Chapter 290

Latisha froze for a second, then shook her head frantically and signed again, *Did you really leave?*

"Yes."

She was suddenly at a loss for words. After a long silence, she signed, *I'm sorry.*

"Sorry?"

She nodded. *It's all my fault. I'm sorry.*

"So what do you plan to do about it?"

She fell silent again, her mind racing. Finally, she summoned her courage and signed, *I will earn money.*

Clifford's lips curved into a half-smile. "You'll earn money? For what?"

Latisha replied, *To make sure you don't go hungry.*

His smile faded. He stared at her, his gaze intense, and said nothing for a long time. Then he reached out and touched her cheek. "That's impressive. In that case, why don't you help me pay back the tens of billions I owe the company?"

Latisha went rigid. She suddenly remembered Ziven saying he might go to jail. Was it because he owed the company billions?

"What, scared?" Clifford leaned closer. "It's no use being scared. We're married, which makes this our shared debt. If you want a divorce to go chase those so-called dreams of yours, you'll have to pay back your half first. Understand?"

Latisha didn't really grasp the concept of billions, only that it was an impossibly large number. More than she could ever earn in several lifetimes. It meant she could never divorce him.

She suddenly grabbed his hand, her eyes conveying a silent promise that she wouldn't leave him.

Clifford's expression became unreadable. After a long pause, he said, "Go get cleaned up."

She knew he must be devastated

after being forced out of his

company, Anyone would struggle after falling from such a height. His emotional instability was understandable. She resolved not to provoke him, to be more compliant.

She went upstairs and showered, washing herself several times. When she came out, Clifford was holding out a set of clothes for her. She

quickly took it. It was ing

white bodysuit, almost ke

one-piece swimsuit but with stockings attached. She owned several pieces like it.

Her face flushed crimson at the memory.

"Put it on."

She glanced at him. He had already sat down on the sofa and was lighting a cigarette, his deep eyes locked on her.

Latisha took a deep breath. *He's

been through a trauma. He's not et

himself She repeated it three times in her head before taking the outfit back into the bathroom.

When she emerged, she was wearing it. She felt incredibly self-conscious, her

hands fluttering awkwardly, unsure of what to cover.

Clifford remained on the sofa, his gaze sweeping over her.

She walked over to him, her face burning, and signed, *I've changed.*

He patted his lap. She didn't need him to say anything more. She understood and sat sideways on his thighs.

Clifford lifted her chin, a strange, unreadable smile on his lips. Latisha's heart tightened. It was that look again—a mixture of disgust and mockery.

"Were you this obedient for Santino, too?"

Her face paled, a visible panic flashing in her eyes. Had Santino sent him the videos? She clenched her fists, unable to meet his gaze.

He forced her to look at him. "Answer me."