Chapter 111
"I did mention it, maybe my attitude wasn't obvious. Why are you tarnishing my reputation, Mrs. Rodriguez?" Darcy's brows furrowed innocently.
Winnie's gaze turned frigid, fixed on the woman before her. During their meeting at the coffee shop, she had no inkling that Darcy was plotting behind the scenes, so she didn't record anything. Now she could not defend herself.
Darcy's eyes misted, her gaze full of bitterness as she looked at Mr. Rodriguez. " About the Golden Club, I really heard from my subordinates that the food there was great. If Mr. Rodriguez thinks I did it with an ulterior motive, then I have nothing to defend myself."
"If your intentions are so pure, then the photos you posted must be equally innocent," Winnie opened her Facebook app and found only a few posts by Darcy, and one of them was already deleted.
A smirk graced her lips, "You provoked me discreetly, then promptly erased your tracks. But the photos you took were quite artistic. Mind if I show them to Mr. Rodriguez?"
Back then, Olivia had directly posted her own photos.
Winnie handed her phone to Mr. Rodriguez.
Mr. Rodriguez took it and glanced at it. Darcy's selfie was taken very close to him, which could be misconstrued. But Benjamin and Jeremy were also in the shot.
Mr. Rodriguez glanced at Winnie, feeling that she was overthinking things.
At this moment, Darcy noticed Lawrence's expression and immediately covered her eyes, emitting soft sobs, "Mrs. Rodriguez, am I not allowed to share work-related photos? Yes, I deleted it. I had a few drinks that day and didn't think it through. Afterward, I was worried that you would misunderstand something about Mr. Rodriguez at the bar. I've been nothing but good to you, so why do you persist in targeting me?"
She truly was kind, always considering Lawrence's feelings, her tone innocent and full of sorrow.
A blend of weakness and sorrow.
Winnie concealed a hidden smile in her eyes.
In that instant, the doctor, unaware of the full context, observed Darcy appearing victimized, while Winnie projected a somewhat dominant stance.
He had a slight suspicion and couldn't help but sympathize with this beautiful but innocent woman. He couldn't help but interject, "Mr. Rodriguez, let me provide an update on Ms. Clark's condition. Yesterday, after Miss. Ordelia's well-timed Dry Needling, her epilepsy improved significantly. She is currently resting in the neurology department."
Winnie's expression froze, and her gaze abruptly sharpened.
Darcy looked at her then, with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, a look that Winnie was all too familiar with. Ava had often worn a similar expression.
Darcy was skilled at concealing things, yet her satisfaction wasn't entirely veiled.
Yesterday, it was Winnie who had performed the Dry Needling treatment on Melissa.
But today, Darcy had been credited with it all, and she had even informed the doctor in advance, while Melissa was confused and couldn't remember anything due to her unconsciousness.
Darcy was good at taking advantage of situations, evidently well-prepared for the situation.
Winnie's gaze shifted rapidly in response.
As expected, Darcy turned her attention to Mr. Rodriguez with a composed demeanor, sidestepping Winnie's topic. She wore an air of filial piety and warmth, explaining, "Mr. Rodriguez, I brought your mother for an examination today to put your mind at ease. Given your injury, I didn't let her come to the ward. Unfortunately, she misunderstood me, so I won't stay here and be a bother. I'll leave right away..."
A hint of glistening moisture adorned the corners of her eyes, her complexion paling slightly as departed, laden with grievances.
Mr. Rodriguez's brows furrowed slightly, his face turning slightly stern as he looked at Winnie, but he didn't say anything.
While Winnie was "exposing" Darcy, Darcy was taking care of his mother. In fact, the servants had reported that Darcy stayed overnight at the villa.
She had helped his mother recover from epilepsy through the Dry Needling treatment, and although there were doubts about what Winnie had said, Mr. Rodriguez had no reason to doubt someone who had been devoted to him and his family. On the other hand, Winnie seemed to be throwing a tantrum.
He murmured, "You're biased against Darcy. She may have ulterior motives, but she wouldn't dare harm you. She is well aware of temperament. Don't let her influence us, alright?"
Winnie looked at him, momentarily speechless. She felt manipulated. She was the one who had saved Melissa, but now, in Mr. Rodriguez's eyes, it was Darcy who had saved his mother.
She clenched her fist tightly. This Darcy was too well-prepared.
They stared at each other in silence, and Winnie finally uttered, "I'll step out for a walk."
Mr. Rodriguez frowned slightly with a hint of coldness and instructed Bryan, "Have a bodyguard follow her."
Inside the car outside the hospital, Darcy lowered her head and laughed, savoring Winnie's name. She wished she could crush her.
Winnie had almost guessed what she said to Mr. Rodriguez. She knew they had reconciled. Winnie was taken aback.
The adage "forewarned is forearmed" might have been foreseen by Winnie's sharp intuition, as she had spent the previous night pondering how to dissolve Mr. Rodriguez's suspicions. By exploiting Melissa's situation, she eradicated any qualms Mr. Rodriguez held about her.
But it had to be said, Winnie possessed adept knowledge in traditional medicine. However, why didn't she explain to Mr. Rodriguez that she was the one who treated Melissa? Was Mr. Rodriguez unaware of her medical skills?
That would be perfect. She reached into her bag and took out a half-ring. This was her trump card, to be used at the most critical moment.
Yet, now was not the time.
Winnie arranged to meet Olivia at the café next to the hospital.
"Winnie Anderson, I can't investigate the banquet matter so quickly..." Olivia teased as she arrived with her laptop, but when she saw Winnie's pale face, she immediately sat down. "What's wrong? Weren't you close to Mr. Rodriguez at the hospital?"
Winnie couldn't help but smile at Olivia's light-hearted tone, although her smile didn't reach her eyes. Soon, she recounted the morning's events to Olivia.
After listening, Olivia clenched her fists. "Damn it, I always say that these cunning women with hidden motives are the toughest to tackle. She was secretly competing with you before, and now she is playing dirty. Lawrence is a jerk too. How many times did you warn him about her, and yet he couldn't see through this bitch's intentions?"
Winnie shook her head. Reflecting on it, she narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "I acted too hastily today. I didn't have solid evidence against Darcy, it was all based on speculation. Based on Lawrence's belief in Darcy due to their long history together and Darcy's way of taking care of Melissa, my guesses seemed unfounded to Lawrence. He doesn't believe me; he thinks I'm just jealous and making a scene."
"That's true," Olivia scoffed, "men can't see through these scheming women. It's an eternal truth."
Winnie's gaze grew solemn. "But it's not all in vain. After today, I can see through the tactics Darcy commonly employs. She's not simple at all, and her methods are extremely cunning."
Darcy is adept at pretending to be a good person, taking a step back to move forward, undoubtedly gaining deep trust from Lawrence with her quietly caring image.
In this situation, if she went against Winnie, and if not handled properly, it could easily end up with Winnie being seen as unreasonable.
The encounters between suppliers and Lawrence catching her working with Rock, all orchestrated by Darcy, confirmed Winnie's passive position.
The more she analyzed, the narrower her eyes became. This woman came prepared, and she was clearly caught off guard.
After one or two times of being caught off guard, Winnie also noticed some clues. "I understand her common tactics now. I suspect she has been observing me for a long time, even back when I had a fake marriage with Mr. Rodriguez. That time at the Hot Spring Resort, she appeared in my sight, creating a good impression for Mr. Rodriguez to believe that she genuinely cared for us. She had plans, step by step, using the most innocent face to do the most divisive things, digging a pit for me."
Olivia listened in shock and fear. "This is a scheming bitch who endures humiliation and bears burdens."
Winnie's eyes scanned the chilling stillness of the water, "Now I see through her tricks. Today, I lost because of lack of evidence, but it won't happen again."
"A man like Mr. Rodriguez, who holds a high position, is very rational. He only believes in evidence. So, I will find the evidence. The facts will leave him speechless."