Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 228

When I told Paula about the incident, I was still feeling pretty embarrassed.

Paula almost couldn't help but laugh, nearly doubling over. "Christopher really is your knight in shining armor. How does he always end up in these situations and then help you out? Do you think you two were destined to meet in a past life, and he owes you something?"

"If there's any destiny, it's a bad one. I must owe Christopher money! Otherwise, why does he always end up in these awkward situations with me? But I do have to thank him. I have to admit, Christopher is very considerate. It's truly a blessing to work for him." I couldn't help but sigh.

I remembered the time I mentioned I was on my period, and the awkward look on his face was rare and somewhat endearing.

I couldn't help but smile.

Paula suddenly thrust her phone in front of my face, and I saw my own reflection on the front camera.

"What are you doing?" I pushed Paula's phone away, confused.

Paula chuckled, "Didn't you see the look in your eyes just now? That shy expression on your face, Melinda, are you really falling for Christopher? Just mentioning him makes you all dreamy!"

I quickly covered Paula's mouth to stop her nonsense. "Don't say that! Someone might hear you. I'm telling you, it's impossible. I wouldn't dare have any improper thoughts. When Christopher gave me a pad, guess who I ran into on my way to the restroom?"

Paula thought for a moment. "Who? It couldn't be Marlowe, right?"

"Smart! That's why you're my best friend! It was her. She saw me with the pad and, who knows if she overheard my conversation with Christopher, but her look could have killed me."

If she had confronted me or warned me directly, I might not have been so scared.

But Marlowe kept smiling at me, even showing concern for my pale face.

As I walked past her to the restroom, I could feel her cold stare on my back even without turning around.

"Christopher never admitted he likes Marlowe. It's just our speculation. Marlowe doesn't have any official status, yet she acts like she's staking her claim. It's so annoying! Melinda, don't be afraid. I'm here for you. She wouldn't dare do anything to you." Paula stood up for me.

Maybe Marlowe and Christopher had been spending more time together, and their relationship had heated up. They might even be together now, which was why she felt bold enough to act that way towards me.

"Do I really have to wait until they announce their relationship to wake up? It's better to be aware now than to be caught off guard later," I said self-deprecatingly.

Paula didn't argue this time. Instead, she shared some recent gossip. "Marlowe has been spending a lot of time with the Collins family, especially Faye. They've been doing flower arranging and having tea together. Rumor has it that she and Christopher are getting married soon."

"What? I thought the Collins family valued family background. I've met Faye a few times, and she definitely seems like that type. She only associates with people from prominent families!" I was surprised that Marlowe had managed to impress Faye. She must have some skills.

Paula chuckled, "Who knows! Maybe Faye feels like she's losing control over Christopher. With her controlling nature, she might be trying to support someone she can control, like Marlowe. If she controls Marlowe, who is Christopher's sweetheart, then she essentially controls Christopher."

I thought about it for a moment. "That actually makes sense!"

I gave Paula a thumbs up but then couldn't help but ask, "Is there really a mom who's that controlling over her son? Christopher is top-notch in every way. What could she be dissatisfied with?"

Paula leaned in and lowered her voice, making it sound all mysterious. "I heard that Christopher isn't her biological son!"

My eyes widened. Was this kind of secret something I should be hearing?

"Really?" I asked Paula, curiosity piqued.

Paula shrugged. "I heard it as a rumor. In a family as prominent as the Collins, they wouldn't let such information leak easily. They say Faye is infertile, so Christopher's father had an affair and a child outside. Faye chose to keep the child. As for the child's mother, no one knows. That child is Christopher."

As a woman, hearing about a man cheating and having an illegitimate child, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the woman.

I instinctively said, "If that's true, Faye must have been deeply hurt, which explains her current behavior."

Paula tapped my nose and laughed, "Melinda, you're still too kind and naive. It's not that simple. Didn't I say Faye is infertile? She wanted to secure her position and the marriage, so she might have orchestrated Christopher's father's affair."

"Is it true that she's infertile? With today's advanced technology, there should be some chance. Plus, there are some extreme measures abroad. For a family like the Collins, they should be able to manage it. Is Faye really infertile?"

I was skeptical. From Faye's appearance, I couldn't tell, but I was not a doctor. Only a very professional doctor could see something like that.

Paula said, "Who knows! Maybe Faye had someone she loved but couldn't be with. After the arranged marriage, she was unwilling to have children, so she spread the infertility rumor. This is something I heard from a friend of Christopher's when he was drunk. He was rambling, so it's hard to tell what's true. When I asked him later, he denied it."

Ever since the incident with Lawrence, the people and events I had encountered have constantly challenged my worldview.

My parents really protected me well, letting me grow up in a beautiful environment without ever encountering such things.

From the bits and pieces Paula gathered, I felt a bit sorry for Christopher.

If it was true, it was cruel for him. He couldn't choose his birth, and his mother might have been forced to be a mistress.

Maybe that was why Christopher always spoke about his family with such disdain.

"It's Christopher's private matter. Don't dig any further. If it's ready-made gossip, fine, but don't investigate." I couldn't help but remind Paula, knowing her well.

Why did she get information so quickly? It was because she loved gossip. She collected it and acted like she was the only one who knew the truth.

Paula looked into my eyes. "Melinda, I see sympathy in your eyes. Are you feeling sorry for Christopher? They say liking someone starts with feeling sorry for them. You wouldn't..."

"Here we go again. Why don't you say I'm worried about you? If you investigate Christopher's background and he finds out, do you think someone like him would allow it?"

"Yes, you're right. I'll listen and not investigate." Paula immediately became obedient and nodded.

Only then did I feel relieved. She wouldn't lie to me, so I believed her!