Chapter 6
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Tiana’s eyes turned red as she spoke, though not entirely from grievance. Part of it was genuine as her overfilled jawline ached under Rosalie’s unforgiving grip. But the rest was nothing more than a pathetic attempt at acting.
Rosalie suddenly let out a soft chuckle and released her hold on Tiana’s chin, her tone light and airy as she said, “Relax, I was only joking.”
Then, as if completely indifferent to the exchange, she casually reached into her purse, pulled out a sanitizing wipe, and meticulously cleaned every spot on her fingers that had come into contact with Tiana–slowly, thoroughly, like she had just touched something filthy.
Tiana watched the entire display, her chest heaving with barely restrained fury, thinking, ‘What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is this washed–up hag implying that I’m filthy?‘
In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to lunge forward and claw at Rosalie’s face.
But the presence of the man standing behind Rosalie forced Tiana to swallow down her rage, her nails digging into her palms as she bellowed inwardly, ‘Go on, you wretch. Keep playing your little games. Let’s see how you clean up the mess when this blows up in your face.’
Rosalie, entirely unbothered by the seething anger in Tiana’s eyes, even seemed to find amusement in it. She tilted her head ever so slightly, offering a slow, deliberate explanation, “Apologies. I have a bit of a cleanliness obsession. I can’t stand the stench of cheap perfume.”
With that, she flicked the used wipe into the trash can beside her, not even sparing Tiana another glance.
Tiana’s face burned–one second flushed red, the next drained pale. But even as fury boiled inside her, she forced an aggrieved look onto her face, her voice pitifully soft.
“Mrs. Galloway, I swear, you’ve got the wrong idea. There’s nothing between Mr. Galloway and me.”
Rosalie, feigning confusion, blinked at her. “Didn’t I just say I was joking? Wow, you’re really uptight, huh? Can’t even take a little teasing?”
Tiana nearly choked on her own indignation. Inside, she was screaming, ‘Screw you, Rosalie!‘
Tiana gritted her teeth in frustration, seething inside. She had thought she wouldn’t get the chance to set Rosalie up this time, and the realization left her simmering with irritation.
But before she could dwell on her disappointment, Rosalie’s voice rang out again. “Julian may be blind as a bat, but even he wouldn’t stoop so low as to pick up just any trash.”
“You…” Tiana’s face twisted in rage. But then, she suddenly remembered that there was someone behind Rosalie, listening to every single word. And just like that, her fury melted into something else entirely–pure, unrestrained satisfaction.
Tiana sneered inwardly, ‘Rosalie, you’re walking straight into this one. Don’t blame me for making things a little more difficult for you.’
She put on a hesitant, innocent expression and said, “Mrs. Galloway, how could you say that about Mr. Galloway? Calling him blind like that?”
Rosalie let out a cold chuckle. “Being severely nearsighted isn’t much different from being blind. But fine, let’s say he’s not actually blind. Even so, the fact that you of all people managed to be his plus–one at those events is kind of insulting to me.”
She pursed her lips as if deep in thought. Then, her expression lit up with sudden realization. “Oh, I get it now. I heard he only takes you to those run–of–the–mill social gatherings. But when it comes to the high–profile, exclusive events, he always brings Alan instead–never you.”
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Chapter 6
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A sharp pang shot through Tiana’s chest. An uneasy feeling settled in her gut, warning her that whatever Rosalie was about to say next wouldn’t be anything good. And she was right.
Rosalie continued, “Makes sense. He may be blind, but he’s not stupid. He knows better than to bring an empty–headed little fool like you to an elite gathering. If you blurt out something embarrassing and offend the wrong people, he’d be the one left dealing with the consequences.”
Tiana’s face darkened. “You…”
But Rosalie wasn’t done. “As for those lower–tier events? He can’t be bothered to entertain people himself, so he drags you along. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Waste not, want not. And let’s be honest–cheap thrills have their uses in certain situations.” Her voice remained effortlessly calm, completely devoid of anger, as though she were simply stating cold, hard facts.
And that was exactly what made her words land like a knife to the gut.
“After all,” Rosalie added smoothly, “the only real value you have in the Office of the Secretary is exactly that, isn’t it?” Rosalie smiled–a poised, refined smile, not at all like a scorned wife lashing out at her husband’s little mistress. No bitterness, no desperation. Just effortless grace and an air of untouchable elegance.
AD
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