Roxanne thought Harrison was keeping calm because he was hurt by everyone's ridicule and was in a tough spot. Guys always cared about their pride, right? Even though she and him weren't lovey-dovey, he was still the one she chose as her partner. How could she let Oliver mock him like that?
"Oliver, if I recall, when you first started your company, you were flat broke too. It was Chloe who dug into her savings and borrowed from friends and family to give you a hundred grand to invest in your business, wasn't it? Back then, your whole family moved to the city, jobless, penniless. All your living expenses came from her pocket, right? From that perspective, you too lived off a woman, didn't you?"
Roxanne's retort turned Oliver's face beet red. And she didn't stop there. She deliberately hooked her arm through Harrison's and continued, "My hubby may have gone bankrupt, but he's hard at work, always on the hunt for jobs and ways to make a living."
"Someone who's been knocked down but got back up, who's proven he can handle pressure and take action, is bound to achieve something in the future. Not like some people, who get used to living off a woman's money, and even have the nerve to mock others."
Oliver's face turned even more sour. "Roxanne, watch your mouth. I've made my own money over the years, I haven't asked Chloe for a dime."
"The money for your house and car, didn't Chloe lend you that too?" Roxanne fired back.
"I..." Oliver was at a loss for words.
The other employees at the company started to see the usually accomplished Oliver in a new light. So, he started his career thanks to his wife?
But that was weird, Roxanne and Oliver usually got along just fine, right? Why were they bickering today? Did they have a falling out?
Everyone figured it out, especially Roxanne. She rejected Oliver's love confession, didn't satisfy his despicable demands, so he held a grudge against her.
Her future days were definitely not going to be smooth sailing! But Roxanne was not afraid.
"Oliver, why the long face? Did my words hit a nerve? If you're upset, you should go home. Don't come to dinner, you might lose your appetite."
With that, Roxanne called everyone to get in the cars.
The company only had two cars, a business car, and a sedan. With all the employees, there was only room left for her and Harrison.
So, she called an Uber.
Oliver was still standing there. With all the employees gone, he didn't bother hiding his feelings anymore, and he looked like he could eat Roxanne alive.
"Roxanne, you really had to embarrass me in front of everyone, huh? What did I ever do to you?"
"Oliver, we've worked together for years, don't you know me? I usually don't pick fights, but if someone picks one with me, I won't back down. And remember, you were the first to ridicule my husband."
Oliver gave Harrison another disdainful look. "He is a bankrupt, useless man who lives off a woman, why can't I call him out?"
"Dare to say that again?" Roxanne warned Oliver with a calm yet sharp look. Sure enough, Oliver didn't dare to say it again.
Their argument was anything but pleasant, but Harrison, who was watching from the side, was surprisingly calm.
Being bankrupt and penniless were identities that Vincent had arranged for him. But living off a woman and being a farmer were new identities that Harrison found amusing. Such identities didn't embarrass Roxanne!?
The Uber driver called at that moment.
After Rozanne finished the call, she looked at the car parked by the roadside, then deliberately took Harrison's hand in front of Oliver. "Honey, let's go."
This was the second time today that Roxanne took Harrison's hand. He knew she was doing this on purpose in front of Oliver, so he didn't resist.
Once they got in the car, Harrison looked at Roxanne and asked on purpose, "Did I embarrass you?"
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about." Only then did Roxanne realize she was still holding Harrison's hand. She quickly let go, feeling awkward, then comforted him.
"Don't take Oliver's words to heart. Instead of wasting energy caring about what others say, you should do something more meaningful. Don't waste your time on such pointless social interactions."
These were words Harrison often said to his executives and employees; Roxanne didn't need to teach him that.
But when Roxanne said it, he listened very patiently. After she finished, Roxanne asked the driver to take them back to their rental first to leave the chicken and vegetables Harrison had brought.
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