Twins in Her Womb (Bianca and Luke Crawford novel) novel Chapter 3461

Gerald walked over. “Ms. Sanchez, what's wrong?”

He was eager to get back upstairs and stash his cigarettes before someone noticed and took them.

Hera yanked open his bag, glanced at the cigarette brand, and scoffed. “I thought it was some expensive brand. But it's just this? And you’re acting all deferential to her over this?”

Gerald was rendered speechless. “I knew Ms. Craw was going out, so I asked her to bring these back for me. This is the brand I’m used to. Maybe it’s not expensive to you, but for me, it’s what I can afford.”

Realizing she had misspoken, Hera felt a bit awkward.

She quickly changed the topic. “Still, is a pack of cigarettes really worth you being so grateful to Luca? How much could it have cost?”

“It’s not about the money,” replied Gerald. “It's just a nice surprise. I never expected to get anything out of helping Ms. Craw, and this kind of unexpected gift has nothing to do with the price. Besides, I'm not being overly grateful. I'm just happy.”

He was baffled. All he had done was say a simple thank you, hoping that Luca might help him again in the future. Why did Hera exaggerate it so much?

Hera shifted in her seat and frowned. “Fine, I just made a comment. Do you really need to argue with me over every little thing?

“Besides, I already said I wanted to give you something to thank you for taking care of me these past few days, but you refused. It makes me feel like you’re looking down on me.”

Gerald frowned and explained, “Believe me or not, it’s not about looking down on you. It’s just that luxury goods don’t mean anything to me. I don’t care about luxury brands, only cigarettes. And you’re using the boss’ money to buy me gifts. What do you think he’d say if he found out?”

Hera was stunned for a moment.

He continued, “So, Ms. Sanchez, I appreciate the thought, but I don’t want to cause trouble. Thanks, but no thanks.”

Then, he grabbed his cigarettes and headed upstairs.

Gerald could not quite figure out Hera’s logic.

A pack of cigarettes was a small change. He could accept that without feeling guilty, but a luxury item worth tens of thousands of dollars?

Sure, he needed money, but he understood that making money was only useful if you could actually spend it. If getting rich meant putting his life on the line, he would rather not earn that kind of money.

Hera scowled as she watched him leave, then stomped her foot in frustration.

After Gerald got upstairs, he noticed Luca standing by the second-floor staircase.

Surprised, he asked, “Ms. Craw, weren’t you looking for Mr. Shanks?”

“He's on a call.” Luca glanced toward the balcony. The glass door was shut, so she could not hear what Shanks was saying, but she could see him holding a phone in his hand.

Hence, she stood there waiting.

“Oh, got it.” Gerald followed her gaze and saw Shanks standing on the balcony, talking on the phone.

Luca glanced at the cigarettes in his hand and asked, “Ms. Sanchez wanted to give you a gift?”

“A luxury item worth tens of thousands of dollars! Who would dare accept that? If I did, I’d probably lose my life soon after.” Gerald shuddered.

Luca smiled, considering a certain possibility, and nodded. “Yeah, some things just aren’t meant to be taken.”