Second Life New Choices

Chapter 3

For the next few days, Jolene locked herself up in her room, teary-eyed.

After learning about Preston's ridiculous actions, Francis and Gloria were all the more glad that they hadn't chosen him as Jolene's partner. They even wanted to confront the Norwood family about what happened. However, Jolene, who finally left her room after several days, stopped them. The marriage was nearing, and she hoped everything would go smoothly.

After persuading her parents not to confront the Norwood family, she left the house with a design blueprint.

Preston wasn't the reason she'd locked herself in her room for the past few days. He didn't matter to her anymore.

She was designing a wedding ring for Cedric. Knowing how valuable “Eternal Star" was, she secretly wanted to repay his affection by doing so.

She handed the blueprint to the butler, telling him to get an experienced craftsman to craft the ring. However, she didn't receive the ring even after it was due.

Upon enquiring, she found out Preston had dropped by several days ago. The ring she designed caught his attention immediately.

After asking around about it, he took it with him, saying that there was no need for Jolene to pick it up since the ring was for him anyway.

The staff knew about the marriage arrangement between the Miller and Norwood families, so they didn't stop him.

Jolene's heart sank. She immediately went to the Norwood residence to retrieve the ring from Preston.

She was welcomed by the sight of Simone sitting before a mountain of parcels. She said in a honeyed tone, "Mr. Norwood, you checked out everything on my online shopping cart without my knowing again. How could I ever repay your kindness?"

"I did it willingly; you don't have to repay me. Also, I've told you many times before that you don't have to address me as 'Mr. Norwood'."

Simone bashfully called him, “Pres.”

Despite witnessing them being all lovey-dovey, Jolene didn't even bat an eyelid as she hurried in.

Preston turned to the sound of her footsteps and frowned. "Why have you come?"

“Give me back the ring you took."

Preston arched an eyebrow at her outstretched palm. “I don't have it."

Jolene's gaze turned grim. She asked solemnly, "What do you mean by that?"

Preston was still thinking up excuses when Simone, sitting on the floor, timidly spoke up. "Ms. Miller, I learned from the Internet that the most efficient way to open parcels is by using a ring, so I used it to open my parcels, hundreds of them. The ring is deformed now. Do you still want it?"

As she spoke, she opened her palm and showed Jolene the damaged ring.

How could Preston give Simone her ring just to open parcels?

Anger flared up within Jolene, and it overwhelmed her. Unable to control her emotions, she glared at them with reddened eyes. They seemed unbothered.

She snarled, "Preston Norwood, how could you take my belongings without my permission? And Simone, who gave you the right to misuse it? Don't you two know anything about respect?"

Seeing as how she was losing her temper over a ring, Preston felt that his good mood was now spoiled.

Frustrated, he retorted, "You were going to give it to me anyway. Why are you making a scene? Oh, that reminds me. I've decided to only get our marriage registered and not hold a wedding. Therefore, there's no need for a ring. Stop wasting your time."

Furious at his snobbish attitude, Jolene clenched her fists. She emphasized again, saying, “Preston, that ring isn't for you!"

"Then who else did you design it for? You should know when to stop, Jolene. You're taking it too far!" Preston mocked. As he did, he flung the ring away and led Simone out of the house. "Let's not waste our time dealing with her. Simone, didn't you say you wanted to learn how to drive? Come, I'll teach you."

Watching them leave, Jolene was filled with unending anger and indignance. She wanted to go after them, yet she had to look for the ring. Getting down on her hands and feet, she started searching for it.

It took her half an hour to find it in the flowerbed. Carefully putting it into her pocket, she got to her feet without hesitation and turned to leave. There was no time for her to make a new one. All she could do now was to get someone to try restoring it.

However, the moment she stepped out of the villa, she heard a noise. Looking up, she saw a car coming right at her, and her eyes widened.

After a loud thud, she was flung dozens of feet away from where she stood, lying in a pool of blood.

Simone was at the wheel. Appearing to be scared, she got out of the car crying. "Oh, no. I'm still learning how to drive and accidentally took the accelerator for the brake. I screwed up. Ms. Miller is bleeding so badly. Pres, will she be okay?”

The stone step was covered with blood. Preston frowned at the sight as he pulled Simone into his arms, gently comforting her. “It's fine. That's her usual attempt to garner sympathy. It's just an act. Don't mind her. She'll wake up when we ignore her. Don't be afraid, Simone. Don't cry."

Jolene heard him through her hazy senses, and her blood went cold. Tears streamed out of her eyes.

She had thought he would have at least cared for her since they had known each other from a young age, even though he didn't love her. However, he shrugged off her safety just to coax Simone.

She wondered why on earth she had fallen for him in her previous life.

Struggling, she tried to call for help, but reaching for her phone used up every last bit of her energy. Darkness swallowed her.

It was already the next day when she regained consciousness.

Before long, the doctor came in with her file. He asked sternly, "Why didn't you come straight away to the hospital after the accident? You almost bled yourself dry. This is not a joke."

Recalling the events before she blacked out, Jolene could only let out a wry smile. She didn't know how to respond to that. What was she supposed to say? That her childhood friend ignored her well-being because he was too busy consoling his sweetheart?

The doctor didn't ask any further. "Where's your husband? You should get him to see through the hospital admission procedure."

Still under the influence of the anesthesia, Jolene blurted out, "He's abroad."

The door opened just then. Preston walked in, staring her in the eyes. “Who did you say was abroad?”