That night. Preston wouldn’t stop drinking. Even after throwing up, he refused to put down his glass.
Simone sat beside him, crying until her eyes were swollen and her voice hoarse.
“Pres, please stop drinking,” she pleaded. “If you keep this up, you’ll end up in the hospital. Don’t do this to yourself over a woman who doesn’t know better and only wants money”
Preston’s fogged eyes momentarily sharpened at her words. Grabbing Simone by the collar, he slurred, “W–What do you mean, ‘doesn’t know better‘ and ‘only wants money?
“She m–married Uncle Cedric just to spite me! I’ve known her for over ten years. How could I not see through her tricks? She just wants me to pacify her! I’ll go find her right now and promise her I’ll change. She’ll come back if I do that!”
with that, he shoved the bottle aside and staggered toward the door.
Simone bit her lip. Reluctance shadowed her face, but she followed him anyway.
As soon as the taxi stopped in front of South Bay Villa, Preston got out, punched in the code, and barged inside.
In the quiet of the night, his incessant knocking disturbed everyone’s sleep.
When James Lynch, the butler, opened the door and saw Preston, he quickly called for help to bring him inside before heading upstairs to inform Cedric.
The cool night air cleared Preston’s head, though barely. Still, he insisted on following James and banged on the door.
Awakened by the commotion, Cedric opened it. As soon as he spotted Preston in his drunken state, his expression turned icy.
“Get him sobered up,” Cedric ordered.
the
James obeyed and then led Preston to the bathroom without hesitation.
Now, only Simone remained in the hallway. Her head hung low, and her voice choked with sobs as she greeted Cedric, “G–Good evening, Mr. Norwood.”
Cedric cast her a frosty glance. Just as he was about to speak, footsteps echoed behind him.
“What’s all the noise about?” Jolene asked, rubbing her eyes as she stepped out.
The sight of her softened Cedric’s cold gaze. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he said, “It’s nothing. Go back to bed. I’ll take care of it.”
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Simone instinctively looked up. Almost immediately, she saw the woman Preston had been thinking about the entire night. But now, she was nestled in another man’s arms, being tenderly cared for.
The realization that all her scheming had been for naught filled Simone with resentment. The person she hated most was living the life she envied.
Unable to contain herself, she sought to escalate things.
“Ms. Miller, Mr. Preston learned you got married today and has been miserable all night,” Simone began. “No matter how upset you are with him, you shouldn’t use Mr. Norwood to hurt him like this. He promised to marry you. How could you go back on your word?”
It had only been a few days since Jolene last saw Simone, but her knack for sowing discord had clearly improved.
Jolene raised an eyebrow. Just as she was about to respond, Cedric’s voice cut in.
“Sharp–tongued, aren’t you? I’ll ask Paige tomorrow how she raised such a clever maid.”
At the mention of Paige, Simone felt a chill run down her spine.
Charles and Paige had never liked her, after all. They even tried multiple times to fire her family, only for Preston to intervene each time.
However, if Cedric brought this up himself, no one would save them.
Panic overwhelmed Simone, and she fumbled to explain, her words barely coherent.
“No, Mr. Norwood! I’m just telling the truth. Everyone in Jaxford knows Ms. Miller only ever wanted to marry Mr. Pres-”
Before she could finish, Jolene flicked her wrist and slapped Simone twice in a swift motion. She didn’t hold back, leaving Simone dazed. In an instant, her cheeks burned and swelled.
