Chapter 216

I just let Melissa’s joke slide. I didn’t take it to heart.

“After the divorce, I want to take a few years to really focus on what I do,” I said.

Melissa sighed, “Once bitten, twice shy. I totally get where you’re coming from.”

“I’m just an exception. Don’t let my story make you lose faith in marriage,” I reassured her.

But Melissa tilted her head and looked at me. “Victoria, if even you can’t make a marriage work, then what hope is there for someone hot-tempered like me? You couldn’t be more gentle, always patient, devoted to your family, loving your husband and daughter.”

Her words made me feel bitter.

I said wryly, “All those so-called good qualities were just what I thought mattered, but they weren’t what he or my daughter wanted. Nothing worth showing off.”

Melissa gave me a sympathetic look. “If they can’t see how good you are, then just take it all back. Don’t give them any of it.”

“Already working on it,” I said with a smile.

Melissa nodded. “Victoria, you’re even more decisive than me these days. You’re starting to give off that strong, independent woman vibe.”

“I don’t really want to make a big deal about being a strong woman. It’s honestly exhausting trying to keep that up. I just want to earn enough to take care of myself and chip in for my family’s bills,” I said with a smile.

Melissa agreed. As long as you knew how to be content, happiness stuck with you.

After lunch, I headed back to the office for an afternoon meeting. The meeting wrapped up around four in the afternoon.

Jared’s right-hand man suddenly stopped a few of the hotel managers and said, “Mr. Holcomb wants to treat everyone to dinner tonight to thank you all for your hard work these past few days.”

Everyone’s faces lit up at the news. The assistant glanced at me with a grin and said, “Mrs. Holcomb, Mr. Holcomb said you know your team’s tastes best, so why don’t you pick the restaurant?”

Immediately, all eyes were on me. I wanted to refuse, but I forced myself to swallow the words.

“Ms. Murphy, how about hooking us up with some perks?” someone chimed in.

“Yeah, let’s get something fancy for dinner!” someone else said.

With everyone looking at me so expectantly, I ended up booking a pretty great restaurant for us.

Around six in the evening, my phone buzzed with a text from Ryan. He asked if I was still coming into the office that night. I replied that I had dinner plans and told him to head home.

He just texted back: [Alright.]

As the sky grew dark, the restaurant outside was bustling with life. We’d booked a big private room, and by the time we arrived, the dishes were ordered and ready.

Jared came in with several of the company’s top execs, and Amy was with them. She wore a beige suit, looking both elegant and completely at ease.

As she walked in, she was still talking to Jared, her eyes shining with respect and admiration for her boss.

Jared had that unique Hachester vibe—handsome, steady, and warm, with wise eyes that kept his emotions in check.

They seemed to be discussing something important, and as soon as they entered, Amy immediately took the seat next to Jared and kept their conversation going.

She was speaking mostly in Englysian, and Jared switched right over, the two of them chatting away in fluent Englysian.

The room went quiet, everyone glued to their phones, pretending to be busy. Even without looking up, I knew that they were all feeling sorry for me again.

After all, everyone knew Jared was my husband, yet I was sitting as far from him as possible. He was at the head of the table, and I’d picked the very last seat.

Jared wrapped up the conversation and then looked over at me. “Victoria, come sit next to me.”

“No, I’m fine right here,” I replied, not giving him any face in front of everyone.

Jared just smiled, unfazed. Amy kept her head down and focused on her phone. Her expression stayed unchanged.

Earlier, everyone had been quiet while Jared discussed business, but now a few people started chatting and lightening the mood, and the whole room relaxed.

I joined the conversation with the two executives next to me, talking about the hotel business.

Suddenly, someone blurted out, “Mr. Holcomb, is that a bite mark on your neck?”

Jared paused for a moment, and then reached up to touch the left side of his neck, smiling. “It’s just a bite by a cute animal.”

I was in the middle of talking when I heard that, and a chill ran down my spine. I even forgot what I was going to say.