Chapter 170
I narrowed my eyes. Tracy really wasn’t doing this out of the goodness of her heart. But thinking about it, Jared was the real catch here. If Tracy was willing to throw that kind of money around just for him, it actually made sense.
“So, tell me, Tracy, are you his wife or am I? What gives you the right to decide how the assets in my marriage get split?” I didn’t trust her for a second. "There are way too many loopholes in dividing up property. If she played dirty behind my back, I could end up with nothing and a whole lot of trouble."
Tracy’s face changed a little, her lips pressed tight. “If I don’t help you, do you really think Jared would give you that much?”
“I know exactly who gets to call the shots here, and it’s not you. I don’t need some outsider meddling in my business,” I replied coldly, cutting her off.
A flash of malice flickered across Tracy’s face. She clearly hadn’t expected me to have any brains. In her eyes, I was just a pretty face, no substance, no smarts, nothing worth respecting.
“Mrs. Holcomb, youth is precious, especially for someone as beautiful as you. Jared doesn’t love you, and you’re trapped in this marriage, unable to find someone compatible. Don’t you feel it’s a waste of time?” Tracy always emphasized that Jared no longer loved me.
Every word she threw was a dagger straight to the heart. Tracy really knew how to twist the knife.
“Oh, really? The time I’ve ‘wasted’ is his too. Sure, maybe he doesn’t love me anymore, but he’s still my husband—rich, handsome, and honestly, pretty damn good in bed. I don’t see any of that as a waste.”
I lazily flipped my hair. “Honestly, Tracy, you’re the one who seems desperate here.” Tracy’s face flushed bright red with anger. She clearly didn’t expect me to be this unfazed.
“Victoria, don’t get too full of yourself. One day, you’ll eat your words,” Tracy said, getting to her feet, clearly not wanting to talk anymore.
“What do I have to regret? It’s you who’s so eager to climb up, claiming not to care about Mrs. Holcomb’s position. I think what you want most is that title,” I coldly mocked her retreating figure.
Tracy stiffened, shot me a vicious glare, then grabbed her bag and walked out. Once she was gone, I reached into my bag and pulled out a voice recorder.
Ever since I decided to gather evidence for the divorce, I’d been doing my homework and getting ready for anything. In my previous life, I’d been caught up in chaos, but this time around, I wasn’t going into battle without a plan.
I finished listening to the recording, and honestly, Tracy’s pushy attitude was seriously infuriating. Still, I wasn’t about to confront Jared with this recording and start a scene. I had something way smarter in mind.
I took the afternoon off, not going to the office, not heading home either. Instead, I went to Willow Bay alone to take in the scenery. Around seven in the evening, Jared called me, but I hung up on him.
By eight, a sudden downpour had everyone scurrying for cover. I sat alone on a bench by Willow Bay, letting the rain soak my hair and drench my clothes.
Jared kept calling, one after another, but I didn’t answer. I had completely vanished from his world. Then Jared’s parents started calling, and Yvonne sent me messages, but I ignored them all.
By ten o’clock, Jared was losing his mind, going all over the place looking for me. Melissa called, saying Jared was pounding on her door like a madman, asking where the hell I was.
I gave the address to Melissa, who told Jared. Late that night by Willow Bay, a sleek Bentley sped through the rain and screeched to a stop beside me. Jared ran out, holding an umbrella over him as he approached.
I sat on a bench beneath a huge tree, rain soaking me to the bone—hair, clothes, everything. Jared came running, practically throwing the umbrella aside as he pulled me into his arms, holding me so tight it almost hurt.
“Victoria, are you out of your mind? It’s pouring and you’re just sitting here? What the hell are you trying to do? Why did you come here? What were you thinking?”
His eyes were wild and red, darting to the dark waters of Willow Bay nearby. When he looked back at me, his arms tightened around me even more, like he was afraid I’d slip away.
I was shivering all over, and with what little strength I had left, I shoved him hard. “Why don’t you go back to your precious Tracy? Just leave me the hell alone.”