Chapter 578 - He Ruined Their Friendship
Unaware that Tristan and FaMo were watching them right now, Zhen-Zhen continued confronting Clifford.
She didn't restrain herself or even conceal her emotions. She needed to let it all out and tell her frustrations and disappointments to Clifford.
"Clifford, I tried my best to understand you. I know you are mad at Tristan because of what happened between you in the past."
"I thought someday the two of you would reconcile. I never give up on that hope, thinking that someday you, Tristan, and I will become good friends."
"Tristan told me to stay away from you. I didn't listen. I told him you were a good guy and you were sincere to me. But I made the mistake of trusting you."
Clifford's mind was now in shambles. Hearing these words from her, he wished he could turn back time.
"You are blinded by your hatred. You didn't try to listen to Tristan's explanation and apology. You close your eyes and ears, even your heart. You drown yourself in your pursuit of revenge."
"You even tried to ruin a beautiful relationship between my husband and me. Why Clifford? Why? Was it worth it? Will you be happy after you break Tristan's heart and mine?"
Clifford just remained silent, letting her speak what's in her heart. He could only clench his fists tightly while trying to maintain his brave front.
"When will you stop this foolish revenge, Clifford? I trusted you but you broke it. I'm so mad and disappointed! How can you be so selfish, only thinking about your revenge?"
Every word coming out of Zhen-Zhen's mouth was like an arrow hitting his heart right now, tearing it apart.
"How can you do this to me? Asking my husband to divorce me is like taking away my life and my happiness! Why don't you just kill me directly? Why do you have to do this to me, taking the most precious person in my life?"
Clifford could no longer quiet after hearing this.
"Did he… did he tell you this?" Clifford asked her. His voice was low but Zhen-Zhen still heard it.
"No, he didn't tell me. I just discovered it by myself! Tristan wanted to hide this from me… because he didn't want me to worry… if I get stressed it's not good for myself and my baby's health…" Zhen-Zhen smiled bitterly at that thought.
Clifford's eyes widened in surprise when he heard.
"Y-You are pregnant?" Clifford was shocked.
He didn't know about her pregnancy.
"Yes. I am! And you just don't care even if you are ruining my family, trying to take away the father of my child! You only cared about your revenge!" Zhen-Zhen cried out her frustration.
'I… I didn't know… I'm sorry.' Clifford was now regretting what he had done.
"I came here for two things, Clifford. First, I want to ask you this question. I hope you will be honest with me. If you truly treated me as a friend before, answer me truthfully!" Zhen-Zhen demanded.
"What happened that night? Those pictures… I saw those pictures. What is the meaning of those… Did you… did you touch me while I'm unconscious? Did you take advantage of me? Did you really do it?"
Zhen-Zhen's eyes were bloodshot. She was also clenching her fists, trying to control her anger. She was triggered again as she remembered those images.
"What have you done to me that night?! Did you spike my drinks? Did you drug me?"
Clifford slammed his eyes shut before taking a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, he looked straight into her eyes.
"No. I didn't. Believe me… I didn't drug you that night. But I admit… I thought of doing it at that time. However, I threw the drugs. In the end, I changed my mind." Clifford said, trying to convince Zhen-Zhen.
Zhen-Zhen just shook her head. She didn't believe him completely. She already had doubts in him. She was afraid this was another facade of Clifford.
"I was also shocked when you suddenly passed out. So I brought you to my room. You were having a slight fever at that time, your temperature was so hot."
This was the time when Zhen-Zhen was already showing some signs of her early pregnancy. She fell unconscious because of that.
"I tried to relieve you by trying to lower your temperature. I removed your blouse and wiped your body with cold water. I didn't remove your undergarments."
"While I was taking care of you, I had these wild thoughts. My revenge consumed my mind again. I thought I found a chance to get even with Tristan." Clifford continued telling her what happened that night.
He already knew how grave the sin he had done to her. He hurt Zhen-Zhen's feelings. This time he wanted to be honest with her.
Meanwhile, Zhen-Zhen's expression darkened when she heard his last statements.
"So, are you saying that to get even with Tristan, you touched me while I'm unconscious? Did you take advantage of me?"
"No! I didn't do that either. Nothing happened between us. I couldn't do it to you. I would never take you against your will. I just… I just took our pictures to make it look like something happened to us."
"I planned on using it against Tristan… to make him experience the same pain I had before, the pain of betrayal of your loved one."
Zhen-Zhen shook her head in disbelief. Indeed, Clifford was blinded by his hatred. But she felt relieved that nothing happened between them.
However, this kind of dirty scheme was so despicable. He almost ruined the family she was trying to build with Tristan.
"Now, I get it. At least, you clear this and remain honest to me for the last time."
"I'm sorry, Lillie… I'm really sorry."
Zhen-Zhen smiled but there was no more warmth in her eyes.
"I can still forgive you. But not now, Clifford. Sad to say, you already put an end to our friendship the moment you took those pictures and had shown them to Tristan, using them to blackmail and threaten him."
"The second reason why I came here is to give you a warning… stay away from my family. You became obsessed with your revenge. If you can't forget about the past and can't reconcile with Tristan… please just stay away from me and from my husband."
"I hope someday, you will find in your heart to forgive Tristan and Olive. Until then, I think it is best for all of us not to cross paths again… I don't think I can stand seeing the face of the person who tried to ruin my family."
Clifford felt alarmed when he heard that. Zhen-Zhen was telling him not to appear in her sight ever again. No! He couldn't do that.
"Lillie, please no! Forgive me! This is not just about my revenge! I think… I think… I…" Clifford couldn't complete his sentence. He knew he already lost his right to say that he loved her because all he did was hurt her and broke her trust.
"Clifford, this is also my goodbye to you. It's up to you now if you will still use those photos for your revenge. But I'm telling you. I don't care even if my reputation gets ruined in the public… All that matters to me is my family and to be with Tristan."