Chapter 142“I’m sorry. Do you think I’m useless? I wanted to make you and Mom proud, but why do they have to hurt me? They betray and slander me. Why? Am I not good enough? What did I do wrong?”Unable to hold back any longer, Aurelia burst into tears and buried her face in Leslie’s shoulder.She went from silent sobs to loud cries within three seconds.She wasn’t the capable and intelligent employee of Young Advertising anymore. At this moment, she was just her father’s little girl.She was free to cry and make a scene if she wanted. Although crying felt liberating, Aurelia still sensed something missing.Holding Leslie tightly, she clung to him as if he were her father. She feared that if she let go, he would turn back into a photograph.After a moment, a hand gently landed on her head.Yes, this was what was missing.The warmth of the hand stroked her hair and back soothed her troubled heart. Eventually, she cried until her eyes and throat hurt. Her head was spinning, and she fell asleep in Leslie’s arms.Leslie glanced at her, then picked her up to carry her into the bedroom. After placing her on the bed, he turned to leave.But before exiting, he wiped away the tears that had streamed down her face.As Leslie left the room, he realized he had crossed a line.Fortunately, Aurelia was sound asleep and blissfully unaware of what had happened.He took out his phone and dialed a number. “Daniel, help me with something…“Of course.”Aurelia woke up the next morning and sat on the bed, feeling completely bewildered.It felt like her time had jumped from having dinner yesterday to this morning.What had happened during the gap? Her mind was a blank slate.She rubbed her throbbing forehead, and fragmented scenes flashed through her mind. Yesterday, Leslie must have noticed her bad mood during dinner, so he had her drink a glass of wine to vent.Then, she seemed to have drunk too much. She remembered saying a bunch of nonsensical things to Leslie, but she couldn’t recall the specifics.She vaguely remembered doing something to Leslie.Just then, the alarm clock rang, reminding her to get up.Having no time to dwell on the past, she got up and changed into the clothes Leslie had bought for her yesterday.It was a goose-yellow outfit made of silk. The top was in the style of a European corset, with a jade button as a finishing touch, and the sleeves had delicate green embroidery.The bottom was a midi skirt, adorned only with side buttons with no other embellishments.Aurelia looked delicate and gentle in the dress and she couldn’t resist admiring herself in the mirror for a moment.She didn’t take too long to admire herself because she wanted to leave the house before Leslie woke up.Thinking back to how she got drunk the night before, she didn’t know how to face Leslie.She quietly opened her door and tip-toed toward the main door.“Finally awake? Come over for breakfast.” Leslie’s voice sounded behind her.Taken aback, she froze and turned around to find Leslie sipping on coffee leisurely at the dining table.There was a plate of toast and a glass of milk next to him. They were clearly for her.With no other option, she could only sit down and eat with her head down.“Mr. Synder, about last night …I’m sorry. Are you alright?”“I’m fine. I just somehow ended up as someone’s dad.”Aurelia fell into silence and wondered, “Dad?”She took a sip of milk and suddenly widened her eyes when memories started flashing back to her.