Chapter 12 Two Can Play the Game
I knew the opportunity had arrived when I received an invitation to Sean’s cocktail party. He had made his intentions clear.
If I wanted peace, I needed to figure out his motives.
“Any updates on Olivia?”
I was in the dressing room, where my stylist helped me to match my hairstyle and my jewelry for the night.
I looked up and saw Cliff through the reflection in the mirror. He sat behind me and was busy going through photos on his camera.
Caught unaware, he looked up after hearing my question.
“She hasn’t shown up since, but I believe she’s by Sean’s side.”
My stylist clipped the pearl earrings on my ears.
After she left, I touched my expensive jewelry.
“We’ve worked together for a while now, I have trust in you,” I said to a man dressed like a waiter.
Reuben West chuckled breezily and sassily flashed me an “okay” gesture. “You have nothing to worry about as long as you pay up.” Before that Caiter left the dressing room, he added, “By the way, boss, just call me Reuben.”
I had attended a fair share of such alcohol–fueled parties as Grayson’s plus–one. Hence, I was no stranger to the social scene.
However, the attendees mostly nodded at me from afar, and few would greet me personally as they were rather apprehensive after learning about the gossip surrounding me,
As for me, I enjoyed the peace. Holding my wine glass, I found myself a quiet corner and settled down.
I scanned the venue but did not see the man I was looking for. I turned my attention to Reuben, who was standing not too far away. He shook his head at me, signaling to me that he, too, hadn’t seen Sean.
I patiently waited until I nearly finished my wine. Only then did Sean arrive.
He looked gentlemanly and kind in his fitted suit. He led Olivia to the middle of the hall. She had a full face of thick makeup.
Many iramediately approached the couple to curry favor with Sean. Some belatedly recognized Olivia, who stood beside him.
A few sharp–eyed gossipers cast curious glances at me, who was hiding away in a corner, and the couple who were standing side–by–side.
By now, everyone had heard about the drama in our social circle.
Other guests imraediately quieted after they noticed something off. An awkward silence slowly filled the air.
Clivia let go of Sean’s hand and approached me with a glass of wine. “Heidi, I was so immature back then. Shall we put everything behind us with a toast?”
She forced a smile at me as she handed me the glass of wine. Her thick foundation looked cakey around her crow’s feet. In just two months, Olivia had lost the air of innocence when we first
met.
Staying siient, I watched her raise the wine glass. People around us started talking. Some even stood on tiptoe and craned their necks to take a look in our direction.
“What do you say, Heidi?” Olivia’s smile gradually stiffened. She couldn’t help but ask me again.
This time, I accepted the glass of wine she offered, and I immediately heard her heave a small sigh of relief.
Before she knew it, I splashed the wine in her face.
“Oh, no!” The ladies around us gasped in shock.
I chuckled lightly, watching Olivia’s damp hair cling onto her cheek.
Sean shuffled over and pulled Olivia into his arms. “Ms. Ross, even if you hold a grudge against my lover, you should not have treated her this way.”
I observed Olivia trembling in his embrace.
Those around us stared at each other with wide eyes when they overheard Sean describing Olivia as his lover.
I put down my glass of wine, resting my gaze on Olivia, who had buried her face in Sean’s chest.
“Mr.!.ambert, I had no idea that you enjoyed being treated like a fallback option.”
Someone inhaled sharply in surprise when I openly challenged Sean. Unlike my company, which was struggling under the weight of my scandals, Sean’s was thriving. It would be unwise to get on his bad side.
“You don’t get to say that about Sean–”
To everyone’s surprise, Olivia charged at me like a lunatic. She sat atop me, and when I wasn’t paying attention, she tore my evening dress, leaving a slit in its wake.
Reuben, who was standing watch, hurriedly made his way through the crowd to shield me from those predatory gazes.
My tidy bun had come undone, and loose strands of hair cascaded over my chest.
After Olivia was done with her tantrum, she fearfully curled up in Sean’s arms. She said nothing and cried her heart out.
“Ms. Ross, there’s an empty room upstairs. Why don’t you freshen up there?” The manager of the event hall approached me and draped a blanket over my shoulders.
I held onto Reuben’s hand and got up from the floor. When no one was watching, Reuben stuffed a voice recorder pen into my hand.
I left the hall with the manager. Before I stepped out of the hall, I purposely turned around.
That was when my eyes met Sean’s.
