Chapter 8

The arrogance in Jacob's tone was almost palpable. The atmosphere was chilly. Nicole lifted her gaze. Her eyes carried an allure as she stared at him. "I'm just learning from you," Nicole said, showing no sign of backing down. Her eyes sparkled with defiance. Jacob was at a loss. As someone constantly embroiled in scandal despite being married, he was the last person who could accuse Nicole of infidelity. Yet, he had his reasons. Those scandals were his attempts to pressure Nicole into divorcing him. "What's his status?" Jacob asked abruptly. "Do I know him? Probably not, considering he's having an affair with a housewife. What does he do? Driver, clerk, or perhaps a college student on summer break working at the farm near the villa?" Jacob seemed to have caught onto something. He scrutinized Nicole's simple yet alluring appearance. "You are certainly bewitching." Nicole ignored his malicious probing. She raised her eyebrows and mocked, "Does guessing my bedmate give you a sense of accomplishment? Do you find satisfaction knowing he's inferior to you, thinking I'm only fit to be with someone lower than you? "Or are you enraged realizing that a more outstanding man than you would sleep with a housewife?" Jacob's eyes darkened. Nicole didn't relent. She smiled as she leaned closer to his ear. She whispered softly, "It doesn't matter because your wife, whom you've never touched, slept with another man. Her warm breath caressed his ear. Her scent that was mixed with her perfume, lingered on the tip of his nose. It made Jacob clench his jaw. Undeterred, Nicole traced her finger from Jacob's throat to his collar, which he had loosened after removing his tie. "What a pity. Given your looks and other attributes, I might have considered you. But now you're just an ex-husband. Otherwise, I could have given my review…" Nicole trailed off, only to be grabbed by the waist and lifted onto the desk behind her. Before she could gasp, Jacob's face was inches away from hers. Their breaths mingled. His lips were so close to hers. Then, he spoke slowly, "Do you want to try me? While we're still married?" Nicole pushed him away, but her resistance was so weak that it seemed like she was welcoming him instead. Her voice trembled, yet it was still icy. "No, thank you. I'm not that desperate." Jacob, however, was not ready to let her go. He inched even closer. Their noses brushed as he spoke, his lips almost touching hers. "If arguing helps you regain some of your pitiful self-respect, go ahead." He lifted her leg. Sensing her anxiety, a smirk formed on his lips. To Jacob, Nicole was merely pretending to outsmart him. She was now rendered defenseless. Suddenly, she wrapped around his neck, a move that caught him off guard and made him freeze in place. His body reacted to her actions, which was something he had never anticipated from a woman he had previously disregarded. Noticing Jacob's hesitance, Nicole released him and laid back on the desk serenely. Her hair spread across the desk, and even her reclining movement exuded a bewitching charm. She tapped Jacob's side with her ankle, her voice languid. "There's still half an hour until lunch. With your skills, you should be able to manage it, right?" Jacob quickly grabbed her ankle. It felt exquisitely delicate, leaving him uncertain whether to hold on or let go. His throat tightened. "Is this how you seduce men?" Nicole didn't answer. Jacob seemed to glean some information from her implicit response. He irritatedly fingled her ankle aside. His forceful movement caused her ankle to bang against the desk, making her wince in pain. She supported herself on the desk with one hand and bent to massage her ankle with the other. That simple action looked like a painting. She then glanced up at Jacob, feigning innocence. "Are you mad?" Before Jacob could respond, Nicole's voice turned sweet. "Do I need to seduce men? A simple beckon, and they'll come. Considering you're my ex-husband, I thought I'd give you a little reward." Jacob's expression remained cold, but his eyes grew darker. He didn't move. He kept his hand on her waist while leaning over her. Nicole grew impatient. She leaned back on her hands and raised her chin. "If you can't do it, just say so. Do you usually like to talk nonsense when you sleep with other women?" She raised her eyebrows. Her eyes were filled with defiance. She showed no sign of intimidation despite her vulnerable position. Noticing no movement from Jacob, she pushed him away and tried to get up. "If you're not up for it, then get lost—" "Last night," Jacob suddenly spoke. "The woman in the VIP suite at Luminous Lounge was you." It was a statement full of certainty. Nicole met his gaze and smiled mockingly. "Oh, did you figure it out? I thought I hid it well." Jacob's heart skipped a beat. It was racing uncontrollably. Was she really the woman he spent a passionate night with, only to wake up to find her gone? "Sue arranged a guy for me…" Her sudden words shattered his recollection of last night's passion. Her eyes danced with mischief. "I heard there was a racing event at the Luminous Lounge. The thrill and noise made it even more exciting!" The next moment, Jacob held her neck! His eyes, usually composed, now burned with anger. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, "I never realized you were such a bitch. How many men have you hooked up with behind my back?"