Chapter 47
"This restaurant usually requires reservations, but it looks like we got lucky today," Leroy said with a smile as they sat down.
Leroy nodded slightly, but his composure quickly soured. Just as they were settling in, Scarlett walked in with Cedric.
The moment Zoe saw them, her cheerful demeanor vanished. The mere sight of the pair seemed to ruin her appetite. "Leroy, this play isn't that great. Let's leave," Zoe said, getting up abruptly.
Leroy followed, confused, but they barely made it to the door before running into Scarlett and Cedric. The four of them locked eyes, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Scarlett's expression flickered with confusion, but Cedric's face lit up with smug certainty.
"My, you're never short of admirers," Cedric said mockingly, his gaze darting between Leroy and Zoe. "But what happened to that other woman? Ms. Middleton, was it?"
Zoe retorted, "You'd better keep an eye on your own company, Ms. Payne," she shot back.
"Otherwise, you'll just keep finding yourself dragged into his messes. Next time, it won't just be a slap."
Her words made Scarlett's expression darken.
"You'd better worry about yourself, Ms. Black. And while you're at it, maybe reconsider the places you drag Dr. Olson to. This doesn't seem to suit him," she added with a sharp smile, her tone laced with condescension.
The jab landed, but Zoe wasn't one to back down. She glared at Scarlett, but before she could respond, Leroy stepped forward. "Scarlett, let's get one thing straight," he said, his voice calm but firm.
"The only reason I avoided fancy food before was because I was accommodating your preferences. But now that we're divorced, my choices are none of your business."
His words were measured but cutting, and he didn't stop there.
"And Scarlett, next time you feel the need to question me, make sure you have all the facts first. Otherwise, I'll have no problem calling security to handle things." Leroy's anger, though controlled, was unmistakable. Ever since Scarlett had shown up at the hospital with Cedric to humiliate him, his disappointment in her had only deepened.
Scarlett was stunned. "Leroy, how dare you speak to me like that!" she snapped, her voice shaking with disbelief and anger.
Before she could say more, Zoe chuckled. "Why not? You're divorced. He doesn't owe you anything. Not respect, not explanations, and certainly not courtesy." Scarlett's face froze, her gaze flitting between Leroy and Zoe. Her mind reeled. Was this really about her misunderstanding earlier? Or had something deeper between them broken beyond repair?
"Leroy," Scarlett said, her voice quieter now, "is this all because I misunderstood you?"
Leroy shook his head, the disappointment in his eyes cutting deeper than his words. "Scarlett, you've never understood me. Not before, not during our marriage, and certainly not now," he said.
"You never tried to know who I was. And while I can overlook a lot of things, some lines shouldn't be crossed."
Scarlett stood frozen, unsure of how to respond, while Cedric, sensing the shift in her mood, stepped forward and grabbed Leroy by the collar. However, Leroy remained calm, his eyes steady as he looked Cedric in the eye.
Cedric's face twisted with anger, and before anyone could stop him, he swung a fist, landing a punch on Leroy's face.
The altercation drew the attention of the restaurant's staff. The owner of the restaurant rushed over, alarmed by the escalating situation. Scarlett's face burned with embarrassment as she realized how much of a spectacle they'd created.
"Cedric!" Scarlett snapped, stepping between Cedric and Leroy. "We're leaving. Now."
Cedric hesitated but eventually released Leroy's collar, muttering under his breath, "This was just a warning, Dr. Olson. Watch yourself and keep my fiancée's name out of your mouth."