Semua Bab Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford: Bab 331 - Bab 340

Catherine refused to be outdone. When the waterworks failed, she switched tactics."I'm sorry, Bella," she apologized with an earnest expression."Don't bother." Isabelle waved it off, turning to Lucas. "Am I that close to her?"His brain flatlined. "What are you talking about?"She gave a cold, humorless laugh. "Then why is she addressing me like we're family?""That's enough," Aiden interjected, unable to hold back anymore. "We are a family here.""I'm talking to Lucas. What's it to you?" Isabelle shot back. "She can get cozy with anyone but my husband. Lucas doesn't have a sister, and we are not related."Aiden was lost for words, just glaring at Lucas, who was already sweating bullets.He sidled up to Isabelle and whispered, "Honey, please don't make a scene on this big occasion. It's embarrassing."She itched to twist his ear, holding back only for public decorum. She gritted her teeth. "Embarrassing? I'm your wife. Sonia is Aiden's wife. Rebecca is Vance's wife. We're he

Isabelle added, "Behavior like this is insufferable. Lucas swears he was just helping out. Bullshit. I'm not blind. I don't know how deep he's in with her, but since I found out, I can't ignore it. Anyway, be careful."It occurred to Rebecca that Lucas seemed to have joined their gatherings less often. Only Vance and Aiden kept up the old routine.Anyway, Lucas had been part of it when they mocked and hurt her. She could separate Isabelle from him, but she couldn't forget the humiliation.Across the room, Catherine was deep in conversation with the ladies."They're all from small tech companies. Executives and their wives. They all have dealings with Vance," Isabelle whispered. "She acts like the spokesperson. Showoff."The women were fawning over Catherine, stroking her ego.Catherine played coy. "Oh, I'm just the executive assistant. I don't really call the shots."Rebecca clicked her tongue. Executive assistant? Keep bragging, and Vance's entire net worth might land in Cather

The lady was frustrated. "Makes sense."Another lady suddenly had an idea. "So many girls chased after him, and he ignored them all. He only has a good relationship with you. Could it be that...""Be honest with us. Does he like you?""Well..." Catherine paused deliberately. "There was indeed a little something back then, but you know, I was eager to come back, while his focus was in Europe, so... He actually sent me a lot of emails later on, but I didn't reply. If there was no future, I couldn't string him along.""I heard that he is still single. Because he can't get over you?""My goodness! This kind of unrequited love, where one would rather stay single for life? I've only seen that in novels."It was getting too far-fetched, and someone burst out laughing.Gabriel laughed, not at Catherine's words, but because Rebecca was silently mimicking every line with her lips.It was hilarious, and he couldn't hold it in. Rebecca grinned, and Isabelle joined in.Catherine felt embar

Catherine's gaze finally landed on Rebecca's necklace. She shook her head with exaggerated pity. "And that necklace? You're here representing Vance, yet you wear cheap glass and tarnished metal? Are you trying to embarrass him?"Rebecca touched the necklace. Glass? Tarnished metal? That was worth 40 million dollars! She wasn't one to shout, but this was absurd.Vance was now only a few steps away. His gaze also fell on the necklace.Catherine kept going. "It's okay, Rebecca. I know you don't understand these things. You were just an arts student. Dancing was your whole world, and then the accident ruined that. You've stayed home ever since, scared to go out. You don't know how any of this works and can't really help Vance. I get that. Come on. I'll take you to meet some people."She reached for Rebecca's hand. That force would definitely make Rebecca trip and fall.Luckily, Gabriel's grip was iron. Catherine couldn't budge her.She shook Catherine's hand off and stepped back stea

Vance rubbed his temple. "You're my wife. Why are you siding with an outsider?""Who's the real outsider?" Rebecca snorted. "Gabriel would never make me apologize to an outsider. He would never let an outsider bully me. And he would never let thugs put a knife to my throat just to save an outsider.""This is a public event!" His voice dropped to an angry hiss. "You can't run your mouth like that. People will laugh at you.""So, you know those things are wrong?" she scoffed. "You knew saying them out loud would make people laugh, and you still did it."He was rendered speechless.Aiden was incandescent. "Why waste your breath? Just let security get him out."As the situation was spiraling out of control, the onlookers started to murmur advice."Mrs. Bradford, you can fight him privately, but this is a public occasion. Better to consider his reputation.""That's right. This banquet is practically held for Mr. Bradford. Everyone knows he's got the Rossi deal locked. Think of the b