Chapter 9
The noise in the private lounge died in an instant.
Every head turned to Blanche, terror crawling across their faces in a single frozen moment.
Eddy grabbed Jeannette by the wrist and shoved her to the floor.
“Begging won’t help you,” he said coldly. “No one can change what Mrs. Lancaster has decided. Besides, you’ve been a bad influence on Healy and hurt Blanche’s feelings. I’m already showing mercy by not punishing you more.”
His voice was icy and final.
Jeannette landed awkwardly, pain shooting through her hands and knees. She winced, glaring up at Blanche with resentment blazing in her eyes.
“That’s right, you were a bad influence on Healy and upset Blanche. Eddy’s already being lenient with you,” someone chimed in.
The room exhaled in collective relief, then a chorus of voices rushed to defend Blanche. “How dare you corrupt Healy and break Blanche’s heart? That’s way out of line.”
“Don’t be sad, Blanche.”
“Eddy loves you too much to ever let anyone hurt you.”
Kelvin, more direct than the rest, yanked Jeannette up by the arm. “Blanche, I’ll get her out of here right now!”
One moment Jeannette was the center of attention, the next she was thrown down and kicked
while she was down.
She struggled violently, refusing to cooperate.
Blanche watched the whole scene unfold, their hypocrisy making her feel sick. She finally spoke, cutting through the noise. “Jeannette, when you were clinging to Eddy just now, was it really just to beg for mercy?”
Every angry gaze zeroed in on Jeannette, pinning her down as if to warn her: Don’t you dare upset Blanche.
Jeannette’s face went pale, then flushed green with rage. She clenched her jaw, glaring daggers at Blanche.
Of course not! She thought furiously. She’d been with Blanche’s man, for God’s sake–what a fool!
But with Eddy standing right there, how could she possibly blow their secret wide open?
Eddy glanced at Kelvin, who abruptly shoved Jeannette again. “Well? Apologize to Blanche!”
“Yes–apologize!” The others jeered.
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Chapter 9
Forced to her knees in front of Blanche, Jeannette’s knees hit the floor hard. Tears welled and spilled down her cheeks, making her look all the more pitiful–yet not a single person offered her any sympathy.
Worse still, under their unforgiving stares, she had no choice but to choke out each word, one by one: “I’m. Sorry.”
How did it come to this?
They all despised Blanche’s arrogance behind her back, and yet here they were, acting like frightened mice in the presence of a cat.
Watching Jeannette grit her teeth in humiliation, Blanche didn’t offer forgiveness, and no one dared plead on Jeannette’s behalf.
Eddy pulled Blanche into his arms, his hand burning her waist through the fabric of her dress like a brand.
His embrace still carried the lingering scent of Jeannette’s perfume.
Blanche’s stomach churned in disgust, and she frowned.
Eddy leaned in, murmuring softly in her ear, “Darling, don’t let someone like her ruin your mood.”
Kelvin grabbed Jeannette and started dragging her toward the door. “Blanche, I’ll get rid of her right now.”
Watching their little act, Blanche shoved Eddy away, stopping them. “Wait.”
Her gaze sharpened, fixing on Jeannette’s wrist. “Why is there a pair of red panties wrapped around your arm?”
Jeannette’s lips curled into a messy, triumphant smile as she looked at Eddy, her eyes sparkling with mischief and challenge. “It’s a gift from the man I love,” she purred. “He says I have the perfect body for these–and when we’re together, there’s no need to take them off. Not like some people…”
She let her words hang in the air, shooting Blanche a mocking, seductive look.
Blanche followed Jeannette’s gaze, meeting Eddy’s inscrutable eyes. Images from the security footage flashed through her mind–scenes that made her want to retch.
He’d taken everything from Jeannette, again and again, while with her… All the so–called tenderness and concern for her health now felt like one cruel joke.
Blanche pressed a hand to her chest, a sharp ache lancing through her heart. Her lips trembled, drained of all color. “The man you love–are you talking about my husband?”
The room was instantly silent.
Kelvin suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Jeannette’s hand. “No, Blanche–it’s me. Jeannette’s with me.”
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Chapter 9
“You two were having an affair? And you hid it so well!”
“No wonder you were so eager to drag her out–you were just protecting her!”
Eddy crossed the room amidst the rising clamor, his expression as calm as ever. He looked at Blanche and said, “Darling, I only let her get close because of Kelvin.”
“I’m sorry I made you worry.”
Blanche couldn’t help but look at him–and saw, in the glow of the overhead lights, the telltale smear of bright lipstick at the corner of his mouth, glittering like a needle stabbing into her
eyes.
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