Chapter 1697

Lila visited Summer, whose condition had visibly deteriorated. “Looking at you now, do you regret any of it?” Lila asked.
If Summer hadn’t been so fixated on Ben, she wouldn’t have ended up this way, consumed by obsession.
Summer gave a bitter smile. “With so many twists and turns in life, who even has the right to speak of regret?”
She reached out and held Lila’s hand tightly. “Lila, let my experience be a lesson to you. Make sure you see things clearly and never do anything foolish for someone who doesn’t love you.” It was sound advice, and Lila couldn’t help but feel indignant on Summer’s behalf.
But her indignation was meaningless. Back then, all she had wanted was to make things difficult for Jamie. In the end, it had backfired, leaving her worse off.
“I’m sorry, Summer,” Lila said remorsefully. “I couldn’t even help you get justice. I still carry that guilt.”
“You don’t owe me an apology,” Summer replied gently. “You came to see me and cared enough to think of me. That’s more than enough.”
She paused, her tone serious. “Don’t make an enemy of Ben for me. And whatever you do, don’t go after Jamie. You’re no match for either of them.”
Especially not Ben.
When Ben was a lawyer, he often had to weigh his actions carefully. But now that he wasn’t practicing law, he had no such restraints.
Lila sighed heavily. “I know. That’s why I feel so ashamed whenever I face you. Focus on getting through this, Summer. When you’re out, live freely again. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Alright,” Summer said with a faint smile.
After a long conversation, Lila finally left.
What Lila didn’t expect was to find herself in talks about a collaboration with Jamie not long after.
Deep down, Lila despised Jamie. “You’re nothing more than someone who crawled out of the slums. Without Ben, who would even know you? Yet here you are, acting like you’re a big deal. I don’t know where you get your confidence.” Her disdain turned to a mocking smile. “Jamie, do you honestly think all these people admire you for who you are?”
The reason anyone paid attention to Jamie was simple: Ben.
Not only did Ben manage the Lucas Corporation, but his time as a lawyer had earned him a wide network of connections. And his best friend was none other than Nash, one of the most prominent business tycoons in Birkham. Even Nash’s assistant, Quincy, had ventured out on his own and made a name for himself.
With such powerful backing, who would dare oppose Ben?
Jamie’s tone remained composed, her lips curling into a faint smile. “I’ve never thought anyone should admire me. If you don’t want to collaborate, feel free to leave. I won’t stop you. But if you want to continue this discussion, I suggest you stop wasting time with meaningless comments.”
Her demeanor was cold and poised, her every word and movement exuding a presence reminiscent of Ben’s.
Though Lila was annoyed, she couldn’t afford to pass up this opportunity to collaborate.
With a forced smile, she said, “Not now. Let’s meet later tonight, Jamie. How about the Chroma Club?”
Before Jamie could respond, Lila
strode away, leaving her with a
parting shot. “Given your history,
Jamie, I’m sure you’re no stranger to
places like that. I won’t bother
sending you the location. You’ll find
your way easily enough.”
It was a deliberate jab, but Jamie wasn’t fazed. If she could secure Lila’s cooperation, it would ensure that Lila wouldn’t cause her trouble in the future.
“What time?” Jamie asked simply.
“Ten o’clock,” Lila replied without looking back.
Jamie saw no issue with the time. She returned to her routine, focusing on what needed to be done.
Meanwhile, Ben had his own concerns. He didn’t like seeing Jamie so preoccupied. With Charlie at an age where he needed his parents’ presence, Ben felt conflicted.
While his grandmother adored and spoiled Charlie, he knew it couldn’t compare to having both his parents actively involved in his life.