Chapter 12

Vespera waited for Tina to finish speaking. Her gaze was clear and cold as she looked down at her. "And what exactly makes you so superior? Is it that brain of yours that can't even handle a simple game of checkers? "Or the fact that you're parading around with something I discarded as if it were a prize? Or maybe you're just thrilled to be picking up a job I didn't even want? "You even said 'our circle'… When did I ever belong to your 'we'? "You spend your days doing nothing but acting like a stray in heat. That disgusting, rotten cesspool you call a social circle—keep it. You and Luke can rot in it together." Her tone was light, almost casual, but every word was venom. Tina was so furious that she nearly exploded on the spot. Her face twisted in rage, contorted into something almost unrecognizable. She barely let Vespera finish before shrieking like a madwoman, "Shut up! I'll rip your mouth off! I'll kill you!" She leaped from her chair, rushing at Vespera with a raised hand, ready to slap her. Vespera didn't even flinch. She stood there, unbothered, and just as Tina was about to reach her, she swung the stack of documents in her hand, smacking them hard against Tina's face. The impact sent Tina staggering, nearly knocking her over. Blood trickled from her nose. "The handover is complete. Wishing you all the best in running Eclipse Group into the ground." With that, Vespera turned on her heel and walked out. Behind her, Tina's piercing shrieks echoed through the building. "Vespera, I won't let you get away with this! Ah!" She clutched her nose, screaming like a lunatic. The project team stayed frozen in place, no one daring to approach. Once Vespera left the office and had walked a fair distance, people cautiously approached her, their faces full of worry and sympathy. Under the pressure of the situation, Christine braced herself and slipped into the office. She quietly gathered Vespera's things, and even fished her trophies out of the trash, carefully wiping them clean before placing them into a box. "Ms. Gildon, I'll carry these down for you," Christine said. Looking at her, warmth spread through Vespera's chest, and her eyes grew slightly misty. It was a dark time in her life, but at least there were still good people by her side, offering her a glimmer of light. "Alright," she said with a smile. The entire project team escorted her to the elevator and Christine carried her things and accompanied her to the lobby. Before getting into the car, Vespera turned to her. "Tell everyone—just focus on their work. Don't provoke that spoiled brat. The best-case scenario is that she plays around for a while, gets bored, and leaves on her own. But if she messes up a project, report it directly to Luke. "Don't wait for her to push the blame onto you. These projects are worth billions; none of you can afford to take the fall for her. Luke will know it's her fault. I imagine he'll handle it accordingly." Christine nodded. "I'll make sure everyone knows." Vespera hugged her. "Keep in touch." As she drove away from Eclipse Group, the sky darkened, and rain began to fall. Heavy drops hit the windshield, bringing with them an unexpected wave of melancholy. She had ten days left. It wouldn't be long now. … As soon as Vespera left, Tina stormed upstairs to complain. Her older brother, Austin Sowle, happened to be there. He was taken aback to see her swollen, red nose. "What the hell happened to you?" Tina sat between them, sobbing dramatically. "I was just trying to be nice! I made her coffee, even gave up my chair for her, but the moment she walked in, she started insulting me—calling me shameless, saying awful things about Luke too… She even calls us stray in heat. "I didn't even talk back! I was just trying to ask her about work, but she wasn't satisfied with just yelling. She threw the documents in my face and attacked me! She knocked me to the ground and beat me!" Luke sat silently, his expression dark and unreadable. Austin was utterly incredulous, his anger igniting instantly. "Has she lost her damn mind? This is insane! Luke, what do you want to do about it?" Luke finally spoke, "I'll apologize to Tina on her behalf. She's just been in a bad mood lately." Tina thought, "That's it?" Tina had expected him to stand up for her, maybe even drag Vespera back here for questioning. But no, that didn't happen. Her blood boiled with frustration. "I don't want your apology! I want her to kneel and say it herself! And I want to hit her back, just as hard." Luke's expression turned cold. "That's not happening." Hearing his words, Austin's face darkened. "Why the hell not? She beat my sister for no reason! She needs to be held accountable! If you insist on shielding her, don't blame the Sowle family for taking legal action." Luke's fingers curled slightly. He thought for a moment before saying, "If that's what you want, then I'll have no choice but to express my regrets. Not only will our partnership fall apart, but we'll be seeing each other in court." Both Tina and Austin were stunned. Austin frowned. "You… You really care about that woman this much?" Luke leaned back in his chair, his tone unwavering. "She's mine. No one touches her." Tina trembled with rage. He had been happy with her. He barely went home anymore and had no feelings left for Vespera. Since he didn't love her anymore, she wondered why he still cared about her. Upon realizing that she would never compare to Vespera, she wanted to rip her apart. But more than that, she feared losing Luke's attention entirely. Swallowing her anger, she forced herself to soften. "Forget it. Vespera was just jealous because I'm close to you. I didn't really mean it when I said I wanted her to kneel… I was just upset. Don't be mad, okay?" Austin looked at her in disbelief. As the scion of the Sowle family, lowering herself to compete for a man's attention with a woman who had no background or status was beyond humiliating. It was a disgrace. "But Luke, I've suffered so much. You have to make it up to me," Tina whined, her voice dripping with faux innocence. Luke's expression finally softened, his gaze turning gentle. "Of course." Tina left with her resentment boiling inside her. … As soon as Vespera got home, she received a call from Yasmine. "Vera, tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Alban Clarke from Glenmere Group has a golf game set up with Dominic. I already told him I'd bring someone along. That's your chance—go make it count." "Yaz, you're the best! Love you!" "Ugh, that was so cringy. My skin's crawling. See you Wednesday then!" "See you Wednesday!" The good news lifted Vespera's mood so much that she ended up eating more than usual at dinner—so much that she ended up stuffed. Later that evening, she went to the gym for a walk to help with digestion. After about 20 minutes, her phone rang. It was Luke. He hadn't come home again tonight. She had long grown used to him not coming home, but a call from him at this hour felt out of place. Hesitating for a moment, Vespera finally picked up. When the call connected, she heard the unmistakable sound of a woman's breathy moans. "Luke… you're amazing." Vespera's stomach was already unsettled from overeating. Now, a wave of nausea hit her like a freight train. She doubled over and vomited all over the floor. Her phone slipped from her fingers and landed with a loud crack. The screen shattered. She kept throwing up until there was nothing left but bile, her body convulsing with dry heaves. She had no idea how she managed to make it back to her room. Lying in bed, she expected herself to be overwhelmed with agony, to stay up all night, to feel the kind of heartbreak that made her want to rip her own heart out and throw it away. But the pain never peaked. She stared at the ceiling, listening to the slow, heavy rhythm of her own heartbeat. The world was eerily silent. Time ticked by. At some point, she closed her eyes, and the darkness swallowed her whole. When she woke, the sun was already rising. She got up, washed, cleaned the mess in the gym, and then had breakfast before heading out to buy a new phone. That afternoon, she arrived at the Ravencrest Golf Club.