Chapter 3

The air gradually turned thick with tension when Katrina showed herself.

However, she didn't seem to notice the shift in the mood and strutted over to sit down right in front of Scarlett. She grinned with her eyes as she scanned the room full of people still holding the gift Joachim gave them in their hands.

"Greenwell Luxe? That's a really famous brand. But it seems like nobody knows that I'm the one who founded this brand."

She founded it?

Everyone couldn't believe their ears. Katrina's family had been mercilessly bankrupted by Joachim years ago, and they couldn't even live normal lives in whichever country they wanted anymore. How was it possible that she would end up being the founder of this luxury brand?

"It's true that my family went through some tribulations, but I met my hubby after that, and two years ago, he invested tens of billions in me and used every connection he knew to build me one company after another.

"Oh, and this isn't the only brand, by the way. I've got 26 brands under my belt, all thanks to him."

While speaking, Katrina's gaze seemingly flitted over Joachim before she smirked at Scarlett with a challenging grin.

Scarlett couldn't breathe.

She recalled a time frame about two years ago when Joachim had been particularly busy. He had told her that his company was expanding overseas, which explained his extremely busy schedule.

As it turned out, he had simply been busy building companies for Katrina.

Scarlett felt a sharp pain in her heart that slowly bled into the rest of her chest. She couldn't help but press a hand to her heart.

"What's wrong, Lettie? Feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" Joachim asked, immediately getting up anxiously. "I'll get the doctor."

Katrina grinned coldly. "Why, Scarlett Meyer, can't you see how preciously Mr. Davidson is treating you? So, why do you still look like a zombie?"

The words had just left her mouth when Joachim's expression suddenly turned dark. He slapped her squarely in the cheek.

"If you don't shut your mouth and leave, I'll make sure you never, ever speak again!"

Katrina held a hand to her swollen cheek and huffed before leaving the private room in great dissatisfaction.

The tension lifted as soon as Katrina was gone. However, Scarlett's face was still as pale as a sheet.

Joachim held her hand worriedly. "Lettie, where does it hurt? The doctor's on his way."

Scarlett pushed him away. "I'm fine. I just want to use the toilet. Don't come with me."

As soon as she stepped out into the hallway, Katrina immediately blocked her way. She chuckled coldly again and said, "Do you really think you're still important to Joachim even though he hit me for you?

"Don't forget that I am the mother of his children. His heart is already drifting toward me. Wanna bet that he'd leave you and come to me the instant I tell him his kids are having a fever?"

When Scarlett finally went back to the private room, Joachim was looking particularly anxious. He went over to her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Lettie, something urgent came up at the company, and I need to go over there at once. I've already informed the manager here to put everything on my tab, though, so you can continue enjoying tonight with the rest of your friends."

Scarlett tugged on Joachim's sleeve tightly and said, "Didn't you say that you'd stay with me tonight? Can't you stay? Please?"

Joachim looked at the calm yet pleading look in her eyes and suddenly felt immensely flustered. He had a feeling that if he were to leave today, he would be losing something very important to him.

But Katrina had told him that his kids were sick. They were his flesh and blood. He had to go and see them.

In the end, Joachim carefully pried off Scarlett's fingers, one by one, and said, "Lettie, I promise that I'll come home tonight to be with you, alright?"

Scarlett inhaled deeply. As it turned out, Joachim's heart was really shifting away from her.

Half an hour later, Katrina sent her a video.

Scarlett knew what the video would be showing, and yet, she still tapped on the play button with shaky fingers.

Katrina was sobbing in the video, looking small and pitiful. "I can't live without being with you all the time. I only went to the classmate reunion because I missed you so much, but then you were being all lovey-dovey with Scarlett, and it made me so jealous!

"I only said those words because of how jealous I was. And then you hit me because of that!"

Joachim chuckled softly. It was obvious that he was enjoying this.

He then applied some salve to Katrina's cheek and said, "Alright, alright. If you keep crying, your mascara's going to melt all over your face. Just tell me anything you want, and I'll give it to you to make it up to you."

"Well… The kids are having their birthdays soon. I want that island you just bought as their birthday present."

Joachim frowned. "No way. That's something I'm planning to give Scarlett and her baby."

"Please, Joe?" Katrina pleaded. "Our babies and I really want that island. And you promised me anything I wanted!"

This time, Joachim finally agreed.

Katrina then glanced at the camera and grinned victoriously to provoke Scarlett.

She even sent a voice message afterward. "See? Even if he promised you something, he'll still give it to me as long as I ask him for it. You've already lost to me."

Scarlett gripped her phone and slid to the ground in a daze.

She recalled the past, when she got hurt during one of her part-time jobs. Joachim had helped her apply salve to her skin just like that too.

So, whatever Joachim did with her wasn't just exclusive to them. He'd do them with other women too.

At that moment, Scarlett suddenly felt thoroughly exhausted.

However, she believed that everything would get better once she left Joachim.

She was finally leaving him tomorrow.