While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Chapter 70 The Unexpected Sight

The housekeeper stood in the kitchen doorway, her face neutral but her voice carrying a hint of urgency.

"Mrs. Thorne, it’s Dr. Harrison on the line. He says it’s important."

Veyra’s heart jumped. Dr. Harrison. The medical school. The licensing agreement. She had been so distracted by Xie Heng and the pizza shop and her father’s threats that she had almost forgotten.

She wiped her hands on her apron. Flour dusted the fabric.

"I’ll take it in the study," she said.

Lily looked up from the pizza toppings. "Who’s Dr. Harrison?"

"A friend. I’ll be right back."

She walked down the hallway to the small study off the living room. The phone was on the desk. She picked it up.

"Dr. Harrison?"

"Mrs. Thorne." His voice was warm. Kind. "I’ve been trying to reach you. Your phone has been off."

Veyra winced. She had turned it off after the calls from her father and Xie Heng. She had not turned it back on.

"I’m sorry," she said. "My phone broke. I just got it fixed this morning."

It was a lie. A small one. But she did not want to explain the real reason.

"No matter," Dr. Harrison said. "I wanted to follow up with you. About the licensing agreement. And about the university."

Veyra’s pulse quickened. "I’ve been thinking about both. I’ve made up my mind."

"Excellent. We should meet to discuss the details." He paused. "How about lunch? My treat."

Veyra shook her head. "No, Dr. Harrison. My treat. You’ve done so much for me already."

"Nonsense. I invited you."

"Then let me pay. Please."

There was a pause. Then Dr. Harrison chuckled. "You’re stubborn."

"So I’ve been told."

"How about Bordeaux 101? Do you know it?"

Veyra’s stomach dropped. Bordeaux 101 was one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. She had seen pictures online. Crystal chandeliers. White tablecloths. Waiters in tuxedos.

"I’ve heard of it," she said carefully.

"Shall we say one o’clock?"

"I don’t have a reservation. I heard you need one weeks in advance."

Dr. Harrison laughed. "I have a VIP card. Reservations are not an issue. One o’clock. I’ll see you there."

He hung up before she could protest.

Veyra stood in the study, staring at the phone.

Bordeaux 101. One o’clock. She was supposed to pay.

She did the math in her head. A meal at that restaurant could easily cost five thousand yuan. More if they ordered wine. She had saved some money—the emergency fund she had hidden from Caspian. But she had already given two thousand to Mia and bought the bracelet and the gifts for Aunt Chen.

She walked back to her bedroom. She closed the door. She pulled out her hidden stash.

The money was in an envelope at the bottom of her underwear drawer. She had been adding to it for years. A little here. A little there. Coins and crumpled bills and the occasional windfall.

She dumped the envelope onto the bed.

Notes of various denominations scattered across the duvet. She counted them. Twice. Three times.

Six thousand and forty-three yuan.

It was not enough. Not really. A meal for two at Bordeaux 101 with drinks and dessert could cost eight thousand. Nine. Ten.

But it would have to do.

She tucked the money into her bag. She felt a pang of regret. That money was supposed to be her escape fund. Her safety net. The thing that would keep her from ever being trapped again.

But Dr. Harrison was helping her get into medical school. He was helping her license her formula. He had saved Lily’s life by calling the ambulance that night.

She owed him this.

She zipped her bag and walked back to the kitchen.

The kitchen smelled like heaven.

The pizza had finished baking. The crust was golden brown. The cheese was bubbly. The pepperoni had curled at the edges.

Lily was bouncing on her stool. "Is it done? Is it done?"

Veyra pulled the pizza out of the oven. She set it on a wooden board. She sliced it into eight uneven pieces.

"Careful," she said. "It’s hot."

Lily grabbed a piece. She blew on it. She took a bite. Her eyes went wide.

"This is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten," Lily said, her mouth full.

Veyra laughed. "You’re only saying that because you helped make it."

"No. I’m saying it because it’s true." Lily took another bite. Cheese stretched from the slice to her chin.

Veyra cut two slices for herself. She ate standing up, leaning against the counter. The flavors were good. The crust was crispy. The sauce was tangy.

She was proud of herself.

"I have to go out," Veyra said. "I have a meeting."

Lily’s face fell. "Can I come?"

"Not this time. It’s a business meeting. Boring. Lots of paperwork."

"I don’t mind boring."

Veyra knelt down. She tucked a strand of hair behind Lily’s ear.

"How about this," Veyra said. "When your uncle comes home, we’ll all go out together. The three of us. Somewhere fun. You can pick the place."

Lily’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify