Chapter 9

Luke swiftly took off his suit jacket and crouched down, draping it over Tina's exposed body. Tina wailed in devastation. "Vespera Gildon, get the hell out!" Luke bellowed, his fury blinding him to the face that Vespera's face had turned deathly pale. Osbert finally snapped out of his shock and rushed to support her. "Are you okay?" Vespera clenched her jaws, her eyes red-rimmed. "Luke, you make me sick." She shoved Osbert's hand away. Even though she could barely stand, she refused to let anyone help her. Luke's chest tightened. That look in Vespera's eyes earlier felt like she would never open to him again. Panic crept into his heart. Osbert hesitated before speaking, "Mr. Munoz, I think she hurt her back pretty badly." Luke's expression darkened. He hadn't held back when he shoved Vespera just now. The image of her wincing in pain flashed through his mind. Ignoring Tina's hysterical sobs, he got up and ran after Vespera. "Becca, I want to leave early. I just… I really don't want to see his face anymore." Leaning weakly against the corner of the elevator, Vespera clutched her phone, her voice barely above a whisper. The effort to keep her emotions in check made her tremble. Vespera couldn't go back to the project department looking so disheveled. Swallowing the pain, she forced herself to leave the company and drove straight to her new place. Rebecca could sense Vespera's despair. She grabbed her bag and car keys without hesitation. "Where are you?" Vespera gave her an address. "Got it. I'm on my way." Rebecca wasn't just her divorce lawyer—she was her childhood best friend. So, she knew Vespera well. Vespera might look soft and gentle, but deep down, she was proud and unyielding. Ever since she found out about Luke's affair, she had kept her pain locked away, dealing with the divorce with chilling composure. Not once had she broken down in front of Rebecca. Judging by how Vespera was acting, Luke must have crushed her completely. That bastard deserved to burn. "Okay. I'll wait for you." Vespera hung up and leaned against the elevator wall. Her long hair fell over her face, shrouding her in darkness. She felt like she was sinking, dragged down by an endless, suffocating abyss. She had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly, a man's deep, smooth voice broke the silence in the elevator. "You done yet?" Vespera opened her eyes and turned sharply. Her gaze landed on the broad shoulders wrapped in black fabric and a pale slender neck. The stark contrast between black and white exuded an air of refined aloofness. As her eyes trailed upward, they met his deep, glacial eyes, devoid of warmth. The man watched her silently. She recognized him. "It's you," Vespera murmured before falling into a daze and locking in a silent staring match with Dominic. Dominic was deeply frustrated by the lost and dazed woman before him. Vespera had followed him from the parking garage like a shadow. She had tagged along into the elevator and stood still in the corner farthest from him. He leaned in, towering over her with his height of over six feet—six feet and three inches tall, to be exact. Instinctively, Vespera raised her hand to block him. "What are you—" Before she could finish, his hand pressed gently on her arm, palm outward, casually moving her to the side. Then he reached the fingerprint scanner, activating it with ease. Vespera was at a loss for words. At that moment, it dawned on her, and her brain slowly cleared from the fog of confusion. The elevator hadn't moved because she hadn't pressed anything. Moreover, she had blocked the fingerprint scanner, which meant he couldn't scan either. It was embarrassing. The elevator began to rise. As the number "5" lit up, she hesitantly reached forward and pressed her own floor—catching sight of his floor number at the same time. Dominic stayed on the 46th floor. The top floor. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore the awkwardness in the air. Suddenly, Dominic's phone vibrated. He answered in a cool, deep voice, "What's up? Measurements? Ms. Gildon is asking?" Vespera turned her neck stiffly, the embarrassment almost pushing her to the edge. She steadied her breath and asked, "Is now a bad time?" Dominic's expression remained calm. Just then, the elevator doors opened. Vespera quickly held her waist and ran out of the elevator. … By the time Rebecca arrived, Vespera was lying face down on the bed, her body still, her emotions seemingly settled. Draped across the soft sheets, she looked like a delicate beauty. Rebecca knelt beside the bed and asked gently, "What happened?" Vespera took a moment to refocus her gaze. The bizarre encounter in the elevator had unexpectedly distracted her, pulling her away from the storm of negative emotions. Now, her mind was clear. She recounted everything that had happened at the company, her tone calm and steady from start to finish. Rebecca, however, was furious. "You're still working at Eclipse Group, and he eagerly brought the vixen into the office? They're doing this in broad daylight. Have they no shame? And Luke dared to push you? Has he lost his mind completely? Is he so shameless now that he doesn't even bother hiding it? They're practically taunting you at this point. Are you sure divorce is all you want?" Vespera stirred slightly, trying to turn over. However, the sharp pain in her waist made her give up instantly. She stayed where she was, resting against the bed. "You know why I'm doing this. I'm not afraid of Luke. I want him to understand that I was the one who let him go first. Why would I even hesitate to break free from a man who's so rotten and filthy? I'll get rid of him like garbage." Rebecca's eyes softened with pain. She reached out, ruffling Vespera's hair. "You sound so tough, but look at you now. How did you end up like this?" Vespera smirked and replied, "I lost my cool. Half a month. That's all. Even if they stripped naked and did it right in front of me, I wouldn't even blink." "You're not worried about hurting your eyes?" "At worst, I'd throw up a little." "Still bad for your stomach." Rebecca stayed with her for a while, making sure she was okay. Then she went to the pharmacy to buy some medicated patches for Vespera's waist. Outside, night had already fallen. Meanwhile, Luke had searched everywhere Vespera might have gone. He had called every one of her friends, even made a trip to her parents' house. Still, there was no sign of her. Luke called Rebecca first. She claimed she didn't know anything. The second time, she ignored it. By the tenth call, Vespera finally said, "Just pick up. He probably knows you left the firm this afternoon." "Now he's panicking?" Rebecca scoffed, walking out onto the balcony as she answered. The moment the call connected, she unleashed her fury. "Luke, isn't it great that Vespera disappeared? Now no one's around to get in the way while you fool around with that tramp. What a dream come true for you!" The second those words left her mouth, Luke was certain they were together. His voice was hoarse. "Let me talk to her." "I can't. I don't know where she is." Rebecca continued sarcastically, "Oh, maybe she couldn't take it anymore and jumped into the ocean. Want to try fishing her out?" With that, she hung up. She wanted Luke to suffer. On the other end, Luke's expression turned ice-cold. The phone rang again. This time, Vespera stepped out and said, "I'll take it." Rebecca handed her the phone. Vespera picked up, her voice calm. "Stop bothering Becca. I'll go back." There was a brief silence. The sound of his breathing grew heavier, more unsteady. Then, his voice came through, cautious, almost pleading. "Where are you? I'll come get you. How's your waist? Does it still hurt?" Vespera sneered and retorted, "Your fake concern is downright nauseating."