Vespera waited for Tina to finish. Her gaze, clear and cold, fixed on Tina. “And what exactly makes you so superior? Is it your brain, incapable of even checkers? Or is it parading around with my discards as if they were prizes? Or perhaps you’re thrilled to have a job I didn't want? You even said ‘our circle’… When did I ever belong to your ‘we’?”
“You spend your days acting like a stray in heat. Keep your disgusting, rotten social circle. You and Luke can rot in it together.” Her tone was light, almost casual, yet venomous. Tina, enraged, nearly exploded. Her face contorted with fury, barely letting Vespera finish before shrieking, “Shut up! I’ll rip your mouth off! I’ll kill you!” She lunged from her chair, hand raised to strike.
Vespera didn’t flinch. As Tina reached her, Vespera swung the documents, striking Tina's face. Tina staggered back, blood trickling from her nose. “The handover is complete. Wishing you all the best in running Eclipse Group into the ground.” Vespera turned and walked out, leaving Tina's piercing shrieks echoing behind her. “Vespera, I won’t let you get away with this! Ah!”
The project team remained frozen. Once Vespera had left, they cautiously approached. Christine slipped into the office, quietly gathering Vespera's belongings, even retrieving her trophies from the trash, carefully cleaning them before boxing them. “Ms. Gildon, I’ll carry these down for you,” Christine offered.
Warmth spread through Vespera's chest; her eyes grew misty. It was a dark time, but good people remained. “Alright,” she smiled. The team escorted her to the elevator, Christine carrying her things to the lobby. Before entering her car, Vespera turned. “Tell everyone to focus on their work. Don't provoke that spoiled brat. Ideally, she’ll get bored and leave. But if she messes up a project, report it directly to Luke. Don't let her shift blame. These projects are worth billions; none of you can afford to take the fall. Luke will know it’s her fault.” Christine nodded. “I’ll make sure everyone knows.” Vespera hugged her. “Keep in touch.”
As she drove away, rain began to fall, bringing unexpected melancholy. She had ten days left.
As soon as Vespera left, Tina stormed upstairs to find her brother, Austin Sowle. He was shocked by her swollen, red nose. “What the hell happened to you?”
Tina sobbed dramatically. “I was trying to be nice! I made her coffee, gave up my chair, but she insulted me—called me shameless, said awful things about Luke… She called us ‘strays in heat.’ I didn’t even talk back! I was asking about work, but she yelled, threw documents in my face, and attacked me! She knocked me down and beat me!”
Luke remained silent, his expression unreadable. Austin was incredulous, his anger flaring. “Has she lost her mind? This is insane! Luke, what are we going to do?”
Luke finally spoke, “I’ll apologize to Tina on her behalf. She’s been in a bad mood lately.”
Tina thought, That’s it? She expected him to defend her, perhaps even bring Vespera back. Her blood boiled. “I don’t want your apology! I want her to kneel and apologize herself! And I want to hit her back!”
Luke’s expression turned cold. “That’s not happening.”
Austin’s face darkened. “Why the hell not? She beat my sister! She needs to be held accountable! If you insist on shielding her, don’t blame the Sowle family for legal action.”
Luke’s fingers curled. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll express my regrets. Not only will our partnership fall apart, but we’ll be seeing each other in court.”
Tina and Austin were stunned. Austin frowned. “You… You really care about that woman this much?”
Luke leaned back, his tone unwavering. “She’s mine. No one touches her.”
Tina trembled. He had been happy with her, but barely went home anymore. He didn't love her, yet he still cared about Vespera. Realizing she could never compare, she wanted to destroy Vespera. More than that, she feared losing Luke's attention. Swallowing her anger, she softened. “Forget it. Vespera was jealous because I’m close to you. I didn’t really mean it… I was just upset. Don’t be mad, okay?”
Austin looked at her in disbelief. Lowering herself to compete for a man's attention was humiliating, a disgrace. “But Luke, I’ve suffered so much. You have to make it up to me,” Tina whined, feigning innocence.
Luke’s expression softened. “Of course.” Tina left, resentment boiling.
As soon as Vespera got home, Yasmine called. “Vera, tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Alban Clarke from Glenmere Group has a golf game with Dominic. I told him I’d bring someone. Your chance—make it count.”
“Yaz, you’re the best! Love you!”
“Ugh, that was so cringy. My skin’s crawling. See you Wednesday then!”
“See you Wednesday!”
The good news lifted Vespera’s mood. She overate at dinner. Later, she went to the gym. After twenty minutes, her phone rang. It was Luke. He hadn’t come home again. A call at this hour felt strange. Hesitating, Vespera answered. She heard a woman's breathy moans. “Luke… you’re amazing.”
Nausea hit Vespera. She doubled over, vomiting. Her phone slipped from her hand, shattering. She vomited until there was nothing left, her body convulsing. She somehow made it to her room. She expected agony, heartbreak, but the pain didn't peak. She stared at the ceiling, listening to her heartbeat. The world was silent. Time passed. She closed her eyes, and darkness swallowed her.
When she woke, the sun was rising. She got up, cleaned the mess, had breakfast, and bought a new phone. That afternoon, she arrived at Ravencrest Golf Club.