Chapter 177
Nancy looked at Lenard, who wore a serious expression, with a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Who told you Michael has a thing for me?”
“I just guessed,” Lenard replied with a shrug. “But hey, considering your talent, it’s no surprise he’d be willing to cut his fees in half just to work with you.”
Lenard shifted his tone, “But I’ve never seen Michael so generous. Plus, remember the charity auction? He was super helpful there too. I seriously think he’s into you. I mean, come on, you’re gorgeous and insanely talented!” By the end, Lenard’s voice was filled with concern.
Nancy, however, stayed composed. “No way. Michael and I are strictly business. If he really had feelings for me, he wouldn’t charge for this apartment.”
Lenard paused, acknowledging the truth. “Yeah… that’s true.”
Even though he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Michael was wealthy enough to gift an apartment if he wanted
to woo someone.
But then, Lenard looked at Nancy with a complex expression. “Nancy, could you ever be interested in Michael?”
Nancy knew exactly what Lenard was worried about and raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. “Nope, I’ve already made one impulsive mistake in love; I’m not going down that road again.”
Besides, she’d much rather be with Judson. Even if Judson regains his memory and leaves, he was more her type than Michael ever could be.
Lenard exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’re thinking straight. Michael’s a great partner, and as long as you keep it professional, you’ll make a killing.”
“Just imagine getting one over on Cyrus. That jerk had the nerve to show up with Sarah and criticize you for not being able to afford this place. What a piece of work! Without him, you’d be at the top by now.”
Lenard got more heated the more he spoke. “Nancy, you’re better off without him. Never, ever take him back!”
Remembering the scene of Cyrus flaunting Sarah around, Nancy felt a smirk of irony tugging at her lips.
“Lenard, don’t worry. I’ve moved on, and I’m not looking back. Don’t let someone like him ruin your mood.”
“And once I buy this villa, I won’t have to worry about running into Cyrus.”
Lenard understood but still couldn’t let it go.
Just then, the slightly ajar door creaked open.
Judson poked his head in from outside, his eyes alight with excitement. “Nancy~ Can I come in and check out the bedroom with you~?”
Nancy was momentarily speechless. That overly sweet tone was undoubtedly over–the–top.
Lenard couldn’t help but tease, “Judson, did you swallow a frog or something to sound like that?”
Judson’s expression darkened, and he shot Lenard a sharp look, his irritation barely concealed.
Lenard’s grin froze, and he quickly ducked his head. “Ahem, you two check out the house. I’ll, uh, go look at something else,” he said, hastily retreating.
There was no way he was going to mess with Judson! For Nancy, Judson was all sweetness and light, but he could be ruthless with others. It was best to steer clear of him.
Judson sidled up to Nancy, looking both innocent and pitiful. “Nancy, was my voice that bad? Worse than anything Cyrus could say?”
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Chapter 17
How could she compare the two?
Nancy sighed internally but, seeing Judson’s near–heartbroken face, quickly reassured him. “Your voice isn’t bad at all. Lenard was just jealous, so he said that.”
“Really?” Judson’s eyes widened with hope.
Nancy nodded without a hint of hesitation. “Really. Aren’t you here to check out the house? See if there’s anything you don’t like. If you’re okay with it, I’ll go ahead and buy it.”
The sooner she bought the place, the sooner she could live here and avoid any more Cyrus encounters.
Judson seemed to share her thoughts. “If Nancy likes it, I love it. Don’t worry, Nancy, when I get my memory back, I’ll buy you a house–a really, really, really big house!”
Nancy looked at Judson’s earnest face and couldn’t help but smile, even if she knew it was a promise he might not keep.
“Let’s go see the bedroom.”
