Chapter 173

Bennett leaned back in his chair, took a sip of his drink, and said to me somewhat awkwardly, “If you’re tired, just have some water. Look at your pale complexion; someone who doesn’t know might think we’re mistreating you.”

I silently drank some water and continued to work. This kind of work was incredibly physically demanding. I was so hungry. I glanced at my phone; it was only a little after four. The canteen opened at 5:30 for dinner. I had just fainted, probably from mild hypoglycemia.

I put down my cart and prepared to go to the store for bread and milk. Bennett stopped me. “What are you doing? You want to leave without finishing this task? What if the boss blames us?”

“I was hungry; I just wanted to buy something to eat,” I replied indifferently.

Bennett hesitated, then said in an unnatural tone, “Alright, keep working. I’ll go buy it for you.” He left for the store.

I sat wearily on nearby bricks, gently stroking my still-flat belly. These two little ones were truly wronged, having to starve with me.

At that moment, a pair of leather shoes appeared before me. I slowly lifted my head and saw Reynaldo. He faced the light, his demeanor gloomier than before. I furrowed my brows and tilted my head back. “Didn’t you leave?”

Reynaldo’s gaze fell upon my hands. My hands, once slender and fair—beautiful, like those of a skilled pianist—were now covered in dust, wounds, and overgrown nails. He silently watched, saying nothing. His gloomy expression made it difficult to guess his thoughts. However, considering my past treatment of him, he must have been thinking, So, you have your own troubles now.

I leaned back against the bricks and smiled nonchalantly. “Reynaldo, am I making you happy like this?”

Reynaldo chuckled and sneered. “Just some hard work and hurt hands? Do you think this punishment is worth my happiness?”

“Oh!” I looked at him expressionlessly. “Since this punishment doesn’t make you happy, why do you still punish me like this?”

I often found him a complex contradiction, puzzling in his words and actions. Reynaldo suddenly crouched down, smiling strangely. I frowned and leaned back further against the bricks. “What are you going to do now?”

Reynaldo approached, laughing coldly. “No punishment can relieve the hatred I feel for a liar like you, full of lies.”

“Oh…” Did his words mean he hated me beyond help? Well, this is truly my honor.

“However…” he shifted his gaze, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, “there is one punishment that would bring me more satisfaction than making you do hard labor.”

“What… What?”

He stared intently, his eyes filled with naked desire. My heart skipped a beat as I suddenly understood. I exclaimed hastily, “Impossible! Even if I worked myself to death, I still wouldn’t want that.”

He used to punish me, always enjoying tormenting me in bed. At this moment, his gaze and words made his intentions clear. I was furious. This man clearly loved his "white moonlight," yet still lusted after my body. Even in revenge, he was scum!

I said, “You’re getting engaged to your white moonlight, so stop being trashy, okay? I don’t want any relationship with you in the future, absolutely none!”

Reynaldo’s face darkened. He lowered his gaze and sneered, “You’re overthinking it. Sleeping with you before was revenge for making me sleep on the floor for three years. But now…” He looked up. “Even if you stripped naked and stuck yourself to me, I wouldn’t be interested.”

“Oh,” I responded gloomily. That was hurtful, especially coming from someone I liked.

At that moment, Bennett approached, carrying bread and milk.