Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 196: Was He Harmony’s Backer?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha looked at Rochelle’s expression and was a little surprised. “What’s up, Chelle? What are you looking at?”

While asking, she turned around and followed Rochelle’s line of sight, only to see Harmony standing in front of Lychee TV.

Was it simply because she saw Harmony? Rochelle could not have known Harmony...

“Why is she here?” Rochelle asked coldly.

The ‘she’ referred to Harmony.

Although Samantha was still very curious as to what was going on, she still answered the question. “Her boyfriend probably helped her get in. She officially started work today, along with me.”

That answer made Rochelle’s expression much colder.

“Chelle, what’s going on?” Samantha rarely saw that kind of expression from Rochelle and frowned as a result too.

However, Rochelle did not answer her and merely said, “Wait here, Sammy.”

She unfastened her seat belt, pushed the door open, and got out of the car. With her high heels on, she extended her beautiful legs and walked straight toward Harmony.

“Chelle!” Samantha unconsciously called out to her.

She started to get a little anxious when Rochelle did not respond to her calls, so she walked over after pushing the door open and getting down from the car.

When Rochelle went up to Harmony, she had to look down at Harmony due to their height difference of about half a head. Her expression was cold and carried her own indomitable aura.

Harmony still had a delicate and innocent little look. Her clear eyes stared at Rochelle as she asked softly, “And you are?”

“Rochelle Tyrell. I’m Jonathan’s wife,” Rochelle replied concisely.

Samantha, who chased over, stopped in shock when she heard that introduction. Rochelle wanted to disassociate herself with Jonathan as much as she could and never once mentioned Jonathan’s name whenever she introduced herself. It was therefore very uncharacteristic of her to actually mention his name out loud.

What in the world was happening?

“Oh, so you’re Jon’s wife.” Harmony seemed to have a sudden realization and put on a sweet smile. “I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

Rochelle smiled and stretched out her hand toward Harmony.

Harmony reached out as well and accepted the handshake.

The etiquette for handshakes was to retract one’s hands after giving a light shake, but as soon as Harmony shook hands with Rochelle, she felt the strength of Rochelle’s handshake and felt pain as a result.

Harmony was not too surprised. She knew that Rochelle and Samantha were very best friends, but she did not expect Rochelle to be so bold as to bully her outright.

She pulled her hand as hard as she could but failed to pull it away. On the contrary, Rochelle’s strength increased as her smile widened. The pain made Harmony grit her teeth.

She used all her strength to pull her hand away, but Rochelle let go of the handshake almost immediately. The immense force she exerted when pulling her hand back caused her to stagger back a couple of times and almost made her fall.

Harmony’s face soured somewhat.

Rochelle was clearly there to pick a fight!

Rochelle looked at her coldly and did not apologize at all. Rather, she expressed ‘concern’ in an unfeeling manner. “Are you okay?”

Harmony had a half-smile, “I don’t seem to have any beef with you, Ms. Tyrell. Don’t you think you’re going overboard? Or could it be that you’re being the fall guy for your good friend because she wants to continue faking her kind persona and doesn’t want anyone to badmouth her?”

As she spoke, she looked unabashedly at Samantha at one side and was being quite overt in her implication.

Many employees heard her say that because they had just clocked off work and her voice was not too soft.

Once Harmony made that comment, the onlookers could not help but whisper to themselves.

Rochelle’s lips twitched.

‘This woman knows how to pretend. She’s even more of a b*tch when she pretends compared to what I’ve managed to find out.’

“Perhaps you should take a good look at yourself first before accusing me of going overboard.” Rochelle took a step forward and gazed down condescendingly at her. “Feelings are a pet peeve of mine. Everything about my husband is for me and me alone to enjoy, including how I call him. Did I give you permission to call him ‘Jon’? Stay the f*ck away from other people’s husbands. Know your place as a friend.

“If you blur the lines under the pretext of being a friend, this palm of mine will end up on your pretentious little face.”

Harmony’s face suddenly turned pale.

Rochelle was clearly venting on Samantha’s behalf, but her words had rid Samantha of any involvement and even implied that Harmony was overstepping boundaries and got too close to other people’s husbands.

The discussions about Samantha and Rochelle were suddenly shifted to Harmony. All kinds of snide comments were then said.

Her eyes reddened and she covered her face. She subsequently turned around and left, as if she had suffered tremendous humiliation.

Rochelle snorted contemptuously but had a conflicted look in her eyes.

A woman whose ruthlessness was hidden behind fake pity and sympathy-gaining antics was much more terrifying than scatterbrained pretty faces who acted impulsively.

It was a thorny situation indeed!

Seeing that there were more and more people gathering around, Samantha snapped to her senses and rushed forward. She pulled Rochelle and immediately went back to the car.

After closing the door, Samantha turned around to look at Rochelle and said softly, “Thanks, babe.”

She finally knew why Rochelle told Harmony about being Jonathan’s wife. Her goal was to use ‘Jonathan’ as an excuse to bait Harmony and teach her a lesson.

“No thanks necessary,” Rochelle said grimly. “She just pissed me off. It has nothing to do with you.”

Samantha smiled slightly. A thought occurred to her and she then asked, “But...does Harmony know Jonathan? Does Jonathan have...some kind of special relationship with her?”

Could Jonathan be the ‘boyfriend’ that Harmony mentioned? Could that be the reason Rochelle’s expression changed so drastically and got so angry after seeing her?

Although she knew that Rochelle did not love Jonathan and did not mind Jonathan’s frolicking outside, she would not allow other people to shake her identity as Mrs. Yates. The reason was because she wanted Jonathan to die childless, and it made sense that she would never allow anyone else to usurp her status.

If the ‘boyfriend’ Harmony mentioned was Jonathan, it would make sense because he would have the ability to be her backer and get Lychee TV to employ her.

Samantha’s face sank when she thought of that.

She would never allow anyone to harm Rochelle or her affairs.

Rochelle turned around and looked at Samantha’s gaze. She opened her mouth to speak, but could not utter a single word.

‘It’d be good if Harmony really did have a special relationship with Jonathan… But...’

“Let’s get dinner to celebrate your first day on the job. Wouldn’t want you to lose your appetite later,” Rochelle said, then started the engine and drove the car into traffic.

Samantha looked at Rochelle’s bad expression. Although she wanted to get the full details, she still chose to shut up.

They went to an oriental-style restaurant, the food of which was described by Rochelle as being light-tasting dishes that could quell a person’s anger.

Samantha went along with her suggestion.

Although Rochelle had ordered a tableful of dishes, she only touched her cutlery a couple of times and did not seem to have any appetite at all. However, she was constantly scooping up food for Samantha to ensure that the latter ate a bit more.

After eating some just to make Rochelle happy, Samantha then put down her cutlery as well and said straightforwardly, “Chelle, is there something you want to tell me? Just give it to me straight.”

Samantha’s tone sounded certain.