Chapter 2

“Why?”

I started the car, asking coolly, “Just happened to have a contract to discuss. Is there something you’re afraid I’ll find out?”

Victor seemed completely thrown by my question.

His breathing hitched. After a few seconds of silence, his voice softened, adopting his usual coaxing tone. “Darling, what are you talking about?”

“There’s nothing I’m hiding from you. It’s just that my office is a mess; I’d have had someone clean it up if I knew you were coming.”

“Besides, how could I ever betray you? Feel free to check anything.”

Hearing that, I felt a flicker of confusion.

Serena hadn’t told him I’d confronted her.

I scrolled through the evidence, listening to his excuses.

Three gigabytes of files, every single day connected to Victor.

Last Valentine’s Day, he claimed to be on a business trip abroad and couldn’t call. In reality, he was in the Arctic watching the Northern Lights with Serena.

My father was gravely ill, I called him over thirty times, and he didn't answer a single one. Turns out, he was celebrating Serena’s birthday.

“I believe you, but what about that watch?”

Seeing that I brought it up, Victor seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

He leaned closer to the phone, his voice laced with a deliberately cultivated intimacy. “That watch… I fainted suddenly at the office, and Serena happened to be passing by. She helped me to the hospital.”

He paused, then continued, “She stayed by my side all night, so I bought her the watch as a thank you. I just forgot to tell you.”

Forgot, huh? He must be quite forgetful then.

Not only did he forget to tell me about that, but he also conveniently forgot about the three days and three nights they spent in a penthouse suite at a hotel.

I sneered inwardly.

“She’s incredibly attentive, isn’t she? Even the black shirt you wore when you fainted, she washed, ironed, and returned it to you perfectly the next day.”

Victor clearly faltered on the other end, his breath catching for a split second, before he quickly recovered with a laugh. “Isn’t she though? The young lady is so thoughtful.”

“See? You’re always so suspicious. You’re the only one in my heart, darling.”

His voice was close to the receiver, dripping with forced affection. “Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll take you to the Maldives for a make-up vacation, just the two of us. How does that sound?”

That tender tone used to melt my heart. Now, it just made me sick.

“Sounds lovely,” I said, gazing out at the passing city lights, my voice as calm as if I were discussing the weather.

“But you focus on your important business first. Don’t let me distract you.”

“Nothing is more important than spending time with you, darling.”

Victor’s voice was filled with urgent appeasement, but my heart grew colder and colder.

It wasn’t just Victor’s betrayal that shocked me, but the realization that they had been playing this charade right under my nose for so long.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I fought back the urge to confront Victor right then and there.

No. I wanted him to confess his relationship with Serena in front of everyone, and then I would utterly ruin both of them.

I mumbled a few dismissive words and hung up the phone.

Just then, Serena’s social media updated again.

The screen showed her in an intricately designed, diamond-encrusted wedding gown, her eyes sparkling with joy.

“Another mistress tried to cause trouble today, wanting to take my place, but Mr. Thorne is making it up to me. He’s finally going to marry me!”

“I just mentioned wanting a castle wedding, and he bought an entire castle for me!”

She curved her lips, the camera casually sweeping over a property deed.

“And these wineries? He actually wants me to manage them!”

“How could a little dummy like me do that? Good thing Mr. Thorne promised to come with me to assert my authority, so those people won’t dare to bully me because of my age!”

Seeing my French name printed on the property deed in the video, a surge of pure rage coursed through me.

Those wineries were a coming-of-age gift from my brother.

And Victor Thorne was using them to impress his mistress!

Fine. They wanted to assert their authority, did they?

I'd like to see how they'll 'establish their authority' in front of the *real* owner of the winery!