He Framed Me, So I Laughed At His Fake Lov

Chapter 2

I looked at my parents standing behind her.

They had aged considerably. Compared with 8 years ago, their backs were more stooped, and their hair had gone completely white.

A dull ache rose in my chest.

If they ever learned that the goddaughter they adored was the very person responsible for their biological daughter's imprisonment, I wondered how they would react.

My father glanced at me and snorted.

"We only have one daughter, and that's Vivi. The sight of someone like her, who got people killed over a little money, makes me sick!"

My mother clenched her jaw and lowered her voice.

"Adrian, why did you even come looking for someone like her? You should've just left her to die out there!"

After my parents said those things, everyone in the diner—including Maggie—looked at me strangely.

I turned my head away, swallowing the pain. I couldn't bear to meet their eyes.

Adrian sighed. "Don't blame your parents. What happened back then hit them too hard."

He took an embossed business card from his pocket and handed it to me.

"I owe you so much. If you ever need anything, call me anytime."

I didn't refuse the card.

Or rather, I accepted it politely, like I would with any customer, then set it on the counter.

I didn't believe Adrian had come all this way just to find me, and I didn't plan to see him again.

But 3 days later, Maggie called me.

"Nora, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you used to be such an accomplished chef. Washing dishes at my place is far beneath you. I'll pay you for the full month, and your salary will be transferred to your account soon. Take tomorrow off. You don't need to come back."

She hung up in a rush before I could say a word.

Confused, I tried to call her back, only to discover that Maggie had blocked my number.

Then I received a message notifying me that my salary had been deposited: $4,800. Maggie had thrown in an extra $600, with a note attached: Consider this $600 compensation. Our diner is small, and we can't handle this kind of trouble. Please don't come back.

My heart sank. I immediately knew Adrian was behind it.

Sure enough, his call came right after.

"Nora, I can't clear your name in that old case. I hope you understand. But I will make it up to you in other ways. Washing dishes is too hard on you, so I've already quit the job for you. I bought you an apartment in Seabridge. Move in there. Vivi is young, and she isn't as skilled in the kitchen as you are. Help her out, and I'll pay you 200,000 dollars every month."

My grip tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white.

What gave him the right?

He had personally driven me into a corner, made me a target of everyone's scorn, and alienated my family and friends. Now, he was playing the savior while destroying the peaceful life I had fought so hard to rebuild.

Why did he think he could make decisions for me and arrange my entire life as he pleased?

He said he wanted me to help Vivian, but what he truly wanted was for me to become her shadow.

Adrian's words disgusted me.

I forced down my emotions and spoke through gritted teeth, "Thanks for your kindness, Mr. Lawson. But I have my own life now. Please don't disturb me again."

There was a long silence on the other end. Then he said slowly, "Nora, don't be so stubborn. You're proud, and the only place you can truly be happy is in front of a stove. I can provide for you and give your talent the chance to shine. What else do you want? If you're refusing only because of your pride, then I have other ways to deal with that."

He hung up without another word.

Unease began to settle over me.

That afternoon, I found out exactly what he meant by "other ways".