The Runaway Groom

Chapter 20

In the living room, Sheryl White was sitting on the couch, wearing silk pajamas that accentuated her devilish figure.

She raised a pretty brow when she saw the other woman entering. “Oh, if it isn‘t Irene!”

Irene clenched her fists right then. Sheryl had moved in while her mother was sick?

She then glanced at Sheryl‘s wrist, and noticed the bangle that looked like it cost an arm and a leg–it seemed that things had taken a turn at the Spencer household after they received the Jeffersons‘ dowry.

Despite feeling embittered, she said, “I‘m here to talk to Lionel.”

Sheryl brushed her thick, maroon hair and replied, “He‘s not here.”

Irene quickly turned to leave, but Sheryl called out to her. “Stop–did you come to ask for money? Why would you need money when you‘re Mrs. Jefferson now? I‘m telling you, we don‘t have any money for you. I‘m sure you know how much your mother‘s surgery costs.”

Irene pursed her lips. Sheryl was merely a mistress, but she acted as if she was now the head of the household!

“Lionel hasn’t divorced my mother yet. I’ll file a lawsuit

if he refuses to pay her medical bills!”

“You-”

was about to retort when she noticed someone entering, and promptly put on a mild expression. “How could you call your own father Lionel?

saw the quick change in her reaction, and

shortly. Lionel scowled as he approached her. “You‘ve gotten bolder after marrying into the Jefferson family, haven‘t you? What was

II ILU

as she continued, “My mother‘s medical bills need

have the

Jeffersons paid you a dowry of 30 million dollars, and you don‘t have the money? Father, I‘m your daughter, and my mother is your legitimate wife. I was

glowered. “Are you threatening

any importance in me just

now desperate because you‘ve pushed me, and I‘ll do anything,” Irene retorted. The look of determination on her eyes left Lionel stunned right then, and he suddenly decided that he could still use her now that she

tried to

I know what I‘m doing,” Lionel snapped, and took out a check from his desk drawer, pausing halfway as he wrote the amount, pausing for a moment before finishing

to Irene, he said, “Have 200,000 instead. You should dress better as the new Mrs. Jefferson, and get rid of those rags.

eyes even as she looked at the check. She understood that her father‘s kind gesture and concern was to flatter her, because he still intended to use her to earn favors from the Jeffersons. Her heart

check. “Don‘t you know what happened after I married? Asking Isaac

“You‘re a woman. Try to learn how to please a

idiot?” Irene snapped even as she pocketed the check. “That he hadn‘t had women before? Or that a man like him can be beguiled by a pretty face? If you have

about?” Lionel retorted. “I still love