Alexis then stood up and headed toward the front door.

Suddenly, Hester yelled, "He's done with you! Leonel doesn't love you anymore."

Hearing this, Alexis paused.

After a brief silence, she asked in a steady voice, "How much is Leonel paying you?"

Hester's face went white as a sheet when she heard that.

Hester tried to speak but Alexis was already on her way out. She heard the car engine start as Alexis drove off without another word.

Leonel stood by the French window upstairs in his study, watching the taillights of Alexis' car until they vanished.

With her task completed, Hester went upstairs.

She opened the door to the study and saw a book half-opened on the couch. Leonel stood by the window, deep in thought.

Hester could tell that Leonel still had feelings for Alexis, which bothered her.

She approached him and said quietly, "Mr. Douglas?"

He didn't react.

Hester, feeling irritated, blurted out, “If you really want to cut ties with her, you shouldn't let her keep coming around. You should change the guards and the household staff so she can't just waltz in here."

She felt a twinge of nerves after saying that.

But then she composed herself and went on, "I mean, I'm more suited for you than she is. I'm single, and I don't have kids."

That was when Leonel finally spoke up.

His voice was laced with sarcasm as he asked, "So you think you're more qualified to take care of a cripple like me?"

Hester's eyes welled up with tears. "I really care about you, Mr. Douglas."

Leonel raised an eyebrow, "You... care about me?"

Leonel repeated her words, and then shot back with a smirk. "So tell me, what do you really like-this broken body or my deep pocket? Hester, I hired you to make Alexis believe I've move on, but that doesn't mean I'm a fool."