Chapter 30

George summoned his secretary to escort Ursula home, with instructions to stop at a pharmacy for her facial injury. Ursula, the only daughter of the Montgomery family and granddaughter of the Grants, considered Caleb her uncle. She'd always believed the combined support of both families would shield her from hardship. Yet, Yasmin and Brenda had humiliated her earlier that day, even with Grant and George present.

"Aren't you going to see her off?" Brenda asked George, nodding dismissively at the tearful Ursula. "That's your mother's darling daughter-in-law—the one she adores."

With the others gone, George sat on a nearby couch, stretching out an arm along the backrest and loosening his tie as if it choked him.

"Brenda, are you the head of the Department of Sarcasm? Have you considered speaking pleasantly?"

Unlike Caleb's refined demeanor, George possessed a blunt, untamed edge. Irritated, he shifted his leg, his leather shoe nudging Brenda's heels.

"Mrs. Howard, instead of worrying about others, why don't you check your husband's contact in your phone?"

Brenda was speechless. Could George have blocked her? That seemed impossible.

"See? You're not blocked," she said, displaying her contacts. "Although, I have to admit, watching you return and immediately spend money on another woman and compete with me for the stone was infuriating. But it's because you embarrassed me publicly, not because—"

"Stop," George interrupted sharply, his eyes narrowing. "I'm the third number."

Brenda stared at the unfamiliar number, then looked to Yasmin for confirmation.

"Isn't this the guy who insisted on getting our numbers at the bar?"

Yasmin felt Caleb's sharp gaze. A bar? Exchanging numbers? She felt inexplicable guilt—she considered herself too morally upright for such behavior.

Quickly, Yasmin prompted Brenda. "No. We gave him a fake number."

"Oh," Brenda replied, showing no such guilt. She refused to believe she'd do anything so outrageous and immediately unblocked George.

The next second, her phone rang. It was George. Brenda and Yasmin were speechless; Yasmin couldn't defend her friend.

Brenda offered an awkward laugh. "Well, you can't blame me, George. You've been gone so long we're practically strangers. Besides, I didn't hold it against you for giving my 'beloved treasure' to another woman, and yet you're upset I blocked you?"

By the sentence's end, Brenda's confidence swelled. She was issuing a warning: if George argued, she'd settle other scores.

George, not one for petty squabbles with women, said, "I won't be leaving again anytime soon, Mrs. Howard. You'll have plenty of time to get reacquainted." Brenda was unprepared for his return. "Well, I have plans with Yasmin tonight, so I won't be home."

George turned to Caleb with a playful smirk. "Your wife won't be home either?"

He deliberately emphasized Yasmin's absence, revealing his awareness of the rumors surrounding Caleb and Yasmin.

Caleb's expression darkened. "You seem well-informed."

George chuckled, saying nothing more.

Leaving, they passed the after-party. Caleb and George were immediately surrounded by guests. Veronica had departed in disgrace, humiliated by her counterfeit gown. Jeremy, however, was enjoying himself with friends. Spotting Yasmin, he ran toward her.

Chapter 31