Chapter 7: Bitter Truth

Inside the luxury section of the mall, the atmosphere was calm and elegant. Bright lights shone softly from the ceiling, reflecting against the polished marble floor and the glass displays arranged neatly around the room.

Expensive dresses hung in perfect rows on sleek racks, their fabrics smooth and flawless.

Pete stood beside one of the racks, dressed in a fitted suit that gave him the appearance of a confident and successful man. His posture was relaxed, his hands moving casually as he examined a beautiful evening dress hanging before him.

“This would look great on you,” Pete said as he touched the fabric lightly, lifting the hanger slightly so Zoe could see it better.

Zoe stood beside him, dressed elegantly in a tight-fitting outfit that showed her curves clearly. Her lips slowly curved into a satisfied smile as she looked at the dress Pete had pointed out.

She felt pleased.

More than pleased.

She felt proud.

Just then, her eyes shifted casually toward the entrance of the section.

That was when she saw Petra.

Petra stood some distance away near the door, partially hidden by the frame. Her body had gone stiff the moment she saw Pete and Zoe together.

The moment Zoe noticed her, the smile on her lips slowly turned into a wicked smirk.

She lifted her chin slightly.

Eric sat comfortably on a couch positioned across from Pete and Zoe. His body leaned back lazily as he watched the two of them with amusement written clearly on his face.

“Pete is treating you today,” Eric said with a teasing grin, his voice loud enough to carry across the room.

Zoe immediately pointed a playful finger at him.

“Watch your words,” she said with a playful tone, though the smirk on her face grew deeper.

Her eyes darted toward Petra again before returning to Eric.

“If that old hag overhears you,” Zoe continued mockingly, “she’ll throw a diaper at you too.”

The moment she finished speaking, she burst into laughter.

Her laughter echoed across the section.

Then she slowly turned her head again to look directly at Petra.

Petra gasped quietly.

Her eyebrows slowly furrowed as anger darkened her face.

Eric leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious as though remembering something.

“If it weren’t for Pete yesterday,” Eric said bitterly, “I would’ve scolded her myself.” His eyes hardened. “Look, she’s just an orphan. She’s unworthy of Pete.”

He scoffed openly. “She has no right to act all high and mighty.”

Martins, who stood beside the couch, nodded quickly in agreement.

“Exactly,” Martins said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

“She has the nerve to claim she saved the project.” He laughed dryly. “Please. Pete has a mysterious big shot backing him.”

Martins shook his head as if the whole idea amused him. “I can’t stand self-important people like Petra.”

Petra stood silently at the entrance.

Her heart pounded heavily inside her chest.

Every word they spoke landed like a sharp blow.

Her eyebrows remained furrowed as shock and anger mixed inside her.

Pete stood quietly beside Zoe with both hands tucked into his pockets.

His face carried a faint smile as he listened. “Guys,” Pete finally said after a moment, speaking calmly.

“I think Petra once mentioned she has a brother who’s a businessman abroad.”

Eric chuckled immediately.

“Nowadays, anyone can call themselves a businessman,” Eric replied with a mocking laugh.

He leaned back again.

“If you ask me,” he continued, shaking his head, “her brother is probably a trash collector.”

He paused for dramatic effect before adding loudly, “He’s actually their chairman!”

The moment he said that, the group burst into laughter.

The laughter filled the section.

Martins laughed loudly.

Eric slapped his knee.

Zoe covered her mouth dramatically as she laughed.

Pete, however, did not laugh.

He simply stood there with a faint smile on his face, his hands still inside his pockets.

Zoe slowly folded her arms across her chest.

Her eyes drifted toward Petra again. A slow smirk stretched across her lips.

Standing beside Petra, Malcolm’s jaw tightened.

His teeth gritted hard.

His heartbeat pounded heavily with anger.

His fists slowly clenched at his sides.

“I just can’t stand Petra and her phony act,” Zoe continued loudly, knowing very well Petra could hear every word.

Her tone carried open mockery.

“I’d tell her Pete just bought me thirty million dollars worth of jewelry.”

She said it with excitement as if announcing something glorious.

Then she lifted her hand slowly.

The light immediately caught the jewelry around her wrist and fingers.

The expensive pieces glittered beautifully.

Zoe deliberately turned her hand slightly so the jewelry shone brighter.

Her smirking gaze moved straight toward Petra.

Petra could hear the loud beating of her own heart in her ears.

Martins’ eyes widened. Eric leaned forward in shock.

“Now that’s what I call the real deal,” Martins said with admiration.

Eric nodded eagerly.

Pete finally turned his head to look at Zoe.

A smile spread across his face.

Both his hands remained comfortably inside his pockets.

“As your man,” Pete began smoothly, “it’s only right that I spoil you.”

Petra gasped softly.

Her knees suddenly weakened. Her vision blurred for a moment as her body nearly lost balance.

She missed her step.

But Malcolm moved quickly. His arm caught her firmly before she could fall.

He held her steady.

Zoe looked ahead again and her eyes met Petra’s directly.

“Don’t say I didn’t help you coax your wife,” Zoe said with a mocking smile.

She opened her handbag slowly.

Her fingers searched inside before pulling out a small box.

“Here,” she said as she handed the box to Pete. “Give her this small pair of earrings.”

She shrugged lightly. “Just like before.”

Malcolm’s face darkened instantly.

“Pete is pissing me off,” Malcolm muttered through clenched teeth. His voice trembled with anger. “How could he say those things about you?”

He turned toward Petra, his expression filled with disbelief.

“If you hadn’t funded him back then and helped him start from scratch, he wouldn’t have gotten this far.”

Petra’s eyes remained fixed on the people inside the store.

Her gaze was dark and burning.

“Back then,” Petra said slowly through clenched teeth, “I hid my identity to protect his pride and became his angel investor.”

Her voice carried bitterness. She paused briefly.

“But in the end,” she continued with a small sad laugh, “all I got were the gifts he threw my way.”

Her lips trembled slightly. “Things even Zoe didn’t want.”

She lifted her head slowly. A deep breath escaped her chest.

Then she turned slightly toward her brother. Her eyes looked calm now.

Too calm.

“Malcolm,” she said quietly. “Help me withdraw all my investments in Jordan Holdings.”