“The work must be pretty chill, and she gets to gossip on the phone during hours,’ Winston thought.
“Mr. Moody, wait, just hear my side… No, seriously, let me explain!” Kate pleaded, clearly flustered. “Mr. Moody, I promise I’ll keep it professional and not do that again.”
Winston responded with a frosty voice, “Never again.”
Once he left, Kate dropped down to sit on the floor, feeling completely drained and getting the creeps.
Back at her cube, she plugged in her phone and shot a message to Chelsea. [Chelsea, my battery died! I got caught talking smack about the Big Boss, so I’ll handle work first. See you tomorrow night.]
Chelsea read the message and couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Speaking ill of someone right in their face. That’s funny,’ she thought.
Later, Chelsea made dinner, and Winston strolled in. “Hey, you’re home. Let’s eat,” she said.
Winston walked over to the table and plopped down his briefcase. He fished out a card.
“What’s this?” Chelsea asked.
“Money for daily expenses,” he replied flatly, reminding her of their financial arrangement.
They were technically in a sham marriage–she cooked and handled the groceries, and they split the bills.
Chelsea took the card. “I’m getting paid this month, so I’ll cover my half of the rent.”
“Whatever,” he shrugged, and Chelsea just rolled her eyes, continuing to eat.
After eating, Chelsea headed back to her room. She had a dinner party to go to tomorrow but didn’t have the evening dress for the occasion.
Plus, her bank account was looking pretty sad, so she’d need to rent something.
The next day after work, Kate took Chelsea to the fancy store they used to love. Chelsea was planning to rent a gown, but Kate had other ideas.
“You’re with me. How could I let you go there in a rented dress?” she said playfully.
Kate picked out a stunning, long, silvery dress, which Chelsea tried on. It flattered her figure.
Kate grinned. “Chelsea, you look absolutely gorgeous! Promise me you’ll rock this dress later, okay?”
Chelsea blushed at the compliment. “Alright, let’s do this.”
Kate pulled on her usual black halter dress, and they hit the road to the Houle mansion. As they drove, Chelsea seemed lost in thought, likely stressing over how to deal with Ivory.
Margot and Wade had been waiting forever at the Houle mansion. Wade was surprised Chelsea actually decided to show up, which made him think even less of her.
Chelsea stepped out of the car, carefully holding the hem of her dress. Her figure looked stunning and fit. Her long hair, pinned up with bobby pins, fell effortlessly around her gorgeous face, and her eyebrows were perfectly shaped.
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23)
5:18 pm G D D D
Chapter 15
Wade couldn’t help but admire Chelsea’s beauty, but there was something different about her that night.
It was the same face but looked fresh and vibrant–like a pearl that had just been polished. As she moved gracefully, Wade felt a sudden tightness in his chest.
+23
Margot noticed that something was off with him and bit her lip. ‘Chelsea really knows how to work her charm on men. Isn’t she married to some guy already?‘ she thought.
“Wade, Chelsea looks amazing. No surprise she can talk business with Mr. Watts,” Margot teased, reminding Wade that Chelsea was involved with another guy.
Suddenly, Wade’s admiration shifted to disgust. “Chelsea, you really have the nerve to show up here.” he started, clearly annoyed.
Chelsea felt annoyed just to look at him.
Kate laughed. “Wade, you’re the one who should be embarrassed. Seriously, have you looked in the mirror lately? You cheated on Chelsea with a woman like this?”
Margot felt even smaller next to Chelsea’s confidence and beauty.
Kate struggled to understand why the Wise family chose Chelsea over someone like her.
Tears threatened to spill as Margot’s face flushed. Chelsea straightened her dress and said, “Margot, don’t forget your promise.”
“Come on, let’s go in,” Kate said, taking Chelsea’s hand.
Margot watched them head inside, biting her lip in frustration. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Ivory coming down the stairs, still exuding that poised and icy vibe from three years ago.
Ivory lifted the hem of her dress slightly, looking a bit shy. “Miss Houle, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
Ivory didn’t seem to recognize Margot. “Good. And you are?” she asked.
“I’m Margot Wise,” she replied, taking a breather. “My sister Chelsea copied your work for the jewelry design competition. three
years ago. She’s here tonight and wants to chat with you.”
Ivory’s expression shifted immediately. “There’s nothing for us to talk about.”
Margot quickly added, “Miss Houle, I’m really sorry about my sister, and I hope you can forgive her.” She managed to look genuine, and it caught Wade’s eye, drawing him in further.
“Why should Margot apologize when it’s obvious Chelsea got herself into trouble?‘ he wondered.
Ivory frowned, “It has nothing to do with you. Don’t worry. I’m not going against the Wise family.”
Margot watched Ivory walk away, feeling a knot of unease in her stomach. “Wade, maybe I shouldn’t have let Chelsea come over. What if Miss Houle gives her a hard time?”
“That’s exactly what she deserves.” Wade wrapped his arms around Margot’s waist. “You’re too nice, Margot, Chelsea had it coming for sure.”
Margot leaned into his embrace, a few tears shining in her eyes.
Ivory made her way back to her bedroom on the second floor. Julia had been waiting for her. “Hey, Ivory!”
2/3
5:18 pm G D
Chapter 15
“Julia! There you are,” Ivory replied, surprised.
“Do you still have feelings for Winston?” Julia asked warmly, taking her arm.
Ivory hesitated. Of course she did. Winston was the sweetest guy ever, and the stuff that happened three years ago still lingered in her mind.
If she hadn’t stepped away back then, maybe she and Winston would have ended up differently.
“I heard Winston got married the other day,” Julia continued.
Ivory’s cheeks flushed. “Married?”
‘Why didn’t I hear anything about this? Who is she? Some famous girl? Is it a business deal?‘ she wondered.
“Yeah, the girl’s got a pretty bad reputation, but it seems like Winston has no clue,” Julia said.
Julia believed Winston knew nothing about Chelsea’s scandal, or else he wouldn’t have married her.
“You mean Winston was tricked?” Ivory couldn’t believe someone as sharp as him fell for something like that.
Julia looked a bit bashful. “Winston married Chelsea, the woman who copied you years ago, and somehow she ends up with Winston. Winston probably doesn’t know Chelsea’s true colors. How could he marry someone like her?
“Ivory, you and Winston have been friends for ages. You can’t just stand by and watch him get taken advantage of!”
Ivory didn’t expect two people to bring up Chelsea today. The thought of plagiarism and her being married to Winston hit closer to home than she wanted to admit.
Noticing her silence, Julia felt the need to add more fuel to the fire. “Oh, and I heard Chelsea is with Winston because she got kicked out of the Wise family. He probably has no idea about her background and is being completely misled.”
Julia sighed, and Ivory turned to her. “Thanks for telling me this, Julia.”
Julia sensed Ivory might have bought her story and added, “Look, you and Winston grew up together. You can’t just sit back and let him get played like this.”
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