Oliver's Substitute Bride (Oliver and Jessica) novel Chapter 71

She had almost forgotten she had said that if It wasn't Lambert asking now. Because once she had thought that Oliver was terrified and was a real monster, she had wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. Now that the relationship between them gradually improved, the thought of leaving stopped appearing. She didn't know how to answer Lambert's question because she hadn't thought that far yet.

Jessica said vaguely, "One step at a time. Things happen. By the way, was Oliver so bad-tempered as a child?"

Lambert's hand clenched on his teacup when he heard Jessica asking about Oliver. He didn't know what to say.

That was the time before Oliver had a car accident. They were still polite to each other at the dinner table during the holiday times. They weren't close, but at least they didn't hate each other as they did now. Oliver felt it was Lambert's fault that Oliver's mother was dead in that car accident because Lambert was the indirect cause. Lambert always felt bad for Oliver but didn't know why it was his fault. He couldn't choose his birth family after all.

Lambert chose to ask back, "Didn't he tell you?"

Jessica smiled awkwardly. "He rarely talked about his childhood."

Not to mention telling her what happened when he was a child, Jessica had never seen a photo of him when he was a child. Perhaps there were some in his study, but she never entered his study without his permission. For the few time that she had been in there, she didn't see any photos either. He seemed not to have any emotions, and he was always alone.

"His personality was totally different when he was a child. He turned into a different person ever since the car accident. Then he went to the United States to recover while studying, and he was very distant from the families."

Lambert didn't want to hide anything, but he didn't say anything about the cause of the accident. It would involve the grudges between the older generations. He couldn't explain it clearly.

Jessica saw Lambert's thoughtful expression and was afraid that she had asked the wrong question. She stood up and said, "I'll go and check if Mr. Halper is back."

She walked towards the door as she spoke.

Lambert put down his tea, mustered up the courage, and asked, "Jessica White, I have something to ask you."

Jessica was not used to being called by her full name. However, when she thought about it, it seemed that when there were no others around, he sometimes did call her by her full name.

"Go ahead."

"If... I mean if you didn't..."

Before Lambert could finish his sentence, Jessica said, "Mr. Halper, I'll take it."

Lambert had no choice but to swallow the rest of his sentence.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Hayden said.

Jessica went to pick up the wine from Hayden's hand. "No worries. Take your time. Would you like to have a cup of tea and take a rest ?"

"I'm fine. Let's go to the restaurant now."

It was indeed lunch time. Three of them walked to a restaurant nearby.

Hayden had just the right amount of alcohol at the dinner table and felt happy about the situation. He didn't take what Jessica said last time that she didn't have time and energy to draw again seriously.

He said directly to her, "Jessica, now that you're back, you can start drawing again. You were so good at it. It would be a pity for you not to draw. I've been regretting it until now after you left the studio. I always felt that I lost one of my best students."

"Mr. Halper, please don't say that. I have decided to quit drawing."

"You used to like drawing so much. I don't believe you don't want to restart anymore. Come to my studio when you have time. I won't charge you. You know how expensive my fee is and how picky I am when I choose students."

Jessica saw Hayden had too much drink and tried to let him drink less. However, he seemed so happy that she could not make herself say so. She secretly hoped that Lambert would toast to him less. But Lambert seemed to be having a good time as well and didn't understand her hint.

Lambert also followed and persuaded, "Just listen to him and come to his studio to support him."

"Don't say it like that. It's my honor if Mr. Halper would consider me as his student." Jessica really couldn't get around the two men in front of her. She promised, "I'll go and see you often in the future, and I'll also go to the studio to draw."

"That's right. You can come here to make friends through drawing. Life has other means. You don't have to devote all your time to the Williams Group. How much do they pay you a year? It's not worth it." Mr. Halper was so wasted. He even turned to Lambert and asked, "Am I right?"

"That's right. Don't give everything for Oliver." Lambert pretended to be influenced the alcohol and said so.

Hayden muttered, "Who's Oliver?"

"He's my boss."

"Businessmen are scary. You made a good choice, Lambert. It's easier to be yourself when you are an artist."

Lambert smiled bitterly. "Mr. Halper, you're right."

Jessica saw that they all enjoyed themselves, then she said to Lambert, "You drank too much. I'll ask the waiter to call you a driver. I'll take Mr. Halper home."

"I'm not drunk. I'll take Mr. Halper home with you."

After sending Mr. Halper home, Lambert said to Jessica, "Let the driver take you home directly."

"There's no need for that. I still have to go back to the company."

Jessica rejected Lambert and walked to the company. The building of the Williams Group was located at the center of the CBD area, not far from the restaurant. Hopefully, walking could help her digest after eating a big meal. Besides, more exercise would be good for the baby.

She had a lot of work to do recently. She said she would thank the President for saving her from jail yesterday. She decided to express her gratitude by working harder, which was why she returned to the company now.

She smelled the strong scent of lily perfume as soon as she stepped into the elevator. She had a feeling that she had smelled it somewhere before. She was sure it didn't belong to any of her colleagues because she was exposed to the scent very occasionally.

When she got to the top floor and got out of the elevator, she remembered that she had smelled the perfume on Alice.

'Why is she here? Shouldn't she be in the hospital?'