Chapter 7: What a Pair of Scoundrels
1201words
"Hey, have you checked the group chat?" Linda asked as she set her lunch tray down across from me.
"No, I don't bother with it," I replied with a nonchalance that Linda clearly admired.
"I wish I could be half as calm as you when facing problems," she said before digging into her meal. "I heard that the sketches on your desk were accidentally placed there by Yuhei, who was absent that day. She's a new intern and probably didn't know better."
"I see," I nodded.
I could tell that most people who had just entered the cafeteria no longer had the same accusatory looks in their eyes, though they still seemed hesitant to approach me and my quick tongue.
"So, did the CEO scold you today? You came out of his office looking rather distracted," Linda chattered away.
"Getting scolded is normal with that ice-cold face of his," I murmured.
Linda lowered her voice: "Actually, he never scolds anyone."
"Is that so? I think you've just been captivated by his good looks. Don't be so shallow," I retorted.
I let out a dismissive snort, but just as I set down my chopsticks and looked up, I saw Ethan approaching with his lunch tray.
I couldn't help but kick Linda under the table, signaling her to be quiet, then forced a smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Westwood."
Acting as if nothing had happened this morning.
Linda jumped in surprise and quickly lowered her head to focus on her food.
"Mm," he responded without even a glance, taking a seat by the window and discussing business matters with Noah.
"Do you think he heard what we were saying?" Linda whispered anxiously.
"Doubtful. Gossiping about the boss behind his back won't kill us," I replied, surprisingly unconcerned.
After work, I changed into a seductive red dress and applied meticulous makeup.
I drove directly to the company entrance to wait for Jackson, parking in the most conspicuous spot.
Groups of people leaving work stared at this unexpected beauty.
I smiled slightly, achieving exactly the effect I wanted.
Jackson, bold as ever, walked out of the building cheerfully, acting as if nothing was wrong.
He had no idea he was about to fall into my carefully laid trap.
The moment he saw me, Jackson couldn't take his eyes off me. He'd never expected that I, who rarely dressed up, could look so stunning—like a character stepped out of a novel, truly captivating.
"Jackson," I called out with unusual warmth, walking toward him and tenderly wrapping my arms around his waist in front of everyone.
Jackson was taken aback, almost doubting his eyes!
The usual me would never do this. All our intimacy had always been kept minimal—at most holding hands or a kiss on the forehead. This was perhaps the closest we'd ever been.
"How disgusting," I thought to myself while embracing him, silently cursing!
But when dealing with a man with no principles, I had to be even more unprincipled to get my revenge!
Jackson gazed down at me adoringly.
I could feel the curious stares from the people leaving his workplace.
"Let's go. Dinner time," I said with a fake smile, clinging to his hand with feigned affection.
"Sure," Jackson responded, treating me like a child as he opened the passenger door for me, fastened my seatbelt, then returned to the driver's seat.
I discreetly wiped my hands with a tissue, disgusted by the lingering sensation of his touch.
"I've made reservations at Imperial Court. What do you think?" Jackson asked.
As a wealthy heir, Imperial Court was one of Jackson's regular haunts—a place where meals easily cost thousands.
Normally I would object to such extravagance, but now I saw no reason to economize. I deserved to eat and drink well; there was no need to deprive myself.
"Sounds perfect," I replied with a sweet smile.
---
At Imperial Court, I ordered dishes I'd never dared to try before—Wagyu beef, escargot à la Bourguignonne, and even opened a bottle of 1982 Lafite Rothschild.
In short, I ordered the most expensive items on the menu, determined to eat until I could barely walk out.
Jackson didn't mind; he just wanted me happy.
I suspected he truly loved me deeply, but his unfaithful nature made me feel nothing but revulsion and disgust!
The more attentive he was, the more ridiculous it seemed!
Before our food arrived, Jackson predictably received a call from his father.
"Alia, I need to take this call," Jackson said nervously, turning his phone face-down to hide the screen.
"Go ahead," I gave him a flirtatious smile that made him blush.
As soon as Jackson left, I dropped my sickening smile, only to lock eyes with a familiar figure across the restaurant...
Ethan!
He was here too!
I quickly averted my gaze and nervously took a sip of water.
How strange—I'd done nothing wrong, yet I felt so guilty.
I stole another glance and noticed a beautiful woman sitting across from Ethan.
So he actually dines with women? How surprising.
When the woman noticed Ethan looking in my direction, she turned to look at me too. I lowered my head, mortified.
"I haven't done anything wrong..." I muttered to myself.
"Ethan, what are you looking at?" the woman's voice was gentle and alluring, audible even from a table away.
"Nothing..." Ethan looked away, raising his wine glass to toast with her.
---
This call was likely from Jackson's father. My little display at his workplace had been witnessed by many, and I imagined the Liao family was now pressuring him.
I rested my chin on my hand, gazing at the city lights through the window. How beautiful!
My phone pinged with a message from Olivia: [Image of an ultrasound] "I'm pregnant!"
"..."
My hand trembled holding the phone, my eyes reddening.
So they had moved that quickly. Was their engagement already being planned?
No wonder Jackson wouldn't take calls in front of me—this call was probably from Olivia!
I quickly stood up and headed to the restroom.
Though I'd mentally prepared for this reality many times, in that moment, I truly wanted to tear Jackson's hypocritical face apart.
A bitter taste spread through my mouth, transforming into bone-chilling pain and numbness. My nails dug into my palms, pulling me back from the edge of breakdown to rationality.
Hmph! What a pair of scoundrels—
I composed myself and left the bathroom.
"Hey."
Ethan was leaning against the corner, his gaze downcast.
His deep, dim eyes reflected my pretty face, and his thin lips pressed together slightly.
I startled, his dark silhouette genuinely intimidating.
"The person doesn't seem quite dead yet. Sure you don't need help?" His breath carried the scent of alcohol.
"No need. I'll personally deliver the final blow," I replied.
"Mm, good," Ethan pushed himself off the wall and staggered away.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
When this incident occurred, Noah admitted that both he and his boss had witnessed it, and it had become their regular after-dinner gossip topic.
I never imagined that a boss who was usually so meticulous about work would gossip about employees.
Sometimes I really wanted to tear Noah's mouth apart.
