Chapter 17
Clifford’s heart clenched, and he felt his throat close up. For a moment, he couldn’t speak.
Lilibeth gazed at him with eyes so calm that they almost seemned cruel. “If my love for you was worth 100 points, Clifford, then you’ve reduced those 100 points to zero in the six years we were together.
“You deceived me into marrying you even though you liked Tiffany. That cost you 10 points.
“You accompanied her on a shopping trip on my birthday and lost another 10 points.
left me and went to pick out a birthday present for her while I was suffering from a 10%– degree fever. That day, you lost 10 points.
“For only grounding her for just a day after she smashed my head, you lost 20 points.
“For defending her after she cut my hair and slapped me, you lost 30 points…”
As Lilibeth continued to list things off, each word that came out of her mouth felt like a dagger stabbing into Clifford’s heart.
She continued; “Now, all 100 points have been deducted. There is no longer any trace of love for you in my heart.”
Clifford’s breath was ragged, and his fingers trembled unconsciously.
“I know that I neglected you before,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll change, but you shouldn’t get together with someone just to spite me.”
He reached out to pull her hand. “Come home with me.”
Lilibeth took a step back, avoiding his hand. “I’m not doing this to spite you. I really do like Magnus.”
Clifford’s expression abruptly turned cold. “I don’t believe it!”
She laughed in response. “Well then, I’ll make you believe it.”
With that, she went upstairs hand in hand with Magnus. Soon, he could hear the sound of the television coming from the screening room, accompanied by Lilibeth’s coquettish voice, filled with laughter.
“I want strawberries, Magnus.”
“This male lead is so handsome! He’s not as handsome as you are, though!”
“Hey, don’t tickle me! It tickles…”
Clifford stood downstairs, feeling as if his heart was being squeezed like a vice.
Change 17
He recalled that she had also flirted with him this way a few years ago, asking him to watch television with her. But how had he responded to her back then?
“Stop that. I’m very busy.”
Now, she was being all flirty and affectionate with someone else. An unprecedented wave of emotion swept through Clifford, bitter and stinging. It felt like tens of thousands of needles pricking at his heart.
He didn’t know what he was feeling. All he did know was that it felt really, really bad.
Lorenzo, on the other hand, was still adding fuel to the fire. “This is just the beginning, my friend.”
He shook his wine glass and smiled meaningfully. “If you can’t stand it, how about you just leave? You and Beth are over.”
Clifford glared coldly at him. “I’m going to stay here until I manage to bring her away.
Lorenzo shrugged. “Do as you like.”
Over the next few days, Clifford was forced to witness Lilibeth and Magnus‘ various public displays of affection.
They weren’t subtle about showing their intimacy at all. It was as if they were deliberately putting on a show in front of him.
During breakfast, Magnus would personally apply jam to Lilibeth’s portion of bread and feed it to her. When they were in the garden, Lilibeth would jump onto Magnus‘ back and let him carry her around in circles.
Then, at night, Magnus would put his arms around her waist and kiss her passionately in front of her bedroom door.
To make things worse, every time Lorenzo appeared, he would mock Clifford. “Why do you look so terrible, Clifford? Did you not sleep well last night?”
Clifford knew that he couldn’t afford to wait idly. So, when he heard that Magnus was taking Lilibeth to an auction, he immediately decided to follow them.
At the auction, Lilibeth seemed interested in a sapphire necklace. Noticing that, Clifford raised his bid paddle without hesitation.
“Ten million dollars,” he called out.
Magnus arched an eyebrow before quickly declaring, “20 million dollars.”
“30 million dollars.
“40 million dollars.”
The bidding price soared as the two of them vied for the necklace.
In the end, Magnus gestured to the auctioneer, indicating that he would offer higher than any
bid called.
Lilibeth was so pleasantly surprised that she kissed him. “You’re too generous!”
Magnus hugged her by the waist, smiling affectionately. “You’re worth it. Besides, I’m loaded.
Clifford’s expression was dangerously stormy. He proceeded to win the bid on every auction. item that followed, regardless of how high the price climbed and whether Lilibeth liked it or
not.
Halfway through the auction, he went to the corridor to make a phone call, only to accidentally overhear two wealthy ladies talking.
“Didn’t people say that the Sinclair family’s heir is celibate and sexually uninterested in women? Why is he behaving so wildly today?”
“I heard that he got divorced, and his former wife is now with the only son of the Shearers, so Mr. Sinclair is trying to get his wife back! Didn’t you see the look in his eyes when Ms. Quimby kissed Mr. Shearer? He looked like he wanted nothing more than to burn the whole auction house down.”
“What was he doing before? He didn’t cherish her in the past, but now he’s realized that he likes her? Well, it’s too late!”
Clifford was rooted to the spot.
He liked her?
Did he… like Lilibeth?
He had never felt such intense emotions for anyone before–jealousy, anger, and defiance….
By the time he returned to the venue, Lilibeth and Magnus had already left. Lilibeth hadn’t even spared a glance at the gifts Clifford had spent a lot of money bidding on.
He returned to the Quimby residence, utterly infuriated. As soon as he walked into the living room, he heard strange noises coming from upstairs.
“Magnus… gentler, please…”
His pupils shrank, and he felt his blood run cold. He rushed upstairs and kicked open bedroom door, yelling, “What are you doing?
the
In the room, Magnus was pressing a half–dressed Lilibeth onto the bed. They were kissing each other, their breathing labored.
When he heard the door being kicked open, Magnus turned to shield Lilibeth within his
Chapter 12
embrace. He lazily lifted his head to look at Clifford, his blue eyes filled with provocation.
Don’t you
know how to knock before you enter someone else’s room, Mr. Sinclair?” Clifford saw red. He grabbed Magnus by the collar of his shirt and punched him viciously.
