“I’m telling you, Wesley and his mistress were wheeled into the E on the same stretcher! You should’ve seen the chaos!” Olivia said,
She could barely contain her laughter at the memory. Still, with offer guests milling about the banquet hall, she covered her mouth to maintain a ladylike facade.
“Anyway, about what happened today, I hope-”
“Don’t worry,” Anathea said with a gentle smile. “I won’t tell anyone.”
That earned her a genuinely pleased grin from Olivia. “You’re such a pleasure to talk to.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
Olivia’s smile brightened even more. She took out her card and handed it to Anathea. “Since we get along so well, I hope we can keep in touch.”
“Of course. Anathea accepted the card with a nod.
Their conversation had just about run its course.
Olivia stood up, glanced at Wesley across the room, and clicked her tongue. “You know, you’re the lucky one. At least your husband’s hot. Mine looked okay when he was younger, but now? Ugh. His prime was very short–lived.”
Anathea merely smiled without commenting.
Olivia continued, “But I have to say, with the way your husband looks at you, he doesn’t seem like someone who’s fallen out of
love.”
“Sometimes, even eyes can deceive,” Anathea replied softly.
“Well then, your acting is far better than mine. You two look like the real deal.” Olivia chuckled.
Right then, Gregory and Wesley finished their discussion and began heading over.
Olivia, ever the gossiper, leaned in and asked Anathea, “But seriously, with such a good–looking husband, are you sure you don’t like him anymore?”
She didn’t whisper, nor did she try to. She was speaking in Frevandian, after all. No one else here would understand.
Anathea thought the same. She gave a little shrug and responded in Frevancian too, “Yeah, I don’t like him anymore. Not one
bit.”
She seized the moment to release all the frustration she’d been bottling up. She wore a calm smile, but her words were hurtful. ” You have no idea how exhausting it is dealing with him every day. I’m so done with all of it.”
Olivia burst out laughing and slung an arm around Anathea’s shoulder. “Ms. Jacobson, I love how refreshingly honest you are!”
Anathea laughed too, just about to return the hug when Gregory appeared beside her.
His tone was flat. “It’s getting late. We should leave.”
Anathea paused. He didn’t look pleased. She figured maybe his discussion with Wesley hadn’t gone well, and he wanted to leave early. She nodded in agreement.
She was about to take his arm when Gregory grabbed her wrist firmly.
She frowned at the pressure but didn’t pull away. Instead, she politely bade Olivia goodbye with him.
“Bye!” Olivia waved.
1/2
Chapter 226
+25 BONUS
Her eyes flicked to the side, and she saw Wesley speaking rather intimately with another woman in a comer. Her expression instantly soured. Without another word, she stormed over to them in her heels, radiating fury.
As Anathea watched her go, she felt a hint of reluctance. After all, if Gregory wasn’t working with Wesley, she might not have another chance to see Olivia again.
“What are you staring at?” Gregory’s cool voice snapped her out of it.
Anathea shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Then let’s go.” He dragged her out of the hall without another word.
The entire ride back, he didn’t speak once. His expression was stern.
Anathea knew better than to try and engage with him. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder. Gregory was more than capable of securing a project like Wesley’s. So what went wrong this time?
But she didn’t dwell on it for long.
Once they reached Sinclair Villa, Gregory dismissed Martin from the driver’s seat.
“Okay, Mr. Sinclair,” Martin replied and quickly left.
Anathea started to open her door. But before she could, Gregory grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
Then he kissed her fiercely on her lips.
He swallowed her breath. Just as she felt herself start to suffocate, be released her lips but kept a firm grip on her chin. His eyes seemed to burn with an intense fury.
“Anathea, you said you were done with me? Is that how it is?”
He was asking her in Frevancian.
