Chapter 10:- Nemesis

chapter 10

Kate's POV

I leaned closer to Calvin and whispered, “Do you know who that is?”

He followed my gaze across the table and nodded. “Yeah. That’s Pristine. She’s an influencer, one of our top brand ambassadors.”

My jaw nearly dropped.

A brand ambassador? So, Alex hadn’t just cheated on me with some random woman.

He cheated on me with Calvin’s brand ambassador. Perfect.

Calvin turned his head slightly, eyeing me. “Do you know her?”

I blinked and forced a casual smile. “She looks familiar… but I can’t place where I’ve seen her before.”

I lied smoothly. I knew exactly where I’d seen her. In that cursed video on I*******m.

But there was no way I was giving Calvin that piece of information. Not yet.

I quickly changed the subject. “This doesn’t look like a business meeting. It feels more like a leisure hangout.”

Calvin gave a small shrug. “Most of the people here either own companies or are business partners of mine. They’re working on a joint project. We’ll start once everyone’s arrived.”

I nodded, but my attention drifted back to Pristine. She was laughing softly with the man beside her, perfectly at ease.

Meanwhile, my stomach wouldn’t stop turning.

A tap on Calvin’s shoulder interrupted our awkward silence.

He turned his head, then gave a nod of recognition. “Elliot,” he said, offering a rare smile. “It’s been a while.”

The man, tall, sharply dressed, confident, grinned and extended his hand to me. “You must be Kate. I’m Elliot Crane. Calvin and I go way back.”

I shook his hand and forced a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Crane.”

“Call me Elliot,” he said warmly. “I’ve heard… a lot.” He glanced briefly at Calvin with a smirk I couldn’t quite read.

Before I could ask what he meant, he said, “Mind if I borrow him for a second?” Already pulling Calvin’s chair slightly.

Calvin looked at me. “I’ll be back soon,” he said, and rolled away with Elliot before I could say a word.

Now alone at the table, I shifted in my seat and glanced toward where Pristine had been seated just moments ago.

Gone.

Strange. Why didn’t she come with Alex? Was he around too? Or had she moved on to someone richer.

“You must be Kate, right?” a voice cut in.

I turned sharply at the voice behind me.

She was standing there, all glossy lips and quiet menace.

“I’m Pristine,” she said, smiling.

She sat down beside me without asking, crossing one leg over the other like she belonged there more than I did.

"You're even prettier then the last time we met," she said, flashing a pearly white smile.

I blinked. "Thank you."

"I mean it," she added, tilting her head slightly. "When I heard Calvin finally settled down again, I was so curious. Naturally, I had to see who captured his attention this time."

This time?

I smiled politely. "Well, I guess curiosity is natural… especially for someone who’s used to being the center of attention."

She chuckled softly. "You’re sharp. I like that." Then she leaned in slightly, voice lower. "I have to admit, it’s brave of you… stepping into this family. Especially with everything that happened to the others."

I stiffened.

She kept smiling.

"I’m sure you’ll do better though," she continued. "You seem… resilient."

I said nothing. Just smiled.

"Besides," she went on, fingers playing with the edge of her clutch, "Calvin’s had a hard time trusting women after… everything. But you? You're already a fan favorite in the media. What was it they called you? A gold digger?" She laughed lightly.

I clenched my jaw, still smiling. "And yet I’m the one wearing the ring."

Her smile faltered for a second.

I noticed.

I leaned back slightly, still smiling. “So, where’s Alex, by the way? Didn’t bring him along? Or… does he not measure up in this crowd?”

Pristine’s smile froze for half a second. She didn’t reply.

I tilted my head. “Or maybe you’re already bored of him?”

Still nothing. Just that tight smile.

I leaned in, lowering my voice just enough. “Funny how things turn out, isn’t it? You’re working for the man whose wife I now am.”

She blinked, once, slowly. “You won’t be his wife for long,” she murmured, her voice like velvet over broken glass.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut in behind me.

“Is everything okay here?”

I turned. Calvin had returned, watching us both closely. His eyes narrowed slightly as they landed on Pristine.

She straightened, her expression sweet again. “Of course. I was just saying hi to your new wife.”

He looked at me. I didn’t say a word, but he must’ve seen something in my face.

“Pristine, would you mind giving us a moment?” he asked, voice polite but firm. “Kate can be a little shy sometimes.”

Pristine laughed lightly. “Of course,” she said, standing up. “Enjoy the meeting.”

And with that, she walked away.

Calvin turned back to me. “What’s going on?”

I kept my voice even. “Nothing,” I said. “There’s no problem at all.”

But my heart was beating like a war drum.

I glanced at Pristine’s retreating figure, then turned to Calvin.

“Can I ask you something?” I said, deciding to be bold.

He looked at me, curious. “Go ahead.”

“Have you, ever had an affair with Pristine?”

His brows lifted slightly. “No,” he said without hesitation. “Why would you think that?”

“Because,” I said, folding my arms, “she looked at me like someone who was jealous. Really jealous.”

He stared at me for a beat, then gave a small amused smile. “She’s not the only woman jealous of you, Kate. You’d be surprised how many are still upset I got married.”

I rolled my eyes. “Charming.”

“Just the truth.” He motioned slightly with his hand. “Now come on, roll me to the hall. The meeting’s about to begin.”

I hesitated, but then moved behind him and gently began to wheel him toward the conference doors, trying not to let my hands tremble.

If Pristine was jealous… maybe I really had stepped into something far more dangerous than I ever imagined.

And I wasn’t sure who to fear more, Calvin’s enemies..

Or the people smiling at me like friends.