Chapter 102
Anathea couldn’t help but laugh when she saw how furious Evangeline looked.
“How are you laughing at a time like this? Aren’t you pissed?”
Anyone else would have been fuming and flipping tables if their husband humiliated them just to side with his mistress. And yet, Anathea looked unbothered. Even Evangeline was getting resentful on her behalf.
“I am pissed.” An exasperated smile curved Anathea’s lips. “But what can I do about it?”
Could she march up to Gregory, grab him by his collar, and demand that he change his mind about removing her floral design? Or could she pull Natalie’s hair and warn her to stay in line?
There was nothing Anathea could do. Such was the difference that set Gregory and Natalie apart from her.
Gregory was in charge of Sinclair Group and was the future head of the Sinclair family. Meanwhite, Natalie had Gregory’s unwavering support, and she was unconditionally favored by him and Eleanor. She was also an important business partner of Sinclair Group.
As for Anathea, she had nothing save the good fortune of having earned Brisa’s compassion.
More importantly, she had too much to lose and too many weaknesses to impulsively get on Gregory’s and Natalie’s bad sides. As such, even if Gregory and Natalie were to pick on her in public, she had no choice but to smile and take the bullying in stride.
Evangeline’s heart cracked when she saw Anathea’s smile. She knew the latter was exasperated and had endured hard times, so she reached out to hug Anathea, comforting her.
“It’s okay, Anathea. So what if they removed the designs? When we get more accolades and make it big, they’ll regret their decision today!”
“Yes.” Anathea nodded. “They will.”
She’d already decided to join the International Floristry Competition after Fiona’s surgery. She would pour herself into her career and return to her roots so she could prove herself. She refused to let anybody invalidate or diminish her and Evangeline’s hard work.
Anathea secretly vowed to see this through.
Evangeline and Anathea gradually went their separate ways after they hugged and comforted each other. Anathea checked her phone and realized it was 8:30 pm, and she was already starting to yawn. So, she bid Evangeline goodbye.
“Right, see you tomorrow then.” Evangeline patted Anathea on the shoulder and left first.
Anathea watched as Evangeline left. It wasn’t until the latter was some distance away that Anathea’s smile slowly fell. She heaved a sigh and lifted her head to stare at the ceiling, only so the hot tears brimming in her prickling eyes wouldn’t fall.
She didn’t want anyone to see her in such a sorry state, so she ducked into the washroom and didn’t leave until she’d regained
her composure.
After washing her hands, Anathea assessed her haggard face in the mirror. She thought about dabbing on some lipstick to add color to her face when her stomach churned. She gulped, willing the feeling to pass, only to choke.
She burst into a coughing fit and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes watering. A while later, the coughing finally subsided, and she rummaged through her purse for her pack of tissues.
The next second, a hand offering a handkerchief came into her view.
Anathea’s gaze trailed up the hand to meet a pair of concerned eyes. She was a little surprised to see the person and didn’t accep his handkerchief, opting to reach for her pack of tissues instead. However, when the pack turned out to be empty, she found herself in an awkward position.
Chapter 102
Theo was still holding out his handkerchief.
Anathea took it in the end and said softly, “Thank you.”
Theo hummed in response and offered nothing more in reply, though he quietly watched Anathea dab the tears on her face. His lips pressed into a thin line when he saw how pale she looked.
Why did he find himself having such inexplicable feelings for Anathea time and time again? Why was he getting angry over Gregory’s unfair treatment of her? He’d never wanted Gregory to go easy on her before, so why did he feel so odd and uneasy when he saw Gregory pick on her?
Theo was annoyed by his contradictory feelings.
Oblivious to the young man’s troubles, Anathea asked after wiping her face clean, “Do you still want it?”
“What?” Theo snapped out of his thoughts.
“The handkerchief.” She clutched the handkerchief. “If not, I’ll toss it-“
“What?” Theo snapped out of his thoughts.
“The handkerchief.” She clutched the handkerchief. “If not, I’ll toss it-”
“I want it!” Theo blurted out.
