and immersed in grief. This scene was rejoicing for Holley.
As the saying went, extreme joy begot sorrow. She wasn't expecting being asked about the source of the news. There was no time to think out a perfect explanation. She stammered after a short hesitation, "The whole company is yapping about it. It is not a secret." She knew the words were not convincing, but there were no other words that sounded better. It was hard for her to think of a better explanation in such a short time span.
"The whole company knows about that?" Sheryl retorted. She didn't believe a word Holley said. She thought, 'Charles won't tell my colleagues about that. Why does my boss know this news?' She never suspected Leila would tell her boss about what she had done. After all, they were thought to be strangers. The truth was that Holley was a co-conspirator herself.
"Of course," Holley replied stiffly. To defuse the tension, she changed another topic and said tenderly, "Sher, I came here for two reasons. First, I want to make sure you are okay. Second, if you need my help, don't hesitate to call me. I will always be ready to give you my hand." She had been making very friendly gestures. Her words sounded sincere, while in fact she wouldn't give Sheryl any practical help. Stabbing Sheryl in the back was the only thing that she would always love to do.
"No, thank you," Sheryl said with bitter smile. She thought, 'No one can help me. My only hope is Leila's call. I hope she can call me as early as possible.
Since Leila kidnapped Charlie and Shirley, she will ask for something or call me or Charles to tell us her demands. Why doesn't she called yet? If Shirley talks to me even a word, I won't get so worried about her.'
Every time she thought of Shirley, she had to fight back tears. When she realized Holley was still here, she forced a smile and said, "No one can help me."
"Don't worry. It's worthless. You'd better take good care of yourself and recover as soon as possible. Mr. Lu will find the children," Holley acknowledged and said encouragingly. She stared at Sheryl's pale face and was enjoying every second of this. Although She didn't know where the children were, she was sure they were not having a good time. Whether they could come back to Sheryl depended solely on Leila's attitude.
"I hope so," Sheryl replied, smiling sorrowfully.
Before they continued their embarrassing conversation, the door was pushed open. It was Amy. She hadn't seen Holley before, so she asked, looking at Sheryl, "Who is this lady?"
"Grandma, nice to meet you. My name is Holley Ye. Sheryl and I work in the same company," Holley said politely, wearing a sweet smile. She stood beside the bed looking at Amy with all due respect. Beautiful as she was, she looked lovelier when she smiled. She tried to make Amy feel good about her. After all, Amy had seen her before when she was Yvonne. She thought, 'I hope Amy won't recognize me. Or my revenge will fail. Lucky for Sheryl to be born in Zhao family. Her family is rich and everyone cares about her. Without her family, I would surely, have been the winner in the competition for Charles' love.'
Her hate towards Zhao family was not less than that towards Sheryl. She blamed for all the painful experiences she faced to both Sheryl and Zhao family. Never would she learn to ponder her own mistakes.
"Grandma, this is my boss. She came to visit me," Sheryl said to Amy, pointing at Holley.
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