Chapter 2

“Why?”

I started the car, asking coolly, “Just happened to have a contract to discuss. Is there something you're afraid of me finding out?”

Julian seemed unprepared for my question.

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

“I have nothing to hide from you. My office is just a mess, so I'd have someone clean it up before you came. Besides, why would I ever betray you? Feel free to check anything you want.”

Hearing that, I was somewhat surprised.

Chloe hadn't told him that I’d confronted her.

I scrolled through the evidence while listening to his excuses.

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

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

When my father was gravely ill, I called him over thirty times, but he didn't answer a single one. At that very moment, he was celebrating Chloe's birthday.

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

Seeing me bring it up, Julian seemed to relax a little.

He lowered his voice, the affection clearly forced. “That watch was because I suddenly fainted at work. Chloe happened to be passing by and helped me to the hospital.”

He paused, then added, “She stayed by my side all night. I just gave her the watch as a thank-you gift. I forgot to mention it to you at the time.”

Forgot? He must have a very selective memory.

He didn't just forget to tell me that. He also forgot they spent three days and three nights in the hotel's penthouse suite that very same night.

A cold sneer formed in my heart.

“She's certainly attentive. The black shirt you wore when you fainted? She even washed and ironed it perfectly before returning it the next day.”

Julian on the other end clearly stiffened, his breathing hitched, then he chuckled, trying to play it off. “Isn’t she? The girl is incredibly meticulous.”

“See, you're always so suspicious. My heart belongs only to you, darling.”

He lowered his voice, the affection clearly forced.

“Once I’m done with this busy period, I'll take you on that make-up vacation to the Maldives, alright? Just the two of us.”

His gentle tone, which once melted my heart, now filled me with utter revulsion.

“Sounds great,” I said, looking out at the neon lights flashing past my car, my voice as calm as if discussing the weather. “But you take care of your business first. Don't let me distract you.”

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

Julian’s voice was filled with eager flattery, but my heart grew colder.

Not just because Julian had cheated, but because I couldn’t believe they had put on such a long act right under my nose.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I suppressed the urge to confront Julian then and there.

I wanted him to admit his relationship with Chloe himself. Then, I would ruin that wretched pair, utterly and completely.

I mumbled a few dismissive words and hung up.

Just then, Chloe’s social media updated again.

The screen showed her wearing an elaborately designed, diamond-encrusted wedding dress, her face beaming with joy.

“Another mistress tried to cause trouble today, trying to take my place. Mr. Blackwood is making it up to me; he’s finally going to marry me!”

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

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

“And these vineyards! He wants me to manage them! I'm such a silly girl, how could I? Thankfully, Mr. Blackwood promised to come with me to establish my authority, so those people don’t try to take advantage of me for being young!”

Looking at the property deed in the video, emblazoned with my French name, pure rage surged through me.

Those vineyards were my coming-of-age gift from my brother.

Julian actually used them to woo his mistress!

Fine, so they want to establish their authority?

We'll see how they do it in front of the *real* owner of these vineyards!