My Precious Family 3 [Jenlisa]

Chapter 534: You are crazy

The corner of Eric's mouth stretched into a cunning smirk at the sight of Irene.     

"What a surprise!" he mused. "I didn't expect that the first person who would visit me in my new office would be you. Come in. What do you want? Coffee? Tea?"    

Eric peeled his feet from the table, sitting upright in the swivel chair. Meanwhile, Irene invited herself in and comfortably took a seat on the set of couches two meters from the desk.     

"There's no need to bother, Eric." Irene waved dismissively, even though Eric hadn't got up from his seat. "I just dropped by when I heard that the new board of directors was announced today."    

"Oh?" Eric arched a brow, smirking. "So, you came to congratulate me? How did you know I was here, though?"    

"Knowing you, you'd surely stay in your office, admiring this feat." Irene smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I mean, people should celebrate their small wins, right? So, I'm really happy for you, Eric. Very much."    

The smug look on Eric's face faded, replaced by a layer of frost. He wasn't dumb not to detect the sarcasm in her tone.     

"You only got a crumb from Lisa Manoban but this office is better than mine. Much wider too." Irene continued, nodding in approval as she looked around. "Even if I'm in your shoes, I will be happy. A little, perhaps? I mean, at the end of the day, I'm still someone's underling, which is something a person like you would still be happy about."    

She slowly set her eyes back to the person sitting behind the desk, smirking. "Eric Manoban, I don't know what's wrong with Lisa's head recently. It's like he lost his brain somewhere else and just suddenly forgot everything you did and what you are capable of. However, don't forget. I'm not part of the board, but I am still an associate with the LYON Group. I'm keeping my eyes on you, Eric."    

"Hah..." Eric let out a short laugh, running his tongue across his inner cheek. "Did you come here to say all of that? My.... what a shame. I thought I finally had someone to celebrate this small win — which is what you call it."    

"Truly a shame that I can't and will not celebrate anything with you." Irene shrugged, slapping her legs as she rose to her feet. She faced where Eric was seated, bearing no emotion other than coldness and disgust. "Though I can congratulate you. Congratulations again, Eric. I just dropped by to see this place, so I have a rough estimate of how wasteful Lisa has become these past several years."    

With that being said, Irene trudged away from the office. She already said her piece and thus, there was no need for her to stay longer with such a scum. But just before she could reach the door, a hand grabbed her arm to stop her. She looked back, arching a brow at the sight of Eric.     

"Get that disgusting hand off of me," she remarked under her breath. "Let me go."    

"Irene, don't tell me you're still angry about that last time?"    

"Eric Manoban."    

Eric's grip around her arm tightened, tugging her back to force her to face him. "I already apologized for that, didn't I?"    

"Hah!" Irene laughed in ridicule before her eyes shone menacingly. "Eric Manoban, do you really want to do this? I've been holding myself back the moment I saw you in the old residence. Until now, I'm holding back for the sake of the Bae family and my reputation. Don't force me to go crazy because once I snap, I'll kill you myself."    

"You know you can't do that." Eric shook his head, making her wince as he tightened his grip on her arm. "Irene Bae, it's your fault that I am like this. If you didn't come into this family, then I wouldn't be the way I am. Yet, you never took responsibility. Instead, you played the victim and painted yourself righteous when you're just as dirty as I am."    

Irene clenched her teeth as she balled her hands into tight fists. Her heart raced with equal rage and disgust. "You're crazy."    

"I never said I wasn't."    

"Let go before --"    

"Before what? Before you call someone to beat me up again?" Eric tugged her arm closer, leaning his face until it was a palm length away from hers. "Irene Bae, that Eric you ordered to be beaten up to the brink of death in the past, isn't here anymore. That Eric who would do anything to please you died that night. Do you think there're no consequences for prancing in here and saying a bunch of nonsense?"    

His wicked grin widened as he laughed through his gritted teeth. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today. However, don't think you're untouchable, Miss Bae. I would've pinned you down just like what I did years ago and no amount of pleading will stop me this time."    

"If I were you, stay where you are," he added under his breath, closing in while looking straight into her eyes. "Meddling in other people's family affairs never benefits anyone. You might end up dead."    

SLAP!    

A resounding slap echoed through the quiet office as Eric had his head turned to the side. He licked the corner of his lips, tasting the tang of iron as her ring grazed his lips.     

"It's good that that weirdo is finally dead. Finally, some peace for me, since I don't have to worry about a sick admirer." Her voice shook in anger until a thin layer of tears coated her bloodshot eyes. "Eric Manoban, I'm letting this slide tonight just because I owe Grandma Manoban. But try this again next time?"    

Irene shook her head while keeping her eye contact. "I'm dragging you to hell with me." This time, she tugged her arm back from him and successfully retrieved it.     

"You disgust me, Eric," she spat out with deep passion. "I hope you die in your sleep tonight."    

After saying her last piece, Irene stormed her way out of the office. Eric stayed in the same spot, turning his head to the door, which she closed with a bang.     

"Irene Bae," he hissed, eyes glinting malevolently. "You'll soon realize just how wrong you are in taking anyone's side but mine."