Chapter 6
As she heard this, the smile quickly faded from Margot’s face. Her mask of politeness slipped away, revealing a look of raw hostility.
“You’re the homewrecker here. Howell’s the one who loves me. We’ve been together for ages. You’re the one who ruined everything between us. You’re the one everyone sees as the mistress!” Margot spat, furious.
She thought, “Damn it. I’m a respected dancer–elegant, well–known, and admired in my field. How the hell dare anyone talk shit about me like
this?
Joanna shot her a disdainful look, sneering. “Miss Caldwell, how naive. I was officially married into the Buckley family, and now we’re divorced.
“Even if you marry into the Buckley family, what’s it really worth? You’ll still be the mistress who climbed her way to the top. You’ll never escape
that label.”
Titles don’t matter. Howell and I truly love each other. You’d better open your eyes and see how happy we’re going to be together!” Margot snapped back, refusing to back down.
“Sorry, I’m not interested in watching your happiness. From now on, stay away from me. You’ve got this… fox–like scent that makes me want to gag,” Joanna replied, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“You… don’t get so damn smug. Just because you’ve hooked up with Mr. Menzie, you think you’re some rich, classy woman? You’re just a cheap slut, and who knows? Maybe you’ll be tossed aside sooner than you think,” Margot spat, her words dripping with bitterness.
At that moment, she caught sight of a tall, familiar figure walking toward the pool. Her eyes brightened, and an idea suddenly formed in her mind. Without warning, Margot stepped forward, grabbing Joanna’s hand tightly and putting on a pitiful act.
She bit her lip, looking completely wronged as she spoke, “Joanna, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you felt that way. Actually, Howell and I are just friends. Please don’t be angry. It’s all my fault.”
Joanna raised an eyebrow, looking at her skeptically. “What? Have you lost your mind?”
Before she could say anything more, Margot jerked her hand away dramatically and stumbled backward. With a loud “Ah!” she fell straight into the pool, creating a huge splash that caught the attention of everyone nearby.
As Joanna turned to look at Howell’s tall figure, she finally understood Margot’s game. ‘Oh, wow. She really put some thought into this. Her acting’s so damn dramatic, she could win Best Actress!
Because the area was relatively empty, from behind, it almost looked like Joanna had pushed her in.
As Joanna stood there, still processing everything, she heard a loud “plop!” and turned to see Howell quickly tossing his suit jacket aside before diving straight into the pool.
He pulled Margot out with ease. Luckily, it was a hotel pool, so the water wasn’t too deep.
When Margot emerged, her clothes were drenched, and she shivered from the cold. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to warm up. Howell immediately grabbed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Howell, I’m so sorry. I’ve caused you trouble. Please don’t blame Joanna. It’s all my fault. She had every right to be upset. If her pushing me into the pool helps calm her down, it’s fine.
“I don’t mind at all” Margot said, her eyes red, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice. She huddled inside his jacket, holding back tears, looking pitiful and vulnerable.
The onlookers around them exchanged disapproving looks, now directing their judgment toward Joanna.
Joanna didn’t seem bothered by the scene. After all, being falsely accused wasn’t a first for her. She simply pursed her lips and said, “This old trick again? Doesn’t it feel a bit stale? Even TV dramas don’t use these plots anymore.”
Howell’s expression darkened, his eyes locking onto Joanna with an intense gaze. “What are you trying to do? Trying to get my attention?”
Joanna looked at him like he’d just said the most ridiculous thing. “Mr. Buckley, are you out of your mind? You’re not actually believing what she’s saying, are your
I only believe what my eyes can see. Apologize to Margot. Now. Howell’s voice was icy, his face set in a hard, unforgiving expression. He couldn’t believe that Margot would do something like this in public.
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Chapter 6
That just proves you’re blind, Joanna retorted, her sarcasm cutting through the air.
Joanna, I know you don’t like me, but you two are divorced now. You should’ve moved on. Why are you still clinging to Howell and slandering me Margot’s voice cracked as she tried to keep herself together, clearly on the edge of tears.
Joanna thought. Wow. This is getting really dramatic
The crowd around them grew larger, whispers circulating. The rumors had been flying–Howell had been married for three years. They thought, Is the woman in front of us his ex–wife?
And is Margot his new lover? Now, the ex and the new flame are facing off right here. It is turning into a real show!
People’s gazes toward Margot shifted, and it was clear that opinions were changing. After all, in this society, the third party in a marriage was rarely looked upon kindly.
Howell furrowed his brow, clearly irritated. He was about to intervene and stop Margot from saying more.
But before he could, Joanna stepped forward, grabbed a fistful of Margot’s hair, and yanked her toward the kids‘ pool. With a swift push, she sent her splashing into the water.
With a loud splash, Margot, caught off guard, fell into the shallow pool. She flailed for a moment, but since it was a children’s pool, she quickly managed to stand up.
Joanna, you bitch! Are you crazy? Margot sputtered, water dripping from her hair, her voice rising into an angry shrick.
Joanna looked at her coldly, her eyes sharp as ice, a small, mocking smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I’m just confirming what you said. Didn’t you just accuse me of pushing you in?”
Margot’s lips trembled with fury. She couldn’t believe Joanna had the nerve to actually push her into the pool like that.
She had been ready to unleash a full tirade, but when she saw the stares from Howell and the onlookers, she realized she’d nearly fallen for Joanna’s
trick.
She was the one who was supposed to be making a fool of Joanna, not the other way around. Lowering her head, she started to sob, her voice now weak and pitiful.
Howell couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. He thought, ‘How has Joanna become this way? The kind, gentle woman I knew seems like a distant memory Why has she turned so ruthless?
Joanna, what the hell are you doing? How did you become so… unrecognizable? Why are you hurting innocent people? Are you deliberately pushing my buttons? Howell’s voice was filled with disbelief and anger.
“Mr. Buckley, you’re overestimating yourself, Joanna sneered. “But since you’re blind, I’ll let it slide.” She rolled her eyes, then added, “Let me give you another gift–consider it a parting present, for old times‘ sake:
With a sharp clap of her hands, the large screen by the pool flickered on, and the crowd watched as the footage from earlier played: Margot approaching Joanna with a mocking expression, before dramatically jumping into the pool herself.
The realization hit the crowd all at once–Margot had staged the whole thing.
Seeing herself on the screen, Margot turned pale. Her entire body trembled, and she felt like the blood had drained from her face, “You slut! You’re playing dirty! This isn’t true–don’t believe anything she says!”
She thought, “That bitch is truly my worst enemy!
“Miss Caldwell, Joanna said coolly, “the truth is clear to everyone. If no one wrongs me, I won’t wrong anyone. But from now on, stay away from
“Margot, how could you do something like this? Howell’s brow furrowed deeply as he looked at her, his expression one of confusion and disappointment.
In his memories, Margot had always been sweet, pure, and gentle–her voice soft, her actions always considerate. He wondered, ‘How has she come
to resort to much underhanded tactics?
The atmosphere around them thickened, the tension palpable.
Joanna didn’t want to stick around to watch their performance.
Howell, remember this–it wasn’t you who left me, it was I who chose to leave you. From now on, stay the hell away from me,” she said coldly, her voice sharp and final.
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Chapter 6
With that, she turned on her heel and walked off, not willing to let them ruin her mood any longer.
Howell’s expression darkened as he watched her leave. He wanted to call out, to stop her, to speak with her. But before he could move, Margot rushed forward, grabbing his arm.
With a pitiful look in her eyes, she apologized, her voice trembling. “Howell… I’m sorry… I know I was wrong…”
Howell shot her a cold look, his eyes filled with an icy calm. “Margot, why did you do this?”
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