Chapter 511

After dropping off the kids, I met Melissa for lunch.

She looked exhausted, her skin dull and lifeless. It broke my heart to see her like this.

A few days ago, she called me, saying she was thinking about breaking up with Zachary. She said if he showed even a little support, she might reconsider.

But now, it was clear Zachary was siding with his family. Melissa’s defeat was inevitable.

Only naive women think men put love above everything else.

But the truth is, once you marry into their family, you’ll realize you’re not even as well off as the old dog at home–the dog gets to nap and wait for food, but you don’t even get that kind of treatment.

“I’m done, Victoria. Seriously, I’m throwing in the towel,” Melissa said, taking several big gulps of her beer. “I don’t love him anymore. I’m never going to be happy again, not ever.”

“Melissa, don’t be upset, and don’t give up,” I said, hugging her tightly. “Take care of yourself. If you don’t have a man, you can always find someone new.”

“I know,” Melissa replied. She was a tough woman, but even she couldn’t help feeling down as love faded away.

After lunch, I pampered Melissa with a full spa treatment from head to toe, and topped it off by gifting her a luxury skincare set.

Melissa finally perked up a bit. She teased, “With a sugar mama bestie like you, maybe my life isn’t so tragic after all.”

I took her for a spin around Willow Bay, and after our little joyride, Melissa dove right back into her hustle.

Around three in the afternoon, I sent Ryan a photo I took by Willow Bay.

He replied with a rose emoji, saying he was in a meeting and would talk to me later.

I didn’t bother him after that.

When I got home, I popped open a bottle of champagne and leaned against the balcony railing, savoring the moment.

At that moment, life felt like it was opening up to a whole new chapter, even though I had no idea what was waiting for me.

But being able to call the shots in my own life–that was the real privilege.

That evening, Hayes Corp hosted a high–level gathering, and Nathan invited me in the group chat.

I was originally planning to skip it, but then I thought, building a network takes time and effort. Why shouldn’t I go?

Just because I agreed to be with Ryan, did that mean I had to cut off my social life?

No way. That kind of thinking was like trapping myself in a cage, holding myself back from growing.

So I went, dressed in a sleek, minimalist beige gown that made my fair skin practically glow beneath the chandeliers.

I swept my long hair up with a silver hairpin, giving off a subtle, mature vibe and an air of intelligence and grace that came with my age.

Nathan’s white hair was impossible to miss, especially set against his young, handsome face. The contrast tugged at my heart a little.

I did my best to ignore his white hair, but he kept coming closer.

“Victoria… I honestly didn’t think you’d show up,” Nathan said, his eyes shining with barely contained joy.

His eyes were fixed on me, like I was some kind of masterpiece.

I was chatting with some people when I heard Nathan. I flashed him a smile and said, “Thanks for inviting me. I actually made a bunch of new friends tonight.”

Once Nathan walked over, the guys hanging around me all got the message and scattered.

“Wait, you didn’t invite Jared?” I blinked in surprise. “Isn’t he one of the shareholders too?”

Nathan gave me a sly smile. “Since you were coming, I figured I’d leave him out.”

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, “Why does it feel like you’re kind of singling him out?”

Nathan laughed along with me. “Come on, Mr. Holcomb can handle a little teasing, can’t he?”

“I can take a joke,” a calm, almost chilly male voice came from our left.

Nathan and I both turned to see Jared standing there with a cocktail in hand, having appeared out of nowhere.

He was dressed in a classic black–and–white shirt and suit, looking refined and handsome, but there was a depth and worldliness in his demeanor–a touch of old–school charm.

Ever since I learned Jared remembered his previous life, I couldn’t help but notice that air of nostalgia about him.

“What brings you here, Mr. Holcomb?” Nathan said, not the least bit awkward. “Sorry, things got hectic and I forgot to send you an invite.”

Jared gave a tight, almost insincere smile. “I get it. After all, two tigers can’t share the same mountain.”

I caught his joke, my face turning cold. “Mr. Holcomb, let’s not do this. We’re all business partners here–no need to make it sound like we’re tangled up in some love triangle.”

Nathan gave me a gentle look, then quietly lowered his head and took a sip of his drink without saying a word.

Jared, picking up on the mood, said, “Alright, alright, future Mrs. Sterling…”

“Jared,” I said, my voice icy and utterly serious.