The Pampering CEO: Don't Mess With My Secretly-Married Sweet Wife

Chapter 268 I Want A Substitution

"Mr. Shelby! If I can prove it to you, can you consider not sending me away?" Anna looked at Jacob seriously.

"We'll see then," he replied emotionlessly.

"Okay, I understand," Anna answered, still serious.

Jacob side-eyed her without saying more. Whatever it was, he had made up his mind to dismiss the woman.

As the day went on, Anna took care of Jacob to her best ability and did not blunder any more. Jacob’s expression remained icy, not showing her any other emotions.

When night came, it was still freezing in February.

"Mr. Shelby." Anna stood beside Jacob holding a pair o f knee guards. "I just knitted these wool knee guards today. You're weak now and the knees get cold the easiest. Wear them when you sleep at night. They'll stay warm.”

Jacob could not help raising his brows at the ugly knee guards in Anna's hands. So the woman was knitting these during the day.

"Don't think that I won’t lay you off because of this." Jacob stared at her.

Anna was saddened but she still said, "I don’t mean it like that. I just think that..."

"Okay, leave them here. Take your break on the side. Don't disturb me," Jacob said coldly.

Anna could only make a small hum of agreement and place the knee guards on the nightstand before padding away softly.

Jacob did not even spare the knitted wool a glance as he lay down to sleep directly.

Anna's eyes dimmed a little before she perked herself up again quickly.

'Anna, you have got to cheer up and work hard. Mary got a fever but her grandson Jacky is undergoing his operation soon and needs a lot of money.’

The payment for this caretaker job was three times higher than what the market offered. She could make a lot of money in a month and that could lift some burdens off Mary.

Thinking about it, Anna sighed. She would have taken some money with her when she ran away from home this time if she had known. At least she would be able to help Mary and Jacky then. Yet, she left out her temper and did not bring anything.

When she came to Ningcheng City, she was nearly abducted and sold off by human traffickers by the road. It was Mary who saved her and gave her a shelter. Hence, she had to help when it came to Jacky.

'Jacky, don't worry. I’ll definitely earn your medical fee for you.' Anna quietly encouraged herself and went to the washroom.

It was all that stupid cockroach’s fault that Jacob got mad at her. She swore that she was going to find it today!

After a long search in the washroom, Anna finally saw the culprit again in a damp corner. Her reflex was to scream but she held herself back.

"Answer me, were you the roach from noon?" She glared at the cockroach.

The cockroach, as expected, was silent.

"Not speaking up? So you're admitting it, yeah? It’s you then!" Anna spoke to herself before picking up the courage and shakily extended her hand toward the offensive insect.

She promised Mr. Shelby that she would face her fear of cockroaches. As long as she could do it, she could possibly keep the job.

Anna stretched her palm and braced herself, catching the roach with a slam. The cockroach wriggled in her grip and the nauseating sensation made Anna feel like throwing it away.

Once she recalled her promise, however, she suppressed the disgust and glared at the insect.

The next day when Jacob woke up, he was greeted with Anna’s bright and dazzling smile.

What was the woman grinning about? Jacob was puzzled.

"Mr. Shelby, you're awake." Anna presented a mineral water bottle from her back that housed a living cockroach.

"What are you doing?” Jacob looked at her speechlessly.

Anna blinked. "I caught this roach and put it in the bottle myself. Mr. Shelby, I'm not scared of cockroaches anymore. If you don't believe me, I can put it on my hand..."

Anna was going to pick the roach out as she spoke.

"No need." Jacob stopped her subconsciously.

"Are you sure?" Anna looked at him with an expression that seemed like regret.

Jacob peered at her doubtfully. It could be an illusion, but just now he felt like a devil's tail was wagging behind Anna.

When he snapped out of it, Anna was back to her sincere and earnest self.

It must be an illusion then, Jacob thought.

"Mr. Shelby, then... can I stay?" Anna stared at Jacob unblinkingly.

Jacob scoffed, "No." This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Anna was taken aback. "Mr. Shelby, you said that as long as I can do it, you'll keep me." "I said that we'll see when you did it. Did I say that I'd let you stay when you did it?" Jacob rolled his eyes." Don't overthink it."

Anna bit her lips, her eyes misty with tears. "Mr. Shelby, I really need this job. Please, help me..."

She looked utterly pitiful, but Jacob grew more irked. Why was this woman playing the sympathy card just like Jenny!

“Keep your cheap tears,” Jacob said in disgust. "This doesn’t work on me."

Doesn't work?

Anna blinked and saw the hidden disgust in Jacob's eyes. She wiped her tears swiftly and spoke like nothing happened, "Okay, I won't cry anymore if Mr. Shelby doesn’t like it. Just please don't chase me away."

The instant change caught Jacob unaware. His jaw dropped.

What? The woman swapped her emotions so fast! Where was the pity? The sad puppy look? Her tears? They were all gone in a second!

Did she graduate from acting school?

Nevermind, these had nothing to do with him. What mattered to Jacob was that he was going to replace her!

He mentioned it to Susan when she came over later in the day.

"Susie! I want a substitution! I agreed to try her out for one day yesterday and it’s been a day now. I don't think she fits the bill,” Jacob said directly.

Susan was stunned for a beat and looked at Anna. The latter sat there looking earnest.

"Jacob." Susan coughed and said, "Are you angry about what happened yesterday? It was an accident and Anna has already reflected on it to me. Besides, she has already overcome her fear of cockroaches and guarantees that she won't do it again. Just forgive her for this one."

Overall, Susan was quite happy with Anna. After all, what happened was just an accident. She even pushed to cushion her brother and she tried hard to overcome her fear after that, vowing not to do it ever again.