Chapter 141 Even if I Don’t Desire Her
Ava’s tone oozed with disdain, and it struck Calista that this marked their initial meeting. At this
juncture, they hadn’t even introduced themselves.
Ava’s unwarranted air of superiority and condescension toward Calista was rather astonishing, to
say the least.
Even though Hector was a rugged fellow and hadn’t been around many women in recent years, he could pick up on the apparent unpleasant tone in Ava’s voice. He furrowed his brow and was about
to speak.
Suddenly, Calista raised an eyebrow and asked, “What do you mean?”
Ava had intended to drop a subtle hint to Calista, but since Calista was adamant about being
upfront, Ava couldn’t help being straightforward.
“Does Hector know you’re married?”
Calista stayed silent, glancing at Hector, whose furrowed brows could have flattened a fly. Her
silence prompted Hector to explain.
Although Ava wasn’t very polite, her point was valid. Calista would have reacted even more
strongly than Ava if her friend had gotten involved with a married person.
She might have presumed that the other party was deliberately engaging in deception.
Hector’s disposition toward Ava bore neither warmth nor hostility. Ava remained his sister’s
acquaintance to him and nothing beyond that.
“I know. Nonetheless, this is between us…”
“Hector,” Hazel muttered, her disbelief evident as she locked eyes with her handsome brother, a
lifelong heartthrob. “You knew better than to get mixed up with a married person, yet you went
ahead. Brace yourself. Mom’s going to give you a piece of her mind…‘
拜
Hector found himself at a loss for dealing with his sister. He wore a stern expression and
motioned for them to leave.
“Make it quick and move along. You’re quite the chatterbox.”
Calista couldn’t suppress her laughter any longer. Hector glanced at her with a blend of
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flickering in her eyes.
Ava had secretly harbored admiration for Hector for a long time. She had been patiently waiting for him for many years and couldn’t bear the thought of him being with another woman.
Hazel had never been afraid of Hector, but ever since he had enlisted in the military, she would
feel a flutter of nerves whenever he wore a serious expression akin to a mouse sensing a lurking
cat.
Now that Hector was visibly upset, Hazel promptly guided Ava away. Once they left the coffee
shop, they began to gossip eagerly.
“I’m sure my brother and that lady were just having a fling. Ava, you should come clean with my
brother. I’ve been waiting for you to become my sister–in–law for years.”
Ava mustered a strained smile and replied, “Time will tell. I don’t want to push Hector.”
Hazel, inexperienced in matters of love, struggled to grasp the possessive undertones in Hector’s
gaze.
Conversely, Ava could discern that Hector harbored profound feelings for Calista despite her
marital status.
Meanwhile, Calista stirred the sugar in her cup that hadn’t fully dissolved and commented, “If you
don’t have feelings for her, it’s best to be honest. Deception can be painful.”
Calista recalled how Lucian had treated her and couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Ava.
“It’s not like she came out and confessed her feelings for me,” Hector explained, his frustration
evident. “She’s just a bit reserved and shy when she’s around me. I can’t exactly approach her and
say, ‘Please don’t have feelings for me. I don’t share the sentiment.‘ Can I?”
Calista stayed quiet. Being an outsider, she couldn’t offer much advice on Hector’s relationship
dilemma.
Suddenly, as Calista and Hector were midway through their coffee, someone parted the curtain
again.
As they were about to look up, they overheard the newcomer directing, “Fetch a chair from the
waiter.”
Calista’s searching gaze locked onto two bodyguards. She couldn’t believe her luck at stumbling
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The bodyguards, catching sight of Calista, quickly averted their gazes in discomfort.
Just then, Hector spoke with a touch of arrogance, raising an eyebrow as he remarked, “Seems
like Mr Northwood has some free time on his hands, doesn’t he? Is Northwood Corporation on the
verge of bankruptcy? How about we make a little bet? We’ll see which comes first, Northwood
Corporation’s downfall. Or the Calloway family’s disappearance from Capeton.”
Meanwhile, the waitress who had brought the extra chair couldn’t hide the glint of curiosity in
her eyes.
What had begun as a booth occupied by three men and a woman had evolved with the addition of
two more women, injecting a dose of drama into the scene.
And now, a new man had entered the unfolding narrative, adding another layer of complexity to
the story.
Hector’s lips curled into a sly smile as he rose from his seat and spoke hushedly, “Does Mr.
Northwood dare to take action against me?”
Hector understood that any move by Lucian against him would only strain Lucian’s relationship
with Calista further, a fact Lucian was acutely aware of.
Lucian took a seat and responded coldly, “The Calloway family has quite a reputation in the
military. How did Mr. Calloway become such a scheming character, meddling in others‘
marriages? Moreover, reveling in being a homewrecker must do wonders for your ego, right?”
Calista wished to interject, but Hector didn’t give her the opportunity.
L
He continued sternly, “Mr. Northwood, you can hurl insults at me all you want, but refrain from
insulting Calista. I won’t delve deeper into this complex situation until you and she are legally
divorced. If you win her heart back, rest assured that I will offer my blessings wholeheartedly,
with no hidden agendas.‘
”
Hector’s resolute demeanor, honed by years of dangerous missions, remained unwavering as he
pressed on, his voice steady.
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“However, should your efforts falter, I won’t hesitate to marry her when your divorce is official.
Calista was taken aback, her mind racing.
“What are you saying-”
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Before she could finish her sentence, a chilling gust of wind seemed to rush past her ears Lucian
gripped Hector’s collar before she could react.
“How dare you?”
The booth was already bustling with people. As Lucian extended his arm, he accidentally brushed
against Calista, causing her to sway toward Hector.
Yet, in a swift motion, Lucian seized her arm and drew her into his embrace before she could fully
collide with Hector.
“You won’t have her, even if I don’t desire her,” Lucian asserted firmly.
Hector remained unshaken when Lucian gripped his collar.
Yet, his composure slipped away when Lucian seized Calista and shot back, “You son of a …”
Hector raised his fist, ready to strike Lucian’s face. Suddenly, Calista intervened.
“Hector…”
Hector’s clenched fist froze in mid–air. Calista paused, mastering her emotions before she spoke
again, her voice steady.
“Don’t dirty your hands with this muck.‘
She had never regretted her feelings for Lucian, even though their marriage had been a
transaction for mutual benefit.
Calista understood that Lucian’s coldness and indifference were rooted in his lack of affection.
She had always known that Lucian didn’t harbor any romantic emotions for her, so she couldn’t
hold resentment just because he didn’t return her love.
When Calista had initiated the divorce, she had considered the possibility that Lucian might form
a new family down the road.
Although the thought had filled her with sadness and longing, she had readied herself to extend
her blessings.
However, at this moment, she couldn’t shake the feeling of naivety for falling in love with a man
who lacked basic respect. Calista broke free from Lucian’s embrace, not even casting a glance his
way.
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