One night stand with my president (chapter 439)

 

Chapter 439: Your Fiancé Isn't That Great

Adeline gave a small, knowing smile and nodded.

Pedro's earlier outburst-the way he pounded the ground in fury-was no act. That hatred was real.

And how could it not be? Benjamin had manipulated and betrayed him, used him like a pawn, and then discarded him without so much as a second thought. In the end, Pedro was the one who took the fall, left to deal with the Mendoza family's wrath while Benjamin disappeared into the shadows.

Of course he hated Benjamin.

Adeline was almost certain Pedro would try to retaliate.

He might be useless in most ways, but hatred-true, seething hatred-had a way of awakening potential no one saw coming.

She just hoped he wouldn't disappoint her.

"Even so," Adeline said, setting her teacup down, "keep someone watching the Livingstons. And Pedro. I don't trust them

the first chance they get."

"Don't worry," Alberto replied. "There's no way they're getting him out of our sight."

He glanced sideways at Harrison.

Back when Adeline had first said she wanted to let Pedro go, Harrison hadn't looked surprised in the slightest.

So he'd known all along what she was planning.

Well... it made sense. They'd worked together for five years. Of course they'd have that kind of unspoken understanding.

While the rest of the family retired for the night, Alberto stayed behind, restless and unsettled.

Needing air, he stepped out into the courtyard.

His thoughts drifted to that day at the Livingston family banquet-the day he'd run into Connie, his ex.

She had been there representing her family, who had minor ties to the Livingstons. Her original plan had been to drop off a gift and leave quietly.

But he saw her.

He chased her out of the hall, unable to hold back the question that had been gnawing at him ever since they parted ways.

"Why were you getting married? And worse-why to someone you met in a bar?"

He remembered clearly what she said, her voice cool and condescending as she looked into his red-rimmed eyes. "Alberto, we broke up. Are you seriously trying to tell me who I can or can't marry? That's pathetic."

Her words hit him like a slap to the face.

Everything he'd wanted to say-all the things he'd been holding in-froze in his throat.

He had planned to tell her he still loved her. 

That he never stopped thinking about her. 

That he wanted her back. That he was willing to do whatever it took to stop her from marrying someone else.

But after hearing her say that? He couldn't say a word.

She made him feel like a complete joke.

Alberto's chest tightened at the memory. He

pulled out a cigarette and lit it, hoping the smoke would settle the dull ache building in his ribs.

Just as he exhaled the first drag, a housekeeper appeared at his side. "Mr. Mendoza, there's a woman lingering near the front gates... I think it's Miss Miller."

Alberto froze, cigarette paused halfway to his lips.

"Connie?" His mind spun. "What's she doing here?"

"Should I let her in?" the housekeeper asked cautiously. "Or... have her sent away?"

Under normal circumstances, anyone loitering at the gates would've been removed without a second thought.

But this was Connie.

Everyone in the Mendoza household had known about her. She and Alberto had been head-over-heels in love, once upon a time.

Alberto didn't respond right away.

The housekeeper assumed he wouldn't go.

Then suddenly, he flicked the cigarette to the side, crushed it beneath his shoe, and said quietly, "I'll go."

At the main gate, Connie was pacing back and forth.

Though spring was beginning to warm the air, she had dressed too lightly and was now visibly shivering.

When the heavy gate creaked open, she turned instinctively-and froze.

Alberto stood there.

She hadn't expected him to come in person.

Alberto's jaw tensed as he took in her thin dress and trembling body. He thought, "Is she an idiot? Why is she dressed so lightly? And where is her precious fiancé? Letting her out in this weather, dressed like that?"

His hands curled into fists at his sides, and it took everything in him not to shrug off his coat and throw it over her shoulders right then and throw it over her shoulders right then and there.

They stood in silence, eyes locked, the air thick with everything unsaid.

Finally, Alberto broke the silence.

"Miss Miller,' he said coolly. "What are you doing loitering outside my house?"

Connie lowered her gaze, voice soft. "I... I heard your sister returned safely. I wanted to stop by and see how she's doing."

When they were together, Alberto used to talk about his lost sister often. Connie had known how much it meant to him-to finally bring her home.

Back then, she had dreamed that one day, she'd be the one to welcome Adeline back. 

She wanted to be like Adeline's elder sister.

But that dream was long dead now.

By the time Adeline returned, she and Alberto had already broken up.

After the Livingston banquet, she'd heard

Adeline had been kidnapped. She'd worried, asked around, and tried to find out more.

But her family had long lost its influence. 

There was only so much she could do.

Now, hearing that the Mendozas had returned safely to Yewhaina-and that Adeline was home-Connie couldn't help herself.

She told herself it was to check on Adeline.

But the truth? She wanted to see him. She just didn't dare admit it.

"Yes, my sister's back," Alberto said flatly. 

"But what's that got to do with you?"

Connie's eyes reddened, but she bit back the ache in her chest. "I'm glad she's safe. That's all. I'll leave now."

She turned to go.

Alberto's heart lurched.

Before he realized what he was doing, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Connie spun, eyes wide in surprise.

A gust of wind rushed by. She shivered.

Alberto couldn't take it anymore.

He tore off his coat and draped it over her shoulders in one swift motion.

Connie stood there stunned. "No. I don't want..." she began to protest.

"Shut up," he snapped, forcing the coat onto her.

"What, you can't even wear my coat now? You'd rather freeze than let me give you that much?"

She stopped struggling.

Her head dropped; she didn't look at him.

Alberto stared at her for a long moment.

Then he let out a cold laugh. "So this is how it is. I guess your fiancé isn't much, huh? Letting you go out like this—no coat, no concern?"

The words had barely left his mouth when

Connie broke down.

Tears spilled over her cheeks, one after another.

Alberto panicked. "Why are you crying? Don't-don't cry!"

He scrambled, wiping at her tears with his hands. "Don't make it look like I'm bullying you."

"I don't need you to wipe my tears," she said, slapping his hand away.

Alberto froze.

The pout, the stubborn tilt of her chin-it was just like the old days. Just like when they used to fight and make up again and again.

For a second, it felt like they'd never broken up at all.

His chest ached.

"Come inside," he said.