when she left he went crazy (Hope and Christopher)

Chapter 164: Resembling Her, Only Then Receiving His Care

The two questions hung in the air, sharp as a blade between us. However, Jerry's face remained untroubled. He beckoned me closer with a playful finger. "Lean in. Il tell you."

I leaned towards him, though the gesture felt almost mocking given our confined space in the car. 'Alright, go ahead."

With only the driver present, the secrecy seemed unnecessary, yet ferry played along, leaning in slightly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can't stand people who are too dumb" I sat up straight and glared at jerry. "So I should thank you for enlightening me?"

"I wouldn't mind." Jerry's smile was infuriatingly polite.

He always wore that smug expression.

But I couldn't deny the help Jerry had given me. Lowering my eyes, I muttered. Thanks for what you did earlier."

Jerry's slender fingers tapped the window frame absentmindedly. "Even if I hadn't shown up, they would have released you eventually. But you would have suffered more in the meantime." Kimberly an

and Skylar Harris wouldn't let things slide so easily. Especially with the scandal breaking online, Skylar would've unleashed all her fury on me. By the time she finished, I'd be a wreck.

Jerry's faint smile suggested he had already figured it all out. "No, they wouldn't have. The longer you stayed with the Harris family, the more dirt would surface online. Skylar Harris and her daughter might be foolish, but Mr. Harris isn't."

1 retorted, "Really?"

Christopher really had it tough.

On one hand, bound to the Harris family by marriage; on the other, stirring up trouble to save me.

Jerry glanced at me sideways. "What, are you worried about your ex-husband?"

The sarcasm was undisguised.

I met Jerry's gaze. "Do you think Christopher Valence would go to such extremes for me?"

Jerry lounged lazily in the seat, his eyelids drooping, his voice relaxed. "He's burdened with too much. So, he wouldn't."

I replied, "Then what do I have to wo

Christopher always knew the weight of his responsibilities. Since childhood, great things were expected of him, especially after Bentley's passing. The entire Valence Group relied on him. How could Christopher abandon the Valence Group for someone as inconsequential as me?

Jerry looked a bit surprised. "Didn't expect you to not be completely blinded by love."

"You're the one blinded by love," I retorted.

A dangerous glint flickered in Jerry's eyes as he smiled. "What did you say?"

It seemed if I pushed further, he might just toss me back into the freezing night. So, I compromised, smiling sweetly. "I said you're an exceptional man, devoted to a fiancée lost for over twenty years. Truly commendable."

Jerry raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment, "Keep it coming, I appreciate the praise"

Typical Jerry, always pushing his luck.

Looking out the window, I spotted an alley not far away and remembered something. "Can we stop at that alley?"

Jerry gave me a puzzled look,

1/3

Chapter 164 Resembling Her, Only Then Receiving His Care

I explained, "I need to pick something up."

Jerry didn't respond; he just instructed the driver. "Pull over."

The car halted, and I stepped out into the biting cold. I wanted to dash into the alley, but my knees still hurt, making my strides awkward.

Luckily, there weren't many people around at this time.

I reached a pottery studio, where the potter recognized me and quickly handed over two ceramic pieces. "Ms. Royston" he said, "this one you crafted yourself, and the other is based on the photo you provided."

I nodded in gratitude. "Thank you,"

The potter asked, "Do you need them packed?"

I shook my head. "No, just give me a bag."

Leaving the studio, I held the eco-friendly paper bag tightly and headed back to the car. As 1 approached, I noticed ferry sprawled out, appearing asleep. I hesitated to disturb him and instead settled quietly into my seat. However, a faint rustling from his chest betrayed that he wasn't truly asleep.

Pursing my lips, I spoke in formal tone. "I'm really sorry for breaking your money box that day."

Jerry peeled off his eye mask, revealing sleepy eyes tinged with irritation. "Hope Royston, is making me unhappy your specialty?"

"No." I hurriedly interrupted, taking out the replica rabbit the potter made. "This is a copy of the one I broke. It's not perfect, but I hope it makes up for my mistake."

I shouldn't have touched that box in the first place. The impulse had baffled me then and even more so now. Despite spending days at the pottery studio, my attempts to replicate it were mediocre at best. I had to enlist the potters help in the end.

Jerry's eyes flickered with surprise as he glanced at the little rabbit in my hand. His gaze softened. "What else is in the bag?"

I hesitated. I made one myself

It wasn't very good, and I didn't want to embarrass myself by showing it. I only kept it as a memento of my first pottery attempt. Cautiously, I added, "This one is not very similar."

Jerry took the rabbit and placed it in the bag, then extended his hand towards me. "Give me everything. Break one, replace with two," I paused before reaching into the bag. "Alright."

After all, it was my fault.

I handed the bag to Jerry. He set it aside, then gazed at me deeply, making my scalp tingle. He smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile. "Sometimes, you remind me of her," Jerry murmured

"Who? Bella?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes." Jerry closed his eyes, his voice tight. "When you looked up with red eyes earlier, your eyes were just like hers,

I didn't dare think too much; I just smiled. "It's just the eyes."

"Yes, just the eyes." Jerry took a deep breath. She never showed such confusion, such despair,"

He smiled indulgently. "She would only get angry, pout, and complain about how late I was."

Maybe it was because we'd both loved someone unconditionally. I felt a pang of empathy and comforted him. "You'll find her, definitely.

Back at Jacquar One, after getting off the elevator, Jerry and I went our separate ways

Soon, the doorbell rang again.

very stood at the door with a cup of hot drink, her face alight with sweetness. "Hope, this will prevent a cold. My brother asked me to bring it to you."

onfused, I asked, "Jerry asked you?"

fea!" Avery nodded enthusiastically, mischief in her eyes. "Yes! Grace wasn't feeling well, so we rushed back to Maple Valley last night. Today, when he rund out you were taken away, he came back immediately."

was surprised. "Really?"

rry hadn't mentioned a word in the car. Given his personality, he surely would have boasted.

wery handed me the medicine and walked in. "Drink it quickly, but he warned me not to tell you it was from him." gripped the cup, inhaling the bitter aroma of the medicine, and sipped it slowly. I smiled. Then why did you tell me?" Because the truth shouldn't be hidden." Avery blinked. "But why didn't he want me to tell you? You're both single." walked to the kitchen to rinse the cup, smiling. "Because the person he really wants to take care of isn't me It was Bella.

I was just lucky to resemble Bella.

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