Chapter 9
For many days after that, I didn’t see either of them.
The next time I saw them was at a contract signing event between my father’s company and Faith Group.
Flora, dressed to the nines, stood beside Byron.
The moment they saw me, their faces darkened for a split second. But this was my family’s event, so they didn’t dare make a scene.
Eason Cross, my childhood friend, came over to chat with me about old times.
Thankfully, the event passed without any drama.
To celebrate Eason’s return, I arranged a party a week later at Lotus Garden in the northern part of the city.
But on my way there, Eason called me.
His words were vague, but the message was clear–he didn’t want me to come.
Feeling uneasy, I ignored him and continued to the venue.
Before I even pushed the door open, I heard arguing from inside.
*Are you saying you’re canceling the deal just because of Lydia?”
“You’d better think carefully. I work for the same company as Lydia!”
Then came Flora’s voice, sharp and accusing. “Is it because Lydia said something to you? Is that why you won’t work with us?”
11:25 AM
<
I pushed the door open and walked in, sitting down beside Eason as everyone stared at me in shock.
“You seemed to be having such an exciting conversation. I thought I’d join in,” I said, my tone calm but laced with sarcasm. “I’m curious about why are you here uninvited?”
The room, which had been lively just moments ago, went silent as everyone avoided my gaze.
Byron and Flora, in particular, looked even more uncomfortable.
Eason spoke up, his tone measured.
“My overseas company has a contract with Lydia’s current company for raw materials,” he explained.
“I’ve already heard about your things, so I canceled the deal. While I was briefly away, these two people decided to barge in and interrogate me about it. This lady even implied that you have something to do with my decision and tried to use her to change my mind.”
I understood immediately, and the whole situation struck me as laughable.
Leaning closer to Eason, I whispered that I would soon be resigning to work for my father’s company.
Eason, now more serious, addressed the room again. “I’ll say this one more time: canceling the contract has nothing to do with Lydia. My company simply doesn’t work with people of questionable character!”
His words caused a ripple through the room. Everyone shifted uncomfortably and avoided eye contact.
Byron and Flora’s faces turned even darker.
As I motioned for someone to escort them out, Flora, now desperate, lashed out.
“How could you judge us like that? You guys are no better!
“Lydia is still married, and yet look how close the two of you are!
“Who knows–maybe you two were together long before we were!”
I grabbed a nearby wine bottle and hurled it toward Flora.
She ducked just in time, the bottle missing her by inches.
Her lips trembled, and the arrogance she had just displayed evaporated as she shrank under my cold glare.
I stepped toward her, my voice icy. “Has no one ever told you that you can’t just say whatever you want without consequences? Just because you’re filthy doesn’t mean everyone else is, too.”
Byron stepped in front of Flora to shield her.
“That’s enough, Lydia! Don’t you think you’re being disgusting? How can you bully her like this?”
Bryon’s self–righteous tone only fueled my disgust.
“Byron, do you really think everyone wants someone like Flora as much as you do?
“You two are both filthy and shameless. You guys are a match made in heaven.”
