Chapter 54 Feeling Sorry for His Wife
Teresa froze but then smiled, "Countless couples go separate ways when disasters come, not to mention that our marriage is a lightning one. There isn't an emotional foundation, and it has been just a couple of days since we got married. I'm really grateful that you're willing to face the situation with me."
If she couldn't handle the matter properly, those around her would be implicated.
"Leila and Patrick were classmates. They dated for many years before they got married and had a son. Patrick's attitude was terrible after he learned about the negative comments about Leila and me."
After a moment of silence, Hubert said, "Teresa, not every man is like Patrick. That's not fair to the other men. About the same thing, people have different opinions."
He believed that Patrick's relationship with Leila had gone sour.
Then again, he couldn't comment much about it since he had just married Teresa. He was not that bold to accuse Patrick of having a love affair without evidence. It was just his hunch.
"Makes sense."
Leila's broken marriage affected Teresa to such a point that she was a bit repulsive to love and marriage. Luckily, her husband was fine and responsible when it came to big issues, although his way of doing things occasionally injured her pride.
The joke made by her friend occurred to her. Since she had signed a six-month agreement with Hubert, why didn't she try nurturing their relationship?
"There is a service area ahead. Do you need to use the bathroom? My car needs some gas."
"Okay."
Teresa agreed.
A few minutes later, Hubert drove into the service area and parked the car in the parking lot.
They got off together.
Hubert went to wash his hands and then returned to the car. He called and instructed Morgan in a deep voice after the line went through, "I don't care what methods you'll use. I need you to make those insiders in Hellereign Village speak up for Teresa."
"It's easy and can be handled with a phone call," Morgan said. Shooting sparrows with artillery once again.
He had assigned men to investigate the matter and naturally had contact with the villagers.
"What's Teresa's plan?"
Morgan asked since the wife of his boss was involved.
He was just gossiping.
"Gather enough evidence to prove that they can afford the medical bills. Produce the agreement they signed along with proof of how they worked against her and her sister. She can turn the tide as long as the villagers are willing to speak up for them."
"Your wife is composed and analytical, just like you."
The corners of Hubert's mouth twitched, and he sulked, "How so?
"As you interact with each other, she has been affected by you and becomes more mature. Nothing can perturb her. It's a compliment, and you're upset? Or you're thinking of other aspects?"
For the latter half of his speech, his tone was playful.
Hubert itched to hang up on him.
"Send someone to check out Astra Heller's situation."
"Got it."
Morgan agreed readily and asked again, "I've helped you a lot. Can I take a week off when you come back?"
"One day tops. If you were gone for a week, the outsiders would wonder if I had fired you. Warren has been waiting to poach you, and I'm afraid his effort would be in vain. He may get mad, so you will have one day off."
"Of course, if you're going on a blind date and having a lighting marriage, I'll grant you an extra day off."
Morgan directly hung up on his boss and friend.
This man was trying to lead him astray.
Nice try!
Hubert had a lighting marriage under the pressure of his grandmother.
Madam Donovan liked Teresa so much that she was even willing to sacrifice her grandson.
After giving his instructions, Hubert got out of the car and went to buy something to eat. When Teresa came back, he handed the food to her and said, "The trip will take some time, and you should eat something. This small issue is not worth starving yourself."
"Have you had it?"
Hubert hummed as he already had a little to keep himself from feeling hungry. He didn't fill his belly with these snacks because he didn't quite like them.
Teresa then started eating.
She was eating while Hubert was driving.
The Hellereign Village was more than an hour's drive from downtown, and they were taking the highway.
Teresa hadn't been back for almost a decade. Leila and she used to come back in summer and winter vacations, but their grandparents gave them cold shoulders and refused to feed them. They had to buy the ingredients and cook on their own.
Later, the old couple went as far as throwing their belongings away, stuffing their rooms with firewood and sundries, and giving them no place to live.
After their parents passed away, their grandparents were their closest relatives in this world. It was also them who took over the house left by their parents, kicked them out, and refused to provide for them. Both young, Leila and she had no dependence back then. Some villagers sympathized with them and could not change anything.
Her grandmother was a shrew who shouted abuse all the time. Few villagers dared to offend her.
Even their request to visit their parents' graves was turned down. The old couple let one of their cousins be the adopted son of their parents and asked him to sweep the tomb instead.
In such a situation, Leila and Teresa found it hard to come back.
If her memory didn't serve her wrong, the 'adopted' son of her parents was Petter Heller.
This arrangement would allow Petter to occupy her parents' house and farm for a fair reason.
Hubert was a stranger to the village, and Teresa hadn't been back for a long time. As a result, no one recognized her, but it was convenient for her to take pictures of her uncles' houses.
Back then, her grandparents took away her parents' compensation and gave it to her uncles. With the money, they built their houses or did businesses. Now, they were all living in cottages.
They had thrived in the village.
Back to her former home, Teresa stood at the entrance, looked at the house built by her parents, and remembered the details of their lives in the past. It made her feel a lump in her throat.
She felt a tingling sensation in her nose, and the tears were welling up in her eyes.
Hubert stood not far behind her, silently watching.
Aware that her mind was wandering, he suddenly felt sorry for her and itched to offer her his shoulder.
It went on like that for a long time.
A middle-aged woman passed by. At the sight of Teresa, she stopped in her tracks and asked in surprise, "Teresa?"