Chapter 537: 'Friends'

"I was surprised to hear that you didn't help Alfons when he was out in the sun protesting for other people's rights," Felice said. "I actually thought that you would sit next to him and use your grandfather's name to help him."

Gabi's eye twitched when she heard her words. "Do I really look like that to you?"

"No offense, but the rumors said you would never want your cousin to suffer."

Gabi chuckled. "Did the rumors said that I love my cousin, too?" Seeing Felice turned silent, Gabi couldn't help but laugh this time. Of course, she already heard those rumors in her previous life. "And… do you believe them?" She slowly finished the macaron while observing Felice's reaction.

Gabi didn't think that she would meet this woman after saving her. However, it seems that Felice really wanted to get close to her. The woman called her and told her she had something important to tell her. Gabi initially declined the meeting as she was really busy. However, Felice said that this is the payment for saving her back then.

"Of course not. Hey, I was joking."

"You seemed cheeky today." Felice looked depressed last time. However, now, she looked thrilled. "Did something happen?"

"I was about to share the news with you."

"What news?"

"I am now working in my father's company."

"Oh?"

"Sorry if I disturbed you. I know you are busy. I just — " Felice lowered her head. "I don't have any friends except you."

'Friends',

The word made her speechless. Gabi never had one before. Moreover, she only met this woman once. Why would Felice think they were friends? "I— "

"It's alright if you don't think we are friends."

"That's not it. I'm just a little surprised."

"It's really alright. I knew your not the friendly type."

"I just didn't think that you would consider someone like me as a friend. After all, you only met me once."

"Friends save each other, and they treat each other food."

"…"

"My mother said that."

"…"

"She's dead now."

"…"

Felice smiled at her. "Sorry for mumbling like that."

"It's alright." Honestly, Gabi was speechless. She didn't know what was she supposed to say. In the end, she maintained her silence.

"My father was the first one in the family who finished college."

"Ah…"

"My grandfather single-handedly started our business with no sort of educational background. It was just because of talent that he managed to make the company big." Felice continued. "He always said that building connections are good. So, he sent my father to a prestigious school. Then the two of them made sure to send me to a more prestigious school. I too think it was the right move. In that school, we met all the future CEOs, heirs, and heiresses, even royals were there."

Gabi stayed silent.

"I think I got it wrong, though," Felice said.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought he sent me there just to connect with other people. I think he sent me there as a wake-up call." Seeing Gabi just stare at her, Felice continued. "Before I went to that school, I was the top of my class. I aced all exams. I was pampered by everyone around me. However, this changed when I started college. I realized that there are smarter people, wealthier, more influential, braver, more ruthless. There was always someone ahead of everyone. The world is such a big scary place."

"So, that night, I told my grandfather about what happened to me. I also told him that I wanted to kill myself because I felt unworthy, but you saved me." Felice said.

"Why are you crying?" Gabi asked.

"It was because he told me something."

"Hm?"

"Do you want to know why my grandfather made it in the business world?" Felice said. "It was because of your grandfather."

Gabi stared at the woman, flabbergasted. What was she talking about?

"So I — " Felice suddenly stood and give her a low bow. "I am here to thank you for everything. I promise I will do my best to succeed in this field and support you in the future. This is going to be my family's payment for saving us."

"…" Was this the reason why the Brent Family helped them? Gabi didn't know this kind of story existed! "Miss Brent, please don't bow like that. It's ummm… embarrassing. "She looked to her left and right and, as expected, people are already looking at them. "Please stop that. It looked like I was bullying you." The woman was sobbing while giving her a bow. While she was calmly eating without an iota of emotion in her face.

"Sorry…" Felice used her handkerchief to wipe the tears from her face.

"It's alright. Please stop that. You are making me uncomfortable."

To her surprise, Felice smiled in response. "Yeah… yeah… I understand. Sorry about that."

"…"

"Anyway, I didn't disturb you for nothing."

"Hm?" Honestly, Gabi didn't know what to expect anymore. Right now, she felt really clueless. Despite coming back from the dead, Gabi felt that she actually missed a lot of important things. What had she been doing in the past? How could she even say that she was smart? She doesn't even know anything about her Ren Family!

"I came here to give you this." Felice gave her a flash drive.

"It's dirt."

"Hm? Dirt?" Gabi looked at the silver flash drive.

"On everyone who bullied me."

"What?"

"I am not asking you to have revenge or anything. Please don't misunderstand. I know that revenge won't give me anything. However, I know that you are smart and your future is limitless. We don't really know if one of these people would try to hurt you in the future. So, use this against them."

Gabi stared at the flash drive for a few seconds. "How did you get this?"

"As someone who was treated as a maid, I have the opportunity to know a couple of their secrets. They were confident that I wouldn't do anything about it. After all, I am just the daughter of a small businessman from the south. Some are recordings of bribery and abuse of power. It is not enough to take them to prison, but it should help you, in case… something happens."