Chapter 109
With t that little scene over, Gwyneth slipped out of the hall to take a breather.
The public lounge outside the venue was an open–air terrace, almost deserted–only the night breeze and the bartender lingered there. “Can I get you a drink?” the bartender asked.
The bartender’s glass twirled in a dazzling flourish. Ice cubes clinked against the whiskey, sending sparkling droplets flying like tiny sparks.
Gwyneth leaned lazily against the glass railing, raising a finger casually. “I don’t want to get drunk. Just an orange juice,” she said.
“As you wish,” the bartender replied with a practiced smile, his hands already reaching for the fresh oranges.
love
The sun–ripened oranges tumbled and bounced into his hands before rolling into the juicer. Leaning idly, she wondered, ‘Do all bartenders lo punting on this little show?
Bella sauntered over with a smirk and sneered, “Harrison didn’t show up today. Afraid the paparazzi might catch him and his wife would find out?”
“Gwyneth.” Bella sneered, “are you happy being a rich man’s mistress?”
Here comes the real drama queen, Gwyneth thought. The wind tousled the loose strands at both their temples, and Bella squinted against the Justs, her eyes half–closed.
Standing against the wind, Gwyneth smirked, amusement glinting in her eyes. “I’m perfectly content with my life. Does that make you jealous?”
Bella’s smirk faltered at the edges, while Gwyneth sized Bella up with a cool, appraising gaze.
Back then, Bella was just a girl from a small town–her wide, innocent eyes full of uncertainty, her cheeks so hollow it seemed she’d never had a proper meal. Gwyneth couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
Seeing her clutching well–worn, secondhand textbooks, her shoes worn through from crossing mountains, and the simmering resentment at life’s unfairness hidden beneath her hunched shoulders, Gwyneth decided to sponsor her.
Gwyneth brought her out of the small town, dressed her in crisp school uniforms, and gave her a place in the warm dormitories.
But instead of excelling academically, Bella slipped out of her coar and into silk pajamas, worming her way into the home Zachary and Gwyneth shared. Like invasive mold, Bella took root and slowly consumed everything within sight.
Now, as Gwyneth looked at Bella again, she could no longer see the soul that once raged against the world’s injustices–only a hollow shell brimming with jealousy
Gwyneth finally pushed herself away from the glass railing and strolled over to the bar, retrieving her glass of orange juice.
“Whiskey or OJ–that’s my call, Gwyneth said coolly. “You’re drowning yourself in whiskey day and night. Do you even remember what it feels like to be sober?
I can choose my boyfriend. My mother’s legacy gives me confidence, and I have the strength to stand on my own. But you? You’re just a parasitic vine, clinging to others. When you’ve drained your host dry, what’s left of you then? Gwyneth wondered.
Gwyneth lifted her exquisite eyes, their depths brimming with icy mockery and disdain.
Bella almost buckled under Cwyneth’s piercing gaze. Just as she was about to fire back, the crisp sound of leather shoes echoed behind her. That must be Zachary coming for me, she thought.
Instantly putting on an act of wounded innocence, Bella whimpered, “Gwyneth, I’m genuinely worried Mrs Lopez might retaliate against you. I “Since when are you so invested in my family matters?” Harrison’s icy, menacing voice cut through the air from behind.
‘No, it’s not Zachary Bella spun around, meeting Harrison’s frosty gaze, Instantly, her breath caught, and cold sweat broke out all over her body. ‘Oh god, I actually tried to stir up trouble between Harrison’s wife and his mistress right in front of him. I’m so dead, Bella thought, panic rising in
her chest.
Her knees buckled beneath her. Zachary, who had followed Harrison out, immediately stepped forward and pulled Bella protectively behind him.
“Mr. Lopez, Bella and Gwyneth just have some personal history between them. She was merely making small talk. She never meant to meddle in your private affairs. Please allow me to apologize on her behalf, he said.
I/I
