Chapter 195

He opened the box to reveal a delicate diamond bracelet.

Latisha's eyelashes fluttered. She didn't know if she should feel disappointed or relieved.

Clifford took out the bracelet and fastened it around her wrist. "Your birthday present from last time. I forgot to give it to you. Consider it a late gift."

The bracelet was too big. He had ordered it to her measurements, but now it slid down to her palm whenever she moved her hand.

Clifford frowned.

Latisha stared at the bracelet. It looked familiar. She suddenly remembered seeing it on Yesenia's Instagram.

*So that's why it's too big. It was a hand-me-down.*

She tried to pull her hand back, but Clifford held her wrist firmly and unclasped the bracelet.

"It's too loose. I'll have it resized."

Latisha said nothing.

Sensing her silence, Clifford glanced at her. "If you don't like it, we can get a different one."

She nodded.

"What would you like?" he asked.

She shook her head.

He noticed it then. From the moment he had spoken, she had only communicated with nods and shakes of her head. She was a mute who had now stopped signing.

Clifford silently put the bracelet back in his pocket. He had a habit of tugging at his tie when he was agitated, but today he wore a sweater. He pulled at the collar instead and let out a quiet sigh.

When the food arrived, Latisha ate without a word, mechanically putting food in her mouth, whether she liked it or not. She appeared to be eating with gusto, but her vacant expression betrayed her, detachment.

Clifford leaned back in his chair and simply watched her.

She ate steadily, never looking at him, clearing plate after plate until only the dishes directly in front of him were left, just out of her reach.

She put down her fork and looked up at him. Their eyes met, and she saw a flicker of coldness in his.

Latisha lowered her head, staring at her empty plate. Had she eaten too much? Was that why he was angry? She hadn't left him anything.

Clifford looked away, pinching the bridge of his nose as he stared out the window at the passing traffic.

Latisha sat silently, waiting for his next command.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind them. "Hey, aren't you..."

Latisha stiffened and turned. Her expression changed.

Standing there was Mortimer, with Sean and another girl beside him. The girl's face soured when she saw Mortimer talking to Latisha, her eyes darting toward her with suspicion.

Mortimer left his companions and walked over to their table, a wide grin on his face. "We meet again! I had to leave in such a hurry last time, I never even got your name."

As he spoke, Latisha shot a nervous glance at Clifford.

Mortimer followed her gaze and finally noticed the man sitting with her. "Mr. Cambert, you're here too. never got a chance to explain about last night. I rescued her you can ask her yourself. Maybe you could explain it to my dad for me?"

He rambled on, looking expectantly at Clifford, who simply raised his eyes and stared at him, saying nothing. After a few seconds of Tense stence, Mortimer's smille began to falter.

"Mr. Lambert?"